The spring thaw in New England tends to be a whole-body experience. After months of suffering through frigid temps and blistering snow fall, even a day of bright sun and tepid heat is enough to send city dwellers out into local parks in nothing more than shorts and a t-shirt. Needless to say, when it's finally springtime, with sun beginning to peek out and temperatures on the rise, Bay Staters sure know how to take advantage. Here are a few of our favorite ways to welcome the return of blossoming buds, late sunsets and the promise of many months without a snowflake.
1
CATCH A SOX GAME
The Boys of Summer actually get their season started in early
April. But even though it's a long six months before Red Sox fans
really start to contemplate the end of the hometown team's
86-year-old championship draught, you'd better believe this city
of rabid sports fans will sell out storied Fenway Park for every
single home game. If you have trouble scoring tickets to a game
while in the Hub (see our tips on page 23), you can still tour
historic Fenway Park daily up until two hours before game time.
The history-steeped ballpark-the oldest active stadium in the
Major Leagues-is a must see for even the casual sports fan.
2
EXPLORE THE EMERALD NECKLACE
Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted did us Bostonians a
huge favor when he sought to create a ring of greenspaces around
Boston. Because of him, we have an abundance of parkland to
explore when the weather is right. The actual necklace is
comprised of six parks: the Back Bay Fens, the Riverway, Olmsted
Park, Jamaica Pond, Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park. They
stretch five miles from the Charles River to Dorchester, and if
you're up for it, the Boston Park Rangers will take you on a walk
through all six parks. Not to be missed, but not technically part
of the Emerald Necklace, is historic Boston Common and the Public
Garden, the nation's first botanical garden.
3
RIDE THE SWAN BOATS
Perhaps the most toy-like and beloved fixture in the Public
Garden are the world-famous Swan Boats. Owned and operated by the
Paget family since 1877, the stately paddle wheel-propelled
vehicles take passengers on short jaunts around the central
Lagoon. The trip, one of the best bargains for visitors in town
(only $2.50 for adults, $1 for kids), is unquestionably the most
relaxing way to take in the Garden and the surrounding skyline.
4
SEE WILDLIFE AT FRANKLIN PARK ZOO
The Franklin Park Zoo,
founded in 1911 as part of Frederick Law Olmsted's legendary
Emerald Necklace, is home to more than 200 species of
animals-including giraffes, lions and kangaroos. And spring tends
to be the time of year when that number increases as the park
welcomes the birth of new furry friends.
5
EAT HOT DOGS AT CASTLE ISLAND
William J. Day Blvd., South
Boston, 617-268-5744. This free, family-friendly destination is
perfect for spending a sunny afternoon. Kids will love exploring
Fort Independence or cavorting on the playground, while the whole
family can enjoy chowing down on the famous foot-long hot dogs
served at Sullivan's Snack Bar. After the kids work up an
appetite running around, order up enough eats for the whole gang
and dig in while watching planes take off and land at Logan
Airport across the Harbor. Or make like a local by getting in
some fishing while basking in the afternoon sun.
6
LICK AN ICE CREAM CONE
352 Newbury St., 617-236-1666; 659 Centre St., Jamaica Plain,
617-524-6740. Bostonians eat more ice cream per capita than
anyone else in the country, so it's no surprise that the Hub
boasts some of the best ice cream parlors of any city. Try the
homemade, hometown flavors of JP Licks, which include such
offerings as Cherry Garciaparra-vanilla ice cream with chocolate
chips and cherries, named after Red Sox short stop Nomar
Garciaparra. We also like the fact that the Newbury Street locale
provides some great people-watching opportunities.
7
TOUR THE CITY
Springtime is when citywide tour groups kick their sightseeing
excursions into high gear, offering visitors a guided spin
through town, be it by car, boat or on foot. If you're tuckered
out and want to rest your feet, consider Old Town Trolley tours,
which drives visitors to all the big sites and allows you to get
on and off as you like; or board the amphibious vehicles of the
Boston Duck Tours and see both land and waterfront landmarks. If
you want to exercise while sightseeing, try Boston By Foot (call
617-367-2345 for more information), which gives guided, themed
walks, including one on the Victorian sites of the Back Bay and
another on Boston's underground featuring our historic subway
lines and the Big Dig.
8
BIKING ON THE CHARLES RIVER ESPLANADE
The Esplanade is perfect for all sorts of outdoor activities,
including kayaking, sailing and jogging. But the picturesque,
tree-lined asphalt paths that run along the Charles River are
especially great for bicycling. Try renting a bike from Back Bay
Bikes (366 Commonwealth Ave., 617-247-2336).
9
WANDER THE SCULPTURE GARDENS
The Victorian
landscaping of Forest Hills Cemetery provides an elegant backdrop
for its nationally recognized 19th- and 20th-century memorial
sculptures. You can visit the final resting spots of everyone
from Anne Sexton and e.e. cummings to playwright Eugene O'Neill
in this 275-acre cemetery founded in 1848. Be sure to also check
out the recently-opened contemporary sculpture path with its
ever-changing free exhibits. Walking tours are offered Sundays at
2 p.m. for $8. Nearby Lincoln, Mass. is home to another striking
outdoor sculpture park at the DeCordova Museum. The 35 acres of
rolling woodlands and lawns boast an exhibition of large-scale,
contemporary American sculpture that can be explored free of
charge.
10
CHALLENGE THE CHESS MASTER
Au Bon Pain, 1360
Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-497-9797.
Every May for more than two decades now, chess master and Harvard
dropout Murray Turnbull takes his place at the table nearest the
sidewalk in front of the Au Bon Pain in Harvard Square. For $2 a
game, you can attempt to check mate him. We wish you luck, but
our money's on Murray.
11
CATCH A STREET PERFORMANCE
No one wants to be
indoors on a nice day. So forego those big, pre-summer
blockbusters in favor of the talented street performers who
showcase their acts at Quincy Market and Harvard Square. Expect
to see anything from a magic show to choreographed breakdancing
routines, all for free-or for whatever you can toss in their hats
at the end of the show. Weekends are the best time to catch a
wide array of acts, but performers can usually be found any day
of the week.
12
CRUISE BOSTON HARBOR
Springtime weather may
be too tempermental for a day at the beach, but it's the perfect
time to get out on the water. Boston Harbor Cruises (One Long
Wharf, 617-227-4321) offers various tours of Boston Harbor,
including visits to the harbor islands and the U.S.S.
Constitution. If you have the time to spare, they also offer that
New England favorite-whale watching.
13
SHOP 'TILL YOU DROP ON NEWBURY STREET
If you're looking to
update your fair weather wardrobe, look no further than Newbury
Street. The Rodeo Drive of Boston features an array of
fashionable boutiques, ranging from Urban Outfitters and NikeTown
to Chanel and Louis Boston. And best of all, instead of being
cooped up inside a mall while you shop, you can be out under the
sun, strolling past the brownstones of the Back Bay.
14
ENJOY A PEDICURE
The Daryl Christopher
Salon & Day Spa, 37 Newbury St., 617-424-0250. While you're on
Newbury Street, you can reuinite with the feet you've hidden
inside heavy boots all winter and get ready for sandal season
with a spa pedicure. Sit back and leave the scrubbing, filing and
toenail painting to the experts and, before you know it, you'll
be ready to slip into those strappy Manolo Blaniks you shelled
out all that dough for.
15
EAT AND DRINK AT AN OUTDOOR CAFE
Newbury Street is also a
great destination for outdoor dining. Several of its
eateries-including Thai, Japanese and Spanish options-have patio
seating. Fashionistas flock to the French bistro cuisine of
Armani Cafe (214 Newbury St., 617-437-0909) while the huge,
delectable salads at Stephanie's (190 Newbury St., 617-236-0990)
always draw a crowd. If you would rather just sip a drink while
sitting outside, Sonsie (327 Newbury St., 617-351-2500), with its
French doors that open up to the sidewalk, is a good bet, as is
the Otherside Cafe (407 Newbury St., 617-536-9477), especially
popular with the younger crowd.
16
WATCH THE SUNSET FROM THE TOP OF THE PRUDENTIAL
One of the best places
to soak in the late evening sunsets of spring is from the Skywalk
Observatory atop the Prudential Tower or at the Top of the Hub
restaurant on the 52nd floor. You can dine on the restaurant's
New England fusion menu or sit in the lounge and listen to live
jazz while sipping cocktails. From either spot you can't miss the
glorious panoramic view of Boston aglow with the vibrant colors
of the setting sun.
 17
BIKING BOSTONOne of the best ways to enjoy Beantown may be on two wheels. You can bike past city sights with the wind whipping across your face, paying no mind to traffic jams that plague the car-bound. Of course, with cobblestone streets, potholes and a streetplan that dates back to the Revolutionary War, biking around Boston can serve up some rough terrain. If you'd prefer a more structured route, most bike shops sell maps of the state's urban and rural biking paths, such as the previously mentioned Charles River Esplanade. Or combine some sightseeing with your ride by enlisting the services of Boston Bike Tours & Rentals (refer to listing, page 52). A knowledgeable and, from what we hear, entertaining guide leads you on one of several different tours of Boston-area sights. Specialized tours follow Paul Revere's ride out to Lexington on the Minuteman Bikeway. Or try the Bike, Beach and Brew tour which takes riders along Boston's waterfront and concludes with a visit to the Harpoon Brewery. For those without wheels, the company offers bike rentals at a reasonable price, as do the following shops:
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