To honor this weekend’s special meaning, take your family to see the flags planted on Boston Common to commemorate the fallen US soldiers. Memorial Day Concert will be held at 5 pm on Monday, May 25th at the Boston Common’s Band Stand. For the complete list of Memorial Day Parades in your town check here.
While many locals will head out to the nearby Cape Cod and New Hampshire this weekend, those staying home could still experience Boston from travelers’ perspective (minus expensive hotel rooms!). And, there are some free options to explore.
Museum of Fine Arts is having an Open House on Monday May 25th, (free admission) 10am-4:45 pm. See Leonardo da Vinci drawings (on display through June 14) and Herb Ritz photography, take a tour of the Japanese Garden or check out this special day’s activities for the family.
Nothing makes you feel more like a traveler in your own city than taking a walking tour. “Free Tours by Foot” (rated as one of the top Boston activities on Tripadvisor) offer free tours of Cambridge, Freedom Trail, Little Italy and Beacon Hill (check their website for a complete schedule this weekend; it is really free, but most people compensate the guide with tips post tour). Make sure to email Brian to reserve your spot boston@freetoursbyfoot.com
Here is a link to a post I wrote about a Freedom Trail Tour we took with Brian last year with visiting friends.
Movie and TV aficionados may want to choose another Boston touring option- with Boston TV & Movie Tours. There are both walking and bus tour options – with walking tour exploring Boston’s movie filming history in the Boston Common and Beacon Hill, and bus tour taking you into other Boston neighborhoods (including Charleston and South Boston) for a more complete experience. ($23 for walking and $39 for bus tour; there is a $3 off per ticket discount (use code OLT2015) for online purchases.) Both tours are offered daily; for a complete schedule, check out their tour calendar.
I personally took the bus tour option (as part of the Women in Travel Conference last March); and this weekend I plan to check out the company’s Central Park TV and Movie Tour in New York City. Stay tuned for my report next week.
I am not leaving town though until I see Boston Ballet’s contemporary Thrill of Contact this Friday. The show runs through Sunday, May 24 and this weekend, both on Saturday and Sunday, the audience is offered a chance to meet some of the dancers during second intermission in the upper lobby. (There is also a Pre-curtain talk with the company’s members prior to Saturday performance). I am lucky to have a media ticket to the Friday show, but here is a link to discounted $40 Bostix tickets or go to Boston Ballet’s website (Tel. 617- 695-6955; try using the discount code THRILL40 for $40 tickets via their website or on the phone).
The program consists of 4 contemporary mini-ballets which should satisfy a diversity of ballet lovers’ tastes. (Choreography by Balanchine, Robbins, Forsythe, and a world premiere by the company’s Principal Dancer, Jeffrey Cirion; featuring music of Tchaikovsky, Chopin, and Schubert).
I especially look forward to the new piece- Fremd- by Boston Ballet’s Jeffrey Cirion.
But Concert looks wonderfully “crazy” too:
For the little ones, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston’s First Birthday Celebration is on Sat. May 23, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Paying guests ($15-$18.50 per ticket online; free for under 2) will enjoy free cupcakes and birthday crowns plus special guest appearance by Bertie, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Boston’s mascot. There will be live build demonstration at 10-11am outside the entrance (open to the public). A balloon artist will also entertain guests from 12 pm – 3 pm.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston is in Somerville and is open Sunday-Thursday 10 am-7 pm, Friday and Saturday, 10 am-9 pm. Advance tickets are suggested to guarantee admission and can be purchased online (there is also a reduced ticket offer of $15-$18.50 per person for tickets bought online).
This post is participating in the #WeekendWanderlust collection of travel stories. Be sure to get some travel inspiration at A Brit and a Southerner.
We saw the flags a few years ago when we were there. My daughter is climbing the Bunker Hill Memorial for the first time over the weekend.
Great list! I hope the visitors AND locals will take your advice and see many of the places you mention. Boston sure is a great destination for the Memorial Day weekend!
Thank you, Jolanta!
I left from Boston last Wednesday and during my last days there didn’t have the time to (at least) see the flags in Boston Common! I think Boston is ideal for weekend getaways as it is so walkable!