possibly better rate (who knew?!)

Apparently, my mother.

She let me know that the AAA rate is lower than our group rate. So give the hotel a call 617.734.1393 and see which deal works for you.

btw, parking is $18./day. My mom wanted you to know that too! :)

What is there to do in Boston?

We chose the Brookline Courtyard Marriott for its proximity to the T (public transportation), shops and such, and several synagogues. (but yea, that's a picture of Newbury Street.)

Shops and restaurants abound, and we're happy to offer specific recommendations if you'd like.

Here are some ideas for Saturday:

Alas, the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts) is closed on July 4th...

Institute for Contemporary Art: a new museum, and it's the museum of Shepard Fairey fame (the Obama HOPE poster artist)! Located on the waterfront, it will make you very hip to have been there. www.icaboston.org

The Freedom Trail: This is a walking trail of 16 sites significant to Colonial Boston. You can take either a self-guided tour or one offered by the National Park Service. The Boston Common Visitors Center is located at 148 Tremont Street. For a simpler history of Revolutionary Boston, Joita will be more than happy (I hope) to tell you all about John Hancock (the man, not the building) and Sam Adams (the man, not the beer)! www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/

The Freedom on Trial Trail, July 4th: 11 AM-12:30 PM at the Samuel Adams Statue, Faneuil Hall. This is a 90-minute walking tour focusing on the time when the promises of the American Revolution were 'on trial' in Boston's 19th-century African-American community. Learn of the struggle to maintain churches, the ongoing figt for equal school rights, the Abolition Movement, and the burgeoning social welfare services and organizations of the community. Free of charge.

JFK Birthplace, 83 Beals Street, Brookline. Open Weds-Sun 10 AM -4:30 PM. (1.5 miles from hotel)

Julia Child's (former) house (private house, but you can drive by, not too stalker-ish): 103 Irving Street, Cambridge.

Swan Boats: Float along on the waters of Boston's Public Garden, the first botanical garden in the US. Rides cost just $2.75. For fans of children's literature, these swans are famous both from Make Way for Ducklings and Trumpet of the Swan. Take the Green Line T to Arlington Station and walk into the garden. www.swanboats.com

Faneuil Hall Marketplace: is a good place to go for those who like to combine history, shopping, and eating!  It's right in the heart of downtown, is on the Freedom Trail, and is accessible by a variety of T lines: Take the BLUE line to Aquarium/Faneuil Hall, the GREEN line to Government Center, or the ORANGE line to State Street. www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com

If it's a beautiful day, head to the Arnold Arboretum! Admission is free, and in addition to enjoying the beauty of nature, there are exhibitions and a shop. Located in Jamaica Plain, the Arnold Arboretum is one part of Frederick Law Olmsted's Emerald Necklace park system. You can get there on the T -- Orange Line to Forest Hills -- for more detail and/or driving directions, check their web site: www.arboretum.harvard.edu 

Saturday night plans

Dinner Saturday night: We will be hosting a dinner for our out-of-town guests at 6 PM Saturday night at Rani Bistro, an Indian restaurant across the street from the Courtyard Marriott.

If you'll be joining us, please RSVP with your name & number of people in the comments section -- thanks!

Fireworks:

1. For the truly hardcore, the Boston Pops plays on the Esplanade -- be forewarned, Neil Diamond is the big guest (probably need to get there at 9 AM): 8 PM

2. For the less-than-hardcore (i.e. sane): Newton -- Albemarle Field, 9 PM (6.5 miles from hotel)

Need transportation?

Transportation to the ceremony on Sunday: Please send an email to us at haliandemily@gmail.com letting us know how many in your group will need a ride, and we will make arrangements and get back to you.

Getting around otherwise: Public transportation in Boston is via the MBTA, called simply, the T. The hotel is one block west of the Coolidge Corner T stop on the Green Line. Buying a ticket at any T stop for more info: www.mbta.com

Arriving Friday night?

Great! We will be having a casual Shabbat dinner at our home, 141 Bellevue Street, West Roxbury MA 02132 at 6:30 pm. Directions: From the hotel, turn R onto Harvard Street; go .7 miles to Boylston/Route 9. Turn R onto Route 9 (there will be a bank on your right at that intersection) and go 2.5 miles. Turn L onto Hammond Street and go .9 miles. At the traffic circle , take the 3rd exit onto LaGrange Street. Go 2.7 miles, which will take you across Centre Street, where you will see the Corrib Pub. Go past Billings Field and a few more pretty blocks; turn L onto Landseer. That ends in .2 miles at Bellevue. Turn R onto Bellevue and we're a few houses up on the right (141 Bellevue). Lovely sage green shingle house with a yard that will get grass and some more perennials next year.

Please RSVP by adding your name & number of people to the comments section -- thanks!