Boston: short drive, long list of reasons to visit

By Kara Swarbrick
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Northfield is a small quiet town, great for studying and spending quiet time with friends. But for those who crave a little more entertainment without the hassle of a long drive, there is a place only three hours away that can provide almost any kind of entertainment you want.

"Boston is so much fun, it is a very worthwhile visit," said Maggie Denison, 21, a senior communications major from Hopewell Jct., N.Y. "I would highly recommend going to Beantown for some fun."

"Boston has so many options," said Elysha Nelson, 20, a senior communications major from Lunenburg, Vt. "I would definitely say it is one of the best cities to go in regards to entertainment offered."

"Boston is a walker's town, and there are several historical and nature walks in the area," according to the Lonely Planet website (www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_america/boston/activities.htm). "The two and a half mile Freedom Trail links over a dozen historic sites, winding through downtown and the North End and ending up at the USS Constitution in Charlestown."

Trails are either marked or staffed to prevent getting lost. "Guides are on hand to lead nature walks along the 'Emerald Necklace' of city parks that links the Esplanade and the Back Bay Fens," according to Lonely Planet.

For those interested in getting a workout while they explore, "bicycling on the Charles River Esplanade or the seven mile Shining Sea Bike Path offer great options."

Water sports are also a great combination. Boating is both very popular and accessible. "You can take canoes, kayaks, sailboats, windsurfers and racing shells out on the Charles River or Boston Harbor," according to Lonely Planet.

For visitors who are into observing animals in their natural surroundings, they "can strap on their binoculars and head for the Audubon Bird Sanctuary or nature reserves, including the National Wildlife Refuge on Monomoy Island, and the Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary," says Lonely Planet.

To observe animals in their not-so-natural surroundings, a visit to the New England Aquarium would satisfy any sea lover. The Aquarium has fresh water pools, a penguin attraction, the sea lion, seal, and dolphin shows, and a 200,000-gallon tank in the center of the building that recreates a coral reef environment.

"Fifty-two large windows permit viewing at each level. Visitors literally walk around the reef and witness first-hand sights normally seen only by SCUBA divers," according to the New England Aquarium website (www.neaq.org/vtour/tgot.html).

There are also zoos in the surrounding area such as the Stone Zoo and the Franklin Park Zoo.

If the theater is more the visitor's style, they can check out the Boston Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet, which will be performed May 8-18, 2003, according to the Boston Ballet's website (www.bostonballet.org) or one of several other shows in other various theaters.

"I saw Blue Man Group last time I was in Boston; it was such a great show," said Nelson. "There are tons of shows in Boston I would love to go to, such as 'Some Like It Hot'."

For a little bit of history, science and culture, one can go to any of Boston's numerous museums that cater to almost any inquisitive mind. History buffs can also travel to the Boston National Historical Park to get their fill of the days gone by in Massachusetts' capitol.

"In downtown Boston, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House and Old North Church bring to life the American ideals of freedom of speech, religion, government, and self-determination," says the National Park Service website (www.nps.gov/bost/).

For those interested in looking for a little more science or art to go with their fun, then a trip to the Museum of Science, the Children's Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and even a Museum of Bad Art is the right choice, says the Museum of Science's (MOS) website (www.mos.org/).

There are also features such as the Mugar Omni Theater, where "the world's largest film format is projected onto a five-story, domed screen which "wraps audiences in larger-than-life images of flora, fauna, and faraway places." says the MOS website.

The reasons that people already know and love Boston are many.

"The city has so many different things to do and isn't really that bad of a drive, so when people want something new and fun to do, Boston is the place to go," Nelson said. "There are activities for every taste, every age group. Shows, shopping, great restaurants, and museums."

"I go to Boston a few times over the course of a semester," Nelson said. "I've gone to concerts, to museums, shopping in Boston. I would say that my absolute favorite activity in Boston is shopping. I can never have enough of that.

"It is rather expensive to spend a day or so in Boston, but it's no worse than, say, New York or D.C.," Nelson said. "I definitely have to save up my money if I know I am going to go into Boston for something."

"I think Boston is a popular place, because it offers all the great things that big cities have, with a touch of history. It is not all skyscrapers and neon signs," Denison said. "I love the brownstone houses that double as shops. Boston has a very homey feel to it."

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