We planned a field trip to the Jackson Homestead with our homeschool group. We had nearly 30 people…read morebetween the ages of 7 and 50, and everyone enjoyed the visit. The attraction is reasonably priced for individuals visiting at $6 per person. The field trip was also very reasonable for up to 30 children and up to 10 adults. The foyer explains the background of the owners and their involvement with the abolition movement and the underground railroad in the 1800s. The children were able to look at source documents and work in teams to make inferences on the information and draw conclusions. Next, we moved to the lower level which is professionally outfitted with plaques explaining the history and a lot of fantastic artifacts. There were several interactive and "please touch" areas, which all the children (and even the teens enjoyed). There were boxes they could climb into to show what it was like to travel across the ocean as a captured slave, and the interesting story of Henry Box Brown. There was even an excavated well (covered with a grate, of course) that may have been used to hide fugitive slaves. On the main floor, the children were able to explore some of the other areas of the house, like "Newton's Toy Box," information on stained glass, and an extensive time-line of the house and history makers. Upstairs was a small area open to the public (due to their offices being on that floor) that had a flag on display from the civil war era. and envelopes used for propaganda during that time period. There were also pictures of the original rooms and textile samples with information about the dress at the time. The main floor also has a lovely little gift shop with a good variety of souvenirs. The staff was friendly and helpful. A most wonderful trip!

What an impressive historical site. This family's home was crucial to the Underground Railroad. It…read morewas pretty fascinating to see how this historical site really believed in abolishing slavery to help those two go into freedom. I didn't realize how important this site is to history but it was really nice to see letters and photographs of that time and about Newton area that nobody really thinks about. It was pretty cool to see all the old fashioned toys and clothes of the time. There is a lot of literature posted on the exhibitions. I really recommend going here.

A historic tower with unrivaled views of the Harvard skyline, the Charles and the gleaming Boston…read moreskyscraper. It's located deep within the beautifully gothic (and annoyingly one-entranced) Mt Auburn Cemetery and stands head above their veritable collection of world trees and strange crypts. It's a stone tower with a disabled-unfriendly stone stairwell that could well induce vertigo, but please forgive it as it's 150 years old. At the top there's room for a good 10 or more to enjoy the panorama. Go on a clear warm day and earmark a good 20 minutes of your time to relax at the top and take it all in. Don't be one of the tick-it-off crowd and head down as soon as you've got your photo.

Washington Tower is noted for its great panoramic views of Boston and Cambridge. Honestly, Boston's…read moreskyline pales in comparison to other global cities. Nevertheless, as a resident of Boston for almost 4 years I knew I had to see it for myself. I would give it five stars; however there were a couple things that detracted from my visit: 1) there are no clear signs indicating where Washington tower is in relation to the rest of the cemetery 2) it was super windy when I went in to the top in May, and the wind made the view from the top almost unbearable because it would blow us left and right and made me feel cold and unnerved 3) naturally, because this is outdoors, bugs were here in swarms; there were bees and flies and even mosquitoes--yikes! Overall, I am glad I got to check it off my bucket list but I don't think I will be coming back anytime soon. I would even dare say that the view from the Charles River might be better ;)

I had the opportunity to check out the Curley House during a volunteer event with the Emerald…read moreNecklace Conservancy. This house is not open to the public but you may be able to check it out for yourself if the Conservancy hosts an event there. The house comprises beautiful crown moldings, light fixtures, and even some stained glass. The dining room was my favorite room. And the spiral staircase to walk up to the third story was stunning. Check out my pics!

The James Michael Curley house was built in 1915, is a historical landmark and museum open to the…read morepublic, on occasion, for private tours and events. I went to see an exciting, LIVE birds of prey exhibit featuring Hawks, Falcons, and owls! THE DEAL: sign up for the Boston Parks and Rec newsletter to find more events here.

Very rude staff. Condescending and not helpful at all.. What a waste of my tax dollars on such…read moregarbage.

I've loved living in Newton for quite some time. Its beautiful, has lots to eat, and hey, Fig…read moreNewtons were named for the town. But.. the positives are quickly being outweighed these days - the straw that's about to break my back? The Langley Rd bridge reconstruction. I can almost deal with the sudden increase in crime. But I cannot.. absolutely cannot.. tolerate the new traffic jams they are forcing upon us. It seriously takes 14 months to rebuild a GD bridge??? And what on Earth possessed you to change the traffic pattern on the Beacon/Langley traffic light? Who the hell has the right of way on Langley now? Oh and how about starting major work on Union St at the same time - that's simply brilliant. Newton Center is an absolute joke to get through these days. And explain this one to me. They shut the bridge down in May. It's slated to by finished in June next year - which equates to 14 months in my head - where the heck to they get 9?? "The Langley Road Bridge will be closed for approximately 9 months to allow for construction of a new bridge over the MBTA Green Line. The new Langley Road Bridge is slated for completion in June 2009." (source - this incriminating document: http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/DPW/mbta%20shut%20down.doc )

What an amazing place. Located in the heart of Harvard Square. It is a gorgeous park featuring…read morethe dorms, library and even a church. The whole area is enclosed by a fence separating it from the hussle and bustle of activity at Harvard Square.

Review #1133 & Last review of 2020…read more I have always enjoyed walking through Harvard Yard, and I miss it even more so now! I miss sitting at the Tercentenary Theatre (center of the Yard) for convocations and other events! I also miss seeing tourists taking photos in front of the Widener Library or Memorial Church. I miss visiting Houghton, Lamont, or walking by Wigglesworth or Bolyston! While I personally haven't been here since March, I cannot wait for the day when Harvard Yard returns to some level of pre-covid (or post-covid?) normalcy!

Parking is a total disaster - if the goal was to discourage anyone from going there - they have…read moresucceeded. Only because Blick is the best art store in Massachusetts did I persist. The threatening sign at the garage entrance to the spaces that are too small and blocked by columns to the complete lack of signage on how to get to blick in the garage - there is a lot of terrible parking in boston but they win the prize!

The exorbitant PARKING SCAM has actually gotten worse...reading other reviews from fall 2019,…read morepeople were complaining about a 10 minute "free" parking window if you get your ticket validated by one of the establishments inside. Well guess what, as of this writing it's been cut to FIVE fricking minutes!!! Yep, $5 for less than 10 minutes it took me to park, wait in line at REI, pick up my online order, go back to my car and leave. These people have zero shame. I hope the pandemic economy puts these scumbags out of business ASAP. Next time I come to pick up an order from REI, I will simply park in the "Lyft drop off / pickup" area in front. Will have to dash in and out before these ingrates try to have me towed.

Quote: Inspired by Christopher Wren's Sheldonian Theatre at Oxford, England, Sanders Theatre is…read morefamous for its design and its acoustics. A member of the League of Historic American Theatres, the 1,166 seat theatre offers a unique and intimate 180 degree design which provides unusual proximity to the stage: End Quote It feels like a warm wooden church inside, I just saw Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble there, and it was WONDERFUL! The theatre itself, is gorgeous. Walking up to the building is very scenic. However, seating wasn't ergonomic in 1922, so it's hard wooden benches and your feet will fall asleep during the show. But check it out if you would like to see a classical performance or Harvard art event, in a student, casual environment. I think it may be sometimes only available to Harvard students and affiliates.

If you're inspired by beautiful architecture, you *must* catch a performance at Sanders Theatre…read more When I walk into the space, my spirit is uplifted and can't help but gaze around me and drink in the amazing style of this place. Rich, dark woods, beautiful soaring archways and central dome, lovely tile in the entrance hall... it's just a lovely space. The acoustics in the space are quite amazing, too. I sing with the Cambridge Community Chorus, and we're performing a show there this coming Sunday... we've had two rehearsals so far in this space and the sound is absolutely amazing. The space itself serves as a natural amplifier, and the harmonics in the room are such that the tones and frequencies blend prettily in ways that other spaces just don't convey. The statements about the seating being uncomfortable are true... but regardless, if you have an opportunity to see a show at Sanders Theatre, you should do it. Uncomfortable seats notwithstanding, it is a truly magical experience.

Not far from the Brandeis campus, this tower stands to memorialize a mythic city along the Charles…read moreRiver that never existed. Beginning in the mid-to-late-1800s, a food chemist, inventor, and major donor to Wellesley College named Eben Norton Horsford became obsessed with the idea Vikings were in New England around 1000. We know Leif Erikson and other Europeans visited North America before Christopher Columbus. However, Horsford deeply believed Erikson had established settlements in the Boston area. Some maps from the 1500s refer to New England as "Norumbega," and there were stories about explorers seeing mythical cities and houses made of gold. However, much of that information appears to have been misconstrued or invented. Most of Horsford's assertions about Vikings in present-day Boston were rooted in bad science. Evidence from his "archeological" digs didn't provide solid proof of links to Vikings. In any event, Horsford had the money to erect various plaques and statutes in the Boston area to memorialize his beliefs. Along the banks of the Charles River in Weston near Waltham he erected Norumbega Tower. The tower stands at the site Horsford believed housed a fort protecting the legendary Norse city of Norumbega. Horsford asserted that the city of Norumbega was located just downriver in Watertown, where he erected a memorial plaque. Again, there was never any real evidence of a Norse fort or city here. Perhaps more than anything, the tower is a monument to how money can shape history. It is, however, a nice place for a picnic and the accompanying Norumbega Road in Weston is a nice place for a jog. The tower has an iron gate at the entrance that I would assume is supposed to be chained and locked. However, it was open today and I risked life and limb and the strong smell of urine to climb the tower to the top. It was not easy as it is dark in some spaces and there are no handholds. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're feeling stupid like I was. [Review 15209 overall, 711 of 2021, number 1072 in Massachusetts.]