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Winter in Boston can seem never-ending. March can be a long month, leaving most Bostonians itching for spring. However, this winter has been relatively mild. It is the second warmest winter on record. With the mild winter and warmer weather on the way (fingers crossed), it got me thinking about all the fun things there are to do in the city this time of year. The city of Boston comes alive starting in March with the St. Patrick’s Day parade, opening day at Fenway Park, the Boston Marathon, and more. Spring is a fantastic time to visit Boston. Hotel rates are decent, except for one week in April, the kids are still in school, and crowds are low. Whether you are a local or a tourist, here are seven fantastic things to do in Boston this Spring.
South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Everyone is a little Irish on St. Paddy’s Day! Did you know Bostonians were the first to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in North America? Back on March 17, 1737, as a sign of solidarity, new Irish immigrants and Boston’s Irish community joined together to celebrate their homeland and to honor St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. In the early 1900s, the parade moved to South Boston, where a sizeable Irish population lived and still resides today. It is also the site of Dorchester Heights. If you recall from American history class, this is where the evacuation of British troops from Boston on March 17, 1776, was made possible and is commemorated. March 17 is not only known as St Patrick’s Day but in the city of Boston, it is Evacuation Day. The parade celebrates Irish heritage and military service. This year’s parade will be held on Sunday, March 15.
The Boston Marathon
Held the 3rd Monday in April each year, the Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the best-known road races in the world. After the bombing in 2013, this race became a symbol of the city of Boston. We were all #BostonStrong, and in 2014, the runners took back the finish line. To have an American win the race, was the icing on the cake.
The day of the race happens to fall on Patriot’s Day, a Massachusetts state holiday. Schools are off all week and many companies throughout Boston close for the day. It is a great time to head into the city to watch the race. Runners love and need crowd support. 26.2 miles is a lot of miles, so grab a cowbell, make a sign, pick your spot and give everyone a word of encouragement.
Fenway Park
If you are a baseball fan, one can not come to this great city without visiting the oldest and most beloved ballpark in America. Pick up tickets to a game and experience first hand why RedSox Nation loves this ballpark and their Sox. Sox not in town while you are here? No fear, take an hour-long tour of the park. Feel the presence of Ted Williams, Yaz, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice, Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, and Big Papi. Sit on top of the famous Green Monster. Tours are available year-round and depart every hour.
Boston Public Garden
TThe Boston Public Garden was the first botanical garden in America. It contains 80 species of plants and is home to the beautiful swan boats. Since the 1800s, the swan boats have sailed around the park’s lagoon and become a symbol of the city of Boston. Robert Paget invented this style of boat, and four generations later, the Paget family still owns and operates the Swan boats. The boats open for the season on April 18th and will remain open through Labor Day. The cost is $4.00, an adult, $2.50 for children 2-15, and under two are free. It is one of my favorite things to do in the city.
Duckling Day Parade
The Duckling Day parade, held every Mother’s Day, celebrates the classic book “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey. Families gather at the Boston Common, dressed as characters from the famous book. The parade is led by the Harvard Marching Band and ends at the Public Garden by the Make Way for Ducklings statue.
Food Tour
Boston has some fantastic food tours. One year my best friend and I, along with our husbands, took a Historic Pizza and Taverns Tour. It started in the North End, went to Charlestown, and back to the Faneuil Hall area. It was a lot of fun and yummy. There are so many to choose from. You can see the top ten food tours in the city listed here.
Boston Duck Tours
One of the best sighting seeing tours in Boston is the Duck Tours. It is a fully narrated historic tour of Boston that is seen by both land and sea! Well, the Charles River, but you get the point. These boats are a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle that travels on land and water. A
It is truly one of best tours out there. I highly encourage you to purchase your tickets ahead of time. You will not want to miss out.
A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated America’s birthday, our Independence Day. Seven years ago, July 4th was more than just America’s birthday; it became my personal Independence Day. You see, seven years ago, I started something that would significantly change my life. I became a runner.
For years, I had been envious of runners. Runners seem like happy people. I had attempted to run a few times and gave up after a week. Then I turned 40. I had some extra weight to lose, and I wanted to feel better about myself. Each year on July 3rd, my family and some friends head to Patriot Place in Foxboro, MA, for some 4th of July fireworks. Before the fireworks, Harvard Pilgrim, a health insurance company, puts on a 5K and a 10K race called Finish at the 50. Each route is different, but all runners finish up by entering Gilette Stadium ( home of the 6x Super Bowl champions, New England Patriots) and running down the field. It is a pretty neat race. As I sat and watched the runners come across the finish line, the pure joy I saw on their faces was inspiring. I wanted to experience that.
The question was, could I do this? I had tried running before and hated it. I was out of shape. I had my doubts. Then two people came to mind, my Dad and my friend Traci. You see, in 2009, my Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was 57 years old and found himself having surgery to remove half his lung. Thankfully, the cancer was caught early on, and he received a second chance at life. As part of his recovery, he started walking 7 miles a day. 7 miles! The last time he had exercised that much was when he was in the Marine Corp. If he could get out there each day, I could give this running thing a try. My friend and co-worker, Traci also inspired me. In the same year, Traci was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Despite fighting that horrible disease, Traci still kept on running each day at lunch and rode her bike in the Pan-Mass Challenge, twice, while undergoing cancer treatments. Unfortunately, Traci lost her battle with cancer in Sept. 2011. Little did I know she would leave an everlasting impression on me. That night, I made a promise to myself that I could give this running thing another try.
I got up the next morning, laced up a pair of shoes and out the door I went. I did not have a training plan (not such a smart idea), I did not have the right shoes (I learned very quickly why I needed them), and I ran. It was the 4th of July and hot as hell. I wanted to stop. I had all these negative thoughts flooding my brain. You are too old; you are too fat, you have no business doing this. As these thoughts ran through my head, a beautiful orange and black butterfly fluttered by me. You see, butterflies are the symbol for ovarian cancer. Butterflies represent those that we have lost. Traci had made us all butterflies for our office name plaques. She had a tattoo (a fake one) on her bald head. Butterflies were her favorite. Traci was with me on this run. She was there encouraging me and cheering me on. I finished up, clocking just over 3 miles. On that hot July 4th, I had become a runner.
Now seven years later, I have done numerous 5 and 10ks, over a dozen half-marathons, multiple challenges and completed my 1st marathon. If you had asked me seven years ago if that was what I would be doing, I would have said you were nuts.
Marathon medal 
My 1st marathon
Running has transformed me from the inside out. Running has taught me so many things. These are just a few that come to mind.
- The importance of setting goals.
- How powerful it is to achieve these goals.
- How to overcome obstacles.
- It has taught me patience.
- To believe in me.
- To never give up.
- Hard work will be rewarded.
- Pushing beyond my comfort zone is necessary to grow.
Running is my therapy, my outlet, my escape. When my Mom was given the devastating diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer and laid dying, I ran to cope. I used that time to cry my eyes out. I could fall apart without my children watching. When I have a terrible day, the first thing I want to do is lace up my shoes and hit the pavement. Running has changed me for the better. God willing, I will continue running well into my senior years.
