THE INSIDER TRAVEL BLOG

Thursday, April 20, 2006

SOMETIMES, WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT...
...you run across a wonderful little gem, known mostly to the locals. We call these little jewels "Hidden Treasures" and we at TheInsiderTravelGuides.com scout them out so you don't have to. Want some examples? Check out the world's largest train store, the Cushing House Museum, and the Tiffany mosaic in the unlikely setting of a Philadelphia office building.

Monday, April 17, 2006

PATRIOTS' DAY EVENTS
We celebrated Patriots' Day this year by watching the re-enactments of the original skirmish resulting from the "shot heard 'round the world" at Minute Man National Park in Concord, MA. We had prepped ourselves with a walking tour of the area a few days before, so we knew the lay of the land and were reacquainted with the circumstances that led to the (incredibly brief!) battles at the Lexington Green and at Concord's North Bridge. If you plan to go in future years, we recommend the walking tour as a great way to steep yourself in the history of the day, but if you don't have time to do both the tour and the re-enactment, we definitely suggest you attend the latter, since it is well-narrated, and nothing compares to seeing the events unfold before your eyes. Incidentally, those who are looking forward to an impressive display of firepower will be pleased to know that the British regulars and Colonial Minutemen put on an exhibition of musket-fire in addition to showing the (again, very brief) conflict as it was. There is also a canon is on hand to contribute even more impressive battle fire!

Immediately following the re-enactment, the town of Concord presents an annual parade that wonderfully combines both the traditional and modern. You'll see the British and Colonial troops from the re-enactment again (of course!), plus everything from local politicians, to volunteers in period clothes from the Concord Museum and the Orchard House, to rollerbladers from the Concord-Carlisle Youth Hockey League.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

DECORDOVA MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE PARK
Visiting an outdoor display of art is a natural in the summer months, when plants of all kinds have burst into bloom. But we don't think you need to wait for hot weather to enjoy a stroll through the lovely gardens at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park. We've been there in the midst of winter and we've been there in early spring, before the flowers have really awakened. Our conclusion? The park is a great to place to be no matter what the season. But still, we recommend that you go now, while Nina Levy's pieces ("Headlong" and "Big Baby") are still on the Roof Terrace -- they are not to be missed!

ARCHIVES
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006