"Heaving with history....." Boston by leics

Boston Travel Guide: 3,745 reviews and 7,876 photos

From the harbour.... - Boston
From the harbour....

.........and visitors, when I arrived.

Early-August Boston, at the weekend, was absolutely full of visitors. many from elsewhere in the US, a heck of a lot of what I assume were French-speaking Canadians (unless Boston is very popular with French tourists?) and the odd one or two from the UK as well.

It was hot (90s), it was humid, it was crowded..but I instantly liked Boston for its manageably-sized downtown, for its brick buildings (some of them pretty old), for its fewer looming skyscrapers and its easily-accessible and very pleasant waterside. I felt comfortable in Boston.

I arrived mid Saturday afternoon on the train from New Haven ( a slowish but pleasant journey along the Connecticut and Massachusetts coastline) and as soon as I'd checked-in at my hotel i set off exploring.

Over the next two-and-a bit days I managed to see much of what downtown Boston has to offer: lots of interesting architecture, many historical buildings and burial grounds, a large 'breathing-space' in its central Common, a busy harbour with lots to watch.

Beacon Hill view - Boston

Beacon Hill view

I took the T: rattling, screeching, old-fashioned but most enjoyable.

I walked the streets of North End, the Italian area (and one of the oldest parts of Boston).

I strolled the upmarket streets of Beacon Hill, also pretty old and very reminiscent of England .. which is how it was meant to be, of course.

I wandered into the Quincy markets area, wove my way through the massive crowds, was bemused by the vast array of take-away eateries in south market, watched several very good street entertainers (including a group of breakdancers similar to, but even better than, those I saw in NY's Herald Square).

Along with hundreds of others I sat and enjoyed a free salsa/Cuban music concert in City Hall Plaza.

I enjoyed a quiet sit in the shade of the Public Garden, watching the swans and the swan-boats gently gliding past.

I visited Back Bay on the T, but spent too little time there to properly explore it.

I wandered down Long Wharf to people-and-boat watch in the evenings. The breeze from the water alleviated the sticky heat, the place was absolutely heaving on Saturday(less so on the Sunday and Monday).

I did two uber-touristy things (most unlike me). I took a sunset harbour cruise', which was actually most enjoyable and certainly offered some excellent views of Boston's skyline.

And I decided (having seasickness tablets with me) to go on a whale-watching tour. It lasted 4 hours, much of which was spent getting to and from the Stellwaggon marine reserve. It was windy, it was chilly as we got further out to sea (Stellwaggon is 25 miles out). But yes, I saw humpback whales (it's pretty much guaranteed that you will) and the trip was definitely worth what I paid for it (not as much as one might expect to pay, to be honest).

North End view - Boston

North End view

I could easily have spent longer exploring Boston; the heat meant I didn't cover as much ground as I would normally, and the city deserves a longer visit. And I wanted to visit Harvard and Salem too, and didn't.

So I'll just have to go back at some point.

I won't make tips about the obvious 'must-sees'..there seems little point when so many others have done it before me, and done it better. But I will write a few about oddities and off-the-beaten path things I noticed. Those are always my favourite parts of a trip anyway. :-)

  • Last visit to Boston: Jul 2011
  • Intro Updated Sep 3, 2011
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Reviews (13)

Old Ironsides fires its cannon - Boston Take a sunset cruise Things to Do (2)

It may initially seem a tackily touristy thing to do but I found this cruise surprisingly interesting. I don't 'do'... more travel advice

Park, 'temple' and sculpture - Boston Post Office Square Park...a shady spot. Off The Beaten Path (10)

Set amongst the concrete and brick of the Financial District, this little park (in two sections) is really rather... more travel advice

Red lights and 'steam'..... - Boston Have a splash! Off The Beaten Path (10)

The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a series of parks following the line of Atlantic Avenue and onwards. The Greenway was... more travel advice

Fishy mosaic - Boston Find the big fishes! Off The Beaten Path (10)

I came across the rather lovely mosaic quite unexpectedly one evening, whilst wandering around the Long Wharf area. I... more travel advice

Comments (4)

  • Reply
    mariahc1's Profile Photo
    Apr 26, 2012 at 3:26 AM

    I wish I were a student in Boston, that city is unique for students. Beautiful, just beautiful. It made quite an impression on us.

  • Reply
    easterntrekker's Profile Photo
    Feb 8, 2012 at 11:21 AM

    I enjoyed your pages. I've been to Boston many times. Love that city!

  • Reply
    dnwitte's Profile Photo
    Sep 21, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Interesting to see my home for the last 33 years through the eyes of a visitor. So glad you appreciated it.

  • Reply
    clunker's Profile Photo
    Sep 16, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    I meant to get back to you earlier but with all of the flooding around here it's been a bit crazy. My wife and I along with our nephew from Ireland and a friend went to see the whales as well, about the same time as you. We went on the 19th of August, and unlike your trip, it got very hot and we all got burned pretty good. The whales were magnificent, but we spent too little time with them. We went out of Gloucester, 35 miles each way. I will post my pics soon. Anyway, just thought it was funny if you were there the same week or even day. Take care and happy travels!

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