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Back to Boston – pedestrian friendly and historically rich
We
recently visited with Larry Meehan, VP of Tourism for Boston, when he
was in Montreal with a delegation to promote Boston and Massachusetts
to the Montreal travel trade. The province of Quebec (and Montreal in
particular) is the most important market for Massachusetts outside the
U.S.
The first item of business for Larry was to inform us that the
“Big Dig” is completed. This was the $20 billion
infrastructure project to route major roadways and highways in the city
underground. Distances that used to be measured in 30 minute increments
are now timed in 5 minute segments.
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Swan Boats in Boston Public Garden
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The drive from Logan International
Airport to downtown that used to take from 60 – 90 minutes is now
just 15 minutes.
Where a tangle of expressways used to clog the city centre, Boston now
is proud to claim the largest downtown park in the United States
– The Rose Kennedy Greenway. The public infrastructure investment
has resulted in private investment, especially in the hotel sector.
Mandarin, Oriental and Fairmont Hotels all have new facilities, the
latter at the Fairmont Battery Wharf.
Visitors can walk from pedestrian-friendly Newbury Street to the
Charles River riverfront parks or from charming Beacon Hill to the
downtown Boston waterfront, where the 40-mile Boston Harborwalk awaits
as well as the 27-acres Rose Kennedy Greenway.
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Faneuil Hall Marketplace
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Boston's most popular visitor attraction, the Freedom Trail, is a
walk-through-history trail. At the mid-point of the Freedom Trail is
Boston's most popular café district - Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
Visitors can walk to museums, attractions - or hop on a Trolley that
loops through the city. The Boston public transit system-easily
understood by visitors with its five-color lines that connects hotels,
attractions, shops, convention centers, and different neighbourhoods.
Logan International Airport is connected to downtown through the brand
new Silver Line.
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USS Constitution is a living museum open
to the public
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The Silver Line also connects Logan international to
Amtrak South Station.
Water, rail, and coach transportation in Boston is convenient. It is
easy and inexpensive for the visitor staying at a hotel in Boston &
Cambridge to tour the Boston Harbor Islands, Cape Cod (Provincetown),
Salem, and Quincy by fast ferry. Larry noted that Cape Cod is just a 90
minute fast ferry ride, and easily accessible. You can also take a day
trip by coach to the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, Foxwoods, MGM
Grand or Mohegan Sun Casinos. All of which are also low cost and
convenient.
Baseball fans can time a Boston trip to coincide with a few Boston Red
Sox games at the legendary Fenway Park. Depending on the season, Boston
is also home to the Boston Bruins hockey club, The Celtics basketball
team, and the NFL New England Patriots are located in nearby
Foxborough.
There are many cultural events and museums, from the Boston Pops
(special outdoor concerts during the summer), to the world’s
largest collection of Renoir and Monet paintings. The six day Harbor
Fest celebrates the era of tall ships, with 38 vessels in port from
July 6 – 13; including our own Bluenose from Nova Scotia.
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The Red Coats are coming to
the HarborFest Tall Ships gathering
from July 8 – 13
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There are a variety of tours, including Culinary Tours, Irish Pub
Tours, and very interesting Harvard University tours which are
conducted by students. City Passes are available which let you visit
six major attractions on one reduced rate ticket.
Boston is home to The Boston Beer Company, brewers of America’s
oldest brand – Sam Adams. Brewery tours are available. Golfers
don’t need to go into withdrawal – there are 408 courses in
Greater Boston.
Norwegian Cruise Lines has a weekly cruise from Boston to Bermuda
aboard the Norwegian Spirit.
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Baseball fans can enjoy the Red Sox in
the legendary Fenway Park
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We did this voyage a few years ago, and
thoroughly enjoyed it. Our one regret was that we didn’t build in
time for a pre or post visit in Boston. Whether it’s for a long
weekend getaway, en route to a cruise or a tour of Massachusetts, take
time to see why Boston is a favourite for so many Montrealers.
| TRAVEL PLANNER |
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Travel Planner Boston is easily accessible by car, a comfortable 6 hour
drive. There is a wide variety of airline connections, including direct
flights on Air Canada. The Boston Tourism Bureau has an informative
website: www.BostonUSA.com or a live person toll free: 1-888-SEE-BOSTON
(1-888-733-2678). Bon Voyage! |
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