You want fascinating? Boston’s got it — in the form of the ever popular Museum of Science, a Boston landmark and member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that is home to the Charles Hayden Planetarium, the Mugar Omni IMAX Theater, and dozens of animals. The museum is situated steps from the Boston-East Cambridge border, right at the Science Park stop on the Green Line subway.

With a stated mission “to stimulate interest in and further understanding of science and technology and their importance for individuals and for society,” the museum hosts a number of intriguing interactive exhibits each year, ranging from IMAX movies to displays of live insects and animals to instructional sessions on diverse science-related topics. It even offers a series of virtual exhibits available to everyone, free of charge and around the clock, conveniently via their computer.

The current Museum of Science began as the Boston Society of Natural History in 1830 and later became the New England Museum of Natural History in 1864 after a move to Back Bay. Land was purchased at what is now called Science Park in 1948, and three years later the museum reopened at its new address as the Museum of Science.

The museum’s lengthy list of longtime draws includes the aforementioned Charles Hayden Planetarium and Mugar Omni IMAX Theater, the Theater of Electricity, the Science Live! Stage, Mathematica, and the Children’s Discovery Center. Present exhibits are equally impressive, such as Beyond the X-ray, Dinosaurs: Modeling the Mesozoic, Earth: Inside Out, and the Live Animal Exhibit.

Take a quick video tour of the Museum of Science after the jump and visit the museum’s official website to learn more about its offerings and prices.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Advantage: Landmark hotel — in continuous operation since 1855, the longest for an American hotel — located right in the heart of downtown Boston

Disadvantage: Previous visitors often note the tiny size of the rooms and the paper-thin walls

Interesting Fact: The place where the Boston Cream Pie, the official Massachusetts State Dessert that’s actually a cake, was invented by French chef M. Sanzian [More History (PDF)]

Location: 60 School Street, Boston, 617-227-8600

Price Range: Expensive, Luxury

Website: Omni Parker House

Post from: The Boston Traveler

One of Boston’s biggest attractions is the Freedom Trail, a pedestrian walk along a red path, primarily constructed of bricks, that links sixteen historic locations in Boston. The trail begins on the Boston Common downtown and ends at Charlestown’s Bunker Hill Monument about 2.5 miles away.

During the journey, participants also encounter the Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, the Benjamin Franklin statue, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, the site where the Boston Massacre occurred, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, and the USS Constitution. The last is the United States Navy ship widely called Old Ironsides.

You can take your own electronic tour of the ever-popular Freedom Trail right now by watching the following seven-minute video created by a family who walked it on Easter weekend of this year. The footage isn’t professional quality, but it does give a real sense of the sights encountered as you reach various landmarks. All create an impression of awe that’s not easily transmitted via an artificial medium, which is actually a great motivation to visit Boston and enjoy the trail up close and personal.

Learn more about Boston’s Freedom Trail at the Freedom Trail Foundation, a provider of informative, 90-minute historical tours several times a day during relevant seasons.

NOTE: For your ears’ sake, I suggest turning the volume down low or off on the video. The audio is extremely poor and very unpleasant to hear.

Post from: The Boston Traveler