The condo was 2 blocks from their subway so we took the subway everywhere! One of the best perks about their subway system is that all the major attractions are right off of a subway stop. So renting a car is not necessary at all! You can truely visit Boston on a budget.
Here are just some of the highlights from our trip.
This is our condo.
We flew in Sunday afternoon. The day before we both worked really long and really late. So we decided to take it easy. We went to the Cheers bar for some food then headed back and fell asleep right away! The Cheers bar was fun. It has typical bar food. So don't go there if you're expecting amazing food.
On Monday we were up bright and early to watch the Boston Marathon! It was such a cool experience. I'd recommend seeing it to anyone. We were right at the finish line which was amazing. We got to witness a man beat the record for the fastest time finished in the Boston Marathon. He's a little Kenyan that ran like 4:21 minute miles. That is just insane. I can't even do that in one mile, let alone 26 miles!! Watching him run so fast into the finish line was amazing. Americans were slightly dissappointed as there were two Americans that had the chance of winning - ending a 20-something year streak of not having an American winner. Looks like we'll have to wait another year.
After the marathon we headed over to the Boston Public Gardens. They are kind of like New York's Central Park. It was really pretty this time of year with tons of tulips and cherry blosom trees.
After that we headed over to the Museum of Science. There was a 3-D show sponsored by Bose. So of course Scottie HAD to see that! The museum was fun, although it was Spring break for Boston schools so it was kind of crazy.
On Tuesday we took the Freedom Trail tour. The tour is on a brick path that leads you to 16 different significant spots that led up to the American Revolution. Below is the Old State House. Just outside of those doors is where the Boston Massacre took place.
Paul Revere's house is one stop on the tour. This is the oldest home in Boston - built in 1680. Unfortunately in the 1900's the home was restored and the man that restored it thought that a huge portion of the house was an addition and he demolished it. It turns out it was original to the home. Bummer.
Old North Church is also a stop. This is one of my favorite places in Boston. The church was so beautiful. One goal of American constructors at that time was to have there buildings look as different as possible to buildings in England. So their churches and other public buildings were all very simple. No stained glass, no fancy architecture inside. Very simple.
The window on the right hand side of the front of the church that is black is where that famous latern was hung to let Paul Revere know that the British were coming. Interestingly enough there were actually three laterns. One still at the church today, one was broken during a tour (can't imagine being the person that broke that!), and one is being held by a private collector.
Back in the day people had to pay for their booths to attend church. So they would decorate them with wallpaper and furnishings of their own much like this one.
After the Freedom Trail tour we went out for lunch in Little Italy. I must say: I had THE best meal I have ever eaten at this restuarant. And yes, I've even been to the real Italy and did not have as good of a meal as this one. If you are ever in Boston, make sure you go to Gennaro's 5 North Square Restuarant and get their Butternut Squash Ravioli! It will change your life!!!
On Thursday we went to see the USS Constitution - it is the oldest ship still in commission. It was really neat to see. I would recommend taking their free tour - it brings you down to the lower decks and really gives you a glimpse of what life in the Navy was like in the 1700's.
On the last day we took a tour of Harvard which was my personal favorite tour. Harvard is such enriched in amazing history. The tour is given by a Harvard student so you get the cool history but also the day-to-day stuff. Below is the dorm where John F. Kennedy, JR. stayed.
The building below is the oldest building still standing at Harvard. It was built in the early 1700's. Today the top two floors are dedicated to freshman dorms. The bottom two are where the highest of the highest officials of Harvard's offices are. I thought it was quite funny that they are in the basement while the freshmen are living above them.
And I just HAD to share some pictures from Baxter that day. He was just being too cute!!
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
And I just HAD to share some pictures from Baxter that day. He was just being too cute!!
