365 Things to Do in Boston - New Tips Daily

Now celebrating 40 years as Boston's longest-running outdoor concert series, these performances at City Hall Plaza feature exciting, non-stop entertainment for music lovers of all ages.

Concerts include Motown Night, Disco Night featuring Stardust, and United States Air Force Band of Liberty. They have free, live music at both City Hall's- Cambridge and Boston.

So grab the kids, your significant other, or a stranger (not really) and throw your dance dance revolution game away. This Wednesday - and almost every Wednesday for that matter- is your free chance to get your boogie on. Not in the boogie mood? Well then you are just a boring person. :)  Okay not really, you can chill with me and just simply enjoy the music. These free Wednesday night events start at 7:00PM so don't be late! 

For Patriots fans who want to get closer to the action or are looking for an inexpensive way to entertain the kids, Patriots Training Camp offers just the ticket. 

Ninety Patriots players report to training camp at Gillette Stadium for daily practice sessions under the watchful eye and often vociferous instruction of their coaches. In addition to getting an up close and personal football experience, the football-themed "Patriots Fan Zone" is a fun, interactive playground enjoyed by kids of all ages. 

Join thousands of other Patriots fans for an opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of football in Foxborough at Patriots Training Camp 2012. 

And just when it can't get any better- all public training camp practice sessions, as well as admission to Patriots Fan Zone and parking, are FREE. 

Here is the schedule:

July 26: 1:30pm - 4:00pm The schedule for the first four days of Training Camp practices are below. Additional dates and times will be announced soon.

• July 27:1:30pm - 4:00pm
• July 28:1:30pm - 4:00pm
• July 29: 1:30pm - 4:00pm

 

In today's world, it is pretty common to hear the phrase "nothing is for free." Well I have news for you Boston! There are many FREE museums, so grab the kids and play fieldtrip cause' the kids are tired of their xbox! I've put a list of free places together for you so don't be shy- and milk it for what its worth. And okay, to be honest, it's not really free consdiering you pay for it through your taxes. So get your money's worth and get lost! ... in a museum. 

Art Complex Museum Homepage 
Free - always.
Boston Children's Museum Homepage 
$1 - every Friday 5-9pm.
Boston University Art Gallery Homepage 
Free - always.
Davis Museum and Cultural Center Homepage 
Free - always.
Fuller Craft Museum Homepage 
Free - every Thursday 5-9pm.
Institute of Contemporary Art Homepage 
Free - every Thursday 5-9pm, last Saturday of every month for families.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum 
Free - always 18 and under or if your first name is Isabella, check calendar.
Harvard Art Museums Homepage 
Free - always 18 and under, every Saturday 10am-12 (MA residents only).
MIT Museum Homepage 
Free - every Sunday 10am-12, second Friday of every month 5-8pm.
Museum of Bad Art Homepage 
Free - always.
Museum of Fine Arts Homepage 
Free - check calendar. 
Pay What You Wish - every Wednesday 4-9:45pm.

If you are having trouble finding events that REALLY show off a variety of Boston's unique and talented artists, the SoWa Artists Guild every first Friday in South End is your one-stop hot spot. 

"First Fridays are an integral part of the SOWA Artists Guild mission. The aim is to give visitors access to the artists in their element – to offer a different and more personal way to experience art firsthand. By opening their working space to the public, the SOWA Artists Guild hopes to give people an avenue for viewing quality contemporary art that complements yet goes beyond the gallery experience."

So this is practically a no-brainer. The SoWa Artists Guild is pretty much an art-lover's dream event. Can't make it on first Fridays? Well lucky for you 450 Harrison is open each day from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and weekends from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. You’ll find many galleries and studios open during these hours and you’re always welcome to visit. (You can also call your favorite artists to make appointments too.) ...now isn't that convenient. How nice of them. 

CALLING ALL BRUINS FANS!

It's not every day you get to mix and mingle with the big boys from the Boston Bruin's alumni... and especially not on a Harbor Cruise. Only less than a week away, you need to grab your tickets quick, because this cruise is for an amazing cause and will raise money for the 2012 Boston Bruins Foundation Pan-Mass Challenge Bike Team. (As if you weren't going to go anyways, right?.. and now you can pat yourself on the back.)

If you haven't been convinced yet, which is highly unlikely, let me ramble on some more. Bruins fans will get the chance to head home with one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia, raffle and silent auction items. Who doesn't like prizes?

So tell your friends, tell your dad, tell your mom, and scream it in the middle of downtown Boston cause Bruins Fans and alumni will be throwing down, and raising money this Wednesday, July 25- and nothing is stopping this event from being a sell-out. 

See you there... on the dance floor. 

Buy your tickets here.

If you are a true shopaholic this is my disclosure - stay away from Newbury Street. If you have made it through shopaholics anonymous, or don't fiend for fine clothes, then you should be good to go. Newbury Street is one of Boston's most chic shopping addresses mixed with elegant boutiques, funky salons and trendy galleries. It is up there in the ranks as being one of Boston's bucket list, go-to-streets. 

This funky shopping street is not too hard to find. The best way to start is... take the subway to Hynes (Convention Centre) and walk back into the city. The street is full of high end shopping and many funky and alternative shops. And there are many great restaurants and cafes to be found along the street. 

After leaving Newbury Street you will be dressed to impress. Your wallet on the other hand may have taken one for the team. Gotta love those team players :)

Grab the kids and hold on tight! Okay, so this is nothing like the Jurassic Park Movie, but I wouldn't hold my breath! (I mean, ya just never know... i'm sure you'll be okay though).

Immerse yourself in a prehistoric journey through time at Franklin Park Zoo’s Zoorassic Park, and be enthralled by the vast array of fascinating dinosaurs! Your journey will begin quickly as you encounter dinosaurs including a Chasmosaurus and baby, a Cryolophosaurus, a Dilophosaurus and many others all nestled within the trees, bushes and undergrowth for a truly realistic experience. These large animatronic dinosaurs will excite visitors of all ages with their lifelike sounds and movements. Kids will also have fun pretending they are paleontologists at the nearby Dino Dig where they can “dig” for recreations of fossils and bones.... or at least that's what I was told. I guess i'll never REALLY know because I'm still siked out from the Jurassic Park Movie. I hope you and your kids are risk takers.

It's not every day you get to have a history lesson and then drink it for all its' worth! Experience the entire brewing process, from start to finish in Jamaica Plain. Taste the special malts used to brew Samuel Adams® beers and smell the Hallertau hops. Getting excited? Well sign up for a tour!

Tours depart about every 45 minutes, and last about an hour. This includes 21oz of beer to taste if you are old enough. (REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR ID) The tour is FREE but a $2 donation to local Boston charities is encouraged.

Afraid you will get lost headed to 30 Germania Street, Boston, MA 02130? Just take the orange line to the Stony Brook stop, take a left and follow the brewery signs. AND YES, there are brewey signs! (I hope they have signs to help you get back to the train, considering that would make more sense, right?) 

You know when a restaurant has appeared on Travel Channel's "Man vs Food", there's got to be a massive quantity of food on somebody's table.

Head down and see for yourself.  Take the Eagle's Challenge by the wings and indulge yourself into one of Boston's tastiest and largest Burgers. The Eagle's Deli and Restaurant in Cleveland Circle is a family-owned restaurant that has impressed many locals and tourists who've tried to best the Eagle Challenge.

So grab your dad, brother, significant other, or really whoever normally steals food off your plate and make them take the Eagle's Challenge! This world recognized, famous feat of strength should truly only be attempted by garbage disposals, but we can make that your nickname when and IF you can down the Eagle's Challenge meal in one hour. 

So what does it take for you to get this meal for free? You have one hour to eat five pounds of fries AND a five pound, famous Eagle's burger. A little bit nervous? No worries - you get free refills on the soda... i'm trying to be positive, okay?

FYI - I will see you guys at the gym next week in my new exercise outfit. (you know, the one I bought with the money I saved on my meal... duhhhhh.)

This Wednesday, July 18th, is a great opportunity for you to become more involved in your community's environment! Enjoy the Massachusetts Oyster Project Screening of "Shellshocked" at the North End Branch Library. 

"SHELLSHOCKED: Saving Oysters to Save Ourselves" follows efforts to prevent the extinction of wild oyster reefs, which keep our oceans healthy by filtering water and engineering ecosystems. Today, because of overfishing and pollution, wild oyster reefs have been declared 'the most severely impacted marine habitat on Earth' and no longer play a role in their ecosystems. Now scientists, government officials, artists and environmentalists are fighting to bring oysters back.

While the film is based in NY, the lessons and issues are directly applicable to Massachusetts harbors and estuaries, many of which once held significant oyster populations, perhaps most notably the State’s most urban harbor, Boston. Immediately following the showing there also will be a discussion with Director Emily Driscoll, Oystermen and people active in the restoration of Boston Harbor. 

Here's a little preview of the film:

And let's be honest, WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE TO DO ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT? ohh.. you have plans? Well, maybe I just don't have a social life!  :)   But if you love oysters, or if you want to learn to love oysters, I'll see you there!