25 Things To Do In Boston For Under $25

Boston is one of the most beautiful cities to visit, especially in the spring time. Spring is the perfect season for Boston because it's not too hot or too cold. The Magnolia trees are blooming and the entire city is coming out of a deep freeze known as a New England winter. Below is a link to an article from BOSTON.COM about cheap activities to do in Boston during the spring. Check it out and have fun exploring this wonderful city.

Things To Do In Boston During Spring

Fun Times at The Children's Museum

I recently took about 30 kindergartners to Boston's Children's Museum. I haven't been to this museum in about 20 years so I was excited to revisit my childhood all over again.  My kindergartners had a blast there and they were emotionally distraught when it was time to go back home.

When we first arrived at the museum we decided to go all the way up to the top floor and work our way down. Our first stop was the construction zone, where kids could play with building blocks, climb, and operate a mini bobcat. They absolutely loved this room, and had a great time wearing hard hats and crawling across a bridge hanging from the ceiling.  We then moved on to a music themed room that had lots of buttons and gadgets for the kids to touch.

The second floor was my kindergartners favorite floor. We immediately went into a room called Peeps World, and it looks like something from the mind of a child. The room is so colorful and innocent looking. On one side there is dark pathways were kids can use flashlights to make fun cool shadows. On the other side of the room are water stations were kids can "dig up buried treasure".

Some of my Kindergartners enjoying the water stations at Peep's World

From Peep's World we ended up in the land of Arthur and Friends. This exhibit in the museum is based off of Marc Brown's beloved children book series called Arthur. I found this exhibit to be the coolest because you do feel like you have been transported into a childrens book. There is Arthur's Auditorium where you can stand in front of a green screen and put on a show. However, if you are one of my kindergartners then you'll use that green screen to moon everyone watching. Another part of the exhibit that the kids seemed to really enjoy was a cockpit of a airplane. 

We moved down to the ground floor to explore some more exhibits. It was jammed packed with kids so we decided to take them outside so they could run around and hang out. Outside of the museum features a grassy knoll with one of the best views of the Boston skyline. Its such a great photo opt that I had to snag a few photos. 

I recommend the Children's Museum to anyone with kids 3-6. If you have older kids, they may get bored so I would just bring the little guys. Admission is $14 for adults and children ( a cheap price for a Boston attraction). The Museum is open Saturday - Thursday 10am to 5pm and Friday 10am to 9pm.  

One Of The Cheapest Places To Stay In Boston

Most people in America are already aware at how expensive the city of Boston is. If ya want to go to a bar, it'll cost ya. If ya want to park your car, that will cost you $20 or more. Literally everything you do in Boston will cost you a pretty penny or two. However, in the Chinatown neighborhood of Boston there is a place to stay that won't burn a hole in your pocket.

A typical room in the HI Boston

Located at 19 Stuart Street in Boston, Massachusetts, sits a modern and affordable hostel called HI Boston. Compared to the hotels in the area this place seems almost too good to be true. The rooms go for about $40 a night, and you have an option of getting a private room or you can bunk in a dorm style room that sleeps up to 8 people. Next to each bunk is an over sized locker that provides some privacy. Every bunk also has a nook with four sockets that you can use to charge your phone or laptop. The bathrooms are located next to the rooms, and are very well maintained.

When you awake in the morning you find yourself enjoying the free breakfast from 7am - 10am. After breakfast you can hang out in the modern looking lobby and chat with fellow travelers. There is also a pool table and TV so you have in-house entertain.

Location is probably the best selling point for this hostel. It's located in the colorful neighborhood of Chinatown and just a block over is the entertaining Theater District. There are two T stops with in walking distances and a number of bars, historic landmarks, and other activities are located near by.

The lobby at HI Boston

The only negative aspect about this hostel is that check out is no later than 11am, beer is not allowed inside (quiet hours are 11pm - 7am) and there is an extra $3 a night charge at check in if you are not a Hostelling International member. Other than that, I can confidently say that this is the best hostel you will ever stay at.

For more Info check out their website HERE

Boston Ghost Tours

What better city is out there to do a ghost tour than Boston. There is so much history on the streets of Boston that I'm sure some historic figures still roam the streets. Boston Ghost Tours is a trolly/walking tour that takes you through the ghostly streets of Boston. 

"Walk amongst the dead in burying grounds nearly four hundred years old, hear stories of those whose mortal remains lie beneath your feet, and listen to tales of many of the sordid practices that went along with them. Venture to the site of the biggest grave-robbing scandal in New England’s history. And ask yourselves - are you afraid of being buried alive? Walk atop Boston’s largest unmarked burying ground and hear tales of the tortures, punishments and executions that took place there. You may even find yourselves involved in some…

Boston has found itself plagued with some of history’s most nefarious figures – The Boston Strangler, Jolly Jane, Dr. John Webster, Cotton Mather, amongst a slew of other assorted characters.

The city proper is not the only source of stories here. Boston Harbor played a pivotal role in the formation and daily life – and death – of Boston citizens. With drowning being an occupational hazard of a sailor’s life, the Harbor is home to many a dark tale of death in freezing waters" (http://www.ghostsandgravestones.com/boston/gravestones-ghost-tour.htm#a). 

These tours run rain or shine and the website suggest people wear comfortable shoes for the two 20 min walking portions. The length of the tour is about 1 hr and 30 mins and children under 6 are NOT allowed. This tour boards beside the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel on 200 ATLANTIC AVE. 

For more info about the tour schedules check out their website GHOST TOUR SCHEDULE

TOUR RATES

Adult Ticket	$39.90	$35.91
Seniors*, Students, Military	$36.75	$33.08
Child Ticket (ages 6-12)*	$25.20	$22.68

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! CALL 617-269-3626.

FOR MORE INFO CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE http://www.ghostsandgravestones.com/boston/

My Week From Hell

I'd like to think I have a lot of loyal readers and I would like to think that the many loyal readers were bummed that I haven't posted anything new in a while. The reason for the lack of activity on my blog is because I live 20 mins away from the terrorist attacks that rocked the Boston Marathon. I have a couple of friends that cheated death by just a few minutes that day and I have a few friends that witnessed things they should never have seen. Then on Thursday night I heard about the shooting of the young MIT officer and decided to get the real story by listening to the scanner of the Boston Police Depart. When I heard the suspects were in Watertown and engaged in a shootout, I immediately panicked because my Grandparents live there. I never felt true fear until that night. I live 15 mins from Watertown and my Grandparents only lived just a few streets over from where suspect 2 was found hiding in the boat. What happened on Monday and manhunt that ensued forever changed the people of Massachusetts. It made us better, stronger and more appreciative of the way we live our every day lives. Fear has left me and pride has taken over. I have never been more proud to say that I am from the great state of Massachusetts and in the words of Big Papi "This is my fucking city and no one will dictate my freedom!"

You Know its Spring in Boston when....

View of Fenway Park from the Green Monster

You know it's spring in Boston when the lights at Fenway Park turn on. The Fenway faithful fill the park and the Red Sox drama begins. Fenway Park is the oldest ballpark in America and people travel near and far to just gaze upon its historic field. The greatest baseball players have played here and some of the most notorious games have also taken place here. 

View of the field from the bleachers

Fenway Park is actually pretty affordable for someone on a budget. During the day an hour long guided tour is offered for less than $20. If you have a ticket to the game you should try to go early because you basically have unlimited access to anywhere in the park for batting practice. You can go on the Green Monster, hang out right behind home plate, chill by Pesky's Pole and harasses the visiting pitchers by the bull pen. 

Batting practice seen from the Green Monster. Great place to catch some well hit balls 

Don't believe the rumors about tickets being hard to get. Standing room, bleachers and grandstand are always available. The standing room tickets are pretty cool. You have access to walk around the grandstand level and mingle with all sorts of fans. The grandstands are pretty nice too, especially on hot summer days because you are in the shade. Now bleachers are the cheapest and the seats are truly the most entertaining.  I guarantee you will see many drunk fans with wicked bad Boston accents yelling, getting kicked out and giving hell to Yankee fans. This is where the "blue collar" fans sit and it's my favorite spot to watch a Yankee game. 

Yes, beer and food is ridiculously expensive here and thats why I try not to buy any. Some ball parks are surrounded by parking lots, but not Fenway. Bars, and restaurants are all right outside and they offer some really cheap deals. I would recommend you don't drive and park by Fenway, parking can be up to $50 some days. If you are down to walk a little there are free parking garages not to far and some garages near Boston University are as cheap as $10. Boston also has great transportation, so try to take a cab or the T to Fenway. The Green Line on the T has two stops that are both about a 5-10 minute walk to the park. 

Hope to see some of my readers at Fenway this year cheering on the sox! If you have any more questions about Fenway Park just leave a comment or get at me on twitter

GO RED SOX!!

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