5 EXPERIENCES YOU CANNOT MISS...
1
Freedom Trail...
2
North End...
3
New England Aquarium...
4
Duck Boats...
5
Watch a Game at Fenway...
The best way is to take one of the hop on and off trolley tours (my
favorite is Old Town Trolley). These take you to all the important sites
including Old North Church, Paul Revere's home, USS Constitution, Old
State House, Cheers, Kings Chapel, Copley Square and much more. It's
worth planning your trip so you get off at Faneuil Hall Marketplace for
lunch. Here there are 50 international restaurants and food vendors,
if you can't find a spot to eat in the lower eating area then try upstairs.
North End is Boston's Little Italy. The small historic streets are lined with
incredible restaurants. A tip from an insider is to avoid busy Hanover St
and go one street over to Salem St where you'll still find great restaurants
but without the crowds. Some of the more popular choices include
Neptune's Oyster and Daily Catch for seafood, Giacomo's, Pomodoro,
Antico Forno for Italian dining and Pizza Regina for Pizza. Make sure to
save room for pastries from Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry and take
some home with you too!
The way the aquarium is set up you have to pay attention or you'll miss
interesting exhibits. The aquarium has as a large central tank with a
spiral around it that you can walk up while watching the sharks, turtles
and other animals inside. But all along the right side there are smaller
tanks with other fish and the neatest little animals. Also don't miss the
outside area with the seals and the penguins, which alone are worth
seeing as they play in their open swim and rock habitat. www.neaq.org
The duck boats are World War II style amphibious landing vehicles. The
vehicles take you through a narrated tour of the city and end with a splash
into the Charles River. I prefer the Super Duck Tours which take you into
Boston Harbor instead of the Charles River. If you are considering both
a trolley tour and a duck boat tour check out Upper Deck Trolley Tours
as they frequently include a shorter water only Harbor Splash following
your city tour on a trolley.
Fenway is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and a true
experience. I am not a baseball fan and did not visit Fenway until just a
few years ago but I absolutely loved it. The atmosphere is just so fun.
Prices for food and souvenirs are expensive but I think the best way to
experience it is to sit back, have a hot dog, drink and a box of Cracker
Jacks. Games often sell out so get your tickets ahead at redsox.com.
They also offer tours if you are unable to get tickets for a game.