Boston Vacations: Four Ways To Experience
Beantown
by: Cliff Calderwood
Boston is a great destination city for a vacation. There’s
plenty on tap to see and do, and it’s an easy city to get around
on foot. And you’ll find Boston vacations a refreshing mixture
of old and new.
You can experience the start of the revolutionary war, take a bus on
a river, and see a coral reef – and all before dinner.
The best way of getting around during Boston vacations is walking.
That’s right the ole soft shoe shuffle. You’ll save time
and see more by expending some shoe leather.
But for first time visitors I highly recommend an orientation tour
first.
A SPLISH-SPLASH DUCK TOUR
One of the best, and most unique tours is the Duck Tour ride.
The tour is done in a renovated World War II amphibious vehicle. You
get to not only experience Boston from the streets of the city, but
also from the Charles River.
That’s right, during the tour, the bus you’re on will become
a boat, and you’ll see the beautiful Boston skyline from the river
that separates Boston from Cambridge.
You can pick-up and buy tickets for the tour at two places: The Museum
of Science, and The Prudential Center in Boston’s Back Bay. During
the summer the tours are usually sold out by lunchtime. The tour lasts
about 80 minutes, and there’s no stops.
It’s a great tour and you’d have to be “quackers”
not to do it! Sorry couldn’t resist it.
THE FREEDOM TRAIL
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile easy-to-follow red brick line that
links 16 historical sites together around the streets of Boston. It’s
a one-way route starting from Boston Common and ending up at the Bunker
Hill monument in Charlestown.
If you do the whole thing, plan on at least 2–3 hours, or better
still take the whole day. You’ll pass by many landmarks on your
trip, such as: The Boston Common, Boston Massacre Site, Paul Revere’s
House, and USS Constitution.
The route takes you through Boston’s famed North End, where you’ll
be sure to return during your Boston vacations to sample the superb
Italian restaurants.
THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM
As San Diego has its world famous zoo, then Boston has the New England
Aquarium.
New England and its coastline have a history of fishing and whaling.
But today instead of slaughtering whales, New Englanders spend most
of their time saving them.
And the aquarium is a vital link in the area’s ocean preservation
movement.
The centerpiece of the aquarium is the giant tank. The floors of the
aquarium run around the tank and up four levels. At the top you get
to peer down into a coral reef and listen as the staff explain about
the tank and the fish that live in it.
You’ll get the answer to questions such as: “Why don’t
the big shark fish eat the little tasty fish?” or “How old
are those huge sea turtles swimming around down there?”
Your ticket will include a visit to the Discovery next to the main
building, where you can see and learn about sea lions during an amazing
show. A few years ago the Aquarium opened an IMAX theater that shows
a mixture of sea-related and general science films.
A word of warning – this is a favorite Boston vacations attraction
for families. But you’ll always get in, even when the ticket line
seems to stretch for miles.
BEACON HILL
Sandwiched in a small area between Boston Common, and the Charles River,
are alleys and narrow red brick cobbled streets, where time has stood
still for the last century.
This is Beacon Hill, and one of the most popular walks for people on
their Boston vacations.
Quiet and bewitching, it's a delight to walk. You’ll find walled
gardens and an authentic 19th century neighborhood feel. Even the original
gas lights remain on streets lined with ancient elms.
A favorite haunt for taking pictures is Louisburg Square. A picturesque
block of residences perfectly preserved.
After you ramble up Mount Vernon street, wind your way back across
to the Massachusetts State House that sits atop Beacon Hill and get
your camera out again.
AND THERE'S MORE…
Three other places to visit on your Boston vacations are Cambridge,
just across the Charles River, and home to the universities of Harvard
and MIT – THE J.F.K Library and Museum at Columbia Point in South
Boston – and the Boston Harbor Islands, tours to the islands leave
from Long Wharf and Rowes Wharf, both located near the aquarium.
Boston has tons of things to do and see, and I’ve really just
started to scratch the surface for you. The rest is yours to discover
and as close as your favorite search engine and booking on the Internet.
About The Author: Cliff Calderwood is the owner and
contributing writer of New-England-Vacations-Guide.com. This is an excerpt
from a longer article on Boston vacations, and you can read the full
article and get a free downloadable copy of his complete travel guide
at http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com.
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