The Friends Experience: The One in Boston

 

Looking for a case of serious nostalgia? Well, you are in the right place! The Friends Experience: The One in Boston has landed right on Newbury Street. The television show, which aired for ten seasons is now celebrating its 30th anniversary. The experience has brought with it actual props from the show, scenes which you can watch on tv screens, and recreations of some iconic sets. Hint: there is one recreation that will cause you to involuntarily yell, "PIVOT!"

Here you will take a trip down memory lane with the six friends: Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer. Each was of course better know as: Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross! At each corner you will get to know one of the friends and you will be brought back to the pilot which aired on September 22, 1994.

For diehard fans, you will notice Easter Eggs throughout the experience. When you begin, you find yourself in a room watching a short overview which is narrated by well, not one of the friends but let's just say it is an "OH MY GOD!" moment right from the start.

Photo opportunities are available throughout the entire experience. The first of which is on the iconic couch in front of the water fountain from the opening. Are you already hearing the Rembrandts sing, "I'll be There for You" in your head? Cue the theme song because that is just the beginning. You will get to see Jennifer Aniston's iconic hairstyles, understand how the show's wardrobe designer took meticulous efforts to create Phoebe's bohemian style versus Joey's starving actor look. 

Later, there is a visual relationship timeline which captures each of the six friends and all of their romances cerca a color-coded almost MBTA or other train like map! You will get to see one character in red intersects with another character in orange! In the end, you can see Monica and Chandler clearly going the distance.

Within the experience, is a recreation of Central Perk, the coffee shop where the friends spent countless hours sitting on the couch. Speaking of which, you will get to sit on the couch for a photo opportunity. In addition, you can put on an apron and get to work taking coffee orders behind the counter!

The Friends Experience: The One in Boston is now open at 343 Newbury Street. 

Note: if you walk on Newbury Street you will pass Central Perk at 205 Newbury Street!

WNDR Museum Boston

"Wisdom begins in Wonder." ~ Socrates

A new museum has moved into Boston's downtown crossing: WNDR! The museum lives up to its title, which is pronounced "wonder," leaving all who enter left to wonder, wonder how downtown has been without such an establishment for so long when it is an epicenter and hub of art in Boston.

The Red Balloon had the opportunity to sit down with General Manager Giancarlo Natale for an interview. When asked how WNDR came to fruition, Giancarlo stated that the museum actually began as a pop-up by founder Brad Keywell in Chicago. The windy city was the site of the first brick and mortar WNDR. The museum has now grown to three locations: Chicago, San Diego, and Boston. The Boston location just opened in February of 2024.

WNDR Boston is run by 95 employees and Giancarlo reports that many employees are local art students. All employees of WNDR are called ambassadors as they are promoting and supporting the arts and wonder. 

As for how the museum selects the art within its walls, Giancarlo credits WNDR's creative team who select everything that you will see within the museum. WNDR is always adjusting and what Giancarlo sees as unique to WNDR is that what you see one day at WNDR will not necessarily be there on your next visit as the museum is ever-evolving and exhibits do not have any strict timeline. When asked what the museum title WNDR means Giancarlo recalls when he first visited iconic Fenway Park with his father as a child to see a ballgame. He remembers the sense of wonder that he felt. He believes that the museum's goal is to transform guests, ignite a fire, and sense of wonder within patrons.      

Walking through the museum it is clear that WNDR is an immersive experience. The multi-sensory exhibits allow you to hear, see, and even taste, yes that's right taste in order to fully experience all that is WNDR. It is clear that art and technology are interacting within many of the exhibits within the walls of WNDR. Among The Red Balloon's favorite exhibit was the AI generator in which you get one of many opportunities to be the artist. See below the art that The Red Balloon created!

See the WNDR for yourself in Boston's downtown crossing. 

WNDR Boston's website: https://wndrmuseum.com/location/boston/

See above: Artwork from The Red Balloon

Diner en Blanc Boston

Diner en Blanc painted the town this past weekend...

the color of choice was of course....

WHITE!

The event title translates in French to "Dinner in White." What began in 1988 when Francois Pasquier invited a small group of friends to meet for dinner dressed in white in Paris has grown to a world-wide phenomenon. 

Pasquier asked his friends to wear white to make it easier for group members to find each other. Now, the event takes places annually across the globe in Australia, Mexico, Singapore, and the UK to name just a few locales. Participants do not know where the event's precise location will be until moments before they arrive. The requirements: bring a table and chairs and dress in all white.

Fast forward to 2024: Diner en Blanc Boston. Despite inclement weather, Diner en Blanc proved that you can't rain on this parade! As always, Diner en Blanc takes place in an iconic location and this year was no different. The location for this year's Diner en Blanc: Downtown Crossing! This was the 8th Diner en Blanc but this was the first year the event was able to gain approval for the iconic site of Downtown Crossing in Boston.

Downtown Crossing was quickly transformed by white tables and chairs and participants dressed head to toe in white. Participant had the option to choose from a variety of food and wine options when registering. In addition, participants could choose to bring their own food. Live music kept an upbeat tempo throughout the night despite the weather. Performers on stilts entertained while participants dined and danced the night away in Downtown!

See photos from the 2024 Diner en Blanc Boston:

   Until next time: Au Revoir Boston!

Travels in Italy: Amalfi Coast

Travels in Italy: Part III  ~

Amalfi Coast

Planning to explore the intense beauty of Italy's Amalfi Coast? You are in the right place because The Red Balloon has just returned and what an absolute breathtaking experience it is! The photos do not do it justice. Within the Campania region of Italy lies the Amalfi Coast, a 50 kilometer stretch of land that is beyond compare. 

The coast is located between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno. Filled with gorgeous views, port cities, beautiful beaches, and pastel colored fishing villages. The beaches here are considered to be the best and most beautiful of the entire Tyrrhenian Sea. Tip: Check the weather since temperatures in some months (ie. summer) can get extremely hot. 

Whether you are seeking the posh life of Positano 

Or the artwork in Amalfi, the coast has it all!

The Amalfi Coast is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It officially earned its spot as a UNESCO world Heritage Site in 1997. 

Below see the inside of the Parrochia Di San Gennaro, the Church of St. Gennaro, built in 1589. The church is divided into three naves. The church is a site to behold. 

Throughout each town in the Amalfi Coast is no shortage of things to see and do. Il Sentiero degli Dei or the Path of the Gods, was once the sole connection between the 13 villages of the Amalfi Coast. What are the 13 villages of the Amalfi Coast? 

Glad you asked! They are: Amalfi, Atrani, Cetara, Conca de' Marini, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Scala, Tramonti, and Vietri su Mare. Each with their own unique and distinct ambience.

See a photo from the Path of the Gods:

Tip: Be sure to bring water with you on the trail. If you are traveling during a time of year when temperatures heat up, it is best to start early. 

Be sure to bring a camera. You will be glad you did.

Tip: While on the Amalfi Coast be sure not to miss a visit to Capri. The Blue Grotto is the most visited site in Capri and The Red Balloon took a boat from the town of Amalfi to Capri and then a second boat to then board a row boat into the Blue Grotto. Behold you will be entered into a whole new world!

Stay turned for more tips from The Red Balloon's Travels in Italy Series.

Travels in Italy: Florence

Check out the Photo Preview as The Red Balloon takes over Florence, Italy!

See Travels in Italy Part II: Florence, Italy

                                       

Stay tuned for the next stop in The Red Balloon's Travels in Italy tour!

Travels in Italy: Venice

Travels in Italy: Part I    ~

Venice Photo Tour

Stay turned for more from The Red Balloon's Travels in Italy Series.

Provincetown: Photo Tour

The Red Balloon takes on Provincetown. Below take a photo tour of the art, monument, and history on the tip of Cape Cod. The best part: you don't have to leave your front door for this tour!

 Follow along and take a trip abroad as The Red Balloon takes over Europe: coming soon!