Trip Coach: November 4, 2008

_______________________

New York City, N.Y.: Any walking tours that are particularly memorable? Last time I did the Freedom Trail on my own I felt a little at a loss. Been a while since grade school history!

Eric Wechter: Don't count out the Freedom Trail! Sure it's a very full day to explore the whole route. And sure the rarefied historic sites may not always inspire the bald reverence you think they may deserve. But there are a number of unique and compelling treasures that are worth a re-visit (especially if it's been since grade school). Stop by the visitor center in Boston Common, and you can get a wealth of info to help you narrow your focus. A particularly scenic portion of the trail takes you across the bridge over the Charles River to a climb (about 300 stairs) to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument for beautiful views of the city.

Another memorable tour is the Black Heritage Trail. With a brochure from the Museum of Afro-American History you can take a very pleasant self-guided tour (it's about a mile and a half). Or you can arrange a highly informative ranger-guided tour.

_______________________

Sun Prairie, Wisc.: We will be in Boston November 15-19. Are there any major music, art, food, or sports events going on?

Eric Wechter: At any given time there are a multitude of events in Boston. Here are just a few you might like during that timeframe: Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair at the Hynes Convention Center, offers you the chance to browse rare books and maps and have any old books you may have appraised by experts. On November 19, The Coit Observatory at Boston University has a public open night, inviting you to stargaze through telescopes and binoculars. On Tuesday, November 18, there's the bountiful Farmers' Market on Copley Square.

_______________________

Eric Wechter: Thanks, everyone for your questions. I truly enjoyed it, and I hope my responses are helpful. I apologize if I was unable to get to your question. For further research I strongly encourage you to post your questions on Fodors.com. There you'll get insight from an enormous pool of enthusiastic locals who are eager to share inside knowledge of their beloved Beantown. Don't forget to write your own review of a restaurant, hotel, or sight you visited, and keep your handy edition of Fodor's Boston 2009, which is available in bookstores, at your side. Enjoy your trip!