Boston: Where the Revolution Began! A Travel Log
Written: Apr 25 '08
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Pros: A city of rare beauty and history, a great tour also.
Cons: Mighty hard to do this tour in a short time. Cold is not good.
The Bottom Line: Boston has a great deal to offer: great dinning, history, beauty, arts, sports, and while expensive, it is an amazing city.
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| keithpruitt's Full Review: Boston |
Being a historian, I have wanted to see Boston for many years. Recently, I lucked up to be assigned to work a conference in Boston and planned my schedule to arrive the day before set up. Thinking that I might have enough time to go to Quincy and visit the two dead Presidents who reside there, I attempted to make travel arrangements; I soon found that it just takes too long to get to Boston from Nashville and that my journey to Quincy would not take place. But not to fear; I went to plan two. My flight arrived so late in the afternoon, and after an hour of trying to find the hotel (yes, do not drive in Boston unless you like nightmares), there was only time for dinner before retiring for the evening. (I have a very hectic schedule and having just turned 50, nightlife consists of watching television or reading a good book.)
So my colleague Kathy and I planned to meet early the next morning, have breakfast, and then go on a walking tour of the city. We were just a few blocks from Boston Commons and many of the historic sights we wanted to see. The plan went well until we walked outside and realized that it was still winter in Boston. With the winds whipping around the buildings at a brisk clip, and not having appropriate clothing for being outside, I soon came to the conclusion that our desired itinerary needed revamping. Kathy had seen an advertisement for Old Town Trolley Tours on the map we obtained from the concierge at the Jurys Boston Hotel (http://www.epinions.com/content_425618542212) where we were staying. And about the time that Kathy suggested this option, I spotted one of their stops and stores across the street. We went in and quickly became enamored with all of the different souvenirs offered. The cost for the tour, which has about 18 stops, was $34. (There are discounts for seniors and children.) We both felt this was well worth getting out of the elements. After purchasing tickets and some mementos, we waited just a few moments for the next trolley. Since they run the stops about every 20 minutes, the wait is never long unless the trolley is full. About five minutes into our wait, a trolley pulled up ringing its bell. About six people boarded after some disembarked and I knew immediately this would be an enjoyable adventure.
“Lil Bean” was the name of the pint-sized tour guide, and quickly I found her to be refreshing and enjoyable as well as knowledgeable. She constantly communicated with those on the shuttle mainly consisting of teachers skipping out of pre-conference activities. We turned the first corner going up the side of Boston Commons and seeing a cemetery. “To our left,” Lil Bean announced, “is one of the older cemeteries in the Back Bay area. “Stuart Gilbert is buried in this cemetery. Now can anyone tell me who Stuart Gilbert was?” I raised my hand. “He was a very famous portrait painter.” Her eyes got big and she asked what important painting he had done. “The famous portrait of Washington,” I answered much to her amazement. “How did you know that?” both the driver and Kathy wanted to know. “I’m a Presidential historian; I’ve seen the painting.”
And with that, the wonderful tour began. The neat thing about going around Boston is that everything is close to everything else. We maneuvered our way through the tough traffic and soon came to one of the older parts of Boston. We left the warmth of the trolley in order to walk the short distance to the home of the noble Paul Revere. The cost was about $3 for the short tour of the amazing home. The house is surrounded by shops and restaurants and more modern structures. We then walked about five blocks up to the old North Church where many of the revolutionary meetings took place in 1774 and 1775. Behind the church (which is a tremendous structure that is still used) are Paul Revere Park and the statue celebrating the historic ride.
On our walk back to the staging area, we passed the church where Rose Kennedy had been elegized. We again boarded the bus and soon arrived at the exit for the historic Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. And what a fascinating place that is. Quincy market has a number of market areas with some modern stores and others local vendors selling all types of wares. In the middle hall is a food court with some of the best smelling cuisine one can imagine. Walking out the back of the center section of Quincy Market, one comes face to face with historic Faneuil Hall. The bottom section of the famous building is still a market as it has been since the beginning. This building pre-dates the revolution and is still in exquisite condition. Walking out the front doors again, we traverse to a middle section of doors that lead to a steep stairway. We are now climbing these historic stairs to the auditorium where famous men like Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Hancock, Daniel Webster, Frederick Douglass, and many others have addressed huge crowds. I suspect that John F Kennedy and many other modern American politicians have also spoken on that stage.
Re-boarding the trolley, we now continue our excursion along the harbor seeing the area where the celebrated Boston Tea Party took place. A bit further and we are at the Navy Base home to the U. S. S. Constitution. It is free to board and to visit the museum. Do note that since it is a base, security is very tight. The sailors assigned to the boat were dressed in period costumes and were delightful. They gave us a great deal of information about the ancient ship including the fact that she goes out from 2-6 times a year.
The remainder of our time on the shuttle took us through the heart of the old historical political center, up Beacon Hill to the capital, pass the Old State House where the Boston Massacre took place, passed the cemeteries where I saw the graves of Samuel Adams and John Hancock, along the Charles River and the big statue celebrating the Battle of Bunker Hill and further down to the million dollar walk ups that line the street, and over to Fenway Park. We exited at the Convention Center because it was time to go to work. But our visit in Boston was absolutely tremendous. I can only imagine what the walking tour would be like in good weather.
Boston is a city of rare beauty and history. I can not imagine but three places in the United States steeped this greatly in history: Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Boston. I highly recommend the trolley ride, but when in Boston, you must see the city. These are the streets walked by so many great men and women of our history.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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