The Trees of Harvard Yard

Harvard University turns out to be a great place to take out-of-town guests - and take in some natural splendor at the same time (see map). As the center of Harvard University since its founding in 1636, Harvard Yard has always been a popular tourist attraction. Each year, countless faculty, students, locals, and tourists from every corner of the globe pass through the green oasis in the middle of the urban jungle. Even with outrageous real estate costs, Harvard has chosen to expand its space in the Allston area of Boston rather than sacrifice its priceless green space. The diverse green canopy that extends over the campus each summer only adds to the reputation and tradition that surround Harvard. "The [trees of the] Yard exude a sense of security and stability in a dynamic and ephemeral society," muses Harvard grad Ryan Lynch, creator of a fabulous interactive map to the arboreal splendor of this icon of American acadaemia.

Map Your Workout

Decrease the time you spend waiting on your bike at lights, or vary your workout by mapping your bike route or your walking/running route. One DayTripper Diva tells us: "I figure my mileage as I am training for the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure, which is 60 miles over three days in October. Am I ready....no way! (grin). But the MapMyWalk site helps."

History Comes Alive in Sturbridge

See history come alive in quiet simplicity in Old Sturbridge Village, a little southwest of Worcester. This is a settlement created by gathering together and restoring original buildings from towns throughout New England. Trained guides demonstrate colonial life in this re-creation of an 1830s New England village. There are more than 40 restored structures, including a school, a tavern, a few churches, a meeting house, a bank, some shops, and several homes. In addition, there's a working farm and a water-powered mill. The costumed staff demonstrates the making of soap, bread,shoes, tinware, and even horseshoes, all in historically accurate costumes. Map

Experience History on the Menotomy Trail

Created as a Scout project, the new Menotomy Minuteman Historical Trail guide tells the exciting history of Arlington, Massachusetts, the site of the most fighting and bloodshed on the opening day of the Revolutionary War, April 19th, 1775.

You can bike or walk the Trail past many important historic landmarks, such as the Jason Russell House, the Old Schwamb Mill, and the Uncle Sam Memorial. At roughly the halfway point along the trail, walkers stop at the Foot of the Rocks, where the largest engagement occurred as over 1,500 British troops were ambushed by colonial militias from all over Massachusetts at the start of the Revolutionary War.

The 4-mile Trail follows a loop that begins and ends at the Jefferson Cutter house in Arlington Center. It is designed for self-guided walking tours for anyone interested in American history, including families, school groups, and Boy Scout and Girl Scout units. Parking is available in the municipal parking lot in Arlington Center. Anyone interested in walking the Trail should dress for the weather and wear comfortable, supportive shoes. For those unable to complete the entire loop, there are opportunities to return to the starting point via MBTA buses.

You can download the Trail guides on-line, or pick up a printed copy at the Jason Russell House, the Jefferson Cutter House, the Old Schwamb Mill, or the Robbins Memorial Library. For more information, feel free to click here to contact the Arlington Boy Scouts.

Heading to the Harbor Islands

The Harbor Islands make a great day trip out of Boston Harbor Tours at Long Wharf. The boat ride itself is a blast, and George’s Island offers tours of Fort Warren, an old stone fort that's fun to explore, with lots of paths to walk on and open areas to run around (wear shoes and dodge the goose gifts).There are tons of fun kid-friendly things to do on many of the Harbor Islands and at Hull. Nantasket Beach on the Hull peninsula is a favorite, but be advised that the boat landing in Hull does not really get you very near the beach, though there are taxis.

Bike 'N Play

We found a great playground just past Lexington Center on the Minuteman Bikeway. Called Parker Field Playground, this bike 'n play destination has playing fields of all sorts and a beautiful, large, new playground that's ideal for toddlers as well as older kids. If you remember the multi-tiered wooden climbing apparatus that used to be at Parker, there's a shiny new structure there now. There are the typical climbing contraptions and slides, plus a really neat artificial rock to climb, which was a big attraction for our 3 1/2-year-old. There were probably a dozen or more parents there with bikes and kids, and we even met another family from Arlington Heights, so it seems to be a popular destination for Minuteman Trail users. Highly recommended! - Thanks to Dispatches reader and "Velo Fellow" Andrew Conway for this destination review! Click map image to enlarge it, or click here to download a PDF map of the Minuteman Bikeway.

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Clear Views of Takeoff

If you've already been to Castle Island, Winthrop or Thompson Island to view planes taking off and landing at Logan Airport, another great spot is Drydock Avenue. Take the Red Line to South Station then the Silver Line to Boston Marine Industrial Park, and get off on Drydock Avenue. Walk down to the end of the dock by the Harbor Patrol and you can see all kinds of aircraft landing and taking off. Logan is maybe a half mile away, at the most. Thanks to John Galligan, Arlington for this nugget.

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Don't Strike a Match Here!

Heading up to the beach in Rockport? Consider a side trip to this strange and wonderful roadside attraction - "The Paper House," made entirely of newspapers! This is (perhaps the weirdest) one of 250 literary sites on the new Literary Map of Massachusetts, an online site in development by the Massachusetts Center for the Book. Thanks to MCB Executive Director Sharon Shaloo for this tip! Map

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