Tourist Attractions and Other Tidbits About Boston
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Listen up: Just say 'ah'
By John Powers, Globe Staff | July 25, 2004
In Boston, the Mayah lives in Hypahk. That's Hyde Park, as in the place Eff Dee Ah lived -- but in another city, another state. In this town, maps don't tell you what we call our neighborhoods, especially if you're from Noo Yawk or another foreign country.
When native Bostonians talk to newcomers or outsiders (we can't always tell the difference), we tend to assume you were bon heah, even though the census tells us that more than half of the citizenry has arrived during the years AR (After Raybo, as we call former mayor Raymond Flynn). That's why our directions are confusing: We'll tell you to take Route 128 when we mean I-95 and/or 93. Or we'll tell you to walk past the old Jordan's (Jawdnz) and take a left "where Raymond's used to be." We figure you already know that we filled in the Back Bay 150 years ago, and that there's no school on School Street or joy on Joy Street.
In the Hub of the Universe, (originally the solar system), which Boston was until sometime around 1807, it's always about the past, and we assume that you were here for all of it. Everywhere else, 1918 is when World War I ended. Here, it's the last time the Sox won the Series.
It's "the Sox," of course. "Red" is superfluous. Nobody else's Sox matter. If we had it first (and what didn't we have first?), we simply use the definite ahticul. The Marathon, the Cape, the Latin School. It's also the Mayah, the Guvnah, the Rivah.
If you want to talk like us, just open your mouth and say "ah," as if you're at the doctah. As in: "Nomah hit a homah!" We save the Rs for words ending in A, like Chiner. It sounds b'zah, but remember, we're not the ones with the accent. We've been here since 1630. John Winthrop dropped the R into the Hahbah one day on his way to the State House and we didn't find it until the Big Dig.
So when we say pasta, we mean the priest who runs a parish. When we say pahster, we're having it with clam sauce. Buddah is what we put on con. We have suppah during the week, but dinnah on Sunday. Eating and drinking, we'll admit, can be a challenge in what you call Beantown. (We don't call it that, by the way.)
A milkshake has no ice cream in it. If it did, we'd say so. What you probably want is a frappe (pronounced "frap"). If you ask for a "frappay," we'll send you to France. Tonic -- meaning everything from Coke to ginger ale -- is our word for what you probably call soda, while we call soda water soder, and tonic waddah is what we pour gin into. Pop is your dad.
Boston cream pie, of course, is a cake. Scrod is whatever turns up in the fishing net that day. And nobody puts tuhmaydiz in the chowdah. (For the real thing, go to Legal's. It's wikkid pissah.)
That's the ultimate compliment around here. Wikkid, as in extremely. Pissah, as in excellent. We're not shuah who first said it. We think it might have been Cotton Mathah. What is definitely not wikkid pissah is the driving, especially with the Dig still being dug. Traffic is bumpadabumpah, especially if there's a fendabendah on the Ahdery or somebody from Alabamer stuck in a rotary.
And you cahn't pahk anywayah, certainly not in Hahvid Yahd. If you do, they'll tow you to Meffa (Medford) without your khakis (car keys). That'd be retahded. Almost like leaving Pedro in against the Yankees.
If you're here long enough, you don't need a last name. We'll call you Kevin or Dappah or Larry or Teddy or Natalie or Whitey or Red or Julier. We're not all proper Bostonians who talk only to God. Feel free to ask us for directions -- we'll tell you that you cahn't get theyah from heah, especially on the T. And if you see Tommy (you know, the Mayah) getting scrod at Legal's, ask him how things are going in Hypahk.
John Powers is the author of "The Boston Dictionary."
© Copyright 2004 Globe Newspaper Company.
Things To Do In Boston (From Fodors.com)
Boston is meant for walking. This is a remarkably compact city whose labyrinthine streets will delight the stroller, although they can -- and often do -- push drivers over the edge. An hour's stroll takes you from the North End's historic sites to Beacon Hill's mansions. You can explore the country's oldest public park, the Boston Common, in the morning; tour a Back Bay Victorian in the afternoon; and in the evening dine on Szechuan seafood in Chinatown or gnocchi in the North End. Even following the Freedom Trail -- a self-guiding walking tour of Revolutionary sites -- traverses many layers of the city.
One of the joys of wandering Boston is absorbing the character of each neighborhood. The redbrick elegance of Beacon Hill's narrow streets sends visitors back to the 19th century. In contrast, the Boston Common exudes an attitude that is for, by, and of the people. The startling contrast of old and new side by side is nowhere more evident than in the Old West End. Bostonians love to hate the bleak architecture of Government Center, home of City Hall. The North End is Boston's haven for Italian restaurants and cafés. Charlestown, home to the Bunker Hill monument and the USS Constitution, remains predominantly Irish-American.
Many historic sites remain in the thoroughly Manhattanized downtown; a number of them have been linked together to make up a fascinating section of the Freedom Trail. The Back Bay is a living museum of urban Victorian residential architecture. The South End's redbrick row houses in various states of refurbished splendor are home to a polyglot mix of cultural and ethnic groups. Funky Kenmore Square is a favorite haunt for college students, and hope springs eternal for a World Series pennant at Fenway Park.
"The People's Republic of Cambridge" sums up this independent city west of Boston. Cambridge not only houses two of the country's greatest educational institutions -- Harvard and MIT -- it also has a long history as a haven for freethinkers, writers, activists, and iconoclasts of every stamp. Like Boston, it is a city of neighborhoods; the rarefied air of Harvard Yard and the mansions of Brattle Street are within a mile of the ethnic enclaves in Central Square and East Cambridge. The Boston area's more than 300,000 students ensure a thicket of cafés, record stores, music clubs, street-chic boutiques, and bookstores.
Must-Sees (from boston.com)
Larry Bird's Bronze Sneakers
Boston Celtics legend and NBA superstar Larry Bird reached a monumental milestone in 1998 by entering basketball’s Hall of Fame. Later that year, Converse (long endorsed by Bird during his playing career) dedicated a plaque in his name at Boston’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace, featuring a list of Bird’s career accolades and a pair of his size 13 ½ sneakers cast in bronze. Location: Faneuil Hall, Boston
New England Holocaust Museum
Six 54-foot tall glass towers stand near Faneuil Hall as a memorial to those who were killed during the Holocaust. Six million numbers are etched on the glass towers, each one representing a number of a prisoner in the concentration camps. Each tower stands above a chamber where smoldering coals emit smoke that rises through metal grates and up through the tower. Location: Faneuil Hall, Boston
Site of the Great Molasses Flood
On January 15, 1919, a gigantic tank filled with 2.3 million gallons of molasses burst, sending a crushing, 30-foot, 14,000-ton wave along the waterfront near the North End. The accident killed 21 people and injured 150 more. Today, a plaque commerates those who died; some say that on a hot, humid day you can still smell the molasses.
Location: Lagone Park in the North End, Boston
The World’s Largest Copyrighted Piece of Artwork
This massive gas tank sits off Route 93, just south of Boston. Artist Corita Kent was commissioned in 1971 by Boston Gas to paint the tank, and delivered this bright rainbow of colors. Kent, an active Vietnam War protester, is alleged to have shaped the profile of Ho-Chi Minh into one side of the blue stripe. The tank is closed to visitors, so don't expect to get too close. It's best viewed from afar anyway. Location: Dorchester
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
For a personal encounter with works from the likes of Rembrandt, Titian and Raphael, visit the once private collection of socialite Isabella Stewart Gardner. The museum was once a private home, and it's modeled on a 15th-century Venetian palace and boasts three floors of galleries around a Mediterranean-style garden courtyard. The Gardner Museum was the site of a high-profile art theft in 1990, when a Vermeer and a dozen other works were stolen. The empty frames still hang on the wall today, as Gardner's will mandated that nothing in the collection is to be moved or re-arranged. Location: 280 The Fenway, South End, Boston
"Reverse the Curse" Road Sign
Traveling outbound on Storrow Drive can make for a pleasant drive or walk, but ignore the breathtaking view of the river and pay attention to the road signs! You might catch a glimpse of a Boston landmark that echoes the ruthless cry of Boston Red Sox fans all over New England. A “vandal” sent a desperate message to “Reverse The Curse” by using spray paint to alter a sign posted on the Longfellow Bridge that once read “Reverse Curve” (Note: The sign is constantly being fixed and spray painted again, so you may or may not get to see the sign in it's "Reverse the Curse" state). Location: Storrow Drive and Longfellow Bridge
Boston Marathon Finish Line
You don’t have to run the 26.2-mile course to cross the official Boston Marathon finish line. Held on the third Monday of every April (which is also Patriots Day), "Marathon Monday" is an unofficial holiday for many in the city. People line the course to cheer on world-class runners and to celebrate themselves. The route winds through Boston suburbs and neighborhoods and finishes on Boylston Street right in front of the Boston Public Library. The finish line spans Boylston Street, and gradually fades each year before being re-painted again in April. Location: Boylston Street, Back Bay, Boston
"Smoots" on the Harvard Bridge
MIT students are world-famous for their brains and creativity, and the invention of the "Smoot" as unit of measure is no exception. In 1958, the pledge class of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity marked the length of the Harvard Bridge (which goes to MIT) using pledge Oliver Smoot as a measuring tool. For the record, Smoot was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and the bridge is 364.4 Smoots (plus an ear) long. The bridge is marked with colored lines to mark every 10 Smoots, and the markers are painted on the sidewalk on the outbound side of the bridge. Location: Over the Charles River between Back Bay and Cambridge
The Boston University Bridge
True, there are many bridges in Boston, but this bridge offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity. It's believed to be the only place in America where, simultaneously, a plane can fly over car driving over a train traveling over a boat. Watch out below (and above)! And while you're there, you can check out the often witty graffiti painted on the train bridge by local college rowing teams. Location: Commonwealth Ave. and Brookine St., Allston
From bostonherald.com (15 Must Sees: You haven't been to Boston until you've visited...)
The Freedom Trail
The 2.5-mile red brick path crisscrossing downtown Boston is a pilgrimage every visitor should make. How else could you pack 300 years of history into your daily exercise? You can visit the world's oldest commissioned warship, climb 294 stairs to the top of the Bunker Hill monument, and check out the final resting place of revolutionary hero and beer baron Samuel Adams, all in one afternoon. Pick up maps for a self-guided tour at The Greater Boston Convention and Visitor Center on Boston Common. Visitor's Center: 147 Tremont St., Downtown (617) 357-8300; www.thefreedomtrail.org . T: Red & Green lines, Park Street Station.
Fenway Park
Forget all the newfangled, modern behemoths that pass for ballparks nowadays. Fenway is the real deal. It may be dirty, cramped and filled with obnoxious fans, but it has a magic and charm that can only be felt in person. Smelling the fresh-cut grass of the infield while sipping a watered-down Bud Light is what Bostonians imagine the afterlife to be - well, that and celebrating a Red Sox World Series win. You can tour the park daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (except on game days, when tours stop three hours before game time.) Tickets will be nearly impossible to get... unless you're a real political heavyweight. 4 Yawkey Way, Kenmore Square; (617) 267-1700 (Tours Hotline 617-226-6666); http://www.redsox.com . T: Green Line, Kenmore Station.
Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge
Named for local civil rights activist Leonard P. Zakim, this gorgeous showpiece of the infamous Big Dig highway project has won universal acclaim. The widest cable-stayed bridge in the world, it begins where the underground Central Artery surfaces near the Fleet Center and carries Interstate 93 across the Charles River. While most sights in Boston reflect its illustrious past, the funky yet elegant architecture of the Zakim Bridge represents Boston at the dawn of the new millenium. The design of the inverted Y-shaped towers was intended to reflect the nearby Bunker Hill monument. Causeway Street, behind the Fleet Center. T: Green Line, North Station.
The North End
The Old World is alive in well in this charming urban neighborhood that celebrates its Italian-American roots. While trendy bistros and nouveau cuisines have begun to crowd out the older, family-run shops, there's still a distinctly mom-and-pop feel to the community. In the summer, an Italian street festival every weekend adds to the European charm. When Convention business gets to be too much, let the smells of veal scallopinni and mussels marinara lure you into this quaint little enclave, which is also home to the famed Old North Church. Salem Street, Hanover Street, Commercial Street. T: Green & Orange Lines, Haymarket Station.
Copley Square
There's so much to see and do here you may experience sensory overload. In the center of the square sits the breathtaking Trinity Church, completed in 1877 by H.H. Richardson and considered to be one of America's architectural gems. Across the street is the enormous and equally jaw-dropping Boston Public Library, whose stunning marble interior somehow manages to surpass its grand exterior. Oh, and they also lend out books. Nearby is Newbury Street, Boston's answer to Fifth Avenue, where all things chic, trendy and expensive can be found. Boylston Street between Clarendon and Dartmouth Streets. T: Green Line, Copley Station.
Boston Common/ Public Garden
What began as grazing land for the Puritans is now the country's oldest public park. Forty four acres of meandering paths and rolling hills right downtown will make even rural visitors feel at home. With the gold-domed Massachusetts State House at one end, and the graceful townhouses of swank Beacon Hill along the northern edge, the Common is the heart and soul of old Boston. Across Arlington Street is the Public Garden, the nation's first botanical garden, famous for its year-round botanical displays and the pedal-powered Swan Boats that cruise the pond. Boston Common: Park Street between Beacon & Tremont streets. T: Red & Green Lines, Park Street Station. Public Garden: Arlington Street between Beacon and Boylston streets. T: Green Line, Arlington Street Station.
Sam Adams Brewery
We might all still be drinking watered-down domestic beer or pricey European imports if it weren't for the Samuel Adams Brewing Company A tour of this groundbreaking beer company, which introduced the term microbrewery to America, includes a beer-tasting lesson and the all-important commemorative pint glass. 30 Germania St., Jamaica Plain MA. (617) 522-9080; http://www.samadams.com . T: Orange Line, Green Street Station.
Harvard Square
You don't need a 1600 on your SATs to enjoy Harvard Square. Its bohemian charm has been diluted in recent years by commercial retailers of the Abercrombie & Fitch persuasion, but plenty of independent spirit remains. Street performers attract crowds most warm nights, and the diversity of ethnic eateries can cause decision-making panic attacks. Be sure to also check out the storied, ivy-covered interior of Harvard Yard, pronounced by tourists and non-Bostonians around the globe as Hahvahd Yahd. Massachusetts Avenue and JFK Street, Cambridge. T: Red Line/Harvard Station.
Museum of Fine Arts/ Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
These two art museums, which are nearly next-door neighbors, exemplify the Boston Brahmin cultural tradition. The MFA houses an awe-inspiring array of ancient, classical and modern works, including one of the world's best collections of Egyptian art. The Gardner is home to the eclectic collection of founder Isabella Stewart Gardner. The gorgeous building modeled after a 15th century Venetian palace, and features one of the sexiest courtyards in the world. The Gardner was made famous, regrettably, by the still-unsolved theft of 13 works of art in 1990. Museum of Fine Arts: 465 Huntington Ave., Fenway. (617) 267-9300; www.mfa.org . T: Green Line (E branch), Museum stop. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: 280 The Fenway, Fenway. (617) 566-1401; http://www.gardnermuseum.org . T: Green Line (E branch), Museum stop.
John F. Kennedy Library and Museum
What Democrat would come to Boston for a party convention and not visit the JFK Library? Situated at the tip of Columbia Point in Dorchester, this architectural jewel (designed by I.M. Pei) is a fitting tribute to Boston's favorite son. The museum offers a first-rate look at Kennedy's life and presidency, along with a changing schedule of exhibits on American history. Kennedy's 26-foot sloop Victura is displayed on the lawn, facing the entrance to Boston Harbor. And the ocean-view sunsets are breathtaking. John F. Kennedy Library and Museum. Columbia Point, Dorchester. (617) 514-1600; http://www.jfklibrary.org . T: Red Line, JFK/UMass station.
Arnold Arboretum
Need an escape? Head for the verdant hills of the Arnold Arboretum -- 265 acres of woodlands and meadows designed by the famed Frederick Law Olmsted in 1879. The Arboretum is a tranquil oasis just a few miles from downtown, with one of North America's finest collections of trees, shrubs and flowers. 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain. (617) 524-1718; http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu . T: Orange Line, Forest Hills Station.
MIT Museum
You don't have to be a nerd or a Mensa member to enjoy the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's showcase of innovation, with exhibits of all things robotic, technological and seemingly impossible. 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. (617) 253-4444; http://www.mit.edu/museum . T: Red Line, Kendall Station.
Christian Science Center
Who'd have thought that concrete and stone could be so beautiful? The sweeping expanse of the Christian Science Plaza, home of the Christian Science Mother Church, is the closest thing white-steepled New England has to the Vatican. In addition to the spectacular Romanesque Mother Church, the complex also includes a 670-foot reflecting pool and the gorgeous Mapparium, where you can walk inside a three-story stained-glass globe of the world. 175 Huntington Ave., Back Bay. (617) 450-3790; http://www.tfccs.com/bostonactivities T: Green Line (E branch), Prudential or Symphony stop.
Boston Harbor Islands
Cool off with a short cruise through Boston's historic harbor to Georges Island, where you can picnic, hike, or explore a Civil War-era fort. Small water taxis will take you to some of the other 33 islands dotting the harbor. You'll see the city from a new vantage point, and get a terrific view of Boston Light, the country's oldest continually used lighthouse site (1716). Boston Harbor Cruises, 1 Long Wharf, Downtown. (617) 227-4321; www.bostonharborcruises.com . T: Blue Line, Aquarium Station. For information about the harbor islands, access http://www.nps.gov/boha
Boston Athenaeum
A private library dating back to 1807, the Athenaeum's esteemed membership has included John Quincy Adams, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and hundreds of other important people with three names. The Athenaeum houses an impressive art collection and also continues the tradition of serving a high tea on Wednesdays. You don't need to be a member to check out the grounds and take a tour. 10 1/2 Beacon St., Downtown. (617) 227-0270; http://www.bostonathenaeum.org .
Other things to do in Boston:
Visit Faneuil Hall Marketplace ,Harpoon Brewery or the Museum of Science