Boston’s Popular Light Display Now Open – Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience
One of the most illuminating experiences is back! In it’s fourth year, Boston Lights returns. With all-new lanterns and lights, Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience opens today at the Franklin…
One of the most illuminating experiences is back! In it's fourth year, Boston Lights returns. With all-new lanterns and lights, Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience opens today at the Franklin Park Zoo. If you can't make it this weekend, don't worry, it's open every day until October 29 from 6:00pm - 10:30 p.m.
What is Boston Lights?
Walk through the illuminating experience covering Franklin Park's 72 acres with all-new lights and lanterns.
"Come face-to-face with an ice-breathing dragon and more fantastical creatures in a frozen mythical land. Explore ancient Egypt where you’ll discover towering pyramids, a 33-foot sphinx and awe-inspiring wildlife. Dive into an underwater adventure through a coral reef, featuring marine life from Down Under, and experience the rich cultural history of China through traditional lantern scenes including a 200-foot-long display of pagodas, cranes and lotuses, as well as a glowing walk-through dragon tunnel spanning over 80 feet." (Franklin Park Zoo)
How were the lanterns created?
The zoo worked with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. on creating the displays. Each and every lantern involves a labor of love (and skill!) to create. Artisans and skilled professionals work as a team to design the full-scale displays. It involved hand-painting intricate details on each lantern, as well as installing thousands of LED light bulbs.
Ticket Info please!
Children under two are free, and it's recommended that you buy your tickets online. If available, tickets may be sold at the gate. But prices will be higher, so it's definitely recommended that you get them in advance and online.
Ticket sales are final and can't be moved to other dates. So make sure you're able to attend your reserved slot when you buy them. Tickets are transferable in case you need or want to give them to someone else.
How long does it take to walk through Boston Lights?
Boston Lights is a one-way, 1.4-mile loop through the Zoo. It takes about 60 - 90 minutes to enjoy. Please note that Boston Lights closes at 10:30 p.m.
What about parking?
Parking is available and it's free. There are lots located near both entrances to the Zoo. View Franklin Park Zoo map
Valet parking is also available nightly at the Zebra entrance. It's on a first come, first served basis at $20 per car. Valet parking is available from the start of the event until close.
For any and all other information you may need about the experience, visit the Franklin Park Zoo website.
Anything else I should know?
"Boston Lights will also shine a light on the importance of conserving the incredible biodiversity on our planet. Visitors to Boston Lights will have the opportunity to learn more about our commitment to conservation and ways that they can participate in wildlife and habitat preservation. All of the lanterns are illuminated with energy saving LED lights."
Franklin Park ZooWelcome to Boston Lights!
Franklin Park ZooLook at that detail!
Franklin Park ZooWhat a display!
Franklin Park ZooIlluminating!
9 Unique Summer Experiences To Add Some Fun To Your Boston Bucket List
Summertime is finally here, and that means getting out into the steamy heat and sunshine. Of course, we'll go to the beach or the pool. Yes, we'll hang out with family and friends for barbecues. And we'll also check out patio and rooftop dining. But what if we're looking for something new, fresh, and different to do this summer. It's time to work on that Boston Bucket List, and add some Unique Summer Experiences to it.
If you're looking for some traditional Boston things to do, here are Trip Advisor's Top Picks in Boston.
So those are some of the Boston favs that people love when coming to Boston. And even if you've lived in or around Boston your whole life, I'm sure there are things on that list that you haven't done yet. So if you haven't, you can get started on that list.
But if you're looking for something a little different to try. Maybe something that not everyone knows about yet. Or something you want to brag to your friends about and introduce them to. Enjoy!
Discover Incredible Street Art
There is so much incredible street art around the city. I've gone on a couple different street art tours, and have pulled over on the side of the road to check out some breathtaking murals. Here are a couple pieces I'm obsessed with by artists Rob "ProBlak" Gibbs, and GoFive.
Boston artist Rob "ProBlak" Gibbs stands in front of his "Breathe Life 2" mural at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School.
Artist GoFive stands in front of his mural of Boston politician, community organizer, and educator Mel King who passed away in March 2023.
Here's a link to some of the places you can go to check out some incredible Boston street art.
Mystery Picnics
This looks fun! It's described as a self-guided foodie adventure. You use your phone to solve clues and riddles that take you to local artisans to collect picnic ingredients. You end at a picnic spot to enjoy your food.
Pasta Making Class
Having experienced this class myself, I can honestly tell you that it's one of the most fun things I've done in a very long time. Chef Jason is an incredible instructor and storyteller. You Can check out my write up about it, 7 Important Lessons I Learned About Life, While Making Pasta From Scratch.
Moonlight Canoe Trip
If you love being on the water, this is for you. On the Moonlight Canoe Trip, an experienced guide will take you and about 10 people on a 3-hour paddle tour. You'll also pull over for a little picnic too.
Key To Amaze - VR Experiences
If you're into virtual reality experiences, this is for you. Key to Amaze is Boston's first Virtual Reality Gaming Lounge, featuring untethered free roam Virtual Reality adventures. Looks like fun for a group of friends, pre-wedding party, or any other group activity.
Wedding Ring Design Session
Getting married and looking for some unique and special wedding rings? Why not design them! Minter & Richter Designs store is closed to the public while you go in and design your ring. Check out their website so you can get an idea of the types of rings they make and their pricing. The Airbnb fee doesn't include the price of the rings.
Take a Chinatown Food Tour
This 3-hour tour is a mix of history, food, and fun. From Boston Chinatown Tours: "Tours include culture, history, and food tastings. I place current challenges in a historical context, and share secrets of Chin Park’s architecture and plantings. We’ll visit a mural or two. We may say hello to my favorite fruit vendor when he’s on Beach St. and see what’s sweet. We stop into a traditional herbalist's shop. And no visit to Chinatown would be complete without a visit to a Chinese grocery. We end our tour sharing dim sum, learning how and what to order, etiquette and more."
Channel your inner Katniss
No it's not the Hunger Games (thank goodness), but it's sure to have you feeling like Katniss. Archery Games Boston is described as "dodgeball, but swap out the balls for bows & foam-tipped arrows." Each session is 75-minutes long and starts with 25 minutes of training before you're led to an arena (maybe it is the Hunger Games), for 50 minutes of gameplay.
Volunteer
Volunteers work to clean trash from a salt marsh in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on April 22, 2023. - Volunteers, city employees, state officials and city officials, worked with environmental group, GreenRoots, to clear as much trash as they could from areas all over Chelsea and East Boston on Earth Day.
Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves, is to do something for others. There are so many ways you can help other people as a volunteer. Passionate about books? Volunteer at your public library. Are you a theater geek? Donate some time to your local community theater. Wherever your passion lies, there's definitely an opportunity to help. Need help finding one? Check out the link below for websites that can help you find your match.
