programs
Our Programs
- Boston’s Walk into the Revolution
Join us as we learn the real story behind the beginnings of America’s fight for freedom! Our Academic Director Charles Bahne, author of the best-selling “The Complete Guide to Boston’s Freedom Trail,” is your guide as we follow in the footsteps of the colonists’ struggle. Visit Old North Church and climb the bell tower where Paul Revere’s famous lanterns were hung, climb Bunker Hill, and tour Lexington and Concord along the infamous “Battle Road.” The program also provides a first-class introduction to today’s Boston, including a ride on America’s first subway, an orientation bus tour, harbor ferry ride and great local cuisine. Stay at the Constitution Inn in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard, site of a National Park and home to the USS Constitution. This 5-night program is our most popular, always drawing rave reviews for its content and Mr. Bahne’s exceptional leadership.-
“Charles Bahne’s presentations show excellent preparation & (are) presented with humor and wit. As a retired teacher & professional evaluator of teachers — he’s the tops!” July 2009
“Thank you for making the American Revolution come alive! Very good in every way. Charlie is the best!” October 2009
“The lectures by Charles Bahne were fascinating! Every aspect was outstanding.” June 2009
- To learn more, or enroll in “Boston’s Walk into the Revolution”: visit Road Scholar.org
- Treasures of Art & Architecture
This program, led by Jeannette Fullerton, provides an exciting look at our area’s extraordinary museums and important architecture in Boston and Cambridge. Explore one of the country’s quirkiest and most fascinating museums, the Fenway palace built by Isabella Stewart Gardner, which remains the same as it was in her lifetime, and is chock-full of notable artworks gathered on her travels all over the world. Spend a day at the world-renowned Museum of Fine Arts, and take in their special exhibition when available. Visit Cambridge and Harvard, including a docent-led tour of the Harvard University Art Museum and a walking tour of Harvard Yard. Stroll Beacon Hill and the elegant Back Bay. Visit the “Palace of the People,” the Boston Public Library, and the extraordinary building that is H.H. Richardson’s masterwork, the Trinity Church. Tour the Boston Athenaeum with a docent and hear a lecture about Frederick Law Olmsted's 'Emerald Necklace,' the jewel of Boston's park system. For this 5-night program you will stay in Copley Square, just steps from the fashionable South End and Back Bay, with their great dining, stylish shops, theatres and nightclubs.-
“Jeannette is delightful, energetic, so knowledgeable! A very good presenter and a fascinating program!” July 2009
“Jeannette is extraordinary! In 14 Road Scholars, no one better —a treasure for your programs!” October 2009
“An excellent program! It will be remembered as one of the best of the 33 I have attended.” May 2009
- To learn more, or enroll in “Treasures of Art & Architecture”: visit Road Scholar.org
- Boston’s Trails of Freedom & Fine Art
This program combines the highlights of our history program, and our art and architecture program, to provide an exciting and comprehensive overview of Boston. In this program we combine the considerable talents of Charles Bahne and Jeannette Fullerton to provide an exciting and comprehensive overview of the art, architecture and history that make Boston the world-class city that it is. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the Fenway. Walk the Freedom Trail; see Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, and Paul Revere’s House. For this 5-night program we will stay at the Constitution Inn in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard, just steps from Bunker Hill. This busy program is jam-packed with so many of Boston’s prominent attractions, it’s a great introduction to a great city!-
“Jeannette & Charlie are quite the dynamic duo! We thoroughly enjoyed this trip!” April 2009
“A fantastic introduction to Boston from people who know it so well and so obviously love it! I leave loving it too!” April 2009
“The whole (program) was excellent — good planning and good leaders. Good meals, comfortable hotel, fine bus rides. Great introduction to Revolutionary history and the many attractions of Boston.” October 2009
- To learn more, or enroll in “Boston’s Trails of Freedom & Fine Art”: visit Road Scholar.org
- Boston’s Holiday Spectacular
No city can match the magic of the Holiday Season in Boston! From the ribbon-festooned gas lanterns of Beacon Hill to the glorious splendor of Trinity Church, this tour through Boston at Christmastime is truly spectacular! Hear the world famous Boston “Holiday Pops” led by Keith Lockhart. Take in a performance of the Boston Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker,” and one other holiday performance. Tour the streets of Back Bay and Beacon Hill and peek into the windows of Victorian row houses decked in their holiday best. Explore Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, and take a drive into the country to see the historic Gore Place, beautifully decorated for Christmas, and the quaint colonial town of Concord, home to Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau and Louisa May Alcott. See the church of Reverend Charles Follen, credited with introducing the Christmas tree to America! For this 4-night program we will be staying at Hotel 140 in historic Copley Square, steps away from the multitude of seasonal attractions guaranteed to put you right in the holiday spirit!- To learn more, or enroll in “Boston’s Holiday Spectacular”: visit Road Scholar.org
Custom-designed Tours
Do you have a group who would like to come to Boston? We can put together a program for any kind of group — church group, club, alumni group, or whatever kind. We will arrange lodging, meals, and local transportation, lectures, tours and entertainment. All you have to do is arrange transportation to and from Boston. You can take one of our 'off-the-shelf' programs that we run for Road Scholar, or you can mix-and-match elements from any of those. We can also do programs about Boston Harbor, John Adams, John F. Kennedy, Cambridge and Harvard, theatre, concerts, and more. Contact us for more info!