Destination - Boston

"Massachusetts has been the wheel within New England, and Boston the wheel within Massachusetts. Boston therefore is often called the "hub of the world," since it has been the source and fountain of the ideas that have reared and made America."  Rev. F.B. Zinckle

I first visited Boston in 2005.  We spent 3 days there with our friends from Scotland, before heading off to see the fall foliage in the New England states.  I really enjoyed seeing Boston.  It is a city that offers visitors opportunities to relive history, plus it has museums, art, wonderful restaurants and breweries, and it is just a fun city to visit. 

Boston

Boston is known as the "cradle of liberty."  It is a city with sleek skyscrapers, colonial architecture, beautiful parks, college campuses, and diverse neighborhoods.  The city has taken great pains to ensure that modern growth does not affect the city's colorful past.  Boston's past include having the first public library, first subway system and first public school, and was a key player in the American Revolution.

Having been there such a short time, I can't say I'm an expert on what to see and do. But like any city you are going to visit, there are always some top visitor sites that are listed in all tour books, and we saw most of those things.   If you are in Boston for just a day or two the easiest way to see everything is to purchase tickets on the hop-on-hop-off bus.  It will take you to all the major tourist attractions and give you an overview of what you are seeing.  The one we purchased when we were in Boston also included a harbor boat ride which took us to the Charleston Navy Yard where the USS Constitution is docked.  Here are my suggestion of the things you should do or see while in Boston.

Old Boston State House

The Freedom Trail -A walk along the two-and-a-half-mile Freedom Trail is one of the best ways to get acquainted with Boston and to efficiently visit the city's bounty of historic landmarks. If you're in a hurry and in pretty good shape, you can cover the length of the trail in as little as an hour, but that won't really allow you the time to stop and visit any of the sites along the way. Your best bet is to allow three hours or more to walk the trail at a leisurely pace and see all of its Revolutionary landmarks.

Boston had a huge significance in American history, and the Freedom Trail is a path that leads through downtown Boston and passes 16 of the city’s most significant historical sites. Included amongst them are the Old State House, from whose balcony the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in 1776, the Granary Burying Ground where many notable Revolutionary War-era patriots were laid to rest, and finally, the Bunker Hill Monument, a granite obelisk that was built to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill.  Walking the trail will give you a great insight into the history not only of Boston itself, but also into the foundation of the United States of America as it is today.

Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market

Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market -The world's only shopping mall pretending to be a historical landmark, these twin colonial buildings are the most visited spots in the city.  Most people know it as Quincy Market, although its official name is the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Whatever you call it, this indoor-outdoor market is a great place for both shopping and dining.

Any food-lover who visits Quincy Market in downtown Boston will quite simply be in heaven.  The indoor market houses food stall after food stall, all serving up some deliscious offerings - whether you want local fare like clam chowder or New England lobster, or more exotic delicacies like Japanese noodles, there is something for everyone.  Every Wednesday, Quincey Market has their International Food Festival where you can sample foods at any of the stalls bearing "The Taste of Quincy Market" sign.

Boston Common and Public Gardens - As the starting point for the Freedom Trail, you will be guaranteed a glimpse of Boston’s attractive Common, but just next door is the beautiful Public Garden, which is well worth a visit in its own right. Aside from the historic monuments and statues, and the botanical park, there is also the famous lagoon with its swan boats. Even if you don’t want a ride on them, just sitting by the side taking in the views will keep you entertained. The park is particularly nice in the autumn as the leaves turn a mix of vibrant red and orange.

Old North Church

Old North Church - This church is in Boston's famed North End neighborhood - an area well known for Italian Restaurants and pastry shops rather than one of the most significant events leading to the revolutionary war. From the steeple in the church, Robert Newman held up two lanterns as a signal from Paul Revere that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord by sea and not land. Though the steeple itself has been replaced twice since the lanterns were lit - and both because of storms not fighting - it still makes for a stirring patriotic sight. The visit and looks are free but the basic guided tour, if you want it, is a $1 donation - still a bargain.


USS Constitution - Charlestown Navy Yard - Built in Boston and launched in 1797 to provide protection for American ships sailing the North African coast, "Old Ironsides" saw it's most memorable action in the War of 1812 when it defeated HMS Guerriere in a 35-minute battle that in one event projected the United States into a super naval power. Today this historical ship is permanently docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard and offers free tours of the ship every 30 minutes.

Spend and evening in an Irish bar - Boston is home to a huge number of Irish people and there are a massive number of Irish bars in and around Boston.  An evening in an Irish bar might not teach you about the history of immigration but it will be a fun evening, and a nice way to unwind from your day of sightseeing.

Massachussetts State House on Beacon Hill

There are certainly many other places around town worth visiting, such as the Boston Aquariaum with its emphasis on more natural settings for aquatic life.  You can visit the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill, which has free tours each weekday.   There are many fine art museums in Boston, many of which are free.   There is the Harvard Museum of Natural History.  You can take a free tour of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, which is one of the finest libraries in the country and also houses fine art exhibits.  Or you can visit the Custom House which is one of the more distinctive buildings in the harbor area.  At one time it was the tallest building in Boston.  Free tours by appointment includes a trip to the 26th floor open-air observation balcony and the Rotunda Museum. 

Beacon Hill Neighborhood

Boston has many unique neighborhoods to explore, each with its own charm.  Most famous are the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, the South End and the North End neighborhoods. Boston is known for its seafood, so make sure you enjoy some of the good seafood restaurants in town.  We ate at Legal Seafood, which we enjoyed.  You will find several of those about town. 

Boston is also a good place to start a trip if you are planning on exploring the New England states.  The most popular time of the year is in the fall, because of the fall foliage, but the New England states are worth exploring any time of year.  There is so much to see.  There are also many day trips that can be taken from Boston.  Some of the most popular are trips to Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Salem if you are into witches, or a day trip to Cambridge, Lexington and Concord for more history of the American Revolution.  All of these can be done on your own with a car, or they can be booked through any of the tour companies in town.