Boston Tourist Tips - May 2011

Mother's Day, Memorial Day, museum savings  . . . and more!

May is when spring really arrives in Boston.  If you're visiting Boston this month, bring a mix of warm-weather clothing, a sweater or jacket, and of course, an umbrella.

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What's Happening in Boston in May

Mother's Day - Unique only-in-Boston ways to celebrate 

Celebrate your Mom (or being a Mom) with these unique, only-in-Boston Mother's Day Events:

• Lilac Sunday at Arnold Arboretum
• Duckling Day Parade in the Public Garden - Dress your dumpling in yellow, and revel in Momhood while tracing the Mallard Family's steps in Make Way for Ducklings
• Fort Point Art Walk - Need a unique Mother's Day gift?  Explore the Open Studios, and let your Mom pick out something she really wants

And of course, dinner and a show or concert is always a big hit!  Check the Boston Event Calendar for May for all the details about things to do, and our Boston Restaurant Guide for interesting places to eat.   Mother's Day brings lots of diners to area restaurants, so be sure to make advance reservations.  Mother's Day falls on May 8 this year. 

Memorial Day - 10 interesting activities and special events

Looking ahead to the end of the month, Memorial Day will be on Monday, May 30.  BostonDiscoveryGuide.com has been receiving a number of questions about what to do on this holiday, so I just put up a new page last night about Memorial Day events.  You'll find everything from the Garden of Flags commemoration on Boston Common to free admission at the Museum of Fine Arts to suggestions for Boston beaches.

College graduations - What this means for your hotel reservations

If you're visiting Boston during May, keep in mind that most of the city's many colleges and universities hold graduation ceremonies this month - making hotel accommodations at reasonable rates increasingly scarce as the month goes on.  Check our guide to Boston hotels (you'll find them organized by neighborhood and by type), and lock in reservations as soon as you know your dates.

Boston Red Sox at Fenway - Will their winning streak continue?

After a so-so start in April, the Red Sox have caught a second wind and are racking up the wins.  May is a perfect month to take in a game - not too hot, not too cold, and hopefully not rainy.  Check the Red Sox Schedule, get your tickets, and enjoy!

Fenway Neighborhood Guide - What do you think?

I just added a Fenway Neighborhood Guide to BostonDiscoveryGuide.com, the first in a series of neighborhood guides. 

Check it out, and let me know what you think -

• Is the Fenway Guide useful to you?  
• What else should be added? 
• What Boston neighborhood would you like to see added next? 

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas!

More May events in Boston

• Taste of the North End
• EarthFest - Free Concert
• Return of the Swans

Lots more is happening in Boston in May - check the Boston Events Calendar for May to get details!

Find more things to do in Boston in May - as well as best rainy day activities and kids' activities.

Ways to Save in Boston

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 - You can now 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.    More about Boston Discount Cards.

ScoreBig - A new way to get discount tickets, including RED SOX tickets plus tickets for shows and concerts.  Savings start at 10% off retail and go up from there - especially since there are no fees/delivery charges.  What's unique is that you can look at what they have, what others have paid, and then make a bid.  More info about ScoreBig

Coming in June

• Scooper Bowl
• Dragon Boat Festival
• Boston Events Calendar for June

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 - and Happy Mother's Day!

Susan