Boston Tourist Tips - June 2011

HarborFest, Scooper Bowl, Dragon Boat Festival, Taylor Swift

Summer has arrived in Boston!  Walk down almost any major street in the city, and you'll see tables, chairs, and people enjoying an outdoor meal in front of all the restaurants. 

What's happening in Boston in June

Outdoor dining

If you're visiting Boston in June, you'll notice that the weather is gorgeous - most city restaurants have set up tables outdoors for alfresco dining.  You'll find especially appealing outdoor dining options in 3 city neighborhoods:  Back Bay, the South Boston Waterfront, and Fenway. 

In Back Bay, head to Newbury Street, where you'll find lots of choices on every block.  I love the part shady, part sunny patio seating (and flavor-packed food) at Cafeteria (279 Newbury, at intersection with Gloucester).  Combine with shopping in the Newbury Street boutiques for a perfect day.

In the South Boston Waterfront, you'll find lots of swanky new spots along the harbor on Northern Ave.  Try the new 3-floor Legal Harborside (270 Northern Ave), Temazcal Tequila Cantina (250 Northern Ave), or near the new Louis Boston store on Fan Pier, super-fancy Strega Waterfront.

Also in the South Boston Waterfront on Fort Point Channel is long-time favorite, Barking Crab - Boston's own urban seafood "shack."  Or sit outside at James Hook & Company on the Boston side of the Channel, next to the Moakley Footbridge, and indulge in a lobster roll - at $12, one of Boston's biggest bargains.

Food trucks on the Rose Kennedy Greenway

One more tip about eating well outdoors: the warm weather has brought Boston's gourmet food trucks back to the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and they're better than ever.  If you're visiting Boston for the first time, or if you haven't been here for the past couple of years, is that these food trucks are like mini restaurants on wheels.  Best of all, after you make your selection, you can find a spot on the Greenway to sit and enjoy it.

Boston hotels with outdoor swimming pools

New on BostonDiscoveryGuide.com - Boston hotels with outdoor swimming pools.  Pack your sunscreen when you make reservations at these hotels boasting outdoor pools.  From the rooftop pool at the Colonnade to the atrium pool with retractable roof at the Sheraton Boston to a couple of great budget choices, there's a hotel with an outdoor pool for everyone - even though there aren't a lot of them!

Boston Red Sox at Fenway - and the Bruins battling for the Stanley Cup!

The Red Sox have plenty of home games this month, and are generally having great season.  Check the Red Sox Schedule and Tickets, and go cheer on the home team!

Even more exciting - the Bruins are on their way, we hope, for another Stanley Cup.  With the 4th game just over and a big win for the Bruins (4-0!!!) as I write this, the first 4 games against the Canucks have ended in a 2-2 tie. 

Game 5 will be played in Vancouver, but Game 6, if needed, will be back here at the Garden.  Prices may make you faint - but hockey fans won't want to miss this.  And Boston prices are firmly in bargain territory compared with Vancouver.

Cheap flights to Boston

If you're flying to Boston this summer, you'll quickly notice that fares are not inexpensive - after all, summer attracts lots of visitors to the city.  Be sure to check our tips for finding cheap flights to Boston - there's always a bargain to be found somewhere, if you know where to look!

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June events in Boston

There's LOTS going on this month!  Here are just a few highlights from the Boston Events Calendar for June 2011:

• Dragon Boat Festival - This weekend, June 11th and 12 - weather should be gorgeous!
• Concerts - Lots of great concerts this month - most notable: Kate Perry on the 18th, Taylor Swift for 2 nights on the 25th and 26th
• Harborfest - Boston's non-stop Independence Day extravaganza starts on the 29th - lots and lots of events

Check the Boston Events Calendar for June for many more events.

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Ways to save in Boston

New Boston sightseeing discount card - GoSelect - The cool thing about this card is that you pick only the attractions that you really want to visit - and you get a discount on the admission price totaling about 15% - 34%.  And you have 30 days to use it, once you activate it for the first attraction.  It's a no-brainer way to save money on attractions, cruises, and tours.

Free museum admissions - In addition to the Museum of Fine Art's free admission on Memorial Day (check Memorial Day Events for details), the Institute of Contemporary Art offers free admission each Thursday from 5pm to 9pm, and free admission for families (defined as 1 or 2 adults accompanied by children 12 and under) on the last Saturday of each month, except for December.

Boston Discount Cards - Choose a free bonus attraction when you get a 3, 5, or 7 day Go Boston card - pick a Boston Duck Tour, Weekday Lunch or Weekend Brunch Cruise on Boston Harbor, or a 1-hour Segway Adventure.   Also, you can get a 10% discount on these cards until mid-June.   More about Boston Discount Cards.

ScoreBig - Everyone's favorite new way to score discount RED SOX tickets - plus tickets for shows and concerts.  Savings start at 10% off retail and go up from there - and you'll save even more due to no fees/delivery charges.  Look at what's available, see what others have paid, and then make a bid.  More about ScoreBig

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Family fun in Boston

For the younger set: 

• Make Way for Ducklings statues in the Public Garden are always fun - and right now, they're wearing cute little Bruins outfits! 
• Swan Boat rides - Also in the Public Garden, fun for all ages

For older kids, including hard-to-please teens: 

• Visit the USS Constitution in Charlestown Navy Yard, where Park Rangers will give you a free tour of "Old Ironsides"
• Go on a Boston Harbor Cruise - "Codzilla" is the one that kids love the most (you'll save money if you have a GoBoston discount card)

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Coming in July

• 4th of July Fireworks and Boston Pops Concerts
• Shakespeare on the Common
• Boston Events Calendar for July

That's it for now.  Do drop by Boston-Discovery-Guide.com, where you'll find lots more information about planning your visit to Boston.

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Have a wonderful month !

Susan

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