Boston Bingo: Spot 30 Typically Boston Things
Walk the Freedom Trail, tick off the card, snap a photo of every typically Boston thing you can find. From a lobster roll on the harbour to Fenway's Green Monster, this is a 30-item Boston bingo that turns any walk into a treasure hunt. No fixed route. Just keep your eyes open.
Challenges (30)
Spot a Boston lobster roll
Find a lobster roll on a Boston counter (Neptune Oyster, James Hook, Yankee Lobster). Photograph the bun.
Spot a Boston clam chowdah bowl
Find a bowl of New England clam chowder (Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House). Photograph the cream.
Spot a Sam Adams beer
Find a Sam Adams Boston Lager on a pub bar. Photograph the glass.
Spot a Boston cream pie
Find a Boston cream pie or doughnut at a bakery or diner. Photograph the chocolate-and-cream layers.
Spot an American flag in Boston
Find a US flag on a Boston building. Photograph it.
Spot a Massachusetts state flag
Find the Massachusetts state flag (with the Native American figure) on a building. Photograph it.
Spot a Red Sox or Patriots kit
Find a Red Sox (B logo) or Patriots (blue-and-red) jersey. Photograph the kit.
Spot a Boston brownstone
Find a brick brownstone in Back Bay or Beacon Hill with the stoop and bow window. Photograph the facade.
Spot a Boston cobblestone street
Find a cobblestone street in the North End or Beacon Hill. Photograph the stones.
Spot a Dunkin' Donuts cup
Find a Dunkin' coffee cup (the New England favourite). Photograph the orange-and-pink logo.
Spot the Freedom Trail red line
Find the red-brick line painted on the pavement that marks the Freedom Trail. Photograph the line.
Spot the Boston State House gold dome
Find the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill with its golden dome. Photograph the dome.
Spot Faneuil Hall or Quincy Market
Find Faneuil Hall or Quincy Market's long granite facade. Photograph the building.
Spot the Old North Church spire
Find the Old North Church spire in the North End (the lantern church). Photograph the steeple.
Spot a Paul Revere statue or reference
Find the Paul Revere statue on the Mall or a Paul-Revere reference. Photograph the horseman.
Spot the Boston Common swan boat
Walk into the Boston Public Garden and find a swan boat. Photograph the boat.
Spot the Make Way for Ducklings statue
In the Public Garden find the bronze duckling statues. Photograph the row of ducks.
Spot Fenway Park's Green Monster
Find Fenway Park's Green Monster wall (or any Green Monster reference). Photograph the green.
Spot the Citgo sign
Find the iconic Citgo sign in Kenmore Square (visible from Fenway). Photograph the triangular sign.
Spot a Boston Tea Party reference
Find a Boston Tea Party reference (the museum, a tea-crate replica, gift shop). Photograph the reference.
Spot a Harvard or MIT shirt
Find a Harvard or MIT branded shirt, scarf or backpack. Photograph the logo.
Spot a Cambridge bookstore
Walk into Harvard Square and find an indie bookshop window (Harvard Book Store, Grolier Poetry). Photograph the storefront.
Spot a cannoli at Mike's or Modern Pastry
In the North End find a cannoli (Mike's Pastry, Modern Pastry, Bova's). Photograph the cannoli.
Spot a Boston bow-window brownstone row
Walk Commonwealth Avenue and find a row of bow-window brownstones. Photograph the symmetry.
Spot an autumn Boston tree (Sept-Nov)
In autumn find a tree in red or gold along the Common, Esplanade or Cambridge. Outside the season find a Boston park bench instead. Photograph the colour.
Spot a Boston Duck Tour amphibious vehicle
Find a Boston Duck Tour amphibious vehicle (red, white and blue) on the road or river. Photograph the duck.
Spot a New England fishing buoy
Find a colourful lobster-trap buoy on a wall, boat or souvenir display. Photograph the colours.
Spot a Sam Adams (Samuel Adams) statue
Find the Samuel Adams statue outside Faneuil Hall. Photograph the bronze.
Spot a Boston Marathon finish line marker
Find the yellow-and-blue Boston Marathon finish line painted on Boylston Street. Photograph the line.
Spot Trinity Church reflection in Hancock
Find Trinity Church reflected in the John Hancock Tower glass on Copley Square. Photograph the reflection.
Frequently asked questions
The duration is up to the organizer when they set up the adventure. As a guideline, a focused day across the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, the North End and Back Bay ticks off most of the easy items, and stretching across a weekend (with Fenway Park and Cambridge) lets a determined group complete all 30.
Each of the 30 items is a camera challenge. When you spot the thing, take a photo and submit it; the bingo card tracks progress. Play solo, with friends or split into teams and race to tick off the most items.
Some items (a Red Sox game day, an autumn brick) need timing. Walk the Freedom Trail for the easy items, the North End for cannoli and Italian, Back Bay for brownstones, Cambridge for Harvard.
The Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, the North End and Beacon Hill hit the most items in a walking loop. Add Fenway, Back Bay and Cambridge for the harder items.
Yes. Kids love spotting swan boats, lobster rolls and Red Sox gear; adults enjoy hunting Paul Revere, Beacon Hill brick and Fenway. No alcohol stops are required.