On The Road To Boston
/A Bostonian told us, "The beauty of New England is its variety - you drive 45 minutes and the scenery is completely different!", and so it was as we left the charm and peacefulness of Cape Cod and entered the historic, yet urban streets of Boston.
Our main goal during our one day stay was to walk the Freedom Trail - a 2 1/2 mile marked path through downtown Boston that passes by 16 sites significant to the American Revolutionary story.
We started at Boston Common, American's oldest Park, dating back to the 1630's!
Tucked behind the garden is the Massachusetts State House, completed in 1798. The golden dome was once made of wood, and later overlaid with copper by Paul Revere. It was covered with 23-karat gold leaf in 1874. One of the oldest buildings in Beacon Hill, it is the current government building in the state capital.
Across from the State House is Granary Burying Ground, the final resting place of many notable Revolutionary heroes, including Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and John Hancock as well as Benjamin Franklin's parents.
Although there are 2,345 markers, it is estimated that at least 5,000 people are buried here. Since headstones were expensive, it was common to put several members of one family under one headstone with only one name on it.
We passed by the Old South Meeting House where thousands of angry colonists gathered in 1773 to protest a tax and started a revolution with the Boston Tea Party.
We toured the Old State House, built in 1713. Decades later, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first read to the people of Boston from the building's balcony.
Right behind the Old State House is the site of the Boston Massacre - March 5, 1770.
We continued north to Faneuil Hall, built in 1741 and considered "the home of free speech" as one of American's first public meeting venues.
Next store was the historic Quincy Market, constructed in 1824. It was designated a National Historic Landmark as one of the largest market complexes built in the early 19th century, We opted to go there to get some relief from the 90+ degree heat!
We decided to make the Paul Revere House our last stop on the Freedom Trail - one, because it was starting to rain, and two, we were running out of time!
Built around 1680, it's the oldest structure in downtown Boston and the only home on the Freedom Trail!
Based on many of your recommendations, we stopped for a quick snack on Hanover Street, Boston's "Little Italy," for a mouth-watering cannoli at Mike's Pastry!
On our walk back to the hotel we passed by the lively Farmer's Market, where vendors were trying to sell off the last of their produce before closing.
Our dinner was at the legendary Legal Seafood - how fabulous to have New England Clam Chowder in New England!
We capped off our evening doing the tourist thing - I almost forgot the infamous Cheers Bar was in Boston!
Next stop - Maine!