Today included so - much - walking!! We started the morning in Boston Common to walk some of the sites of the Freedom Trail. Today, Boston Common is much like a park with sculptures, concerts, joggers and such. Originally though, it was commonly shared property that those in the community could use as pasture.
Our stops on the the Freedom Trail included:
Massachusetts State House (1798) which was built on the land that use to be John Hancock's pasture!
Park Street Church (1809) where "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee) was first sung.
Granary Burying Ground where John Hancock, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and about 5000 others are buried.
King's Chapel (originally founded in 1686 but this building dates to 1754) was the first Anglican Church in New England.
First Public School Site - while the building is no longer there (and instead there is an Old City Hall), and ironic statue of Ben Franklin stands in its place. It's ironic because Ben Franklin only attended there to age 10, when he left his formal education behind because he had to work!
Old Corner Bookstore (1718) is the oldest commercial building in Boston. It has held numerous businesses, even a Chipotle but is currently vacant.
Old South Meeting House (1729) was originally a Puritan house of worship but it is notable because of the angry gathering that took place with over 5000 colonists that prompted the Boston Tea Party. Across the street a site intrigued me... it is quite possibly the largest Little Free Library I have every seen!
Old State House (1713) was the seat of British power. It was just outside of here that British soldier opened fire on colonist protestors which became known as the Boston Massacre.
Faneuil Hall (1741) was the center for colonists debate, meeting and market.
Paul Revere House (1680) is the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston.
We ended our tour there and then headed for lunch at Quincy Market. The market was built in 1825 and named after the mayor, Josiah Quincy. Apparently, he got tired of looking out of his office window nearby and seeing an overcrowded market area full of carts and booths and stalls and desired something more organized and pleasant to look at. Do you think he was Type A personality??? Maybe...
Anyway, the market was full of DELICIOUS food options!! I opted for the lobster grilled cheese. I have to admit... it was better than the lobster roll I has in Maine. I'm not going to lie, cheese makes so many things even better! Afterward, we did some local shopping and the girls found a nearby Starbucks that was calling their name!
We had tickets for the afternoon at the New England Aquarium so we made our way to the harbor. We spent the afternoon there watching penguins, seals, turtles and huge number of fish and plant species. We all enjoyed it and 3 out of the 5 of us even touched the stingrays!
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| They were VERY good at posing! |
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| Watching the penguins! |
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| This is Myrtle. She is between 75-99 years old and has been at the aquarium over 50 years! |
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| Morey Eel |
Afterward, we headed back to the hotel via Uber - we had some REALLY tired feet!!! We gave them a rest and got cleaned up for dinner, a little more shopping and a harbor trail walk in the Seaport District.
Tomorrow morning we wrap up our time in Boston and then head to NYC!!
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