September 22-26, 2021
Boston: A City of History, Sports, and Culture
Boston is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re a history buff, a sports fan, or a foodie, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in this vibrant city. Rich in American history and our country’s institutions, Boston offers plenty to see and learn about. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long path that takes visitors past 16 historic sites throughout the city, including Paul Revere’s house and the site of the Boston Massacre. You can also visit the USS Constitution Museum to learn about one of America’s most famous warships. Speaking of Revere, we stayed at The Revere Hotel Boston Common in Downtown Boston while we were there. A redesigned boutique hotel, that offers luxury with a rebellious feel on history. This hotel is well located and reasonably priced. They have a lovely rooftop bar and lounge area for breakfast or to meet up with friends. ,
When it comes to food, Boston has plenty to offer as well. Seafood lovers will be in heaven with fresh lobster rolls, clam chowder, and fried clams available at many restaurants throughout the city. Boston’s North End neighborhood is home to a thriving Italian community and some of the best Italian restaurants in the city. You can find everything from classic pasta dishes to wood-fired pizzas. We ate at Tresca, it was the most amazing meal and the service there was welcoming and fun loving! For dessert, you can’t go wrong with a slice of Boston cream pie, which was invented right here in Boston. Boston also has a thriving craft beer scene with many local breweries producing delicious beers. Some of the most popular breweries include Sam Adams, Harpoon Brewery, and Trillium Brewing Company.
After you wander through the stunning Boston Common Park, 50-acre urban park that hosted British troops during the American Revolution you have to head over to the one and only CHEERS Bar – “Where everybody knows your name…!” Such a cool experience to be able to check out the old set and then go down to the bar and have some Beers and Cheers with a few local chaps.
Now if your not afraid to get your blood pumping and you like a nice bike ride. Rent one of the many bikes parked throughout the city and take a ride along the Charles River Esplanade. We took this route and rode all the way to Fenway Park to take in a ball game. One of the most iconic landmarks in Boston is the Green Monster at Fenway Park. This 37-foot-tall wall looms over left field and is one of the most recognizable features of any baseball stadium in the world. Fenway Park is home to the Boston Red Sox, one of the oldest and most storied franchises in Major League Baseball. If you’re a baseball fan, catching a game at Fenway is an absolute must. The energy, dedication, and enthusiasm at these games is unmatched. Grab a drink and a hot dog and enjoy! Afterwards head over to Cask ‘N Flagon, this landmark bar for game day beers and bites is sure to be going off. It will be packed and so much fun! If you stay long enough you might even be dancing on the bar.
One of the last things we did was go on the Boston Duck Tours. These tours take place on amphibious vehicles called “DUCKs,” which were originally used during World War II to transport troops and supplies over land and water. The DUCKs travel through the streets of Boston, passing by historic landmarks while the guides provide interesting commentary about the city’s history and culture along the way. Then the DUCKs enter the Charles River for a scenic cruise. Passengers can enjoy views of Boston’s skyline and landmarks such as MIT and Harvard University from the water. The Boston Duck Tours have been operating since 1994 and have become a beloved part of Boston’s tourism industry. The tours are family-friendly and provide a unique way to see the city from both land and water. At first we thought this tour might be lame but overall at the end we all really enjoyed it!
Since we were sort of in the area we definitely wanted to check out Martha’s Vineyard. Martha’s Vineyard is a beautiful island located off the coast of Massachusetts. In order to get there you have about a 3 hour drive to Falmouth. Then you hop on the Island Queen ferry and cruise over to Martha’s Vineyard, takes about 35 mins.
Martha’s is known for its beaches, lighthouses, outdoor activities, food, culture and of course Jaws! Today, Martha’s Vineyard is a popular vacation spot for people from all over the world. Visitors can enjoy activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and biking. The island also has many excellent restaurants, shops, and galleries to explore. The movie “Jaws” was filmed on Martha’s Vineyard in the summer of 1974. The film’s popularity also helped to put Martha’s Vineyard on the map as a tourist destination, with many visitors coming to see locations from the movie such as Edgartown Harbor and South Beach. Today, “Jaws” remains an important part of Martha’s Vineyard’s cultural history and is celebrated with events such as annual screenings and tours of filming locations.
We really loved this little island and wished we had planned to spend a night or two there. We rented bikes from Anderson’s Bike Rental and rode around for a bit and then we took a van tour which was completely spontaneous and totally worth it. Got the inside scoop on the ins and outs of Martha Vineyard and the making of Jaws.
