h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am off to Boston on Thursday and it will be my first time ever in the US. I am really badly travelled.

Anyone got any suggestions for what shouldn't I miss?

A teaparty!

I wondered who was going to mention that! You were fairly high up the list Orcus!

A Duck Tour which takes you around the city and up the River in an amphibious craft.

If you have children with you, there is a very good Children's Museum, and the toy shop FAO Schwartz is worth a look.

There's a Science Museum which is supposed to be good, but I didn't get to it when I was there.

There's a lovely park in the centre; make sure to see the statues of the ducklings. These are from a children's book "Make Way for Ducklings".

Faneuil Hall is a beautiful old building on the outside, but inside it has been converted into a load of fast food stalls. Typical of America. There's a good flea market around the building.

Nearby (I can't remember the exact address) is the monument to the 4,000,000 Jews who died in the Nazi concentration camps during the war. This should not be missed.

I've just remembered. Boston Aquarium is wonderful - don't miss it.

There is also a historical "Boston Tea Party" exhibit with an old sailing ship, but I didn't go to it.

Abi, you should cultivate your Oirish accent, because two thirds of Boston is Irish! I only met one person while I was there who didn't claim Irish ancestry.

I certainly shall! I really want to see the Aquarium - I love fish. I will look forward to eating some too.

I wouldn't want to disappoint Abi

Most importantly, don't miss the plane, especially on the way back.

Oh god, that is something I mustn't do.

Boston Common is quite nice (that's where the "Cheers" bar is), as is the Back Bay area. And, if you are looking for something to eat around lunchtime, the North End is a must if you like Italian food. It's just across the "road" from Quincy Markets and Faneuil Hall.

I was also really impressed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which has cultural exhibits spanning thousands of years. You would need a good day to see it all though.

Just be aware, there are a hell of a lot of roadworks going on in Boston at the moment, it's called the Big Dig by the locals. Logan airport is still a massive construction zone, albeit better than it was a month or two ago. Traffic is a nightmare there!

As Gnomon said, the Science Museum and the New England Aquarium are "must sees". In the science museum, you just have to see the regular Electrical shows, and the Omnitheater adjacent to the museum is excellent also, but you might need to book way in advance.

If you have a few days, try to get down to Cape Cod. It is accessible by bus from South Station, I think. You are going at a really good time, because the leaves on the trees will be changing colour like you would not believe. Salem and Gloucester are also nice places to visit.

I hope it helps - I get over to Boston quite often with work.

Woodpigeon

You could check out a Bruins' game or Celtics preseason game if you want to see hockey or basketball (respectively)...

I can't wait to see the colours and have already suggested we make use of the hire car down to Cape Cod. And Salem would be great too!

We are staying in Revere apparently.

Abi, you work in the same building as one of my sisters and one of my other sisters is in Boston at them moment. Do you stalk all of us?!

Liam.

Yes... start running!

OK now another challenge. I have a friend who I have lost touch with. I know that she used to live in Boston and I am pretty sure that she must still be there. So how do I get in touch with her?

I have tried her old workplace but am not having much luck.

>Yes... start running!<



>So how do I get in touch with her?<

I think the white pages (their telephone directory) is available on-line.

My aunt is in Los Angeles at the moment if you're tracking us all down

Liam.

Oh you mean Boston USA... not Boston Lincs UK... I'll head off then... know nothing about the USA one but I was born and raised in the UK one

The new england aquarium, the common, fenway park (red sox). Over the river in Cambridge is the Harvard.
Nearby are Concord and Lexington where the war of independence really started in earnest.

1. The "Cheers" bar (actualy called The Bull and Finch). Don't be too dissapointed though since it's not an "island" bar like on the TV programme but it has got the big indian.

2. A whale watch if still in season (although you may need to travel north to Salem to catch a boat, where you can also visit one of the many "genuine" witch trial museums).

3. Fenway Park if still in season and see the Red Sox. You don't have to be a fan of any sport really.

4. The underground. It's huge.

5. The Van Der Graff generator in the science museum. It's huge and smells great when it fires.

6. The view of boston from the bay to the north of the city around Swampscott at dusk especially when there is a thunderstorm coming in from the sea. Visit Papa John's resteraunt (not the pizza chain) whilst there and expect to take away what you can't eat at the time.

Have a great time. And a beer for me at the Bull and Finch. Shout "NORM" when you go in.

Oh, and sod culture it's over rated.

PP