2009 Boston Regional

[Doug G]

Team 701 is "totally stoked" to be heading way out east this year. We have just reserved some airline tickets for the team and plan to arrive late Tuesday, leaving the Wednesday before the competition wide open to see the sights and such.

Anyone have advice of what our team should do in Boston on that Wednesday??

Looking forward to the competition!!

[Roger]

Search ChiefDelphi and you'll find info from past years. I found this thread at the bottom of this thread. I'm sure there are others. Here are some random places --

Museum of Science -- Though last year FIRST splurged and got us all in for free on the Friday evening. But a couple of hours (plus everyone jamming the food court) is never enough for the MOS. IMAX and planetarium is extra. Make sure you see the Van de Graaff generator demonstration! Boom! Pow!

New England Aquarium -- I haven't been there in a while, but the center tank is great to watch, and the penguins too! Also has an IMAX

MIT Museum -- Never been there but hey, it is MIT.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace is one large food court -- or used to be. I haven't been in there for years.

A little out of the way but unusual is the USS Constitution. There is a "water taxi" that gets over that way across the harbor. (I think it's part of the MBTA, so see their website.)

For Boston itself, if is a walkable city, and a lot of historic places that are on, um, I forget what it's called. A red brick "historic tour" line that winds thru town. There is (or was) a tour that starts at the Boston Commons for the history. I'll let someone more knowledgeable pipe up.

Depending where you are staying, the MBTA, the local subway system (known as "the T") goes to all above. Four subway lines (red, orange, blue subway cars, and the green trolley lines). There are bus lines and commuter trains too, but for the downtown the subway -- or walking! -- are better.

And for the record-- the event is at BU's Agganis Arena. There is parking, but the "B Line" of the Green Line trolley stops right out front. McDonalds is still gone (still a chance for another fast food to go in), but there are other places all up and down Comm. (short for Commonwealth) Ave to eat.

Oh, I almost forgot. The 2008 Game Hint location! 42.348805, -71.076072, 342.242026. It's on the Green Line -- see the thread for details.

[Adam Y.]

Originally Posted by Roger

A little out of the way but unusual is the USS Constitution. There is a "water taxi" that gets over that way across the harbor. (I think it's part of the MBTA, so see their website.)

For Boston itself, if is a walkable city, and a lot of historic places that are on, um, I forget what it's called. A red brick "historic tour" line that winds thru town. There is (or was) a tour that starts at the Boston Commons for the history. I'll let someone more knowledgeable pipe up.

The Constitution is not out of the way. The Freedom Trail actually takes you right to that area as the Bunker Hill Memorial is right behind it. Can you elaborate on what you actually want to do? I've been literally everywhere one could possibly be on foot.

[Roger]

Ah, The Freedom Trail -- I forgot the name. And you can walk to the USS Constitution. A very nice walk (~1.5 mile) if it isn't too hot or too snowy. I meant it's not right downtown. (The last time I went was a very hot summer day, not a very good time to walk the grandparents around Boston and to the Constitution -- and not likely there will be a heatwave the beginning of March*.)

*But worst things have happened in Boston when it gets hot in the winter.

[Kim Masi]

If there are any seniors who are interested in going to college in Boston (seeing as there are so many!) Wednesday would be a good chance for them to see these universities. I know particularly Northeastern has "Engineering Wednesdays" for interested students.

The Museum of Science is Fantastic, but Faneuil Hall is also fun/historic. If the weather's nice, a boston Duck Tour really gives a great scope of things in ~1 hour.

PS I am SO STOKED for the boston regional this year

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by Kim Masi

If there are any seniors who are interested in going to college in Boston (seeing as there are so many!) Wednesday would be a good chance for them to see these universities. I know particularly Northeastern has "Engineering Wednesdays" for interested students.

The Museum of Science is Fantastic, but Faneuil Hall is also fun/historic. If the weather's nice, a boston Duck Tour really gives a great scope of things in ~1 hour.

PS I am SO STOKED for the boston regional this year

Thanks Kim! I'm looking at Northeastern and I'll definitely try to come check it out before the regional. That's right folks, I'm coming to my very first Boston Regional! Can't wait I've heard it's an awesome time.

[Anna B.]

Boston is a great time. Our team has gone every year we have been around, and it is a blast.
I know I'm looking forward to it!
-Anna

[Andrew Bates]

I'm currently a freshman at Northeastern University one of the classes I'm taking is Boston History. We've done 4 walking tours this year through Boston and this is what I would recommend.

Definitely Head over to Fanuiel Hall and the Quincy Markets. The best T stop to use to get there would be Government Center.

After that walk over to the north end and walk down Hanover st. Mike's Pastries is an amazing pastries shop, excellent cannolis. There are numerous other pastries and eateries also located on Hanover st. Also the Improve Asylum is an extremely funny show.

If shopping is more your interest then Newbury St. is where you want to go. Many shops to choose from.

The Boston Common and the Public Garden are both nice places to walk through and relax.

Hope that this information helps.

[smurfgirl]

Originally Posted by Roger

Search ChiefDelphi and you'll find info from past years. I found this thread at the bottom of this thread. I'm sure there are others. Here are some random places --

Museum of Science -- Though last year FIRST splurged and got us all in for free on the Friday evening. But a couple of hours (plus everyone jamming the food court) is never enough for the MOS. IMAX and planetarium is extra. Make sure you see the Van de Graaff generator demonstration! Boom! Pow!

MIT Museum -- Never been there but hey, it is MIT.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace is one large food court -- or used to be. I haven't been in there for years.

I'm going to second these. I've been to all of them recently, some more than once (Faneuil Hall is amazing, and so is the Museum of Science.) Also, if you want to explore the city and it's history, consider going on a Duck Tour.

[Waynep]

For more information on the 2009 Boston Regional, please visit the event's website: http://bostonfirst.org/

There you might find the confirmed info that Blue Man Group will once again be putting on a special performance for the spirited Boston crowd. Also stay tuned, as you never know what tricks the planning committee, which always strides to up the ante and levels of fun, has up its sleeves.

If you, your friends or family members would like to volunteer for the event please encourage them to register in VIMS https://my.usfirst.org/vims/

We're looking forward to another great Boston Regional and having you all there!

-wayne

[smurfgirl]

Does anyone know what T stop is closer to Agganis Arena? Would that be BU East, BU Central, or BU West?

Edit: Nevermind, I finally found it on a map. For anyone else wondering, BU West is the answer.

Edit 2: Since I thought of this... anyone interested in trading team shirts? If so, PM me.

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by smurfgirl

Does anyone know what T stop is closer to Agganis Arena? Would that be BU East, BU Central, or BU West?

Edit: Nevermind, I finally found it on a map. For anyone else wondering, BU West is the answer.

Just to be even more specific...BU West off of the B trolley on the Green line (there is a B, C, D and E trolley for the green line, make sure your on the B line aka the "Boston College" line)

[Roger]

Originally Posted by smurfgirl

Does anyone know what T stop is closer to Agganis Arena? Would that be BU East, BU Central, or BU West?

Edit: Nevermind, I finally found it on a map. For anyone else wondering, BU West is the answer.

Of those three stations, yes, BU West is the closest. But the closest station to the Agganis Arena is Pleasant Street, which is the second stop beyond BU West. Here's the MBTA station map of the Green line.

I work across the street from the Agganis, and once upon a time used to take the T. (Now I have a parking spot!) Mind you, any of those stations along Comm Ave and BU is walkable to the Agganis; students walk the length of Comm Ave every day. I've even walked to Pleasant St from Kenmore in a driving snowstorm.

And Blue Man Group!

[MOE]

Originally Posted by smurfgirl

Does anyone know what T stop is closer to Agganis Arena? Would that be BU East, BU Central, or BU West?

Edit: Nevermind, I finally found it on a map. For anyone else wondering, BU West is the answer.

Edit 2: Since I thought of this... anyone interested in trading team shirts? If so, PM me.

HELLOOoooo from the North East to the North East and anyone going to Boston TEAM 88 TJ2 will trade our team shirt with anyone,come see MOE in the pits.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL SEEeeee YEAHhhhhhh SOOOOooon
oh yeah ???? OH YEAH !!!! tye dye for ever .....
MOE and team 88 TJ2

[Mikell Taylor]

Howdy everyone,

Just a heads up: if anyone still needs to make hotel reservations, the Courtyard by Marriott in Brookline is only offering its FIRST rate through Monday the 16th. Give them a call and ask about the FIRST group discount if you're still looking for a place to stay. (That hotel is T-accessible to the Arena)