The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism has been quite effectively getting the word out about Worldfest 2009. After hearing an ad twice in a row on two different radio stations one morning on the way to work, I decided it was time to see what all the buzz was about. Basically, they are promoting a series of ethnic and cultural festivals that will be happening across the state, all summer long.
As I clicked through the many tourist attractions in and around Boston I realized something. In all my travels, there are many basic Boston attractions for tourists that I have never encountered. When friends from out of town visit and ask for advice on what to see, oftentimes I will throw in a couple of generic locations and not be able to offer my first hand experience.
Do you have any mainstream tourist attractions in your city that you have never visited simply because you feel you will always have the chance?
For me, I grew up in Boston and I’ve never…
[From Associated Content: Travel]
…walked the Freedom Trail in its entirety
been on a Boston Duck Tour
had a drink in Cheers.
I also lived in Philadelphia for four years and…
[From OurKidsNews.com]
…the best view I ever got of the Liberty Bell was from the passenger seat of a car
I never saw the Constitution Center
To find out how I can become a better local traveler, I have been analyzing my Google calendar to see what I can fit into my upcoming summer weekends. It’s kind of sad to see the full picture – all your weekends fill up with commitments – and summer seem so much shorter than it is. Shortly after this thought crossed my mind, I was contacted by the folks at HomeAway.com about their Save Our Summer Vacation campaign, in which they are petitioning the US Congress to proclaim August 7 as a “National Vacation Day.” They feel that American families deserve a summer vacation, no matter the current state of the economy. They are also holding a contest and giving away a $10,000 dream getaway vacation. You can learn more and enter here.
Who would argue with that?
The Freedom Trail is one of the few things I actually did in Boston (besides drink!). I think I’ve probably done 99% of the big tourist things in SF, simply due to my job and the fact that I’ve had dozens of visitors in my year and a half there; however, Nashville? Nada.
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I have been to Boston once and did not do any of the things you mentioned either, but plan to go back and do it! I find that the only time people visit real touristy things is when they are hosting people from out of town. For years I lived next to San Francisco and barely saw any of it, then I moved to France and realized what an idiot I had been. It was a lesson learned. I profited from my 3 years in Europe by traveling and visiting all the time. And when I moved back to San Francisco, I started visiting things like Alcatraz (I had never been) and many other local sites. You never know what you have until you don’t!
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I’m the same way with my home city, and even with BR, where I lived for five years. I’m trying to soak in all the things my little town has to offer, tourist-wise and history-wise before I leave.
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It’s fun to play tourist in your own city, which I rarely do. In NY the only time I ever do “touristy” stuff is when someone from out of town is visiting!
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I adored Boston’s vibe when I was there… I just wish I was there longer than two days! Your posts are fun to read.
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