Has anyone seen the Blue Man Group at the Charles Street Theater in Boston? Is this show suitable for a 13 year old?

Which seats would you recommend ? I see the theatre has a balcany.

Also read about the Freedom Trail walk. Is this something that would interest a young teen?

Thanks for your help !!

The theater is super small so seats aren't really an issue. I think the show itself is fine for a 13 year old but the theater does have a bar and it's more of an adult crowd.

The Freedom Trail is a must-do and a great idea.

This show is perfectly suitable for a 13 year old. I think we saw it about 4 years ago with a then 15 and 18 year old -- they enjoyed it.

The theater is small. We actually sat in the side balcony and had no problems seeing or hearing -- it's a very LOUD show and they offer ear plugs (which we used). It's a very interactive show, from all areas.

As for the bar...every theater I have ever been to has a bar in it. I don't think they'll serve the 13 year old, lol

Is your 13 year old a history buff? Heck, regardless, I think it's a great walk! Enjoy Boston!

Freedon Trail is a marked red-line - either bricks or paint, thru much of the area of Boston from downtown to waterfront (and then to Charlestown to Old Ironsides). Not sure of total length since many people do not walk non-stop but pick and choose what they want to see. It is right thru city street, on sidewalks - so don't think it is some path somewhere.

Along the way there are various historic buildings, graveyards and small museums. Also enough Starbucks, ice cream places, etc to keep a teenager happy.

Near one end is Qincy Market/Faneuil Hall area. Twenty-five years ago or so this was a broken down warehouse area but then went from one main shop building to at least 4-5 with many small and large shop, restaurants. Many are chains, so has lost some character - but 13 year old will have fun.

Also is gateway to North End - Italian area with great restaurants. If you are there on a Friday or Sat there are still pushcarts (Haymarket) selling produce and scarey looking whole fish on ice.

We chaperoned a young teen group to a Blue Man Group show. They loved it. Your 13 yo might like a Duck Tour. Young teens don't usually enjoy historical sites. It depends on the teen. The Boston Museum of Science, Laser light show and IMax movie might be a good choice. But if the teen likes to shop, Quincy market area would be good.

Of course it depends on your teen whether they'll like the Freedom Trail, but...if you take one of the free guided walking tours with the National Parks rangers it might make it more interesting as they paint the historical picture so you have an idea of at what you're looking looking, and get a sense of the time they were in when things were built.

I found the tour to be excellent (I'm sure it depends on the talent/passion of the individual guide as well). There's no obligation to stay to the end so if it's too long/boring, you guys can just peel off.

Enjoy-la!

klam_chowder, How do you get info on when and where to meet with the national park people to get the walking tour of the freedom trail?
geordias, Blue man group is fun. Saw it in Las Vegas and thinking of taking my kids, 12 and 14 this summer. Sit close enough so you can see the whites of their eyes. They are so expressive. Don't be scared of the rain jackets. Nothing got on us!!!

I agree with those who said Blue Man group would be fine for a 13 year old. And I don't think there are any bad seats in that theater. We saw it from the side balcony and it was okay, although it was a little hard to read some of the signs during the show.

I think trying to walk the whole freedom trail would bore a young teen, unless they were particularly interested in history. My nephews at that age were not into it. But they did like seeing the Paul Revere house and the old North Church, both in the north end, because one of them had just done a Paul Revere report for school. So I think I would pick and choose an historical sight or two that holds some special interest for them, and not try to walk the whole thing.

my young teen-age nephews loved the New England Aquarium. And also Fenway park. that was their favorite part of the visit.

Blue Man Group is great for ALL ages and it maybe "safer" to be in the balcony.lol.. A tour of Fenway is a must as is the Duck Tour which I highly recommmend... and make reservations ahead of time. I don't know how much history the 13 year old is into, but the Old South Church, Fanuel Hall if you can take a tour with a costumed figure.., so much the better. Gail and I think alike...we are both Bostonians.. Also depending on when you expect to be in Boston check out the half price theatre ticket booth in Copley Square for tickets for even Blue Man Group...

My 13 yo loves the Freedom Trail - makes me take her on it every spring with a friend or two. Last spring we had to drag her and her friends out of the cemetaries. They were fascinated by them - really getting into the dates and names, but not in a ghoulish way. And she's dieing for me to take her to Blue Man Group. Also loves the Science Museum and Fenway Park tours. Pretty much loves Boston and "drags" me there every chance she gets.

nps.gov/Bos/FreedomTrail has all sorts of info, including tour times.

I've seen the Blue Man Group twice, once when I was 16 and visiting Boston for the first time, and once more recently (24 now) they've added lots of new material and it's completely suitable for a 13 year old. There is also a bar that people of all ages sit in before hand (children with families are allowed to come in) there is a jukebox, drinks, pinball. The theater is small, but it makes the performance even better. There is a balcony but the best seats are on the floor in the middle section/area. The closer you get to the stage, the more likely you'll be in the "splash seats" but don't worry about that--they give you smocks. Before you go to the theater there are some wonderful eating places nearby including PF changes (GREAT chinese bistro), Flemmings Steakhouse, Legal Seafood and other great places like Rock Bottom Brewery.

The Freedom trail is really just a long walk, if he likes history he will probably find it interesting, if not, it may get a little dull. But the walk is nice, with stops along the way--through the Boston Common, Fanuiel Hall and into the North End. I think your 13 year old would enjoy some of the stuff, but a whole day on the Freedom Trail may get taxing.

I recommend taking him to some other places too including the Boston Aquarium, The Museum of Science (if you come before April there is a Star Wars exhibit), and TOMB @ 5 Wits near Fenway Park. This is actually interesting: It's an interactive game where you and a group move through this "Tomb" where an ancient pharoah has "cursed" intruders. You try to solve puzzles to decipher where the pharoah's body is buried. If you're going to tour Fenway Park or just want to see the area--that can be a great distraction. If you're going to do all these attractions be sure to buy a Go Boston Card or other value pass to get discounts on the price of admission.

Also take him to Cambridge/Harvard Square. He will love Newbury Comics and all the shops in the Garage (Anime store, Cd/comic stores, etc) I also think he would love this small comic book store (hidden in harvard square, but is right next to urban outfitters) called Million Yeah Picnic. http://www.harvardsquare.com/directory.php?id=235&cat=

Blue Man Group is perfect ! Kids that age usually love it. don't know how many days you have, but Freedom Trail, as people have said, you can stop and go on yourself if you don't join a tour - there are self guided tours, audio also. Two sites with lots of info on Freedom trail and where you can look at it all beforehand and see what might and might not interest him to semi plan your walk.

www.thefreedomtrail.org/home.htm
www.cityofboston.gov/freedom trail

Unless he is a history buff, you will likely walk along and do some side things too - (some kids like finding the headstone of Mother Goose or historical figures in the graveyards, others don't - that type of thing too) But I would think he'd at least like roaming thru Public Gardens, Boston Common, people watching and view of the State House -

He might like being on top of the Prudential Center (Skywalk) where there are exhibits of the history of the city as well as an amazing view. now you need a photo ID to get in if an adult - and you could call and see about hours.

Don't know what time of year you are going, b/c teens like the harbor cruises in Boston harbor and to one of the historic islands - Georges Island has Fort Warren, something teens sometimes like - www.bostonislands.com

Is the teen a boy or a girl b/c that would change some recommendations perhaps and if he/she has any specific interests: architecture, theater, sports, etc.

Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you all. I really appreciate the information.

The Blue Man Group is in!! We'll probably try to make reservations ahead. I hear Boston is quite crowded in June.

The 13 year old is a girl. The Science Museum is a definite, the Freedom Trail sounds good too. Even the Duck Tour. We're staying in the Back Bay area at the Newbury Guest House. The North End (Not Little Italy) is also on the list for dinner Any recommendations for dinner in China Town by the Charles Street Theatre?

Thanks again for all your suggestions. I love this site !!

After Boston, we'll be driving to the Cape, then up up the coast to Maine.

I've heard about the Black flies in June but no one has said what to do about them???

Thanks again.

I would gently suggest going local for your dining choices, not national chains like PF Chang's (out of that renowned epicenter of Chinese culture, Scottsdale, AZ), or Rock Bottom Brewery (operating out of Colorado) or Fleming's Steakhouse (originating in that wonderfully New England-y town of Newport Beach, CA-- where a neighbor is their executive chef). Since you'll be on Newbury Street, you have your choice of wonderful places like Sonsie, Stephanie's or Tapeo (the tapas and Spanish cuisine specialist across from the Guest House).

The North End has some great Italian joints. My favorite is Antico Forno. For baked goods, Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry are North End institutions despite not being All That (they're both pretty good, but I've had better Italian baked goods in my lifetime).

By the way-- great choice on the Newbury Guest House. I love that place madly. The location cannot be beat!! And Mass Ave. is a short schlepp away for the Boat Tour.

Just want to clarify that's it's actually called the Charles Playhouse, not the Charles St Theater. Don't want you to end up on Charles St looking for the place! Teatro is near the theater district and it is very good, albeit on the pricey side. http://www.teatroboston.com/

a more appropriate question would be "is the blue man group suitable for adults?"

long ago it was but now that the concept is stale i don't see how adults can get much out of it anymore. they should have invested in a new concept years ago rather than milk this one to death.

I'm so glad we could help you out a little! Be sure to pick up a go Boston Card if you're going to do those attractions you said: Freedom trail, duck tour http://www.gobostoncard.

Also, I really recommend you eat at Mamma Maria in the North End or Lucca. Both are incredibly good (though you can't really go wrong) Also be sure to stop off at Mike's Pastry for a chocolate cannoli and a coffee. Outstanding.

oops screwed up that link:

http://www.gobostoncard.com

Here is a good one too with the stuff from the freedom trail for a lower price:

http://www.explorerpass.com