Boston has a reputation as being a moderately expensive place to live. But for those who are just visiting, you can enjoy yourself for a small sum or even no fee at all. Some of the most obvious choices involve walking the Freedom Trail or strolling through the Public Gardens. In actuality, many fun events across the city can be enjoyed by those on a budget.
Climb Beacon Hill
Despite the steep terrain, Beacon Hill is covered with townhouses and upper scale homes, which line narrow, shaded streets. There are several possible walks that covers the famous promontory, including the Black Heritage Trail, which explores the black history of the city before the Civil War. Much of Boston's African-American past focuses on Beacon Hill, where approximately two dozen structures were used by the black community for schools, churches, businesses and private homes. Trail guides and free tours are available during summer at the Museum of African American History's Abiel Smith School. Also available are numerous general-information guided tours of the famous hill, as well as a few self-guided tours.
Visit Some Islands
Boston Harbor has boat connections to Provincetown, Quincy and Cape Ann as well as whale watching tours that venture far out from the harbor. For a simpler and less expensive boat ride, try taking the ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands, administered by the National Park Service. For $14, 2010 prices, hop aboard the Boston Harbor Ferry and spend the day island hopping, hiking, swimming and picnicking. Experienced boaters familiar with the hazards of sea kayaking in the cold North Atlantic waters can make the trip for free.
An Open Air Market
As the Freedom Trail leaves the downtown area and passes through the Holocaust Memorial, the popular walkway next traverses the North End. In this historic section of the city, you can visit the Old North Church, where Paul Revere began his famous ride, or walk down crowded Hanover Street and experience Boston's busy Italian neighborhood. Visit the Haymarket, which as the name implies is a real market, though nowadays it sells fresh produce instead of hay. The selection ranges from locally grown farm produce to out-of-state citrus, check the fish vendors while you are here. This place has some of the best prices in the city.
Museum
Museums in Beantown have become a pricey affair with some of the top attractions like the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Science Museum and New England Aquarium charging around $20 a head. Fortunately the Boston Museum of Fine Arts gives visitors a break on Wednesday nights with "a pay what you can afford" admission that allows persons from all walks of life to enjoy the museum. Join the Wednesday night crowd that comes for the reduced prices, and take the long stroll through the extensive museum complex. This also a great time to meet Bostonians. Special exhibitions, which might include masterpieces of French Impressionism or Italian Renaissance, are not included in this reduced-fare offer.
Libraries Are Still Free
Public libraries are still free, and Boston has several, including the main branch of the Boston Public Library, or BPL. You need a library card to take out books, but visitors can read, use the computers, visit an art gallery, eat lunch in a cafe or attend a lecture. The BPL is a grand old structure, located at Copley Square. The interior architecture is worthy of a visit just in itself.
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