12 reasons to stay in Boston
All over the country — nay, all over the world — people are planning summer vacations to Boston. All you have to do is stay home. . . .
1. Fenway Park You should look so good at 100. Daily park tours even include a visit to the press box.
2. Charles River Basin Pedal a bike or paddle a kayak to explore the blue-ribbon waterway between Watertown and Boston. www.urbanadventours.com, paddleboston.com
3. Freedom Trail Be honest: When was the last time you laced up your walking shoes and followed the red line from Boston Common to “Old Ironsides’’?
4. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Like a gentleman complimenting a lady, the new Renzo Piano glass-box annex compounds the stylistic flourish of the original Venetian-style palazzo.
5. Shakespeare on the Common Bring a blanket and pretend to be a Shakespearian groundling as Commonwealth Shakespeare performs “Coriolanus’’ on the Common July 25-Aug. 12.
6. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Nearly 11 years after a lightning strike, the museum reopens this month with three replica ships. Steep your tea in that, King George!
7. Boston Light Tour, Little Brewster Island America’s oldest beacon has guarded Boston since 1716. Climb 76 steps and two ladders to see Boston Harbor unfold below.
8. Franklin Park Zoo The Boston branch of Zoo New England is celebrating its centennial this summer. Don’t miss daily zookeeper encounters in Bird’s World, Tropical Forest, and Franklin Farm.
9. Harborwalk Sounds at the ICA Embrace the Boston Harbor renaissance on Thursday nights July 12-Aug. 30 with live performances by Berklee College of Music talent.
10. Arnold Arboretum Watch summer unfold as a succession of blooming shrubs and trees.
11. New England Aquarium Boisterous harbor seals, busy penguins, and a cool shark and ray touch tank complement the Giant Ocean Tank, where sea turtles and Caribbean reef fish circle hypnotically.
12. Museum of Fine Arts Wing it at the Museum of Fine Arts with contemporary art in the Linde Family Wing and New World talent in the Art of the Americas wing.
PATRICIA HARRIS AND DAVID LYON
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