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Magical Mystery Tour 2013 (Wed & Thu prePAX adventuring) SCHEDULE UP
2013 Magical Mystery Tour of Boston!
Twitter: PAX_MMT Follow this to keep track of where we are in real time. Very useful if you want to join up midway through!
Who: You! And me. And other PAX peeps. AKA your future friends. (Attendees list below.)
What: Visit interesting places in and around Boston.
Where: Schedule TBD.
When: The two days before PAX: Wed 3/20 and Thurs 3/21. Traditionally runs from 9am to 5pm but you don't have to do the whole thing.
Why: See something of Boston other than the convention center and your hotel. And do it with cool people!
How: Boston's public transit.
Schedule Now with handy dandy map thank to @peetsnack.
Entry fees listed where they apply. Closest subway stop listed in the corresponding color.
Wednesday:
09:30 meetup at Boston Common (corner of Park St and Tremont St) (Park St)
10:00 travel time
10:30 New England Aquarium $18 (Aquarium)
11:30 travel time
12:00 lunch - Sunset Grill and Tap (Harvard Ave)
13:30 travel time
14:00 Fenway $16 (Kenmore)
15:00 travel time
16:00 Harpoon Brewery (Silver Line Way)
Thursday:
09:00 meet up at Boston Common (corner of Park St and Tremont St) (Park St)
09:10 travel time
10:00 Sam Adams (Stony Brook)
11:00 travel time
12:00 lunch - Quincy Market (State St)
13:30 Modern Pastry (Haymarket)
14:30 travel time
15:00 Museum of Science $21 (Science Park)
We'll be using the T (subway) to get around. You can by a pass for $18 that will get you unlimited rides for a week. When we leave the morning meetups, I'll be making sure everyone has a pass.
What To Bring?
A list of suggestions:
Cash Monies - Always useful! Please bring cash for lunch on Wednesday (to help splitting up bills and to make our waiter's life easier). Also bring small bills for tips and donations.
Charlie Card/Weekly Pass - We'll be riding the subway A LOT. It will save you some money if have either a standard Charlie Card ($2 per ride instead of $2.50) or a weekly pass ($18, unlimited rides for a week). Both are available at subway stations. (More info here: http://mbta.com/fares_and_passes/subway/) At the morning meetings, I'll be helping everyone acquire one if they haven't already.
Good Shoes - You should have these for PAX anyway. We will be walking up and down stairs to the subway, between the T stations and our destinations, and around various sites (museums and such).
Outerwear and Layers - It's spring(ish), so don't be surprised if we see rain/sleet/other water-based things falling from the sky. You can also expect cool or cold mornings, though it could warm up during the days. Layers are your friend.
Phone - You know, in case you get lost. Or hurt. Or you miss your best friend and need to hear his voice.
Water and Snacks - Our time is tightly budgeted. While lunch is worked into the schedule everyday, there won't be time to stop at convenience stores/coffee shops/what-have-you. If you think you may want a snack or drink, bring it with you.
A Bag - Bags carry stuff when you run out of hands. Whether you need a place to stash your snacks, store your extra layers when you get warm, cart around your favorite game, or carry souvenirs and toys you buy, a bag do it.
Buttons - Did you make buttons to trade this PAX? This is a good time to get in some early trading.
Schedule - It could be handy to have a copy with you. Especially since we no longer have trading cards with the schedule on the back.
Pens and Junk - General things that can come in handy: pens, paper clips, bobby pins, floss, duct tape. Stuff can go wrong. And you can play MacGuyver and fix it.
A Good Attitude - We're spending a day or 2 together. Play nice: Don't complain about things I can't fix (the walk/weather/late train). Don't start fights. Don't feed the animals. Don't be a dick.
Info in this spoiler is no longer relevant.
Twitter: PAX_MMT Follow this to keep track of where we are in real time. Very useful if you want to join up midway through!
Who: You! And me. And other PAX peeps. AKA your future friends. (Attendees list below.)
What: Visit interesting places in and around Boston.
Where: Schedule TBD.
When: The two days before PAX: Wed 3/20 and Thurs 3/21. Traditionally runs from 9am to 5pm but you don't have to do the whole thing.
Why: See something of Boston other than the convention center and your hotel. And do it with cool people!
How: Boston's public transit.
Schedule Now with handy dandy map thank to @peetsnack.
Entry fees listed where they apply. Closest subway stop listed in the corresponding color.
Wednesday:
09:30 meetup at Boston Common (corner of Park St and Tremont St) (Park St)
10:00 travel time
10:30 New England Aquarium $18 (Aquarium)
11:30 travel time
12:00 lunch - Sunset Grill and Tap (Harvard Ave)
13:30 travel time
14:00 Fenway $16 (Kenmore)
15:00 travel time
16:00 Harpoon Brewery (Silver Line Way)
Thursday:
09:00 meet up at Boston Common (corner of Park St and Tremont St) (Park St)
09:10 travel time
10:00 Sam Adams (Stony Brook)
11:00 travel time
12:00 lunch - Quincy Market (State St)
13:30 Modern Pastry (Haymarket)
14:30 travel time
15:00 Museum of Science $21 (Science Park)
We'll be using the T (subway) to get around. You can by a pass for $18 that will get you unlimited rides for a week. When we leave the morning meetups, I'll be making sure everyone has a pass.
What To Bring?
A list of suggestions:
Cash Monies - Always useful! Please bring cash for lunch on Wednesday (to help splitting up bills and to make our waiter's life easier). Also bring small bills for tips and donations.
Charlie Card/Weekly Pass - We'll be riding the subway A LOT. It will save you some money if have either a standard Charlie Card ($2 per ride instead of $2.50) or a weekly pass ($18, unlimited rides for a week). Both are available at subway stations. (More info here: http://mbta.com/fares_and_passes/subway/) At the morning meetings, I'll be helping everyone acquire one if they haven't already.
Good Shoes - You should have these for PAX anyway. We will be walking up and down stairs to the subway, between the T stations and our destinations, and around various sites (museums and such).
Outerwear and Layers - It's spring(ish), so don't be surprised if we see rain/sleet/other water-based things falling from the sky. You can also expect cool or cold mornings, though it could warm up during the days. Layers are your friend.
Phone - You know, in case you get lost. Or hurt. Or you miss your best friend and need to hear his voice.
Water and Snacks - Our time is tightly budgeted. While lunch is worked into the schedule everyday, there won't be time to stop at convenience stores/coffee shops/what-have-you. If you think you may want a snack or drink, bring it with you.
A Bag - Bags carry stuff when you run out of hands. Whether you need a place to stash your snacks, store your extra layers when you get warm, cart around your favorite game, or carry souvenirs and toys you buy, a bag do it.
Buttons - Did you make buttons to trade this PAX? This is a good time to get in some early trading.
Schedule - It could be handy to have a copy with you. Especially since we no longer have trading cards with the schedule on the back.
Pens and Junk - General things that can come in handy: pens, paper clips, bobby pins, floss, duct tape. Stuff can go wrong. And you can play MacGuyver and fix it.
A Good Attitude - We're spending a day or 2 together. Play nice: Don't complain about things I can't fix (the walk/weather/late train). Don't start fights. Don't feed the animals. Don't be a dick.
Info in this spoiler is no longer relevant.
Voting:
Is done. Your opinions have been noted and the schedule has been made.
Potential Destinations:
Is done. Your opinions have been noted and the schedule has been made.
Potential Destinations:
Items in bold are places we went last year.
Prices listed are per each adult (and may be inaccurate until I recheck them all). Discounts are often given for children, seniors, students, and sometimes military.
Any notes about reservations are for my benefit.
Prices listed are per each adult (and may be inaccurate until I recheck them all). Discounts are often given for children, seniors, students, and sometimes military.
Any notes about reservations are for my benefit.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
What it is: 1 hour tour of tea ships and historic items related to the Boston Tea Party. Throw tea in the ocean just like Ye Olde Ancestors!
Price: $25
Hours: 10am - 4 pm
Website: http://www.bostonteapartyship.com/
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Price: $25
Hours: 10am - 4 pm
Website: http://www.bostonteapartyship.com/
What it is: 1-1.5 hour guided tour of Symphony Hall.
Price: $7
Hours: Wed, 4pm
Website: www.bso.org/
Additional Info: A reservation for a group tour will need to be made in advance.
Commonwealth Museum
Price: $7
Hours: Wed, 4pm
Website: www.bso.org/
Additional Info: A reservation for a group tour will need to be made in advance.
What it is: A museum specializing on Massachusetts history.
Price: Free! (I'm suspect donations are encouraged.)
Hours: 9am - 5pm
Website: www.sec.state.ma.us/mus/museum/index.htm
Duck Tour
Price: Free! (I'm suspect donations are encouraged.)
Hours: 9am - 5pm
Website: www.sec.state.ma.us/mus/museum/index.htm
What it is: 80 minute land and water tour in a repurpose WWII vehicle
Price: $32.99
Hours: ? tours don't start until 3/19
Website: http://www.bostonducktours.com/
F1 Boston
Price: $32.99
Hours: ? tours don't start until 3/19
Website: http://www.bostonducktours.com/
What it is: Kart Racing (no blue shells)
Price: $10 for an F1 license and $28 to actually drive on the (cheaper) track
Hours: 9am - 11pm
Website: www.f1boston.com/
Additional Notes: It's a bit out of the way since it's in Braintree and using public transit will take us about an hour to get there by bus. Must be 18+ with valid driver's license. There are also a bunch of other rules you might want to read.
Fenway Park
Price: $10 for an F1 license and $28 to actually drive on the (cheaper) track
Hours: 9am - 11pm
Website: www.f1boston.com/
Additional Notes: It's a bit out of the way since it's in Braintree and using public transit will take us about an hour to get there by bus. Must be 18+ with valid driver's license. There are also a bunch of other rules you might want to read.
What it is: The Green Monstah! 50 minute tour of Red Sox home field (I don't know sports, so if my terminology is wrong, write a post to call me out on it and flog me).
Price: $16
Hours: 11am - 6pm at each hour (maybe longer, as it will only tell me the winter hours now)
Website: mlb.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/tour.jsp
Franklin Zoo
Price: $16
Hours: 11am - 6pm at each hour (maybe longer, as it will only tell me the winter hours now)
Website: mlb.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/tour.jsp
What it is: A zoo. Look at the animals.
Price: $17
Hours: 10am-4pm
Website: www.zoonewengland.org/page.aspx?pid=219
Additional Notes: Animal exhibits include Tropical Forrest, Giraffe Savannah, Kalahari Kingdom, Serengeti Crossing, Tiger Tales, Franklin Farm, and Outback Trail. Read more here.
Freedom Trail
Price: $17
Hours: 10am-4pm
Website: www.zoonewengland.org/page.aspx?pid=219
Additional Notes: Animal exhibits include Tropical Forrest, Giraffe Savannah, Kalahari Kingdom, Serengeti Crossing, Tiger Tales, Franklin Farm, and Outback Trail. Read more here.
What it is: A walking tour of historic Boston sites. Roughly 2.5 miles in 90 minutes
Price: $13 for guided tour (plus admission to some sites)
Hours: 12pm or 1:00pm (maybe more options as the summer season starts in April, but it won't show that schedule yet)
Website: www.thefreedomtrail.org/
Additional Notes: We can do a self-guided tour to avoid the $12 ticket price, but it's less fun.
Spots on the Trail:
Gibson House Museum
Price: $13 for guided tour (plus admission to some sites)
Hours: 12pm or 1:00pm (maybe more options as the summer season starts in April, but it won't show that schedule yet)
Website: www.thefreedomtrail.org/
Additional Notes: We can do a self-guided tour to avoid the $12 ticket price, but it's less fun.
Spots on the Trail:
Boston Common
State House
Park Street Church
Granary Burying Ground
King’s Chapel
King’s Chapel Burying Ground
Benjamin Franklin Statue/Boston Latin School (Oldest Public School)
Old Corner Book Store
Old South Meeting House ($6)
Old State House ($7.50)
Site of Boston Massacre
Faneuil Hall
Paul Revere House ($3.50)
Old North Church
Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
Bunker Hill Monument
USS Constitution
Additional Notes: We can take the Boston Town Crier tour instead. It seems nearly identical, but shows more hours and costs $1 more.State House
Park Street Church
Granary Burying Ground
King’s Chapel
King’s Chapel Burying Ground
Benjamin Franklin Statue/Boston Latin School (Oldest Public School)
Old Corner Book Store
Old South Meeting House ($6)
Old State House ($7.50)
Site of Boston Massacre
Faneuil Hall
Paul Revere House ($3.50)
Old North Church
Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
Bunker Hill Monument
USS Constitution
What it is: Museum of a late 1800's row house
Price: $9 guided tour
Hours: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Website: www.thegibsonhouse.org/
Additional Notes: Museum is 4 floors and has no elevator. Cash or check ONLY, no cards accepted! Group of 12+ needs an advance reservation.
Harpoon Brewery
Price: $9 guided tour
Hours: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Website: www.thegibsonhouse.org/
Additional Notes: Museum is 4 floors and has no elevator. Cash or check ONLY, no cards accepted! Group of 12+ needs an advance reservation.
What it is: Narrated tasting (proper brewery tours are only on weekends)
Price: Free!
Hours: 2pm and 4pm
Website: www.harpoonbrewery.com/
Additional Notes: Since it's a tasting, it may be only 21+. The website doesn't say.
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Price: Free!
Hours: 2pm and 4pm
Website: www.harpoonbrewery.com/
Additional Notes: Since it's a tasting, it may be only 21+. The website doesn't say.
What it is: Another Museum. Exhibits on dinosaurs, fossils, evolution, minerals, and the glass flowers.
Price: $12 (includes admission to Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology)
Hours: 9am - 5pm
Website: www.hmnh.harvard.edu/
Institute of Contemporary Art
Price: $12 (includes admission to Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology)
Hours: 9am - 5pm
Website: www.hmnh.harvard.edu/
What is it: An art museum. They claim even the architecture of the building is interesting and noteworthy.
Price: $15
Hours: Wed 10am - 5pm, Thu 10am - 9pm
Website: www.icaboston.org/
Isabella Sewart Gardner Museum
Price: $15
Hours: Wed 10am - 5pm, Thu 10am - 9pm
Website: www.icaboston.org/
What it is: Art in a 3 story “Venetian-style palace” with courtyard
Price: $15
Hours: 11am - 5pm (open until 9pm on Thursday)
Website: www.gardnermuseum.org/
Additional Notes: They just added a new wing. $2 discount if you visit here and the Museum of Fine Arts within 2 days. Bonus: the website says if your name is Isabella, you get in free :P
JFK Presidential Library & Museum
Mary Baker Eddy Library
Price: $15
Hours: 11am - 5pm (open until 9pm on Thursday)
Website: www.gardnermuseum.org/
Additional Notes: They just added a new wing. $2 discount if you visit here and the Museum of Fine Arts within 2 days. Bonus: the website says if your name is Isabella, you get in free :P
What it is: Library/museum centered around a female writer in the late 1800’s
Price: $6 each
Hours: 10am - 4pm
Website: www.marybakereddylibrary.org/
Additional Notes: Home to the Mapparium! A 3 story painted glass globe. (Viewable only by tour. Tours are every 20 minutes, starting at 10:20am.) Might be closed for renovations...
45-60 minute guided tours available, but only listed on the group rate page. I may have to reserve it (if we have a group of 15+).
Modern Pastry
Price: $6 each
Hours: 10am - 4pm
Website: www.marybakereddylibrary.org/
Additional Notes: Home to the Mapparium! A 3 story painted glass globe. (Viewable only by tour. Tours are every 20 minutes, starting at 10:20am.) Might be closed for renovations...
45-60 minute guided tours available, but only listed on the group rate page. I may have to reserve it (if we have a group of 15+).
What it is: Pastry shop in the North End.
Price: depends on what you buy
Hours: 8am - 10:00pm
Website: www.modernpastry.com/
Additional Notes: Last year people complained Mike's Pastry was too tourist-y so we can try this alternative this year.
MIT
Price: depends on what you buy
Hours: 8am - 10:00pm
Website: www.modernpastry.com/
Additional Notes: Last year people complained Mike's Pastry was too tourist-y so we can try this alternative this year.
What it is: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Campus tours, public art collection, museum (with exhibits on robots, stop-motion photography, and other cool stuff), and more
Price: many things are free. $8.50 for the museum
Times: varies depending on what we do. Campus tours are 11am and 3pm. Museum hours are 10am - 5pm. Art tours must be scheduled in advance.
Website: web.mit.edu/visit/
Additional Notes: They periodically have some very cool-sounding events. Check out what will be happening when we're in town.
Museum of African American History
Price: many things are free. $8.50 for the museum
Times: varies depending on what we do. Campus tours are 11am and 3pm. Museum hours are 10am - 5pm. Art tours must be scheduled in advance.
Website: web.mit.edu/visit/
Additional Notes: They periodically have some very cool-sounding events. Check out what will be happening when we're in town.
What it is: Abiel Smith School (first public school specifically for African American children), African Meeting House (the center of Boston's African American community in the 1800's), and an optional 1.6 mile walking tour
Price: $5
Hours: 10am - 4pm
Website: www.afroammuseum.org/
Museum of Fine Arts
Price: $5
Hours: 10am - 4pm
Website: www.afroammuseum.org/
What it is: Museum of Fine Arts. Can't say it any plainer than that.
Price: $25
Hours: 10am – 9:45 pm
Website: www.mfa.org/
Additional Notes: Check the current and upcoming exhibits to see what will be showing while we're in town.
Museum of Science
Price: $25
Hours: 10am – 9:45 pm
Website: www.mfa.org/
Additional Notes: Check the current and upcoming exhibits to see what will be showing while we're in town.
What it is: Science!
Price: $21
Hours: 9am – 5pm
Website: www.mos.org/
Additional Notes: The temporary exhibit when we'll be there is about Pirates and their illustrious booty. You can also visit the planetarium for an additional $5.
New England Aquarium
Price: $21
Hours: 9am – 5pm
Website: www.mos.org/
Additional Notes: The temporary exhibit when we'll be there is about Pirates and their illustrious booty. You can also visit the planetarium for an additional $5.
What it is: An aquarium. Look at the otters, turtles, penguins, octopi, etc.
Price: $17.95
Hours: 10am – 5pm
Website: www.neaq.org/
Additional Notes: They have an IMAX theater but we probably won't be there long enough to see anything (and it costs another $9.95).
Sam Adams Brewery
Price: $17.95
Hours: 10am – 5pm
Website: www.neaq.org/
Additional Notes: They have an IMAX theater but we probably won't be there long enough to see anything (and it costs another $9.95).
What it is: 1 hour brewery tour with samplings
Price: Free! (suggested donation: $2)
Hours: 10am – 3pm
Website: www.samueladams.com/
Additional Notes: All ages allowed, but if you want to sample the beers, you must be 21+ and have a valid ID. International people, have your passport with you!
Skywalk Observatory
Price: Free! (suggested donation: $2)
Hours: 10am – 3pm
Website: www.samueladams.com/
Additional Notes: All ages allowed, but if you want to sample the beers, you must be 21+ and have a valid ID. International people, have your passport with you!
What it is: In the Prudential building, 50 stories up, 360 view of city. Audio tours available.
Price: $14
Hours: 10am – 10pm
Website: www.prudentialcenter.com/shop/shop_detail.php?id=64
Sports Museum (TD Bank Garden)
Stone Zoo
Price: $14
Hours: 10am – 10pm
Website: www.prudentialcenter.com/shop/shop_detail.php?id=64
What it is: A zoo. Look at the animals.
Price: $14
Hours: 10am-4pm
Website: www.zoonewengland.org/page.aspx?pid=220
Additional Notes: Animal exhibits include Yukon Creek, Windows to the Wild (small birds, mammals, and primates), Treasures of the Sierra Madre, Barnyard, Himalayan Highlands, and the Gibbon exhibit. Read more here.
USS Constitution
Price: $14
Hours: 10am-4pm
Website: www.zoonewengland.org/page.aspx?pid=220
Additional Notes: Animal exhibits include Yukon Creek, Windows to the Wild (small birds, mammals, and primates), Treasures of the Sierra Madre, Barnyard, Himalayan Highlands, and the Gibbon exhibit. Read more here.
What it is: guided tour of the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat
Price: Free!
Hours: 10am - 4pm (Thurs-Sun only)
Website: http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/
Additional Notes: All bags subject to visual search. Valid government-issued ID required to board the ship if you're 18+ (you can still explore the shipyard without showing ID).
Price: Free!
Hours: 10am - 4pm (Thurs-Sun only)
Website: http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/
Additional Notes: All bags subject to visual search. Valid government-issued ID required to board the ship if you're 18+ (you can still explore the shipyard without showing ID).
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i'd also like to throw out there, regarding zoos, that the franklin park zoo is awesome but is in a pretty rough area, especially if you're going in by public transportation. i love it there, but personally i'd consider it a drive-to destination. the stone zoo is down the street from where i grew up! smaller though, and quite out of the way. technically public transportation accessible, but probably not worth the significant time it would take to get there and back.
I just need to remember that you guys need a pee break between that and the next thing on the agenda :P
I never finish anyth
Pfft, maybe the weaklings needed one.
Alcohol as first stop is BEST idea.
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Yep that's pretty much the gist of it
And, Giga? You're fired from being navigator... Jk... Maybe
You guys will have to put up with me whether or not you want to. Unless you can ditch me in the zoo.
PAX East Pics: 2010-2015 & Vids: 2012-2015
I'm planning on starting location voting next week.
I ♥ making awesome crafts! I ♥ my Cookie Brigaders!
Oh good. All I could find on their website the other day was that were renovating, but no completion date.
OMFG WE NEED TO DO THIS (i hope they have ciders!)