Boston Events for April 2024

Exciting events fill the Boston Events Calendar for April, 2024 - Patriots' Day reenactments, the Boston Marathon, Red Sox opening day, and more!  

Patriots' Day, which commemorates the start of the American Revolution with numerous reenactments, parades, and celebrations, includes a lot of fun events.  

The local tradition honors those who paved the way for freedom from British rule almost 250 years ago.

The Boston Red Sox season finally gets into full swing during April at Fenway Park as fans pack the stadium, so if you want to enjoy this quintessential Boston experience, don't wait to check the schedule and get your tickets.

April is also when all the city's flowering trees burst into bloom as the weather turns warmer. 

The exact timing varies a bit each year - but by about the second week in the month, you can usually expect to see cherry and magnolia blossoms, lots of spring bulbs, and tiny green leaves on all the trees.  It's a beautiful time to be in Boston.

Check out all our top recommendations for fun Boston events and things to do in April - and start planning your visit now! 

Find more fun things to do in Boston during April

Top photo:  Magnolia trees in bloom along Commonwealth Avenue Mall in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, (c) Boston Discovery Guide

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April 2024 Boston Red Sox Schedule & Opening Day & Home Games at Fenway

The Boston Red Sox typically play their home field season opener at Fenway Park in early April each year. This year, the big event happens on April 9th as the Sox take on the Baltimore Orioles.

By the time the big day rolls around, all true Red Sox fans will be feeling optimistic about the coming season, regardless of what happened last year.  To quote a cliche:  "Hope springs eternal."

So check available seats and get your tickets for the opener now!

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Find all Red Sox games & tickets here

The Opener isn't the only big Red Sox event during April.

Based on tradition, the Sox always play a home game on Patriots Day (April 15 this year) and the game ends just in time for fans to watch Boston Marathon runners rush past Fenway Park on their way to the finish line.

Red Sox Home Game Schedule for Fenway Park & Tickets

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Find Red Sox Home Games at Fenway for Other Months

 May  -  June  -   July  -  August  - September  -   October

Stay:  Hotels near Fenway Park
Park:  Garages & lots near Fenway Park
Celebrate:   Best sports bars near Fenway Park

Find out about other Boston sports

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Best Boston Harbor Cruises during April

Tour Boston by boat - the best way (and one of the safest) to see the city!  

Check out these fun sightseeing, music, and entertainment Boston Harbor cruises on the Yacht Northern Lights and Schooner Adirondack III:

 Popular Cruises on the Northern Lights:

• Northern Lights Sunset Cruise - Grab a refreshments from the bar and then relax as you watch the sun set on this sail around the Harbor, just in time to catch the USS Constitution fire its cannons as the sun dips down past the horizon
• Brunch Cruise on the Northern Lights - Savor a delicious 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing cruise around Boston Harbor
• Boston Harbor Cruise on Northern Lights - Soak up Boston's unique sites and rich history on this comfortable sightseeing cruise around the Harbor - perfect friends and family experience!  Food and beverages available for purchase at the bar

Sailing on the Adirondack III & IV (through mid-October):

• Adirondack III & IV Day Sail - Enjoy cool breezes and the afternoon sun on this relaxing sightseeing sail around Boston Harbor and the Inner Harbor Islands
• Adirondack III & IV Sunset Sail - Relax as the setting sun turns the sky brilliant colors

Fall Foliage Cruises - Starting October 5

• Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Enjoy a tasty gourmet brunch, fall foliage, and panoramic views as you cruise around Boston Harbor
• Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Sip hot cider as you enjoy lunch on this relaxing fall foliage cruise to celebrate seasonal colors

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The Boston Marathon 2024

The Boston Marathon - one of the city's biggest events of the year, and also known as the "Patriots Day Race" - features nearly 30,000 elite athletes from around the world competing in a route made difficult by rolling terrain and features such as "Heartbreak Hill." 

The Marathon takes place this year on Monday, April 15. 

Although the winners complete the course in just over 2 hours, many participants are still running hours later.  You can watch from anywhere along the route.

If you attend the traditional Boston Red Sox home game at Fenway Park scheduled for Marathon Day, you'll be part of the crowd streaming into Kenmore Square just as the runners arrive at the finish line on Boylston Street. 

More about the Boston Marathon

Hotels close to the Boston Marathon route

Best places to watch along the Marathon route

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Patriot's Day Re-Enactments, Parades, and Events 2024

Celebrated annually on the third Monday in April (a Massachusetts State holiday), Patriot's Day (April 15, 2024) commemorates events and battles in Lexington, Lincoln, Concord, and present-day Arlington (once called Menotomy) that marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War. 

When: Most Patriots Day events take place from Saturday, April 13 - Monday, April 15, with more events throughout April

Get the complete schedule for Patriots' Day 2024 events

Where:   Boston's North End, Lexington, Concord, other locations
Cost:  Almost all are free

Find out more about Patriots' Day reenactments

Plan a day trip to Old North Bridge and other historic sites in Concord, MA

Fun Sightseeing Tours of Boston to Do Right Now

More:   Sightseeing Tours   |   Tours for Teens   |   Kids & Family Tours

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More Things to Do in Boston in April

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Bruins April 2024 Schedule

Get your Boston Bruins tickets for April home games at TD Garden before the regular season wraps up. 

The Garden's convenient location next to North Station and close to Faneuil Marketplace makes it super-easy to get to.

Don't miss the chance to see Boston's hockey team, winner of 6 Stanley Cup championships!

Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets.  Good for purchases made through 12/31/24.

Find Bruins schedule & tickets for April home games at the Garden

Find Bruins schedule & tickets for all home games

Park: Garages near TD Garden
Celebrate: Best sports bars and clubs near TD Garden
More about TD Garden:  Schedule, directions, best ticket prices

Hotels near TD Garden

Coming to an event at the Garden? Consider spending the night or the weekend at one of these top nearby hotels: 

• The Onyx
• The Boxer
• Liberty Hotel
• Hotel Indigo Boston Garden

Check out more hotels near TD Garden

More about TD Garden:  Schedule, directions, best ticket prices

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Celtics Regular Season - 2024

The Celtics continue play their regular season home games of the season at the Garden. Will they head into the NBA Eastern Conference First Round this year?  Stay tuned!

Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets.  Good for purchases made through 12/31/24.

Get your Celtics tickets now

Where: TD Garden
Nearest public transportation:  Green Line/Orange Line or Commuter Rail to North Station, next to the Garden
Where to stay:  Hotels near TD Garden

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Fun Ways to Explore Boston's Food Culture

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What to See in Boston's Museums & Aquarium - April

Museum of Science Exhibits

Special Exhibits

• Changing Landscapes: An Immersive Journey - Visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites in this new immersive exhibit about adapting to climate change
• Arctic Adventure: Exploring with Technology- Fly a virtual drone and become an Arctic explorer
• Exploring AI Making the Invisible Visible: Discover how AI is already part of your life, and examine your choices about how and when you use it

With fascinating permanent exhibits for all ages, there's always something to see, do, and learn.  Here are just a few of the most popular: Engineering Design Workshop, Colossal Fossil - Triceratops Cliff, The Light House, Dinosaurs, Hall of Human Life, Animal Sculptures, Live Animal Care Center, a Rock Garden, Mathematica, New England Habitats, Garden Walk & Insect Zoo, Electricity.

Where:   Boston's Museum of Science
When:   Daily, 9am-5pm; open until 9pm on Fridays
Admission:  $29 general museum admission ($24 for kids; children under 3 free; seniors 60+ $25).  Reserve your tickets, or get free museum admission when you have a GoBoston Discount card or CityPASS card. 

New England Aquarium

Harbor seals and seal lions, a giant 4-story ocean tank with hundreds of Caribbean reef animals, an Amazon rain forest, sharks, Myrtle the green sea turtle, and frisky penguins are just a few of the thousands of aquatic animals you'll experience here. 

Get your tickets in advance, or find out more about the Aquarium.  Admission also available through the Go Boston Pass, Explorer Pass, and Boston CityPASS discount cards.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Watch the famous tea party event come alive with live actors, immersive exhibits, and a visit to the full-scale replica 18th century sailing ships at this unique living history museum.  Get advance tickets.

MFA Boston - Current & Future Shows

• Dress Up - A look at how we dress expresses our politics, moods, and personal identities - Through September 2
• Dalí: Disruption & Devotion - How Dalí's Surrealist works took inspiration from the past: 30 of his paintings and prints paired with masterpieces by El Greco, Velazquez, and others - July 6 - December 1
• Thinking Small: Dutch Art to Scale - 17th-century Netherlands paintings, prints, books, and other creations designed to elicit slow looking and contemplation. - Through November 3
• Georgia O'Keefe and Henry Moore - Juxtapositions between the work of these two 20th century icons - October 13 - January 20, 2025; timed-entry tickets required.  Reserve online
• Deep Waters: Four Artists & the Sea - Compare the visions of four disparate artists with unique perspectives - Nov 9, 2024 - Nov 9, 2025

Museum of Fine Arts Boston admission: $27; some special exhibits require a timed-entry reservation and/or additional fee; free entrance when you have a GoBoston Discount card or Boston CityPASS).  Free admission to 1) U.S. active duty military and veterans, 2) Boston Public Schools students and up to 3 family members ever first and second Sunday each month, plus $7 for some special exhibitions 3) Massachusetts residents on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, & Indigenous Peoples' Day, and 4) thanks to UNIQLO, everyone on September 14, 2024.  MFA is open every day except for Tuesday.

Museum of African American History - Current Show

• The Emancipation Proclamation: A Pragmatic Compromise - A close look at this important American document that changed the course of the Civil War, freed enslaved people in the Confederacy, and allowed men of African descent to join the fight for freedom

Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston - Current & Future Shows

• Wu Tsang: Of Whales - An immersive installation inspired by Melvilles Moby Dick - Through Aug 24
• Igshaan Adams - A new monumental commissioned work by this South African artist - Through Feb 15, 2025
• Firelei Baez - Massive works -Through September 2
• Wordplay - This show focuses on how contemporary artists have played with words to animate and expand their art - Through Jan 5, 2025
• Stanley Whitney: How High the Moon - Retrospective featuring Whitney's small paintings and other works - Through Sept 1, 2025
• Gun Violence Memorial Project - A living memorial to the 700 lives typically lost each week by gun violence in the US - Aug 29 - January 20, 2025
• Tau Lewis - Sculptures, quilts, masks, and more made from found materials; her first solo show in the US - Aug 29 - January 26, 2025
• Charles Atlas - An immersive multimedia exhibit - Oct 10 - March 16, 2025

Admission: $20 adults, 18 and under free; free entrance with GoBostoncard and Boston CityPASS, and on Thursday evenings (tickets available at 10am on the day of your visit; recommended due to limited space).  Closed on Mondays.  Free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, & Indigenous Peoples' Day, and every Thursday from 5-9pm.  

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Run of the Charles 2024

Run of the Charles, Boston's premier paddling race as well as the biggest flat-bottom boat race event in New England, returns this year after a 4-year hiatus on the last Saturday of the month, April 27, from 8am - 5pm, and will be bigger and better than ever.

The event attracts over 1,200 canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddlers from the US and Canada, plus plenty of spectators, and includes 3-, 6-, and 9-mile courses, plus a 14-mile relay race.  All skill levels, from beginner to experts, are welcome.

Find out more about participating and the best places to watch

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Enjoy the Marathon Daffodils

On Marathon Weekend (April 15-17 this year), locally grown yellow daffodils line the 26 mile route of the Boston Marathon from Hopkinton to Copley Square as reminder of the 2013 tragedy and the city's strength and resilience. 

The daffodils a glorious visual reminder that recovery follows loss - and a part of the beauty of Boston in April. 

Look for them everywhere along the route, especially in Back Bay, as well as in dozens of other sites around the city such as the Esplanade (check out the field of daffodils between the Fairfield and Hereford Street Bridges), the Greenway, and the Public Garden, where tulips will compete for your attention.

If you attend a Red Sox game at Fenway Park during Boston Marathon Weekend, don't be surprised to see Boston's favorite team wearing yellow jerseys, shirts and hats.

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Boston Marathon Expo 2024

The huge (and free) John Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo and Number Pick-Up will take place this year at the Hynes Convention Center (900 Boylston Street) from April 12-14.   

If you love running, this is the perfect reason to arrive a few days early before the Boston Marathon. 

Runner's World magazine calls this event the "best runner's expo in the country" and the 100,000+ enthusiasts typically in attendance can attest to that.

In addition to presentations and panels about the Marathon and an Adidas Boston Marathon shop, you can visit exhibits by the running industry's top companies, and buy every piece of running gear on your bucket list. 

The event is free and open to the public.

Race participants pick up their bib number, race packet, and t-shirt here as well.

More info:  www.baa.org

Closest T station:   Green Line/Hynes

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The Swan Boats Return - Opening Day

In a sure sign that spring has arrived, the pedal-powered Swan Boats return to the Lagoon in Boston's Public Garden every April on the Saturday before Patriots Day.  

Welcome spring and enjoy the pale green hints of spring foliage as your boat glides around the shallow pond for the blissful 12-15-minute ride.  Soon, the Public Garden's resident real swans will also return. 

While you're in the Public Garden, walk over to see the famous Make Way for Ducklings statues.

Opening day:  Saturday, April 15
Spring schedule through June 20: 10am-4pm daily
Summer schedule June 20 - Sept 4 (last day):  10am-5pm daily)
Where:   Boston's Public Garden
Cost:  $4.50 adults; $3 children 2-15 years; under 2 years free (to be confirmed) 
More information:  Boston Swan Boats  

Find more fun summer activities in Boston

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Earth Day Clean-Up along the Charles River

Earth Day started back in 1970 as a day to focus on protecting the environment, and takes place each year on April 22.

In Boston, you can celebrate Earth Day by volunteering for the Earth Day Charles River Cleanup, an effort organized locally by the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) as a part of a national effort to clean up American rivers and waterways.

Each year over 3,000 volunteers gather along all 80 miles of the Charles River banks on the 3rd Saturday morning in April (one week before the Run of the Charles paddle races).  The volunteers pick up literally tons of trash, remove invasive species, and help with maintenance of this special waterfront park. 

The event takes place this year from 10am - 12 noon on Saturday, April 20.  If you're in Boston, you may spot the volunteers along the Esplanade.  

But even better, register in advance using the link below and join them!

The Charles River cleanup effort has been nationally recognized for the large number of volunteers who contribute their efforts.

Looking at the Charles River now, it's hard to realize this is the same place memorialized in The Standells' 1966 hit about Boston, "Dirty Water." 

But just change "dirty" to "sparkling" in the refrain, and the words still ring true: 

      "Well, I love that sparkling water . . . Oh, oh, Boston, you're my home!"

Find out more about how to register & participate

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Boston Hotels with Outdoor Swimming Pools

• Verb Hotel next to Fenway Park (shown in photo) - Find Lowest Rates
• Colonnade Hotel near Prudential Center - Find Discount Rates
• Revere Hotel in the Theatre District -Find Discount Rates
 

Find more Boston hotels with outdoor swimming pools 

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SoWa First Fridays

On April 7 as well as on other SoWa First Fridays in Boston's art-filled South End, over 60 galleries south of Washington Street and at the Artist's Guild at 450 + 460 Harrison Ave, and nearby businesses and restaurants open their doors from 5pm to 9pm to give you a chance to experience the vibrant South End arts community. 

Start at either 450 or 460 Harrison, and just follow the gallery lights and signs as you stroll around the neighborhood.  Wrap up your evening at one of the South End's renowned restaurants.

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New England International Auto Show 2024

The enormous New England Auto Show at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (415 Summer Street, South Boston Waterfront) is by far the biggest in New England, and showcases all the newest models for basically every domestic and imported brand - cars, vans, crossovers, hybrids, electrics, light trucks, sports utilities.

You'll see hundreds of new models all under one roof, with factory representatives on hand to answer your questions with no buying pressure because this is an exhibition, not a sales floor.  It's an easy way to compare prices and features for everything from budget to luxury models.

The show even includes some classics and exotics.

If you're planning to buy a new vehicle in the coming year, want to compare models and features, chat with dealers and factory reps, or just want to keep up with the newest models and technology, you owe it to yourself to go! 

Dates:  April 25-28
Tickets:  $17 adults, $8 kids ages 6-12 (under 6 free)

Check the New England Auto Show's website for more info

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Featured New Hotel for April:  Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall in Boston's Financial District

68 Devonshire Street, Boston's Downtown Financial District

A superb Financial District location close to Faneuil Marketplace, top visitor sites such as the historic Freedom Trail, and the Waterfront, Hyatt Centric Faneuil Market is ideally situated for both business and leisure travelers. 

You're about 8-10 minutes on foot from TD Garden, plus several nearby T (subway) stations put the rest of the city within easy reach - and now that balmy April weather has arrived, you'll love how many attractions are within a quick walk from the Hyatt Centric.

The 163 guestrooms and suites offer free wifi, smart TVs, bluetooth speakers, robes and slippers, and all the other amenities you'd expect in a high-end hotel. 

Dine onsite at Bar Mercato and enjoy its small plates and relaxed ambiance, or eat at any of the other excellent choices nearby.

Find low rates & make your reservations

Check out other hotels near Faneuil Marketplace

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More Fun Things to Do in Boston in April

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2 Easy Ways to Save BIG in Boston on Tours, Cruises, Museum Admission

Best way to save in Boston. 

Save up to 50% when you take a Boston Harbor cruise or Duck Boat tour, visit Plimouth Plantation, the New England Aquarium, Franklin Park Zoo, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, and more.  

Compare to find out which one is best for you

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Art in Bloom at Museum of Fine Arts 2024

Art in Bloom at MFA welcomes the arrival of spring in Boston with interpretive floral arrangements inspired by 45 beautiful works of art throughout the museum, flower arranging master classes, and demonstrations.

And of course, the timing of MFA's event is perfect: outside the museum, magnolia and cherry trees have burst into bloom all over Boston.  Celebrate this special time of the year by visiting Art in Bloom - and then walk around the city and enjoy all the flowers.

When:  April 26-28, 10am-5pm (museum hours)
Where:  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston's Fenway neighborhood
Closest T station: Green Line/Museum
Cost:  Viewings are free with the cost of museum admission, while the demonstrations and a few other events require tickets - check the MFA website for details and tickets, or use a Go City pass for free entry.

More places in Boston to enjoy gorgeous spring flowers

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Wicked Queer Film 40 Festival - 2024

A half-dozen top venues around Boston and Cambridge will host the 40th annual Wicked Queer Film Festival, showcasing an eclectic selection of LGBTQ+ cinema from around the world.  

Look for a robust mix of short programs and full-feature films.  

When:  April 5-14
Where:  In person at the Brattle Theatre, ArtsEmerson Paramount Center, Coolidge Corner Theatre, MA College of Art and Design, MFA Theatre, ICA Boston, and BU's GSU Auditorium
Cost:  Most tickets are $15
More information:   Wicked Queer website

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Boston Common Carousel - Now Open for 2024

The colorful Frog Pond carousel on Boston Common across from Beacon Street provides plenty of entertainment for the younger set from April through October.

When:   Hours are Monday - Thursday, 10am-4pm, Friday - Sunday, 10am-6pm 
Where:  Boston Common
Cost:  $4, or get a 10-ride card for $30 (adults can ride next to their child free of charge)

Check out Boston's other carousel on the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

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Boston International Film Festival 2024

The Boston International Film Festival brings together the best local and international independent and experimental films in this annual festival. "Eclectic" barely begins to described the wide-ranging scope of the films you'll see here - everything from documentaries to avant-garde surrealism.

Tickets are sold for "sessions," typically including a longer film bundled with several shorter films on a similar topic or theme. 

When: April 11 - 16
Where:   Primarily at the AMC Theatre, 175 Tremont Street, Boston COmmon
Nearest T station: Green Line/Park
Tickets:   $15 for most session with all-session and VIP passes also available
More information:  BIFI Website   

More Boston and Cambridge movie theaters

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Boston Bursts into Bloom

Nature provides one of Boston's most-anticipated events, usually in early April, when spring weather begins to arrive and the city's many flowering trees burst into bloom.

What are the best places to view Boston's magnolia and cherry trees in bloom? 

You'll easily spot magnicent displays in the city's leafier neighborhoods:  Back Bay (especially along Marlborough Street and Commonwealth Ave), the Public Garden, parts of Beacon Hill, the Fenway neighborhood, particularly near the Fens and Muddy River, and the South End. 

Stroll along the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the Esplanade by the Charles River, and any of the city's many parks.

Where to see spring flowers in Boston

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More Ways to Experience Boston in April

With spring flowers everywhere and (usually) lovely weather, April is the perfect time to explore the city.  These fun trolley tours, bus tours, and special destinations let you enjoy Boston at its best:

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Continuing during April

• Boston Wine Festival at Meritage Restaurant
• Noon Concerts at King's Chapel on the Freedom Trail
• First Fridays at Museum of Fine Arts

Boston Events Each Month

January   |   February   |     March   |  April   |    May    |    June   |   July   |    August   |    September  |  October   |    November   |    December  |  Year at a Glance 

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Find a Hotel for Your Boston Visit

Enter your dates to see available hotels and rates:

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More about how to save on Boston hotels

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