Boston's Best Ways To Experience The Presidential Inauguration

On Jan. 20, President Barack Obama is being inaugurated as president of the United States for the second time in his political career, but the public swearing in will be Jan. 21. As is typical for such an event, festivities abound in Washington, D.C. on inauguration day and the following day. Boston isn't ringing in the new presidency in quite the same style, but there are plenty of events that day and evening that allow Bostonians to celebrate inauguration day in style. These are Boston's best ways to experience the presidential inauguration.

Open House

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 267-9300
www.mfa.org
Price: free
Hours: Jan. 21 – 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The open house at the Museum of Fine Arts on the day that President Obama is inaugurated is in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Nonetheless, it is a great way to celebrate an inauguration. The museum contains a wealth of United States' history, including that of presidents past. Go to Level 1 in the Art of the America's Wing to see the larger than life "The Passage of the Delaware" by Thomas Sully, which depicts the nation's first president, George Washington.

Related: President Obama Defeats Mitt Romney to Win Second Term in Office

Len Cabral – "Stories of Strength, Wisdom, and Courage" 

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
220 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 514-1600
www.jfklibrary.org
Price: free for families and children 5 and older
Hours: Jan. 21 – 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Go to the J.F.K Library and Museum website or call to make reservations for this special event with storyteller Len Cabral. He will tell folktales and legends from around the world. This is a great way for families with children to celebrate the president's second inauguration ceremony. Visit the museum as well for one of the best looks into presidential history in Boston. With exhibits relating to everything from the Oval Office to former First Lady Jackie Kennedy's clothes, there is something for everyone.

Boston Children's Chorus

Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory
30 Gainsborough St.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 585-1260
www.bostonchildrenschorus.org
Price: free
Hours: Jan. 21 – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

This 10th annual concert is an annual tribute to the late Martin Luther King, Jr. While the president, his friends, family and everyone who was able to make it to D.C. is enjoying inaugural entertainment, the people in Boston should be too. This is a great way to do that while supporting local youth and encouraging community growth.

43rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center 
415 Summer St.
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 954-2000
www.massconvention.com
Price: $40 general admission/$1,500 corporate or institution table for 10
Hours: Jan. 21 – 8 a.m.

Many ideas for inauguration day involve MLK because it happens to fall on his birthday this year. Luckily, these events align with each other well. This breakfast brings together religious and community leaders in Boston to dine with anyone who gets a seat at the event. It is a great place to socialize, have some good food, discuss the strides made by Martin Luther King, Jr. and ponder another four years with President Obama.

Samuel Adams Brewery Tour

30 Germania St.
Boston, MA 02130
(617) 368-5080
www.samueladams.com
Price: free
Hours: Jan. 21 – every 30 minutes to an hour between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

There's no better way to celebrate a president's inauguration than with good old-fashioned American beer named after one of the founding fathers of the United States. Samuel Adams was a Bostonian who some suspect instigated the Boston Tea Party. He was an eager rebel and a great example of old-school American je ne sais quoi. Take a tour of his namesake brewery, taste this iconic Boston lager, and bring some home to watch another historical day in American history.

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