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Marathon Weekend … more than just the race!

March 17, 2011 in Boston events, Out and about in Boston, Things to Do in Boston by Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony | No comments

Marathon weekend is almost here and we’re excited to see the city fill with runners and their families.  With 20,000 runners and more than 500,000 spectators along the route, the marathon is always a fun event for families and friends. But don’t forget the many other activities and events going in the city that weekend! 

If you’re not from New England, you may not realize that the Boston Marathon is held on Patriots’ Day, a local holiday commemorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.  History buffs can choose from several reenactments to watch, including Paul Revere’s Ride and the Battle of Lexington.

Kenmore Square is hopping on Marathon Monday!  While runners stream through on the homestretch of the race, the Red Sox will host the Blue Jays for an 11:05 a.m. game at Fenway Park.  As always, the game is sold out, but you can try your luck at ticket brokers like www.stubhub.com.  Go Sox!

For a more relaxing day, check out the three new exhibits opening in April at The Museum of Fine Arts: Through the Looking Glass (April 10th through August 7th), Global Patterns: Dress and Textiles in Africa (April 13th through January 8th) and Embroideries of Colonial Boston (April 2nd through August 28th).

And finally, don’t miss a favorite Boston tradition … the return of the Swan Boats to the Public Garden lagoon.  Whether recovering from the marathon or just enjoying spring in the city, sit back and enjoy a leisurely ride on one these historic pedal-powered boats.

We hope you enjoy your visit and will keep our fingers crossed for great weather on Marathon Monday!

It’s almost time for Restaurant Week!

February 17, 2011 in Out and about in Boston, Things to Do in Boston by Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony | 1 comment

Restaurant Week will soon be back and better than ever! If you’re in town March 6-11 or March 13-18 – yes, Restaurant “Week” is actually a two-week event — don’t miss this chance to sample some of the best cuisine in Boston. Restaurants all over the city and well into the suburbs will offer three-course meals for a can’t-be-beat price: $20.11 for lunch and $33.11 for dinner. With more than 200 participating restaurants offering virtually every type of cuisine, Restaurant Week has something for everyone! Check out the full list of restaurants and menus at www.restaurantweekboston.com and be sure to make your reservations early!

The Beehive serves up great comfort food in the South End

January 10, 2011 in Out and about in Boston, Things to Do in Boston, Uncategorized by Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony | 4 comments

With so many of our properties in the South End, we thought it was time to highlight another great restaurant in the area.  On a recent Sunday evening, we stopped by The Beehive at 541 Tremont Street for a quick dinner before a performance at the adjacent Boston Center for the Performing Arts.  What a find!  We were drawn in by the eclectic but inviting décor and were welcomed by a friendly, down-to-Earth staff.  Our hostess brought us downstairs to our table near the bar, which comes to life with nightly live music.

On a cold New England night, nothing beats The Beehive’s comfort food offerings — lamb shank shepherd’s pie, duck risotto, porcini mushroom stuffed pork chops, to name a few.  Order a fun cocktail or choose from an extensive, affordable list of wines and Champagne and settle in for the evening.

Keep The Beehive in mind if you’re staying at any of our South End properties.  You won’t be disappointed!

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10 things to do Thanksgiving weekend in Boston

November 22, 2010 in Boston events, Boston holiday, Out and about in Boston, Things to Do in Boston by Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony | 4 comments

Planning to be in Boston for Thanksgiving? There’s no better place to kick off the holiday season! Here are ten ideas for a fun, memorable Thanksgiving weekend in Boston…

  1. Start your weekend off on the right foot … Join 1,200 other runners on Thanksgiving morning for the 13th annual Boston Volvo 5K Turkey Trot in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The race starts and ends at Boston Volvo on Beacon Street in Brighton.
  2. Thanksgiving in New England wouldn’t be complete without a visit to historic Plimoth Plantation. Watch the annual Pilgrim Procession (10 a.m. on North Street) and enjoy a truly authentic Thanksgiving experience!
  3. Of course, the best thing about being away from home for Thanksgiving is that you don’t have to cook! Thanksgiving dinner at Upstairs on the Square in Cambridge is holiday tradition not to be missed. Join locals and visitors alike for a fabulous meal at this perennial favorite in historic Harvard Square.
  4. On Friday, burn off that extra piece of pumpkin pie with a stroll through beautiful Beacon Hill. Admire the holiday decorations on historic Louisburg Square and Acorn Street and then head over to the Boston Common to ice skate at Frog Pond.
  5. Boston is a “walking city,” even in late November! The Freedom Trail is a walking trail that takes visitors past many well-known sites in the city. The trail ends in the Charlestown Navy Yard, home to the U.S.S. Constitution, which will be open from 9:30 to 3:50 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
  6. Get started on your holiday shopping at Fanueil Hall Marketplace. Find that perfect gift in one of the many specialty boutiques, enjoy a wide variety of dining options and take in some of the many holiday-themed events:
  7. The 25th Annual Boston Tuba Christmas Concert on Saturday, November 27th at 2:00 p.m. in the West End Promenade. More than 140 local tuba players performing favorite holiday tunes Thanksgiving weekend in Boston!
  8. Bring the kids for FREE photos with the Globe Santa, Saturday, November 27th, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (outdoors in the West End Promenade between the Quincy Market Building and Historic Faneuil Hall). Established in 1956, The Boston Globe’s ‘Globe Santa’ program will provide more that 55,000 underprivileged children with gifts this holiday season.
  9. Jukebox Dancers ~ Rockin’ Holiday Party! Join Alexis & the Jukebox Dancers this holiday season at Faneuil Hall Marketplace for a Rockin’ Holiday Dance Party, Sunday, November 28th at 3:00 p.m. All performances will take place in the West End Promenade between Historic Faneuil Hall and the Quincy Market Building.
  10. Finally, don’t miss the Boston Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker,” at the Boston Opera House on Washington Street. The ballet opens on Friday, November 26th and runs through New Year’s Eve, with no shows on Sundays and Christmas Day.

Enjoy Thanksgiving weekend in Boston!

Earth Day April — A Way to Say Thanks!

March 3, 2010 in Going Green in Boston by Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony | No comments

Earth Day falls on April 22nd this year, right smack dab in the middle of school vacation and Marathon week. Needless to say, tourism Boston will be abuzz, and giving back to the earth may be the last thing on your mind. Well, we here at Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony want to give pause in the middle of our busy season and consider that forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future. Check out http://www.earthday.net/earthday2010 to learn more about this important topic.

As one of many very important Earth Day projects, for EVERY reservation made during the week of April 19th at one of our GOING GREEN properties,a $5/reservation will be donated to Sierra Club Boston. That’s big bucks, so to check out hotels Boston downtown, visit our site  and be in touch. One of our agents will be happy to let you know which ones are going green and available for your dates!

Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony
PO Box 57166
Boston MA 02457 USA
781-449-5302
fax: 781-455-6745
Toll Free: 888-486-6018

College hunting is upon us!

February 21, 2010 in Boston Accommodations, Boston colleges, Boston Students by Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony | No comments

This is the time of year when the city is flooded with people coming in to check out Boston schools, from which there are many fabulous ones to choose! College Boston is an event unto itself, so for those of you with teens searching for Boston area colleges, or even perspective graduate students, we have a few tips for the approach you might want to take this Spring. Check out this great blog, http://www.gobostoncard.com/blog/2008/04/14/visiting-boston-colleges/, for a quick overview of what to see and how to go about it. There’s also a website specifically designed to help with these visits, so visit http://www.campusvisit.com/# and click through to colleges and universities Boston. We are even offering a special promotion to help keep Boston lodging costs down because after all, a Boston education will be an investment unto itself…you may as well save money NOW when you’re visiting one of our great schools. And on that note, many of our properties welcome the same Boston area college families back year after year. It is typical to see parents stay at Abigayle’s Bed & Breakfast (M263) in Kenmore square with their junior in high school visiting Boston University, then as a couple during subsequent visits for the next four years for Parent’s Weekend, Graduation, etc. Our hosts are so thrilled to welcome back these returning guests! Wellesley Lodging (IW504) is another great example. This gracious hostess is a favorite among visitors to Wellesley College and Babson College. She never disappoints with her friendly and gracious hospitality, comfortable accommodations, and incredible proximity to these prestigious schools. So, if you’re planning to do some college hunting in the near future, take advantage of what we’re offering over the next couple of months. Families traveling to the Boston area will get a discounted rate at one of our Bed and Breakfasts, or furnished apartments, when visiting the Boston schools. Reserve nights for March 14 through April 30 (blackout dates: April 16-19), and CHILDREN (even teens!) CAN STAY FOR FREE! This is a huge savings! Check out our website for details. Happy hunting!

Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony
PO Box 57166
Boston MA 02457 USA
781-449-5302
fax: 781-455-6745
Toll Free: 888-486-6018

Love is in the air!

February 2, 2010 in Boston Accommodations, Boston holiday by Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony | No comments

One of the best Valentines gifts I can think of is a romantic trip to beautiful Boston! Surprise your valentine this year with dinner at a cozy restaurant nestled into a cozy Boston street, book a room and get away from it all at at Boston bed and breakfast, or just spend the day exploring all the city has to offer. Boston.com has a great tool for selecting a Boston restaurant that works best for you, http://www.boston.com/ae/events/valentines_day/, and many Boston restaurants are offering special deals on reservations made for February 12th, 13th, and 14th. Check out Open Table http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?m=7&pid=102 for great ideas for romantic Saturday dinner or cozy Sunday brunch. You can even make your reservation online with this tool, which is a huge time-saver! Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony is in the mood for love, too, so we’re offering 10% off stays at many of our properties that weekend, as long as you stay for two nights…and who wouldn’t want to?? We’ll even have a complimentary bottle of champagne waiting for you when you arrive to help you jump start the romantic mood, so check out the great deals.
Need chocolates? I highly recommend Teuscher Chocolatier on Newbury Street Boston.
XOXO

Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony
PO Box 57166
Boston MA 02457 USA
781-449-5302
fax: 781-455-6745
Toll Free: 888-486-6018

Chocolate: Here today …. Gone today!

January 29, 2010 in Boston events, Things to Do in Boston by Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony | No comments

Okay, it’s cold outside, winter is starting to feel long, and yes, Valentine’s day is approaching. So, let’s talk about chocolate. Is there really any better mood lifter? If you’re going to be in the Boston area this weekend, this is one of the coolest Boston events taking place this Sunday, just outside the city in the Newton Boston area.

Death By Chocolate 2010
Date: Jan 31 2010
Event Fee: $15.00 per person
Location: Crown Plaza Newton
320 Washington St.
Newton, MA, 02458

Join The Rotary Clubs of Newton and Waltham for a fun day of eating and tasting chocolate!! Done as a perenial partnership between the Rotary Clubs of Newton and Waltham. There will be local food vendors, chefs, restaurants and caterers competing in 5 categories. Best Chocolate Cake, Best Cookie, Best Brownie, best candy and Best unique Desert. YOU BE THE JUDGE!!! During the event there will be a silent auction too!!

For more information, click on http://www.whofish.org/events/Newton/MA/9th_Annual_Death_By_Chocolate/433179.aspx

My juices are flowing just thinking about this event, so if you call into our office to make a reservation, mention my blog, and say “I love chocolate!,” you’ll get 10% off your stay this weekend!

Need somewhere to stay in the Newton area? Check out our Western Suburb locations.

“A true chocolate lover finds ways to accommodate his passion and make it work with his lifestyle…” –Julie Davis of the Los Angeles Times, 10/30/85, http://www.virtualchocolate.com/quotes.cfm

Enjoy!

Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony
PO Box 57166
Boston MA 02457 USA
781-449-5302
fax: 781-455-6745
Toll Free: 888-486-6018

Boston Parking…the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

January 18, 2010 in Out and about in Boston by Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony | No comments

At this time of year, we typically get a lot of questions about parking in Boston and how wintry weather will impact a city that is already a little tricky for visitors with cars. Okay, so let’s break it down a little…according to the city of Boston’s official website, there are approximately 7300 electronic parking meters offering two hours of on-street parking in Boston. Sounds like a lot, but those of us who like to pop into the city for dinner or a little Boston shopping know that it can be challenging to find somewhere inexpensive to park…inexpensive is the operative word here, because there are certainly plenty of lots and garages around if you don’t mind paying the rates. This past Saturday night, I went into the Back Bay around 6pm to visit my brother on Marlborough Street, and it took us around 15 minutes to find a meter about 3 blocks away. Not bad, right? Regardless, my advice is always this: If you don’t absolutely need your car, then by all means, leave it at home. Boston has a wonderful public transportation system and is an extremely walkable city. And the reality is that you probably won’t be able to park right by your destination unless you get lucky and find a meter or are willing to shell out a chunk of change for a garage. That being said, there are plenty of insider tips out there on websites like http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Massachusetts/Boston-794476/Warnings_or_Dangers-Boston-Parking_Driving-BR-1.html, where one blogger shares, “There is lot’s of free parking to be had in Boston. You just have to know where to look. I have lived in Boston for years and have never payed to put my car in a garage. Good areas to find spaces are Charles Street between the Public Garden and Boston Common, Newbury Street and Boylston Street in the Back Bay (and any of the side streets that run between Newbury and Boylston),Harrison Avenue in Chinatown, and most of the side streets in and around Post Office Square.
NEVER park ANYWHERE you may see a Resident Parking sign…” At this time of year, be sure to check out the city of Boston website we mentioned earlier to learn how snow emergencies impact parking….there are many more rules during big snow storms and the risk of being ticketed is that much higher. All that said, if you’re coming to Boston and you and your car are a package deal, here are a few popular hotels in Boston that offer parking: Abigayle’s B&B (M263); CL’s South End Bed and Breakfast (M363) ; The Hilltop B&B (M611) and Cambridge Accommodations (M857).

Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony
PO Box 57166
Boston MA 02457 USA
781-449-5302
fax: 781-455-6745
Toll Free: 888-486-6018

Boston Activities on a Snowy Saturday!

January 2, 2010 in Out and about in Boston, Things to Do in Boston by Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony | No comments

Okay, so while the snow sculptures may still be standing, First Night is packed up and put away, we’ve ushered 2010 in with style, and yes, we’re still pretty fired up about the Bruin’s overtime victory at Fenway Park! Today the city is being blanketed in a perfect snowfall, and you may be looking for things to do in Boston or Boston events on this first weekend of the 2010. Here is our idea of the day! Head over to the Frog Pond at the Boston Common for an afternoon of skating with the kids, and then warm up at tourist favorite, Cheers, http://www.cheersboston.com/pub/, or at Starbucks on Charles Street. Need somewhere to stay this weekend? Abigayle’s Bed and Breakfast is a cozy retreat with a classic Boston feel.

Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony
PO Box 57166
Boston MA 02457 USA
781-449-5302
fax: 781-455-6745
Toll Free: 888-486-6018

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