On this trip I actually took my granddaughter with me. It was great fun to have some girl time with her and show her TEN of my very favorite places in Boston!!

#10 :: Old State House and Custom House Tower

I am fascinated by architecture and history so I thought I’d just start with these two great pieces of Bostonian history. Turns out Samy loves it too!

Old State House

The Old State House is a historic building at the intersection of Washington and State Streets. Built in 1713 it was the seat of the Massachusetts General Court until 1798 and is one of the oldest public buildings in the United States. One of the landmarks on Boston’s Freedom Trail it is the oldest surviving public building in Boston and now serves as a history museum operated by the Bostonian Society. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and a Boston Landmark by the Boston Landmarks Commission in 1994.

Isn’t it beautiful? I love all the detail in the cornices and the arches over the windows [on the roof] and doors.

Where you will find the Old State House

Custom House Tower

More than 100 years after its completion, the original skyscraper still stands tall in the Financial District, an unprecedented 495 feet, solidifying its status as Boston’s first skyscraper and tallest building :: a title it maintained until the completion of the Prudential Tower in 1964.

We couldn’t have had a more beautiful day to see this iconic tower!

Over the years, the Custom House was home to numerous government agencies from customs to the Fish and Wildlife Service. It was vacated in 1986 and was bought by the city a year later but it remained unused until it was reopened as a Marriott timeshare hotel in 1997.

Marriott Vacation Club Pulse at Custom House Boston welcomes guests with expansive suite accommodations, amenities and unmatched views of the harbor from the spacious rooms but especially from the 26th-floor open-air Observation Deck.

Where you will find the Custom House Tower

#9 :: Newbury Street and the Back Bay

I’m not really a shopper. I mean, I don’t necessarily find great joy in spending money on myself. [I know I’m probably not the “typical” woman. I’d rather spend my money on traveling the world!] And although Newbury Street is known for its shopping it is also beautiful and the surrounding area of the Back Bay is what I appreciate so much.

One of the two most expensive residential areas, Back Bay was named after and started as a bay which was filled in during the 19th century. The area has since been known for its elite Victorian brownstones, the Boston Public Library and upscale hotels, offices and shopping.

Samy and I visited JP Licks which is an absolutely must-do in Boston. What’s great is that it is opening back up on Newbury Street in the Back Bay after several years of being away. So when you go make sure you visit the magic ice cream [and cakes and pies and coffee and much more] kingdom of JP Licks.

Where you will find Newbury Street and the Back Bay

#8 :: King’s Chapel and Burying Ground

King’s Chapel and Burying Ground was founded in 1630 as the first graveyard in the city of Boston. It was Boston Proper’s first and only burial site for 30 years (1630–1660).

In 1686 the local Anglican congregation was allotted land in the graveyard to build King’s Chapel. I just love the contrast of color between the off-white walls and columns and the burgundy upholstery. And check out the pews below :: it looks like they are private boxes like at the theater. Stunning!

King’s Chapel Burying Ground boasts a multitude of illustrious residents including John Winthrop, Massachusetts’ first Governor and Mary Chilton, the first woman to step off the Mayflower.

Joseph Tapping’s stone in the front of the burying ground where a skeleton and Father Time battle over the eventuality of death may be Boston’s most beautiful headstone.

Where you will find King’s Chapel and Burying Ground

#7 :: Cheers bar

Founded in 1969 as the Bull & Finch Pub, Cheers Beacon Hill became the original inspiration for the setting of the TV show Cheers. When the producers went looking for a location to depict the ideal American bar they headed to Boston, famous for colorful pubs, sports teams and lively politics. This really is the place where everybody knows your name. Just step inside and see why.

Where you will find the Cheers bar

 #6 :: State House on Beacon Hill

The building of the Massachusetts State House in 1795 was the beginning of the physical and social transformation of Beacon Hill. Oh that beautiful golden dome! That year several wealthy Bostonians including Charles Bulfinch [the famous architect who designed the State House] formed an association to develop the area. The parcel of land now called Beacon Hill was originally known as Tri-mount or Tremont because of three peaks that graced its skyline. A beacon on one of the hills was erected to warn neighboring communities of enemy danger. A monument behind the State House marks the original location of the beacon which then was approximately 60 feet higher than its current elevation.

In the fifty years after the building of the State House, the three peaks were shorn off one after another so that residential housing could be built on flatter land and to create land where there was once water. Three distinct regions now known as the South Slope, the North Slope and the Flat of the Hill resulted from the development of the remaining area, the entirety of which is now called Beacon Hill.

The State House is one of twenty stops along the acclaimed Freedom Trail. 

Where you will find the State House and Beacon Hill

#5 :: New England Holocaust Memorial

I was astonished upon seeing the six 54’ tall glass towers each etched with numbers :: 6 million representing the Holocaust victims. The towers themselves represent the six major death camps. There is also a granite path covered in quotes from survivors that leads visitors inside the towers. 

A free exhibition just south of Faneuil Hall. Do yourself a service and go visit the Holocaust Memorial. It will take your breath away.

Where you will find the Holocaust Memorial

#4 :: Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Faneuil Hall nicknamed “The Hub of the Hub” Marketplace is actually four great places in one location :: Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market :: all set around a cobblestone promenade where jugglers, magicians and musicians entertain the passers-by. Stroll, shop, eat, laugh, wander and explore it all.

Samy and I just happened to be there when the World Cup Soccer games were going on so we ducked into a soccer store to watch the game at their viewing party! Great timing!

Where you will find Faneuil Hall Marketplace

#3 :: Museum of Science

The MoS is Boston’s most popular cultural destination and it was one of our very favorite places to visit. Since she will be going to Pre-Med and then Medical School to become a doctor she was especially fascinated [as was I] with all of the amazing hands-on stations.

One of our fave special presentations was the Electricity Theater. I highly recommend spending some time at the Museum of Science.

Charles Hayden Planetarium

The Charles Hayden Planetarium is located inside the Museum of Science. Fantastic show :: don’t miss this.

Where you will find the Museum of Science

#2 :: Boston Common and Public Garden

This beautiful English-style park [the oldest in America] once belonged to the Reverend William Blackstone, a reclusive clergyman who was the first person to settle in Boston and sole owner of Beacon Hill at that time. The name Boston Common comes from the land’s original use as common pasture for horses and cattle. From the time of its settlement in 1630 until after the Revolutionary War Beacon Hill had only a few country estates surrounded by pastures and orchards.

Taking a Swan Boat on the lake in the Public Garden is a must. This is a wonderfully relaxing way to just enjoy being on the water and enjoying the lush green surrounding it.

Right between the Boston Common Visitors Center and Tremont Street are three bronze and granite sculptures depicting Learning, Religion and Industry to depict three traits of Boston life. The statues create a semi circle around the Parkman Plaza. On the south side of the plaza, a statue of a young boy on his knees, hands lifted to heaven depict Boston’s religious roots. The west side has a statue of a man drilling for industry. The north side is labeled learning shows a young boy sitting on top of a globe, reading a book.

They were sculpted by Arcangelo Cascieri and Adio Biccari on the direction of the Boston Art Commission and erected in 1961 to honor philanthropist George Francis Parkman Jr. Dr. who donated $5 million for the preservation of Boston Common and other city parks.

Where you will find Boston Common and Public Garden

#1 :: Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is approximately 2.5 miles long and takes approximately 2 hours to walk straight through. Just follow the red brick path starting at Boston Common and ending at the U.S.S. Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument. But you will definitely want to stop at some or all of the sites so plan on it taking most of your day. It is well worth taking this walking tour and although it is also available on the Duck Tour or Hop On Hop Off bus you will see so many more details when you walk. Samy and I had beautiful weather so it was fabulous!

Several of the stops on the Freedom Trail I’ve mentioned in this post. So if you take the trail you will have covered some of my favorite places in Boston. From start to finish these are the stops you will make on the walking tour: A. Boston Common, B. MA State House, C. Robert Shaw Memorial, E. Park Street Church, F. Granary Burial Ground, G. King’s Chapel, H. Boston Latin School, I. Old City Hall, J. Old South Meeting House, K. Old Corner Bookstore, L. Old State Home, M. Boston Massacre, N. Faneuil Hall, O. Paul Revere House, P. Paul Revere Statue, Q. Old North Church, R. Copp’s Hill Burial Ground, S. USS Constitution, T. Bunker Hill Monument

Where you will find the Freedom Trail

Just another little something that we happened to catch on the streets near Faneuil Hall as we were strolling by…funnnn!

It’s always a good time in Boston. My thirst for history is truly quenched in Bean Town. One of the oldest cities in America incorporates all the sights and sounds and smells that I love and I can’t wait to get back here. To avoid most of the tourists the end of summer to about the beginning of October is a great time to visit and when the fall weather is usually pretty mild.

Oh, and one last thing :: “Pahk ya cah in the backyahd” :: ya gotta love that Bostonian accent!

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