Now that the Democratic Donkeys have left Boston and summer is still upon us, this is a great time to leave New York before the Republican elephants take over the Great White Way and the wonders that make New York City the world's favorite destination.Believe me, the month of August is ideal to take advantage of Boston's Summer Family Fun program. You will find that there is no lack of hotel space or food. As a matter of fact, 75 hotels are offering special August getaway packages and 83 Boston and Cambridge restaurants have three-course lunches and dinners for $20.04 and $30.04 during Boston Restaurant Week 2004 in that month. The Royal Sonesta Hotel and the Fairmont Copley Plaza are two of my favorite hotels. Packages at the Royal Sonesta Hotel include complimentary bicycles to use along the esplanade bike paths bordering on the Sonesta's backyard. Delightful free scenic boat rides on the river boats of the Charles River Boat Company are a must activity for the kids, mom and dad and/or the grandparents. It's difficult to miss the boat since it departs hourly from the canal beside the hotel. Guests also have complimentary use of the health club with its indoor/outdoor atrium-style pool and sundeck. On a daily schedule, the hotel provides courtesy van service to the shopping areas and historic sites in both Boston and Cambridge. During summerfest, two children under 18 stay free in the same room as their parents, and cookies and milk are delivered to the room just before bedtime. I particularly enjoyed the free ice cream from the Sonesta's outdoor ice cream cart every afternoon. The Fairmont Copley Plaza is the sister hotel to New York City's Plaza Hotel and the locale for the adventures of that adorable, mischievous tyke, Eloise. The Boston Hotel has two interesting packages. One is Eloise's Boston Adventure, which includes overnight accommodations for four, welcome amenity of milk and cookies, a complimentary copy of the book "Around Boston With Kids and a choice of the New England Aquarium or the Boston Science Museum. The other is the Family Adventure Package and boasts of the areas finest education attractions, the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium. They are both located on the scenic Charles River. The Museum of Science is outstanding and acclaimed for its innovative and interactive exhibits and program, whereas the New England Aquarium focuses on exhibits that emphasize species, habitats and issues critical to New England aquatic life. This hotel is truly elegant, but is kid-friendly with Eloise setting the pace. Some of the other hotels with Family Fun and Summerfest packages in Boston are the Best Western, three Marriotts (Cambridge, Copley, Long Wharf), the Charles Hotel, the Charles Street Inn, the Colonnade, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn Express in Lexington, Hyatt Regency, Lenox, Millennium, Radisson, The Seaport, the Ritz Carlton and the Wyndam. The Boston Restaurant Week coincides with the opening of the awesome Museum of Fine Arts "Art Deco 1919-1939 exhibition (Aug. 22,2004 - Jan. 9,2005). The "Art Deco" exhibition will be presented only in Boston this summer and fall and will return to London in January. The exhibition includes a re-creation of the Grand Salon from the Hotel D'un Collectioneur, a room rich with craftsmanship originally displayed at the 1925 Paris Exposition, a Cartier vanity case in the form of an Egyptian sarcophagus, an exquisite lacquered bed shaped like a canoe, fabulous evening gowns, cocktail shakers, cigarette holders and many other luxury pieces. The museum also has a new restaurant, Bravo (not participating in Boston Restaurant Week). Its menu will highlight Art Deco era dishes such as Oysters Rockefeller and 1930s martinis. Most of the other 83 Boston restaurants such as the two Legion Foods will feature New England favorites. Boston Clam Chowder and succulent New England lobsters and other sea food delicacies will delight any diners palate. No visit to Boston can end without a ride on the city's famous pedal-powered swan boats. The lagoon at 1 Public Garden has been home to these beautiful birds since 1877 and every parent and child will enjoy this peaceful 15-minute cruise and will not want it to end. The John F. Kennedy Library & Museum is showing Caroline Kennedy's Doll Collection throughout the fall. `Visit www.BostonUSA.com or call 1-888-SEE-BOSTON for additional information.Copyright by Marcia Abramson; E-mail: mascribe@aol.com
