Boston Duck Tours are a fun, family-friendly way to see the city the Paul Revere way: by both land and water.

You board a renovated WWII amphibious craft decked out with a fun name and your own ConDUCKtor who doubles as driver and tour guide. After sightseeing in downtown Boston, you plop off a ramp into the Charles River to enjoy the Beantown and Cambridge skylines from the water. At this point, children are allowed to take the wheel and “pilot” the craft with the ConDUCKtor by their side, treats at the ready.

The entire tour takes about 90 minutes. The DUCK tour covers many of the historical locations of Boston (one sees how compact it really is), and leaves from both the Prudential Center (shopper friendly), and the Museum of Science (kid friendly). The parking at the Museum of Science is reasonable and solves the problem of where to leave your car downtown.

During the summer months, a steady flow of DUCK boats make their way through the city streets and waters, the drivers supply cheers for the DUCKS to holler out as they pass each other. The DUCK boats have caught on in a big way; plans are afoot to bring them to Manhattan.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Where else but Salem would Halloween become a month long event?

The city that has made a cottage industry of witchcraft pulls no punches this Halloween, as it launches its month of Haunted Happenings. It’s a combination of an autumn event, celebrating the changing leaves and cooler weather, with the spirit of Halloween, complete with accompanying ghosts, goblins, witches and folklore.

The Halloween events are all found in historic downtown Salem, and it’s easy to walk from one venue to the next. You can choose from museums, attractions, haunted houses, and a variety of tours, or decide to wander the streets enjoying the dramatic reenactments, psychic fairs, and shopping. Events have been designed to appeal to all age groups. There admission fees for entry to some of the events, others are free.

Here is a partial list of attractions: Salem Witch Museum, House of Seven Gables, Salem Trolley, Witch Dungeon, Witch History Museum, and the Pirate History Museum

And if a tour is more to your liking: Candlelit Ghostly Tours, Cemetery 101: Grave Matters (this sounded like one I’d enjoy), Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour, 1692 Salem Village Trolley Tour, Salem Spirits Trolley Tour, Witchcraft Walk, and Spirit of Salem Seance.

That’s just a few of the things you can do in Salem this month, so be sure to check out the full schedule of events. There’s likely to be something to appeal to your spirited side.

Salem is located 16 miles north of Boston on the Atlantic coast. It is easily accessible by public transportation. In fact, this is the busy season for Salem, and traffic can be a nightmare, so public transportation is a very good idea.

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Canadian Rockies-themed Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse currently has a nice special in progress for diners with children. On Tuesday Family Nights through August 26, 2008, children 10 years old and under eat free after 4pm. The special, which includes an ice cream dessert but no beverage, only applies when orders are selected from the Children’s Menu. Just one child’s meal is free per accompanying adult meal purchase.

Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse is an award-winning, moderately priced U.S.-based restaurant chain with branches in ten states: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. In Massachusetts, you can find Bugaboos in the twelve locations Braintree, Brockton, Burlington, Dedham, Framingham, Methuen, Milford, Peabody, Plymouth, Seekonk, Shrewsbury, and Watertown.

The last, Watertown, is a simple trip for most Boston residents and visitors because the city is located right outside Cambridge and bordered by Belmont, Brighton, and Newton. If you don’t drive, like me, the area is easily reached via the 70 and 70A MBTA bus lines that depart from Central Square in Cambridge and can be boarded at several connecting points.

Even better for shoppers, the Watertown Bugaboo is a quick walk down the block from the two retail outlets Arsenal Mall and Watertown Mall, which face each other across Arsenal Street. Sure, both malls are typically deserted enough to make one wonder how the stores manage to stay in business.

On the other hand, the relative solitude makes them great for people who prefer quiet shopping time rather than huge crowds. Watertown Mall is presently undergoing major construction and renovations, however, so it’s not as serene as usual.

I’ve eaten at the very atmospheric Watertown Bugaboo a dozen times or so, and I only had one bad experience, in November 2005, with painfully slow service, subpar food, and an entrée that looked nothing like the advertisement or menu description. Since all three things happened during a single visit, I promptly filed a complaint online.

Soon afterwards, a regional manager apologized and promised a replacement meal that never materialized. I stayed away from Bugaboo for about a year after that, which is easy since there’s a nearby Friendly’s, as well as a food court, Old Country Buffet, Papa Gino’s, and Ruby Tuesday inside the malls. Yet, when I eventually got over the branch’s poor performance and returned, everything seemed improved.

Visit Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse online for more details, locations, directions, and instructions on how to sign up for the Creek Club email list in order to receive a free dessert and other unnamed special offers.

Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse: 617 Arsenal Street, Watertown, 617-924-9000
Arsenal Mall: 485 Arsenal Street, Watertown, 617-923-4700
Watertown Mall: 550 Arsenal Street, Watertown, 617-926-4968

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Planning a family-friendly vacation in Boston doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, especially if a substantial portion of your itinerary focuses on enjoying the many nature-based attractions in and around the city. Since no matter where you go in Boston you’re never too far from a body of water, it’s fitting that one of the most popular activities in the area consists of hopping on a boat and taking a scenic tour of the region’s sights, many with deep historic ties.

The go-to company for a trip along the Charles River and Boston Harbor is the Charles Riverboat Company, which was founded in 1990 by Captain Russell Cushman. Intent on helping others appreciate the waterways to the fullest, Cushman had riverboats constructed capable of completing scenic cruises while also allowing passage under nine low bridges interspersed along the Charles.

Now a hugely popular cruise outlet, the company offers several very affordable trips each day, during the regular season from May until October. For the general price of $13 (adults), $10 (seniors), or $6 (children), riders can choose from tours of the Charles River or Boston Harbor, in addition to group tours, which include discounted fares for parties of 20 to 200 individuals, and special events, such as the U.S.S. Constitution Turn Around Cruise on the Fourth of July.

Daily sunset cruises at 6pm and 7:30pm, from June through August, feature the extra touch of cocktails at a full bar. Children are welcome on the trips, as well, but tickets must be purchased a week in advance.

Visit Charles Riverboat Company online to learn more about one of the biggest and most memorable bargains for vacationers in Boston. As the 60- to 75-minute cruises depart from Canal Park, mere feet from the entrance of East Cambridge’s CambridgeSide Galleria, it’s easy to extend a river tour into a day of shopping and/or dining at the mall’s numerous stores and eateries.

The company has even partnered with the mall and the world-famous restaurant the Cheesecake Factory to make special lunch and shopping packages available for tour participants. These currently include lunch and a cruise for $29.75 per person (includes one entrée, non-alcoholic beverage, and a cheesecake dessert) and savings coupons for various stores.

Canal Park at CambridgeSide Galleria: 100 CambridgeSide Place, Cambridge, 617-621-3001

Post from: The Boston Traveler

From 11am to 6pm on Saturday, July 19, downtown Boston will host the Life is good Festival, an annual summer event guaranteed to make residents and visitors alike feel pretty darn good, no matter what their age.

The fundraiser, always free of charge to the general public, features a number of physical activities that reflect the infectious spirit and energy of youth. One of the most popular is the competition to be crowned the World’s Greatest Backyard Athlete, a victory that announces to the world that the winner rocks at spitting Watermelon seeds as far as possible, making a Frisbee fly through the air, and navigating the twists and turns of a challenging obstacle course.

There’s not a better way to make your mark on history, especially since all proceeds, raised through pledges, benefit the Boston-based nonprofit children’s charity Project Joy, which is dedicated to using “the healing power of play to transform kids sidelined by violence, poverty and loss into healthy and joyful players in the game of life.” In fact, 100 percent of the funds raised at Life is good’s various outdoor festivals in thirteen states is donated to indispensable charitable organizations that assist children.

Other highlights to look forward to on Saturday include team-oriented games in the Joy Zone; arts and crafts and other cool-down activities in Chillville; and a variety of traditional games, such as treasure hunts and Hula Hoop spinning, in Jake Town.

And then there’s the entertainment attendees can observe, this weekend ranging from the previously mentioned World’s Greatest Backyard Athlete competition; Double Dutch and Hula Hoop demonstrations; and music from Electric Youth (who also dance!), Melvin Sparks, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and children’s entertainer SteveSongs.

Remember, this is all free, meaning there’s no excuse not to stop by and mingle for at least a little while if you’re in the area. Visit the Life is good website for additional information, including how to contribute to the organization’s very worthy cause. You can also take a look at the promotional video for Saturday’s event below to get an idea of the Life is good founders’ laid-back and fun-loving approach.

Boston Common: Charles Street and Beacon Street at the Green Line Subway Park Street and Boylston Street Stations

Post from: The Boston Traveler

At Forest Hills Cemetery’s sunset version of the festival, participants set paper lanterns they’ve created and decorated themselves afloat on Lake Hibiscus. The lanterns are typically inscribed with messages to the deceased, and the candles placed inside emit a peaceful glow on the water as each lantern travels on its symbolic journey to the afterlife.

Although admission to the ceremony is free, a $10 donation per lantern is suggested. That’s a reasonable request for an uplifting event that will include music and dance performances by gospel singer Ron Murphy, students from Showa Institute and Chu Ling Dance Academy, and Master Tsuji’s Samurai Taiko Drummers. Attendees, whether participants or just observers, are also invited to hold picnics on the lawn while enjoying the performances.

Visit Forest Hills Cemetery online for additional information, including how to purchase advance tickets for the festival reception scheduled from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place one week later, on July 24, instead.

Forest Hills Cemetery: 95 Forest Hills Avenue, Jamaica Plain, 617-524-0128

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The Bard days of summer are almost here, and they’re free, too!

On Friday, July 18, Citi Performing Arts Center will kick off its three-week engagement on Boston Common performing William Shakespeare’s much-loved romantic comedy As You Like It.

The talented cast bringing the production to life includes Obie winners Marin Ireland as Rosalind and Fred Weller (of USA Network’s hit series In Plain Sight) as Orlando, along with Larry Coen as Touchstone, Johnny Lee Davenport as Duke Senior, Jennie Israel as Phebe, Ali Marsh (Weller’s wife) as Celia, Paul Melendy as Silvius, Dan Roach as Oliver, Fred Sullivan, Jr. as Jacques, and Noah Tuleja as Duke Frederick. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s founding artistic director Steven Maler directs.

As You Like It, set in the Forest of Arden, tells the tale of adventurous Rosalind and her quest to find true love. Banished from her home, she flees disguised as a man and eventually ends up with smitten Orlando after teaching him a thing or two.

Performances, which are suitable for all ages, will be held at the Parkman Bandstand on Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and on Sundays at 7pm. When the run on Boston Common concludes, the production will then relocate to Forest Park in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Visit Citi Performing Arts Center online for more information about the event or call 617-482-9393/617-482-5757 (TTY).

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Although the French national holiday Bastille Day officially takes place on July 14, Boston residents and visitors will get to celebrate it early when Harvard Square hosts a marathon block party this Sunday, July 13, to commemorate the start of the French Revolution in 1789.

The assorted activities scheduled during the family-oriented event include attractions for children, ranging from a parade with the one and only Curious George to face painting, as well as highlights for adults, such as scrumptious French cuisine provided by Sandrine’s Bistro, Chez Henri, Brasserie Jo, the Elephant Walk, Rialto, and Petit Robert.

Attendees will also have a rare opportunity to observe a traditional waiters race called La Course des Garçon de Café, which will feature a pair of free round-trip tickets on Jet Blue as a grand prize. To top the day off, music from Boston French Party’s DJ Kamal will allow dancers to work off some of the calories ingested, thanks to the assorted food available throughout the day.

If this stateside celebration of Bastille Day sounds as appealing to you as it does to me, visit Harvard Square.com to learn more about what to expect on Holyoke Street this Sunday. The festivities will last from 3pm to 10pm.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

From 10am until 3pm at Boston’s City Hall Plaza, children will be able to enjoy assorted carnival-style entertainment provided by the agency Fly by Night, listen to youth-oriented music from Wayne Potash and the Music Fun Band, and take advantage of familiar festival staples like face painting and balloon art.

If the children have a good enough time, they might even be willing to return on one of the remaining days of Harborfest, which will feature a variety of live concerts, as well as Saturday evening’s four-hour Party on the Plaza and Sunday’s ever-popular Chowderfest.

Visit the Boston Harborfest website for additional details.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Note the ou at the end of “UniverSoul” because it makes all the difference when it comes to this particular troupe of touring performers.

Atlanta-based UniverSoul Circus was established in 1994 by Cedric Walker, who was searching for a way to showcase the artistry of black culture in areas other than singing and dancing. When he happened upon an exhibit called “Of Blacks and Circus Rings” at a Black Expo one day, the first seeds of the current “Hip Hop Under the Big Top” extravaganza were sown.

On Tuesday, July 1, UniverSoul Circus arrives in Boston to launch its 15th season with the appropriately themed new show Jabulani: Joy, Happiness & Laughter, which features a multicultural lineup of talent from Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, and Russia, all performing their entertaining routines to the tune of funk, gospel, hip-hop, and R&B music. Exotic animals are included, too, of course.

The traveling act will remain in town until Sunday, July 6, at Northeastern University (Columbus Avenue parking lot, Boston, 800-316-7439), keeping the big tent open even on the Fourth of July. With tickets ranging in price from an affordable $10 for 10:30am shows to $30 for adults, this extremely popular family-friendly attraction is a sure bet for good times. [More Information]

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