Cards accepted: American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Mary Baker Eddy founded the Church of Christ, Scientist (aka, the religion of Christian Science) which holds education as a basic tenant. This library building is a testament to this remarkable women. It includes exhibits, a shop, the Mapparium, Quotes Cafe and in the library both Reference and Research Rooms. The Mapparium is a must-see for any visitor (or resident). A stained glass globe of the world - it's truly a wonder to behold. It's also fun to see how the world has changed since it was created. You need to buy a timed ticket for entry. The Quotes Cafe is a little-known spot - quiet and with really good food. The "Hall of Ideas" is really amazing, digital projected quotes on all sorts of topics move around the floor, walls and fountain. To visit Mapparium and the upstairs exhibits there is a $6.00 admission fee ($4 for seniors/youth/students). But the Hall, shop and cafe can be accessed by anyone for free. Stop in on your next walk down Massachusetts Avenue. Hours:

• Exhibits and Shop Tuesday-Sunday 10am to 4pm
• Last Mapparium Show at 3:40pm
• Quotes café Monday-Friday 8am to 3pm. Breakfast, lunch, coffee, dessert: soup, salad, sandwiches, pizza, paninis, entrees, daily specials
• Reference Room Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 4pm, closed Sunday, Monday, and holidays
• Research Room Tuesday-Friday 10am to 4pm, open first Saturday of each month, by appointment only*

Template:Library The Central Library is located in Copley Square and comprises two buildings. The McKim Building houses the non-circulating research and reference materials (also known as the "old" building), and the Johnson Building (known as the "new" building), houses the circulating collections. There are individual entrances, McKim on Dartmouth Street and Johnson on Boylston Street. Home to tens of thousands of books - all at the tip of your fingers (two forms of ID and a utility bill will get you a card). You can reserve books via website, and pick the books up when they become available. The best part about the library is the old part. It takes you back to a European vibe- and people are often found studying in the picture-worthy sitting room. The library was founded in 1852 as the first public library in the United States. A little know fact is a French ventriloquist named Alexandre Vattemare (aka Monsieur Alexandre) was one of the founding members of Public Library and donated books from Parisian libraries in order to persuade them to found a Boston library. To this day, it is the largest and busiest city library in the country. Don't dare keep your cell phone up or utter a decimeter over a whisper.... you'll be shunned for life. There is also a small cafe and a restaurant for food and beverage. The BPL is known for it's stunning murals painted by John Singer Sargent in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Free guided tours of the library are offered every day with the exception of Wed. A small and functional cafe (Sebastian's) and strangely empty Novel Restauraunt are in the McKim building. They are close proximity to a gem of hidden tranquility- the fountain and courtyard. The courtyard has chairs and tables, and benches. (you can stop to have a snack) even on a rainy day as the perimeter is covered. Along the other three walls rounds an arcaded promenade which is an almost exact facsimile of the arcade of the Cancelleria Palace in Rome. Frederick MacMonnies' "Bacchante and Infant Faun," is the bronze cast fountain statue. (viewing only) The Boston Public Library has assembled more than 3,500 e-books as well. The Boston Public Library system also offers FREE and "near FREE" passes to local museums. For a complete listing, click here. It is first come first serve,(but hardly anyone partakes) and you must get them for that same day. The Margaret and H.A. Rey Children's Room (named after the creators of Curious George and longtime BPL supporters) offers a great collection of kids' books and magazines, three On-line Public Access Catalogs, two Little Tikes computers for preschool children, and four Multimedia PCs, for ages 8 to 13, with Internet Access. A spacious room, the older children can enjoy their space amongst the littlest ones. Rich and constant programming includes concerts, storytime, crafts and weekly sing-alongs. There is a small (sadly shabby) play space, always crayons set out on the table, and there are (single) bathrooms which include diaper changing stations. In need of some upkeep, the space is still clean and stocked enough to make it a great "drop in" on a rainy day and even better for a planned event. Information on the events is not easy to eschew from the website, it is better to drop in and pick up the flyers. Summer is especially well programmed with events on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, (mornings and afternoons). Public Restroom: The restrooms and water fountains are in the basement near the elevators.

The Mall stretches the length of Commonwealth Avenue in Boston's Back Bay. This walking path serves as the Commonwealth Avenue traffic median. Many Back Bay dog owners elect to stroll this wide walkway, which is dotted with statues and landscaping, because it allows for much meandering, tree sniffing, and greeting of other dogs. During the holiday's the Comm. Ave Mall becomes a sparkling 8 block winter wonderland that residents and tourists can enjoy as it stretches along the Back Bay for 8 blocks.

Keith Lockhart, Boston's charismatic sweetheart, conducts the Boston Pops. The Pops play more "popular" music (than the BSO) such as movie themes, swing, big band, and light classical works at Symphony Hall in May and June, often with renowned soloists. The Holiday at Pops series in December features Yuletide favorites. Their free performances at the Hatch Memorial Shell is an integral part of Boston's Independence Day celebration. When The Pops perform the seats are removed from the first floor of Symphony Hall and tables are brought - so that concert goers get table service as well as music. All concerts wheelchair-accessible. Admission $26-$118; For tickets times for concerts, click here This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. 50-100 tickets day of the performance available for rush tickets for Tuesday nights during the season, except for Opening Night. Rush tickets are available in the Main Box Office at the Massachusetts Avenue entrance, with a maximum of 2 per customer, and must be paid for with cash.

The Symphony Road Garden was built on a site where a home was razed by arson in the 1980's. Out of the ashes came a vibrant garden that serves a diverse group of over 50 residents of the East Fenway. It is a place for residents to relax, eat, and study. There is a wait list for each garden plot, as few spots are available each year. Also offers universal access to gardening with raised beds. The Symphony Gardens requests guests do not bring pets, pick fruits/vegetables, or leave any trash behind. If you would like to help maintain the gardens, feel free to attend Weeding Wednesdays from 6-8 pm.

Titus Sparrow Park is in the South End between Huntington and Columbus Streets, next to the Southwest Corridor. It's a great family-friendly enclave secluded within the hustle and bustle of the city. They have tennis, basketball courts, a jungle gym and a grassy area that's perfect for a picnic. Also, the Titus Sparrow Park is a great spot to walk your dog (on-leash). Titus Sparrow Park was created in 1976, and after nearly 30 years of intensive use, the Boston Parks Department gave Titus Sparrow Park a major rehabilitation. Since reopening in 2005, the park is more heavily used than ever by all ages all over it -- sledding, rolling, sun-bathing, sitting, football and baseball games, and splendid children's programs and evening concerts in the summer. On a warm weekend the basketball courts, swings, play structures, and tennis courts will be packed. There's even a pet water fountain for all of the neighborhood dogs. Titus Sparrow Park is named for an active resident of the South End, Titus Sparrow. Founder of the Sportsmen's Tennis Club and the first African American umpire in the USTA, Titus Sparrow developed a progam that allows less fortunate children to learn the game of tennis for free. Today, the park is bustling with children and adults of all ages. The beautiful landscape and fun play structures make it a popular meeting place for nannies and parents alike. The South End is famous for it's parks, however, Titus Sparrow is definitely one of the nicest in the neighborhood. The park is primarily volunteer-maintained by the "Friends of Titus Sparrow Park." Currently, they need volunteers to help with gardening, graphic design, and public relations. For more details, see their volunteer page. There are 15 community gardens, open to residents of the four neighborhoods involved in designing the park.

The Back Bay Fens are part of the string of parks called "the Emerald Necklace". Developed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1880s, who created this area from a rather disgusting area where effluence from industries on the Stony Brook and the Muddy River and sewer runoff from the City milled in a fetid swampland.
Now, the Fens offer many amenities to modern Bostonians - including a series of community garden plots (dating back to the "Victory" gardens of WWII) that range from serviceable vegetable producers to fanciful botanical wonderlands. Fenway Victory Gardens There are ballfields, war memorials and the Kellecher Rose Garden to explore in this park too.

The famous Church that inspired The New John Hancock Building to be reflective-- to not block/overwelm the church's great architecture. Always a stop on any Boston Tour, The Trinity church/landmark sits in the city of Copley Square in the Back Bay. It is considered one of the most significant works by architect Henry Hobson Richardson. John La Farge oversaw the interior painted decoration and executed most of the figure paintings and murals, and a number of the stained glass windows. Trinity also has a unique collection of stained-glass windows, representing a variety of methods and materials. Details of the church's architectural and fine arts are available through Visitor's Programs, which include regular tours and The Shop at Trinity. Worship services are held Sundays all year, and midweek services are held September through June (check website for schedule). Trinity is an Episcopal Church within the Anglican Communion (Church of England), with approximately 2500 member households. Services are Sunday at 7:45am, 9am, 11:15am, and 6pm.

This large play area has safe and well maintained climbing structures, sandboxes, swing sets and open play areas, making this location very popular with youngsters and parents alike. After you've done Newbury Street, take the kids over to the Clarendon Street Playground. This is the spot where real city kids hang out. Inside the fenced and gated area, you'll find lots of playing possibilities. The equipment is fairly new and the playground is kept reasonably clean. Climbing is the big attraction; several structures invite children of all ages to test their muscles. There are slides (large and small), and bucket and sling swings, a sand area, and a tire swing. Free-use toys galore: Tonka trucks, riding toys and even a few plasma cars. The play surfaces are mostly sand. There is plenty of shade all day. For kids who need to run, the playground has a large open area where kids can play soccer, tag, or a small-scale game of baseball. Watch toddlers around the many steps that lead to this area - when they venture down alone, scraped arms and knees may ensue.
Clarendon street playground is celebrating it's 30th birthday on Monday September 29th 2008 4PM - all welcome for play.