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Boston's Best Ways To Celebrate "Pi" Day (3/14)

Pie Day is a mathematical holiday that is celebrated, predictably, on March 14 or 3/14. This is a fun play on the number pi, which, as we all learned in grade school, is rounded to 3.14. Since it is kind of a silly take on a famous number, the holiday is also celebrated with an air of light-hearted fun. There is no one correct way to celebrate, so it's okay to get creative, get mathematical or just enjoy some pastries; and there's no better place than Boston to do it.
boston cream pie
(Photo Credit: Omni Hotels)

Omni Parker House Hotel

60 School St.
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-8600
www.omnihotels.com

The Omni Parker House Hotel is a historic hotel and restaurant just up the street from the Boston Common. Both the hotel and the restaurant boast a lot of Boston history, but the most interesting part is what the restaurant serves to its patrons. The draw is the famously popular and tasty Boston creme pie - a favorite for many who also get to enjoy the treat in the city it was created. It only makes sense to visit the Omni Parker House Hotel on Pi Day to get a lesson in history, and... well... some pie!

mathmatica
(Photo Credit: MOS.org)

"Mathematica"

Museum of Science, Boston
1 Science Park
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 723-2500
www.mos.org

Of course, if a reveler is not celebrating Pi Day as an excuse to indulge, the holiday comes down to one heck of an interesting number. So, celebrating math is a good way to honor Pi Day. The Museum of Science in Boston is home to several exhibits that will interest individuals who have an interest in mathematics. "Math Moves!," and the robotics and electricity areas have some math components, but the permanent "Mathematica" exhibit has the most to see. Of particular interest is the history wall toward the back of the exhibit, which is essentially a timeline of many branches of math.

mike's Pastry
(Photo Credit: Mike Pastry)

Mike's Pastry

300 Hanover St.
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 742-3050
www.mikespastry.com

Among the best bakeries in Boston is the North End's Mike's Pastry. A favorite place to stop after a dinner at one of Hanover's Street's many Italian diners, Mike's Pastry has a wide range of delicious treats, including pie. Customers may find themselves in a long line after the dinner rush, particularly on holidays, during restaurant week and any given weekend, but don't let that sway your determination! Mike's Pastry's pies are well worth the wait.

Related: Best Bakeries In Boston's North End

Sugar Plum Bakery

161 Summer St.
Kingston, MA 02364
(781) 585-7586
www.sugarplumbakerykingston.com

South of Boston in Kingston is one of the best family-owned bakeries in the county. Run by cousins Paula Barry and Johanna Lyons, this bakery has everything from cookies to custom wedding cakes - and yes, pie. However, dare we say it, visitors might want to skip the pie and go straight for a celebratory cupcake, as Johanna the "Buttercream Queen" is known for her delicious frosting. This former contestant on "Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker" knows it is Pi Day, so pop in and enjoy a pastry with a business that is in on this math holiday.

Pi
(CBS)

The Collection Of Historical Scientific Instruments

Department of the History of Science, Boston
1 Oxford St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-2779
www.harvard.edu

The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard University's Science Center dates back to 1672 - with some of the objects dating back to 1400. It contains some 20,000 instruments pertaining to most areas of science. Of course, nearly all of them involve some mathematics. Therefore, nearly everything in the collection is either a math tool or has some mathematical way of viewing it. Both the Foyer Exhibition Space and the Putnam Gallery at the Science Center are open on Pi Day 2013.

Related: Mass. 8th Graders Among World's Smartest In Math & Science

Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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