Museum of Fine Arts: Free Wednesday Evenings

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) has a wonderful collection of art and is truly a Boston gem. Last year, the MFA opened a new Art of the Americas wing which highlights early American art up through modern American art. The MFA will also be opening a new contemporary wing in a couple of months.

I have vistited many of the great art museums of Europe and several in America. The MFA is still one of my favorites. It is just the right size and has a variety of art. They also have had some wonderful special exhibits. The Chihuly exhibit (April 10, 2011- August 8, 2011) was amazing! The pictures do not do it justice.

While it is worth it to pay full price for a ticket if you are visiting Boston, it is great if you can get in for free. Every Wednesday night from 4pm-9:45pm. This is not enough time to see the whole museum so you are better off coming during the day and getting a regular ticket if you are just visiting Boston. However, if you live in the area, you can over the course of several visits see the whole musuem if you come to the free evenings a couple times. The museum is a place to go during the winter because it has several large areas with natural lighting. I have friends who bring homework or grading to the museum just for a quiet and bright atmosphere.

The museum also has free days and Bank of America sponsors a free day a month for account holders and most student IDs will get you in free or discounted so check into that before planning a trip.

                                                    

Boston's Secret Garden: The Kelleher Rose Garden

When I used to live near Fenway, I was exploring the area by the Fens and came across a garden surrounded by a green hedge with a white arbor at the entrance. It was the end of November and it was unseasonably warm. I entered the garden and was surprised to find roses still blooming. I felt as if I had stumbled upon a secret garden.

What I had stumbled upon was the Kelleher Rose Garden. Started in 1930, this rose garden has a rich history. Thanks to restoration efforts in the past 10 years, the garden is home to hundreds of varieties of roses. The varieties of the roses are marked on small signs and some of the names are very creative! The garden is maintained by some staff and many volunteers. You can volunteer to help take care of the rose garden every Tuesday evening from May-September. The garden is not open year round (only from about May- September) which makes it even more magical that it was open on that day that I discovered it in November. The garden is located behind the Museum of Fine Arts and accesible by the Green "E" line.

The rose garden is a great place to relax, read, and reflect. There are several benches located in the garden. My favorite is the one at the head of the garden that is covered by a rose crested arbor. I love to come to the garden after dinner on summer evenings and listen to Beethoven symphonies on my ipod while sitting on this bench and gazing out upon the myriad of roses and the sunset sky. Definitly one of Boston's best kept secrets, this garden is an oasis.

Haymarket: An unforgettable experience

If you are expecting a serene farmer's market with organic produce, artisan bread, and hefty prices, Haymarket is NOT for you. Centered around some of the oldest remaining buildings in Boston, haymarket is something that is remincent of the old days of Boston when it was a bustling port and had lots of open air markets and trading. Haymarket is unique. It is a great place to watch people and it is amazing some of the things you see and hear. Vendors are shouting for people to buy their produce. They also like to cuss out their co-workers and occassionally, an annoying customer (after the person has moved on). Definitely not a PG rated place for language so watch out if you bring the kiddos.

Haymarket is the place to get great prices on produce. Strawberries and raspberries for $1, two green leaf lettuces for $1.50, 3 red bell pepers for $1...you really can't beat the prices. So, how does this work? Every week, the produce that is left in the produce warehouses after the grocery stores have their pick is bought by the vendors at haymarket. Sometimes the produce is in great condition, it is just left over. Sometimes it really is rotten or almost rotten. So, buyers beware.

The way to get the most out of haymarket is to weave your way through the entire area and see what the going prices are and get a feel for how fresh produce is and what is is in season. Then, go back and get the best deals at the places with the best quality. It is worth paying more sometimes for better quality. Haymarket is open Fridays and Saturdays from dawn to dusk. I find that the best produce is available on Fridays with Friday afternoons the best time to go. Again, the higher quality produce is out at this time. Prices may be slightly higher on Friday but it is worth it because you will end up throwing out less. Saturday around 4-6pm is the best time to get last minute deals.

You can't really haggle with the prices so don't try, especially on Fridays. Sometimes the vendors are offended when you touch the produce so be aware of that too. The vendors stay in the same location every week so you can get a feel for the ones that allow you to choose your own produce or that are more friendly etc. The market is conveniently located at the Haymarket stop and also close to the Government Center stop on the Green Line and is an entertaining experience and great for students or people trying to save money on produce.

                                 

Wet vs. Dry Strawberries

Yes, this guy is selling produce with his underwear hanging out.

Needless to say, didn't buy produce from him!

Trying to sell strawberries

Institute of Contemporary Art: Free Thursdays 5pm-9pm

I am not a huge fan of contemporary art but I wanted to visit the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) since it relocated to a new venue on the waterfront. The setting of the ICA is very peaceful and serene. There are many places to sit and enjoy the breeze off the water on a summer evening and watch the sunset.

Normally, the museum costs $10 for students or $15 for adults. But, Thursday evenings are free from 5pm-9pm. The building itself is fun. There is a room that literally looks and feels as if it is falling off the building into the water. The elevator is even unique. While I am still not converted to a fan of contemporary art, I did enjoy several pieces and the exhibit on vinyl records. My favorite piece of art was "the hunt."

The exhibit floor also has a glass overlook to the harbor. My friend and I went at just the right time of evening where the light shining in the room reflected an image of a person as if a mirror. We took several pictures using this effect and created our own "contemporary art."

The ICA gift shop had some fun items and is a great place to buy a unique gift if you are willing to spend a little money. There is also a cafe at the ICA which has seating on the deck on the waterfront. They sell sandwiches and other lunch items for about $7-$9.

After the ICA, I headed to the North End for gelato. On the way there, I came across a whimsical fountain. I call it whimsical because it would randomly start up and sometimes the water almost appeared to chase itself as different spouts would spring up and move in a circular fashion. This is kind of hard to explain so you should just go visit the fountain at the intersection of Milk Street and Atlantic Avenue or watch the video I took of the fountain (see below). Visit the fountain at night as the lighting adds to the whimsical and magical feel of the fountain. I also stumbled across an  outdoor concert on Rowe's Wharf.

At last, I arrived at Gigi's Geltateria in the North End on Hannover Street. I am sure that there are many gelato places in the North End but this is my favorite as it has a huge selection of both fruit and cream based flavors (about 31 flavors total to choose from). Plus it is easy to find and for $5, you get to have three flavors. I choose Cassatta Siciliana (dried fruit in a cream based gelato), pistachio, and grapefruit. Perfect ending to a summer evening :)

ICA free Thursday evenings!

This is the room that looks like it is falling off of the building

This is what the room looks like. You really feel like you are falling into the ocean.

                                      

View from the glass observation room

Reality Check

Boston Harbor with the North End in the background

Early sunset

                                      

Late sunset

Whimsical Fountain

North End

Destination!

Fruit gelato flavors: choices, choices

My selection....mmmm   :)