The Boston University Bridge is unlike any other in the world. | Photo by @paulcanottaggio
We love a good trivia match-up. Whether you need a good conversation starter, or just another way to celebrate our city’s history, keep reading.
1. The MBTA’s Tremont Street subway was the first subway tunnel in America and is the third oldest still in use worldwide. It opened to the public in 1897 and the original five-mile track ran from an entrance at the Public Garden and an entrance near Haymarket Square.
2. The Boston Public Garden is America’s first public botanical garden. The Boston Common was established in 1634 and the Public Garden, located right across the street, came later in 1837. The historic green space was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
3. The Zakim Bridge is the widest cable-stayed bridge in the world. It stands 745 ft over the Charles River, and measures 1,407 ft long and 183 ft wide. Construction began on Oct. 1, 1997 and cost $115 million.
4. The first American lighthouse was built in Boston Harbor in 1716. The original Little Brewster Island lighthouse is gone now, and the current lighthouse is the second-oldest working lighthouse in the US, featuring a 76-step climb.
5. Fenway Park is the oldest MLB stadium that is still in use, and it features a signature color. The Red Sox patented the color “Fenway Green” for the iconic Green Monster, which stands 37 ft tall.
6. The decadent Boston Cream Pie was created at the Omni Paker House in the late 19th century. It’s actually a cake — not a pie — and we’d like to think the unofficial dessert of Boston is a cannoli.
7. Boston wasn’t always as big as it is today. Literally, the land that we know as the Boston peninsula nearly doubled in size. The project began in the early 1800s, when workers moved land from the tops of Copps Hill and Beacon Hill to fill in an area called Mill Pond until completion in 1882.
Boston Harborfest | now through Friday, July 4 | Cost of purchase | Come out for one of the country’s biggest Independence Day celebrations, including live music each day, historical reenactments + great food.
Berklee Summer in the City | 12-1 p.m. | Prudential Center | Free | Recurring Thursdays — and at other locations on different days throughout the summer — this live concert series features a lineup of Berklee grads and students.
Harold and the Purple Crayon | Revere Beach | Free admission | Each Thursday through August 14, enjoy a film screening on the beach, with programming 6-8 p.m. before the movie starts at dusk.
Staged Reading: 2 1/2 Lesbians | 7:30-10 p.m. | Cafe Zing, Cambridge | $18 | An original play by Eunwoo Rose Bae delving into queer relationships and friendship.
Friday, July 4
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular | 12-10 p.m. | The Esplanade | Free | Show starts at 7 p.m., with special guest Leanne Rimes joining the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Fireworks at dusk.
First Friday | 5-9 p.m. | SoWa Art & Design District | A new month means another installment of this local gallery hop featuring artists, shops, and showrooms in the SoWa Art + Design District.
Tuesday, July 8
Laughs on Landsdowne: Comedy Night at Bleacher Bar | Tuesday, July 8-Tuesday, June 16 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Bleacher Bar | Free | Enjoy food and drinks while laughing along to some of Boston’s best comedians.
Tuesday, July 15
“Friends” Trivia | Tuesday, July 15, Tuesday, July 29 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Central Perk Coffee Co., 205 Newbury St. | Free | Could this be any more fun? Test your knowledge of the NYC gang while enjoying coffee, cocktails + small bites inspired by the iconic TV sitcom.
Plan Ahead
St. Agrippina Feast | July 31-Aug. 3 | Hanover Street, North End| Cost of purchase | Come out each day for live bands and DJ sets, raffles, and a feast of Italian flavors including calamari, arancini, fresh shellfish, and cannoli.
If you’re planning to have a hot dog on the Fourth of July — chances are you’ll put relish on it. That’s the most popular topping in Mass, but Boston has far more options (and we don’t just mean a Fenway Frank). Try something different by heading to one of these local spots to grab a hot dog.
Outdoors
Going camping soon? Hipcamp allows you to browse campsites by location, date, and even party size. It looks like Magic Forest Farm in the Catskills has availability starting on Sunday — and a swimming hole.
Drink
$3.49. That’s the average cost of a regular cup of black coffee in Massachussetts. While we can’t guarantee prices will be cheaper in Boston, we can guarantee that the city’s coffee offerings are far from regular — just check out our guide to local coffee shops.
Pets
If you’re looking to add a dog to the family, a Löwchen will cost you a pretty penny. The little lion dogs were named the most expensive breed, sometimes costing $10,000+. A more affordable option would be to find your furever friend at a local shelter like the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
Older Adults
Your fifties + beyond is a great time to build wealth. Beyond basics like bulk shopping and retirement accounts, here are 14 financial benefits seniors are entitled to (but often forget to claim).*
Shop
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The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
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