Exploring Boston
I'm glad I posted my questions about Boston yesterday as it made me much more aware of the geographical area that I'm traveling into tomorrow. I had no idea the convention hotel was in downtown Boston or in such a commercial area. I'm so used to science fiction cons being in hotels that are on the very outskirts of a city in areas that I know are understandably cheaper, but are usually pretty isolated from anything to do or see outside the con. I love it when I can have a chance to do even just one or two things unique to a convention city I'm visiting if I get that opportunity.
The responses to my Boston post yesterday (thank you very much!) made me aware that Boskone could have good potential for things to see at a very close proximity to the con hotel, so I did some research last night, copied out a couple of Mapquest maps of the "Back Bay" (I think that term is right) and discovered that
a) There is a gigantic mall attached to the hotel called "Prudential Centre". Shopping, food courts, yay. The observation tower
gorgeousgary mentioned yesterday is in the same mall. The admission of $10.00 struck me as steep at first, but in perspective I guess it's a lot cheaper than the CN Tower here. It's still in the realm of possibility that I might check this out, depending on time and the number of people in line-ups, etc..
b) The Mappariumrabidsamfan mentioned yesterday looks really cool and is in a library only about two blocks away from the con hotel. The admission charge is $5.00 and I'm betting I could walk there, go see the Mapparium and get back to the hotel in an hour.
c) The hotel is within a few blocks' walk of the Charles River. If the weather proves to be nice that sounds like it could be a nice community walk, too.
d) Newbury Street is a few blocks north of the convention hotel.rabidsamfan says it has rather trendy shops and restaurants, so maybe it will be worth a look, too.
So, I've printed out my maps and I'm going to keep them on hand until I have a chance to get a closer look at the Boskone program book and I can see where I might have some gaps in my schedule for going out and about. Naturally any chances I have to get out and explore will be at the whim and lure of the convention, the schedule of my GoH responsibilities, assorted socializing plans and the weather.
We'll see what happens.
The responses to my Boston post yesterday (thank you very much!) made me aware that Boskone could have good potential for things to see at a very close proximity to the con hotel, so I did some research last night, copied out a couple of Mapquest maps of the "Back Bay" (I think that term is right) and discovered that
a) There is a gigantic mall attached to the hotel called "Prudential Centre". Shopping, food courts, yay. The observation tower
gorgeousgary mentioned yesterday is in the same mall. The admission of $10.00 struck me as steep at first, but in perspective I guess it's a lot cheaper than the CN Tower here. It's still in the realm of possibility that I might check this out, depending on time and the number of people in line-ups, etc..b) The Mapparium
rabidsamfan mentioned yesterday looks really cool and is in a library only about two blocks away from the con hotel. The admission charge is $5.00 and I'm betting I could walk there, go see the Mapparium and get back to the hotel in an hour.c) The hotel is within a few blocks' walk of the Charles River. If the weather proves to be nice that sounds like it could be a nice community walk, too.
d) Newbury Street is a few blocks north of the convention hotel.
rabidsamfan says it has rather trendy shops and restaurants, so maybe it will be worth a look, too.So, I've printed out my maps and I'm going to keep them on hand until I have a chance to get a closer look at the Boskone program book and I can see where I might have some gaps in my schedule for going out and about. Naturally any chances I have to get out and explore will be at the whim and lure of the convention, the schedule of my GoH responsibilities, assorted socializing plans and the weather.
We'll see what happens.