Some of the really good stuff in one of this country’s great cities is free – or very close to it. The city is Boston, and now’s the time to see it. Here are some suggestions:
Trek Boston’s Walk to the Sea, and span a full four centuries of the city’s maritime heritage. The walk from the summit to the sea is but a mile, but there’s a lot of history packed into those steps.
Revel in Boston’s green spaces. From the Common and the Public Gardens to Franklin Park to the banks of the River Charles, this city prefers green grass to crass concrete. Pack a picnic lunch and launch your day.
Climb to the top of Bunker Hill. It’s here that the first major battle of the American Revolution was fought, here that history was made. Ascend the 294 steps to the top of the monument and be rewarded by one of the best views in the city. The monument is open year-round from 9am until 5pm. Climbing access closes at 4:30.
Here’s a near-fee deal, but the price is right. Ride the Swan Boats around the Public Garden Lagoon. A 15-minute voyage costs $2.75.
Journey on the Freedom Trail. Demarked by an unmistakable red line it will take you to no less than 16 historic sites which bespeak some two-and-a-half centuries of history.
Come in off the pavement and into the cool of the Museum of Fine Arts. Almost half-a-million objects are there, and general admission is free.
Visit the Museum of African American History. This is another near-free attraction. The admission is but $5. The focus is on the interpretation of African Americans in New England from the colonial period up through the 19th Century.
Take a voyage on Boston Harbor for but a buck-seventy. The ferry leaves from Long Warf and heads to the Charleston Navy Yard, home of the U.S.S. Constitution.
One last thing. Most of these freebees entail considerable walking. Wear a comfortable pair of shoes and make sure you pack plenty of water.
(Image: timsackton)
