Sights Mindtrek VR There are some people who believe that the world is all a computer simulation. Well, if that turns out to be true, soften the blow with a trip to Mindtrek VR in Woburn. And what a trip it is. The first free-roaming multi-player virtual reality arena in the U.S. lets you battle zombies, blow up killer drones and join a mystical alien tribe. The wall between virtual and real has officially started to crumble—unless real was never really real in the first place. Rabbit hole alert! 34 Cummings Park Drive, Woburn, mindtrekvr.com
BANK OF AMERICA’S MUSEUMS ON US
Bank of America offers cardholders free admission to 150 participating cultural institutions across the U.S. on the first full weekend of each month. Seven in Massachusetts, three in the Boston area. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge 617.253.5927; Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave. 617.267.9300; Isabella Steart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way 617.566.1401. CITYPASS
Save 43 percent off admission and skip lines at four participating sites. Valid for nine consecutive days from first use March 1, 2017Feb. 28, 2018; purchase online or at each site. $56; $44 ages 3-11. New England Aquarium; Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge; Museum of Science, 1 Science Park; Skywalk Observatory, 800 Boylston St.; Boston Harbor Cruises, Long Wharf; For information, call 208.787.4300 or 888.330.5008.
CITY SIGHTS
FANEUIL HALL
Boston merchant Peter Faneuil had this building con-
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structed in 1742 and gave it to the city of Boston. It became known for being the breeding ground of the American Revolution, and thus called “The Cradle of Liberty.” Today, Faneuil Hall remains a symbol of freedom and houses a visitor center, the Great Hall and an armory museum. Free admission. Open daily 9 am-6 pm. Financial District, 617.523.1300. THE FREEDOM TRAIL
Focused on the American Revolution, from the Colonial period to the War of 1812, this 2.5-mile, red-painted and bricked path connects 16 historic sites, each of which has its own story. 617.357.8300.
or attend a court session. Legal history exhibits in the Great Hall. Open M-F 8 am-8 pm. 1 Pemberton Square, 617.557.1000. LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER
Kids ages 3-10 go absolutely crazy for this place, and its Assembly Row entrance marked by a giant yellow LEGO giraffe. Not only can children build to their hearts’ content they can tumble, climb and slide in LEGO City Play Zone or catch a movie at the 4D Cinema. Tickets: $18.95-$29.95. Open Su-Th 10 am-7 pm, F 10 am-8 pm, Sa 9 am-8 pm. 598 Assembly Row, Somerville, 866.228.6439.
HARVARD SQUARE
LONG WHARF
Harvard Square pulses as the heart of Cambridge, Boston’s sister city here in the Hub. The square is noted for its great people watching, dozens of specialty book stores, eclectic shopping options, and also music clubs known for regularly hosting legendary talent. Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617.491.3434.
Literally, Boston’s longest wharf. In the 18th century, John Hancock had his offices on the dock (which you can visit while dining at Chart House restaurant). Today, yachts, ferries and tour boats weigh anchor here.
JOHN ADAMS COURTHOUSE
Historic, 19th-century building operates as the home base for Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and contains the oldest law library in the U.S. Take a tour
LOUISBURG SQUARE
Beacon Hill address that’s been home to some of Boston’s richest residents like Louisa May Alcott and the Kennedys. Many of the Greek Revival row houses remain single-family homes and surround a private, gated green.
Between Pinckney and Mount Vernon streets. NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM
Explore the world’s waters from the Amazon rain forest to the Gulf of Maine. Come see the Giant Ocean Tank, a Caribbean coral reef environment boasting 2,000 sea creatures! Admission: $18.95-26.95. Open M-F 9 am-5 pm, Sa-Su 9 am-6 pm. NEAq’s IMAX Theater screens films daily; tickets: $7.95-9.95. 1 Central Wharf, 617.973.5200. THE NEW ENGLAND HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL
Evocative of a menorah, the monument recalls the six main Nazi death camp chimneys. Its towers are etched with 6 million numbers, a haunting reminder of the Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Union Street near Faneuil Hall, 617.457.8755. NEWBURY STREET
Newbury Street is a hot destination for shoppers. Part posh (the lower end of Newbury features luxury brand boutiques from Chanel to Valentino) and part hip (the upper end of Newbury boasts independently owned shops and international flagship stores).
COURTESY MINDTREK VR
ADMISSION/ DISCOUNT PASSES