Boston Tourist Tips - September 2010

So much to do this month!

What's new

Entertainment:  After years of decline, lights blaze forth again from the newly restored Paramount Theatre in Boston's Theatre District.  Now owned by Emerson College and operating under ArtsEmerson, the Paramount launches its 2010-2011 inaugural season on September 23 with an exciting lineup of top theatrical performances and films from all over the world.

Stop by on opening weekend (Sept 24-26) for free showings of Shanghai Express, the same film shown here when the theater first opened in 1932.  You can find more information about the Paramount and other performance venues on BostonDiscoveryGuide.com's Boston Theater page.  And if you're in the Theatre District and hungry, check out my recommendations for Dim Sum restaurants in nearby Chinatown, and my write-up about Jacob Wirth, the city's oldest German restaurant and one of my personal favorite spots in the Theatre District,

Fall foliage:  Boston trees are beginning to show the first signs of color . . . not much, yet, and frankly, all of the late-summer flowers in full bloom around the city make more of a splash than the leaves.  But much more colorful foliage will be visible in the coming weeks.  If you want to see it progress, check out the Fall Foliage Report - 2010 weekly updates and slide show.  This is also the perfect time to head north on a Fall Foliage cruise.

Boston Sports:  As baseball season wraps up (enough said), basketball and hockey ramp up as the Celtics and Bruins hit the court and ice at TD Garden.  You can find the Celtics home game schedule here  - and the Bruins home game schedule here.  Whether you're visiting Boston or live here, attending a game is a sure way to experience the real Boston.

Boston Travel Questions:  Read the answers to these great questions:

• What Boston Trolley Tour is most convenient to CruisePort? 
• How to Travel to Gillette Stadium from Boston?

Save some $$s

Attractions:  Check out my new analysis of the top Boston sightseeing discount cards - including Boston CityPASS, GoBoston card, and the Boston Explorer Pass.  Find out which will give you the biggest savings.  If the Boston Explorer Pass gets your vote, you can get a 6% discount through October 5 - just enter EXPLORESIX when purchasing on-line.

Hotels:  Rates this fall approach pre-recession highs - but you can still find bargains.  Check out my tips for finding inexpensive Boston hotels.

Free entertainment:  From jazz quintets to comedy acts, you'll find plenty of free entertainment as you walk around the city.  Look for street performers in popular city neighborhoods:  Boylston Street and Copley Square in Back Bay, Faneuil Marketplace, Christopher Columbus Park on the Waterfront by the North End.

Comedy act outside Quincy Market in Boston's Faneuil Hall Marketplace

What's happening now

Events:  Check the Boston Events Calendar for September to find out what's happening this month - and Boston Events Calendar for October to get a head start on planning for next month.

Not to miss this weekend:  The grand finale of the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival - a 6-block-long gala and parade this Saturday (Sept 25), noon to 6pm along Columbus Ave starting at Mass Ave in Boston's South End.  See details on the September Events Calendar.

Theater top pick:   Wicked, at Boston's Opera House. 

What's next

Here's just a flavor of what's coming soon:

Head of the Charles Regatta - The biggest 2-day rowing event in the world unfolds in October as 8,000 rowers from local clubs and all over the world compete on the Charles.

Halloween - Boston comes alive with ghouls and goblins as everyone has fun with this favorite holiday.  Even dogs can't resist the lure of a cute costume and grand parade.

Planning a wedding?  Boston's famous Running of the Brides event happens again next February.  Jump-start your planning and get a sense of what this famous event is really like by checking out my Running of the Brides photos from August.

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