I Heart Boston (Part 1)

                                                                               (Photo: Deborah Renville)

Needing to use a Southwest Airlines travel credit quickly before it expired on September 1st, I booked a short trip to Boston. I really can't tell you why I chose Boston other than because I had only a few spare days and Boston is a short flight from Chicago. I also wanted to spend some time on a beach and to do a bit of sightseeing in an interesting, vibrant city, and Boston offers up all of that.

In fact, Boston offers up so much that I was a bit overwhelmed with the possibilities when I first arrived. I got a late start getting going that first day because I honestly did not know where I wanted to start. I had struck up a conversation with some locals at a neighborhood restaurant in East Boston on the evening I arrived, and they provided a full list of things to do and see. Every bit of it sounded really interesting: the Freedom Trail, a haunted island tour, the art museum, and many other things that I couldn't remember once I got back to my room. I like to plan to a certain extent, but I also like to leave my travel plans open to whatever might just develop as I move along.

I had two solid days to explore plus a late flight on the third day. I decided to choose just one or two things to do each day, promising myself I would be back soon to work on more of the must-do-in-Boston list. As much as I love history, I passed on the Freedom Trail on this trip due to the extreme heat. On two of the days I was in Boston, the temperature was in the mid 90s (97 one day) with a heat index over 100. I really wanted to be on or near the water as much as I could. And, honestly, you are going to bump into plenty of history while in Boston no matter what.

Day 1:
I grabbed breakfast at Maverick Marketplace in East Boston (nothing special, an omelette and weak coffee), walked to the subway station, and purchased my Charlie card. I don't know what it is, but I love the feeling of owning a public transportation card when I travel to a big city. I'll be damned if that doesn't make you feel somewhat a part of the local fabric. I hopped on the next train, and one stop later, I was at Long Wharf, the Boston Harbor. That place where they dumped all that tea.

                                                 On Long Wharf      (Photo: Deborah Renville)

From Long Wharf, I went on the 90-minute Boston Harbor Cruises Historic Sightseeing Cruise. I highly recommend the harbor cruise not only for the spectacular views but for the thoroughly narrated tour. A number of other cruise/ferry options are available as well. A Boston Harbor Cruise of some sort is always going to be on my must-do list while in Boston.

Did I mention it was scorching hot? 93 with a "feels like" temp of 101. I made note of that. By the time I finished the cruise, I was melting. No kidding. Because I chose to sit on the top level of the ferry in the full sun because there was a single seat up there near the bow just calling my name so that I could see everything. I'm not complaining; I loved it. But afterward, I really needed a nice cold drink.

I wandered a couple blocks away from the harbor and found myself a nice cold drink, a locally brewed Harpoon IPA, along with a quintessentially Boston lobster roll at Central Wharf Co. And then I wandered back to the subway station to head back to East Boston where I wandered into Cunard Tavern for one more nice cold drink before wandering back to my room to cool off, rest, and make plans for the next day.

When I say wander, I mean walk. Because there is no better way to see a place.

Day 2:
I grabbed a cappuccino and apple turnover from a little Italian bakery that has been in business in East Boston for over 40 years and then walked to Piers Park to enjoy my quick breakfast. My God, such a beautiful view of the Boston skyline from there.

The view of Boston from Piers Park, and a spectacular place to sit on a bench and savor your morning coffee

                                                            (Photo: Deborah Renville)

And then yoga. Of course, there was yoga! I love to try out new yoga studios when traveling, and the Core Flow yoga class at the bright and welcoming The Point East Boston Yoga Studio did not disappoint.

The Point East Boston Barre and Yoga Studio

                                                          (Photo: Deborah Renville)

Because it was 97 on this second day, I opted to do something that would take me out of the heat: The Samuel Adams brewery tour. That was fun...and free. It is a short tour, but the beer sampling at the end is pretty generous for a free tour. Plus you get to keep your little tasting glass and are given a beer label that gets you a free Sam Adams glass at Doyle's Cafe, a short distance away. What the hell, I decided to wander over to Doyle's, and I was glad I did. I had another nice cold glass of Sam Adams, a huge mess of fish and chips, and an abundance of great hospitality from an historical, authentic Irish pub that has been in business for over 137 years.

                                        The Samuel Adams Brewery   (Photo: Deborah Renville)

After all that, I was ready to wander back to my room in East Boston and rest.

Day 3:
I made it to the beach, and it was glorious! The temp was bearable, finally, so I was fairly confident I wasn't going to turn into a Boston lobster. I took the train over to Revere Beach and truly had a spectacular day lying on the beach, gathering shells, and staring off into and wading in the coolish water of the beautiful North Atlantic Ocean. And I made a friend for the day: a local woman, 70 years old and so full of life. I felt as if I had always known her, and we spent hours talking like old friends catching up at the beach.

  A day at Revere Beach. I needed that. 

                                 

Because you are never too old to gather seashells at the seashore. 

                                                            (Photo: Deborah Renville)

I left Boston feeling as if I could live there. For many reasons: friendly people, a walkable city, a great public transportation system, seasons, hockey, baseball, beer, beaches, arts and culture, easy access to a large airport...

And, you know what I really love about Boston? It is a city so visibly built by immigrants and proud of it.