BOSTON, MA, August 5, 2009 – The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) and American Express announced that this year’s Summer Restaurant Week Boston® will be the largest in the event’s nine-year history. From August 9-14 and 16-21, 2009 diners can choose from an array of more than 200 of the region’s best eateries to enjoy three-course prix fixe lunches for $20.09 and three-course dinners for $33.09 – excluding beverage, tax and gratuity. An added menu option this summer is a two-course gourmet lunch priced at a very affordable $15.09; diners can select an entrée and then enjoy either an appetizer or dessert as the second course. For the first time in August, many of the participating restaurants have opted to offer their restaurant week menus on Saturday, August 15, the one night of the week when the offer has traditionally been excluded.

“Summer Restaurant Week Boston® provides a great dining experience at a great price,” said Patrick B. Moscaritolo, President and CEO of the GBCVB. “We have over 200 restaurants from across the Greater Boston area participating. Top chefs have the opportunity to get creative and showcase seasonal New England ingredients, farm fresh herbs and produce, and local seafood all at a tremendous value to diners. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy the region’s outdoor cafes, patios and harborside dining.”

Visitors looking for gourmet meals at bargain prices can go online to view all restaurants, peruse menus and make reservations at the OFFICIAL website, www.BostonUSA.com/RestaurantWeek. Along with prix fixe menus at the region’s best tables, participants are encouraged to take advantage of special hotel packages and bargains during the two week promotion. Special offers can also be easily accessed at www.BostonUSA.com/GreatDeals.

Restaurant Week Boston® isn’t just about great deals – when diners use any American Express® Card at participating restaurants, American Express and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau will donate* $.25 per transaction, up to $5000, to Community Servings, an independent, non-profit organization, whose mission is to provide free home delivered
meals throughout eastern Massachusetts to home bound and critically ill people with HIV/AIDS, and other acute life-threatening illnesses.

“We are proud to continue our support this year of Summer Restaurant Week Boston®,” said Kyle Curtin, Regional Vice President & General Manager, American Express Merchant Services, “Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to sample the wonderful restaurants of Boston and we are delighted to also be able to give back to the community through this
program.”

You can further support Community Servings by bidding on Restaurant Gift Certificates at www.RWBauction.com.  Continue to enjoy great dining savings while supporting an even greater cause!

Restaurant Week Boston® is sponsored and presented by founding partners, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and American Express®. Additional sponsors include Greater Media, Inc. radio stations: MAGIC 106.7 (WMJX), Radio 92.9, 105.7 (WROR), Country 102.5 (WKLB),Talk 96.9 (WTKK), and Metro Boston and TV DINER.
* Purchases are not tax deductible.

State Offers Array of Activities for Little or No Cost

May 11, 2009 (Massachusetts) – While travelers across the country are tightening their purse strings, Massachusetts offers plenty of options across the state to keep your next getaway withinbudget. From museums to baseball games, zoos and wineries, Massachusetts travelers can enjoy an affordable, fun-filled getaway for little or no cost.

The following is a list of activities throughout the state that a family of four can enjoy for under $50 this spring.

Please visit www.massvacation.com for additional information and to learn more about the free Mass Value Pass, which offers discounts of up to 25% at over 400 hotels, restaurants and attractions. The Mass Value Pass promotion will run until June 30.

GREATER BOSTON
Swan Boats
Two Adults: $5.50
Family of 4: $8.50
www.swanboats.com

Top of the Hub Skywalk Observatory
Two Adults: $22.00
Family of 4: $37.00
www.topofthehub.net

Institute of Contemporary Art
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $24.00
www.icaboston.org

IMAX Theater – New England Aquarium
Two Adults: $19.90
Family of 4: $35.80
www.neaq.org/visit/imax

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $24.00
www.gardnermuseum.org

Boston Children’s Museum
2 Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $42.00
www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org

MIT Museum
Two Adults: $15.00
Family of 4: $21.00
web.mit.edu/museum/index.html

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $24.00
www.jfklibrary.org

Fenway Park Tours
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $44.00
boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/tour.jsp

Franklin Park Zoo
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $38.00
www.zoonewengland.org

Museum of African American History
Two Adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $20.00
www.afroammuseum.org/

NORTH OF BOSTON & GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY
Salem Witch Museum
Two adults: $16.00
Family of 4: $27.00
www.salemwitchmuseum.com

The Butterfly Place
Two adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $34.00
www.butterflyplace-ma.com

Peabody Essex Museum
Two adults: $30.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.pem.org

Lowell Spinners
Two adults: $16.00
Family of 4: $32.00
web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t558

The Loading Dock Gallery
Two adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.theloadingdockgallery.com

Concord Museum
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.concordmuseum.org

Salem Trolley
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $34.00
www.salemtrolley.com

Saugus Iron Works
Two Adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.nps.gov/sair

Wenham Museum
Two adults: $14.00
Family of 4: $24.00
www.wenhammuseum.org

SOUTH OF BOSTON
The Ocean Explorium
Two adults: $4.00
Family of 4: $7.00
www.oceanexplorium.org

Russell Family Farms/Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery
Two adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.westportrivers.com

South Shore Natural Science Center
Two adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $16.00
www.ssnsc.org

Maritime & Irish Mossing Museum
Two Adults: $8.00
Family of 4: $8.00
www.scituatehistoricalsociety.org

Sparrow House
Two Adults: $4.00
Family of 4: $6.00
www.sparrowhouse.com

Lizzie Borden Museum
Two Adults: $25.00
Family of 4: $35.00
www.lizzie-borden.com

Brockton Rox
Two Adults: $9.50
Family of 4: $19.00
www.brocktonrox.com

Mayflower II
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $34.00
www.plimoth.org

New Bedford Whaling Museum
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $32.00
www.whalingmuseum.org

CAPE COD, MARTHA’S VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET
Sandwich Glass Museum
Two adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $12.50
www.sandwichglassmuseum.org

ZooQuarium
Two Adults: $19.50
Family of 4: $33.00
www.zooquariumcapecod.net

Cape Cod Chip Factory
Two Adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.capecodchips.com

Cisco Brewers/Nantucket Vineyard/Triple Eight Distillery
Two Adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.ciscobrewers.com

Martha’s Vineyard Museum
Two Adults: $12.00
Family of 4: $20.00
www.marthasvineyardhistory.org

Nantucket Shipwreck & Life Saving Museum
Two Adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $16.00
www.nantucketlifesavingmuseum.com

World of Reptiles & Birds
Two Adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $20.00
www.reptilesandbirds.com

Flying Horses Carousel
Two Adults: $3.00
Family of 4: $6.00
www.mvpreservation.org

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
Worcester Art Museum
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $20.00
www.worcesterart.org

EcoTarium
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $36.00
www.ecotarium.org

Fruitlands Museum
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $34.00
www.fruitlands.org

Worcester Historical Museum
Two Adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $10.00
www.worcesterhistory.org

Wachusett Brewing Company
Two Adults: Free.00
Family of 4: Free
www.wachusettbrew.com

Nashoba Valley Winery
Two Adults: $12.00
Family of 4: $12.00
www.wachusettbrew.com

Higgins Armory
Two Adults: $18.00
Family of 4: $32.00
www.higgins.org

Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.towerhillbg.org

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.picturebookart.org

Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
Two Adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.catinthehat.org

Norman Rockwell Museum
Two Adults: $30.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.nrm.org

Emily Dickinson Museum
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org

The Zoo in Forest Park
Two Adults: $12.00
Family of 4: $20.00
www.forestparkzoo.org

Yankee Candle Making Museum
Two Adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.yankeecandle.com

MASS MoCA
Two Adults: $30.00
Family of 4: $40.00
www.massmoca.org

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $40.00
www.magicwings.com