Can't get enough of trail tours? The BlackHeritage Trail begins at the Shaw-54th RegimentMemorial in Boston Common. This monument honorsthe first regiment of Black volunteers from thenorth to fight in the Civil War, as well as theircolonel, Harvard College graduate Robert GouldShaw (played by Matthew Broderick in Hollywood'sportrayal, "Glory.")
The Harborwalk is a blue painted line that willtake you from the Old State House to museums andlandmarks along the Boston waterfront includingthe Children's Museum, the New England Aquarium(T: Aquarium, on the blue line) and the Boston TeaParty Ship.
If you're not into walking, don't despair; thetrusty T can take you to most spots on the varioustrails, and almost anywhere else you'd like to go.
Or you can float around for a relaxing ride onBoston's famous Swan Boats which inhabit thelandscaped ponds of the French-inspired PublicGarden next to the Englishstyle Common.
Shopping enthusiasts and window shoppers alikewill find paradise on Newbury Street (T: Boylston,greenline) and Copley (T: Copley, green line).
Walk along Newbury Street and watch thebeautiful people cruise past dress shops andgourmet restaurants in their BMW convertibles. Andremember to check out the funky dresses and shirtsat Betsey Johnson's.
At Copley, you'll find the grand departmentstores Saks, Lord and Taylor and Nieman Marcus.
While you're at Copley Square. take a minute tovisit the tall buildings. The John Hancock Towerreflects the older buildings around it. Thetallest building in Boston, it has a sightseeingdeck and museum on its top floor.
If you're more into bargain basements and bluelight specials, take the Red Line to DowntownCrossing and visit Filene's Basement. the motherof all bargain basements. There, you will makeyour way through mile-long racks of designerclothes, all priced to please.
For the artistically inclined, the Museum ofFine Arts (MFA) at the Museum T stop houses acomprehensive assortment of international art. Themuseum boasts an impressive collection ofimpressionist paintings, including 35 works byClaude Monet. To save money, be sure to stop byWednesdays from 4 to 9:45 p.m., when admission isfree.
On your way to the MFA, take an interestingdetour at the world headquarters of the FirstChurch of Christ Scientist (T: Symphony, greenline). The 19th century Mother Church is theChristian Scientists what St. Peter's in Rome isto Catholics.
And though not as massive as St. Peter's, thischurch seats a huge congregation, boasts athunderous organ and requires an elevator to reachits chapel.
Walk beside the church and catch breathtakingglimpse of an immense reflecting pool. Also try tovisit the "Mapparium," a huge glass globe you canwalk inside.
To get to Chinatown, you'll have to walkthrough the Combat Zone (T: orange line toChinatown). The Combat Zone is one place youdidn't want to visit unless you revel in dirtymovies, drug dealing and triple X-ratedpeep-shows.
A good time to visit Chinatown is on a bright,i.e. safe, weekend afternoon when you can enjoydim sum in one of the numerous Chineserestaurants.
It's hit or miss at these places. Your best betis to keep away from the seafood dishes--squid andblack bean sauce, for instance. The cakes atChinese bakeries are always delicious as well.
The list of things to see and do in Boston goeson and on. Catch a Red Sox game at historic FenwayPark, featured in the movie Field of Dreams (T:Kenmore, green line). Watch an omnimax film at theMuseum of Science. Or make a visit to the John F.Kennedy Presidential Library (T: JFK/U.Mass, redline).
But whatever you do, don't forget to sendGrandpa Bob a postcard.