A Wicked Good Experience in Boston
I love big cities. I also love history. Thus, I fell in love with Boston.
The hub of the northeast region of New England, Boston packs a punch while feeling more like a big town than a large city. Bostonians are passionate and proud of their home, and that devotion is evident if you spend even a minute walking its cobblestoned streets.
Often when I travel to a new city, I try and get a feel for what it would be like to live in that particular location. Boston exceeded my expectations – from its sports culture to its historical charm to its maritime atmosphere. Boston truly makes a visitor feel at home. It’s not rushed like some of its east coast neighbors, nor does it feel too pretentious with its warm brownstones and humble seaside allure. After leaving, I could see myself coming back, and not just for another vacation!
Boston’s History
I can’t promote a visit to “The Cradle of Liberty” enough. It is the only place in our country where you can walk through landmarks commemorating some of the most noteworthy American historical events. Only in Beantown exists the Freedom Trail – where you can you meander from the site of the Boston Massacre to Paul Revere’s House to the Boston Harbor where the infamous tea party took place to Breed’s Hill, where the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War commenced – a momentous historical journey that cannot be duplicated anywhere else.
Below are some of my favorite sites in Boston that should not be skipped if you love American history:
Charlestown – Bunker Hill and Winthrop Square: At one end of the Freedom Trail brought me a stroke of luck as I stumbled upon one of my favorite locations in the city. High on the top of Breed’s Hill is a striking obelisk amongst beautiful brownstones and a quaint park. This monument commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War, but it is also became the most unexpectedly gorgeous area of Boston I visited. A stroll through Winthrop Square, where at one time soldiers would train for fighting, a picturesque public space that is a nod to the old-fashioned and charming side of Boston’s once rough Charlestown neighborhood. In fall when the foliage is turning its brilliant colors, Winthrop Square and its surrounding charming colonial dwellings are at their best. You must climb the 294 stairs to the top of the obelisk for one of the best vantage points to view downtown Boston.
Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market – Right in the midst of downtown Boston and its modest skyscrapers sits two of the city’s oldest and most beloved buildings. Faneuil Hall, also known as the “Cradle of Liberty” due to it being the site of famous speeches preaching independence by the likes of Samuel Adams and James Otis, is a golden topped building that is an official Boston and National Historic Landmark and current marketplace near Boston’s waterfront. Closely located to Faneuil Hall is Quincy Market, a cluster of long buildings that contain some of Boston’s most eclectic and abundant culinary offerings under one roof. It is imperative to eat from one of the vendors in this market during your stay in Boston (the best New England clam chowder I had in the city came from Quincy Market).
Old North Church – Located in the heart of Boston’s North End is the Old North Church. This church is most renowned for its part in Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, as it was the locale for the “one if by land, two if by sea” lantern signal, which preceded the Battles of Lexington and Concord during the American Revolution to signify if British troops would be invading by land or river route. The white steeple on the Old North Church is an icon in the city, and to be able to visit such a preserved landmark was extraordinary.
Beantown’s Best
Boston Public Library – I love ornate architecture and I love reading. The fact that Boston’s Public Library combines two of my favorite interests was spellbinding. Located adjacent to Copley Square on the main thoroughfare of Boylston Street, the public library is an example of Boston’s magnificence. With two entrances, the library spans thousands of square feet devoted to literature and history, where any bookworm can take a tour and learn of this immense building’s impact on the city it was named after. One of the best photo opportunities in the city is in the Bates Hall reading room where visions of Hogwarts’ Great Hall from the Harry Potter series will make any photographer feel as if they finally received their admittance letter to the school of witchcraft and wizardry as the windows soar up to meet an arched ceiling from your magical dreams. Head to the peaceful courtyard to peruse one of your findings from the many shelves as you reward yourself with a moment of serenity at the center of this amazing library.
Boston Public Garden and the Boston Common – For the most peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle without leaving the city, head to Boston’s most beloved parks – the Common and the Public Garden. Sandwiched between Back Bay and Beacon Hill, these landmarks offer a large array of activities. A must do if you’re in the Public Garden is to take a swan boat ride on the garden’s lake or snap a photo of the duck crossing statues in the Common. A bonus to this area is the famous Cheers bar and restaurant is located directly across from these two parks.
Harvard/Cambridge – Boston’s neighbor, Cambridge, is synonymous with the most well known university in America – Harvard. This city and it’s treasured college give Beantown an infusion of youth every fall as students make their way back to Boston for the school year. A stroll or tour (provided by Harvard students themselves) around this Ivy League institution is a step into history once again. Harvard is beautiful, and to get to see one of the oldest schools in the nation, especially during fall as the colors begin to change through Harvard Yard, and the quirkiness of Cambridge, is an activity I believe is well worth the jaunt over the Charles River.
The North End – The historic home of Paul Revere’s house and the best cannoli’s in the country (from Mike’s Pastry), the North End is quintessential Italian Boston. Home to the city’s Little Italy neighborhood, the North End is both a food mecca and the oldest neighborhood in Beantown. The North End was part of Boston’s original city limits and its narrow roads and heavenly aromas will draw foodies and photographers alike. As stated above, your trip to Boston is not complete without a pit stop at Mike’s – the espresso and hazelnut cannolis are so good I went back three times in one week just to get my fix!
Wandering Around “The Walking City”
Beantown is ranked as one of the best walking cities in America, and there truly is no better way to get acquainted with this magnificent city than lacing up your most comfortable shoes and hitting the pavement. Below is just a sampling of my favorite walks that provided me the best memories during my time in Boston:
Back Bay (Commonwealth Mall) – If you love architecture as much as I do, the Back Bay neighborhood will be your oasis. Tree-lined streets as far as the eye can see flanked with famous Boston brownstones are the signature of Back Bay. Nestled between the Charles River, Boston’s Public Garden and Fenway, Back Bay is a quiet, yet ritzy neighborhood that contains the most gorgeous homes in Boston. Back Bay has three streets that are ideal for walking to soak in the best of this neighborhood: Beacon, Marlborough and Commonwealth.
Charles Street – The heart of Beacon Hill is Charles Street, one of the most beautiful thoroughfares in the city of Boston. A walk down Charles will provide visitors with a glimpse into the past as it is a street straight out of a history book. It will remind you of our country’s roots as you saunter over sunlit cobbestoned alleys that wind their way through rows of brick edifices. Right off of Charles Street, you will find perhaps the most picturesque location in Beacon Hill – Acorn Street. Words cannot describe this living snapshot of history as the stones you are able to walk on (carefully – and ladies, don’t wear heels) are the original set when the street was first laid. It will leave you in awe.
Southwest Corridor Park – A bit off the beaten track in the south end, you will find a hidden green gem known as the Southwest Corridor Park. This linear park is a breath of fresh air in the busy city, where it stretches through some of the more overlooked neighborhoods in the city, where architectural wonders abound and playgrounds and dog parks are sprinkled along the 4 mile green space. If you have time, make your way to this special place for a walk you won’t forget as you get a true feel for what it would feel like to live in Boston.
Sea Port and the Fan Pier – If you would like to see Boston Harbor in all of its glory, head out towards the newly developed Sea Port. From downtown, you will pass the Boston Tea Party ships over the Fort Point Channel and through the Wharf Park. Along this route to Boston’s Fan Pier, you will get an unbelievable panoramic view of the Boston skyline as it soars over the harbor. This walk is calming as you stroll past more history that Boston is famous for, with the sound of water lapping peacefully below your feet – a moment that cannot be beat!
Charles River Esplanade – Boston is a city ruled by water. The Boston Harbor is as beautiful as it is historic, but it is another body of water that became my favorite in the city: the Charles River. Separating Boston from Cambridge, the Charles River offers an unparalleled experience through Bostons bridges and the Charles River Esplanade. This path along the Charles River is a runners paradise or an oasis for photographers to stroll along and snap some pictures of the famous sail boats as they glide between the two banks.
A Sports Sanctuary
The Boston sports culture is one of a kind. Between the Celtics, Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox, Boston has a deep and rich pride that runs through the veins of its most passionate fans.
Fenway Park – Playing in the oldest baseball park in America, the Red Sox exude what Boston is known for: grit, determination and an immense history of winning since the turn of the 1900s. Even if you’re not the biggest baseball fan, a stop at Fenway is incredibly significant to really understand Boston. Although baseball season isn’t year around, tours of the holy grail of America’s pastime are available throughout the calendar. Sit upon the famed Green Monster as it looms over the outfield and stroll along the oldest field in the game – if you’re a sports lover like myself, it’s an experience so special that it will leave you speechless.
Foxborough/Gillette Stadium – As much as it pains me to say this, the Patriots have built a dynasty in the National Football League. The home to the New England Patriots is Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, a facility that is worth the visit. It is a beauty of a sports complex that also incorporates its own entertainment to create a destination in itself. A unique aspect of this stadium is that Foxoborough has its own train service to the stadium that leaves from Back Bay Station in downtown on all home Patriot games, an added bonus to the sports experience.
Boston is a dream.
This city instantly earned a high place on my travel list, and I already cannot wait to go back to gain more knowledge of the city as I continue to explore its wicked good offerings.
