Boston Things to Do Tips by Rich62

Visit the Old South Meeting House Old South Church Review

THIS GREAT HIGH-STEEPLED CHURCH is often confused with the Old North Church. But the Old South Meeting House has plenty of history of its own. Here a group of colonists planned the Boston Tea Party and dressed as Indians before heading down to the wharf. They dressed as Indians not to put the blame on an Indian tribe, but rather to conceal their own individual identities. Any Boston Town Meeting that was too big for Faneuil Hall was adjourned to the Old South Meeting House.

Even years before that, a young lad was baptized here, and would go on to be one of the greatest leaders this nation has ever produced. His name was Benjamin Franklin.

Directions: Its on the Freedom Trail, on School Street (I think) near Devonshire St.

VISIT THE JFK LIBRARY & MUSEUM John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library & Museum Review

PREPARE TO BE TAKEN BACK IN TIME at the JFK Library/Museum. JFK would be 96 years old this year (2013) if he had lived and if my math is right.

The most touching area is at the end of the tour when you face a black wall with gold letters that say "November 22, 1963." Then you enter a totally black hallway and confront the images from that day. I remember where I was when I heard the news, do you?

There is also a nice cafeteria in the complex and a gift shop.

Address: Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125

Directions: South of downtown Boston, along the coast, about halfway to Quincy.

Phone: 617-514-1550

Website: http://www.jfklibrary.org/

OLD STATE HOUSE / BOSTON MASSACRE Old State House Review

THE OLD STATE HOUSE, shown here, was built in 1713. In 1776 a crowd gathered on the street below to hear the Declaration of Independence read for the first time in Massachusetts. Notice the golden embellishments atop the building; these were symbols of the British crown. Colonists tore them down during the American Revolution but in subsequent years we have replaced them for historical accuracy of that pre-revolutionary period.

On a small concrete island in the middle of the intersection in front of this building you will see a large circular plate. This is the location of the Boston Massacre, the first bloodshed between colonists and the British Redcoats. Five colonists died, including Crispus Attucks, who was half Native American and half African American. All five are buried in one of the old burial grounds on the Freedom Trail.

Please click the photo to see more shots of the Old State House.

Directions: On the Freedom Trail. It should be on or near the intersection of State Street, Congress Street and Court Street.

VISIT HARVARD Harvard Square - Harvard University Review

ACTUALLY, HARVARD IS IN CAMBRIDGE, which is next door to Boston, but let's not get picky, ok? Anyway it is a stunningly beautiful campus to visit. A stroll through the Harvard campus will surely lower your blood pressure after the hectic Boston streets (or subway or taxi) that got you there.

Address: Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA

Directions: North of the Charles River in Cambridge. Just take the blue line subway and get off at the Harvard station.

SEE THE NEWEST BRIDGE

THE ZAKIM/BUNKER HILL BRIDGE connects the North End to Charlestown. Bunker Hill is in Charleston. (However the battle was actually fought on Breed's Hill, which is right next to Bunker Hill.)

Directions: Inner Harbor

VISIT FANEUIL HALL & QUINCY MARKET Faneuil Hall - Quincy Market Review

FANEUIL HALL is where the first protest of the Sugar Act took place, and it is here that the concept of "no taxation without representation" was created.

The adjacent Quincy Market was added in 1826.

Today you can eat here, buy souveniers, clothing, accessories and such. There are usually street entertainers as well.

Directions: Its just a block from the Government Center subway stop, or you could get off at the Aquarium stop.

STROLL THE BEACON HILL NEIGHBORHOOD Beacon Hill & Charles Street Review

THIS IS AN AREA OF GREAT OLD RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE.

Beacon Hill Avenue runs along the north side of the Boston Common; The Beacon Hill Neighborhood lies just to the north of that.

Directions: Area bounded by: Storrow Dr., Cambridge St., Beacon St., Bowdoin St. Its roughly 5 blocks by 5 blocks and lies north of the Boston Common.

Website: http://www.beaconhillonline.com/

VISIT THE CHARLES RIVER AREA Charles River Review

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE PAUL REVERE ROWED ACROSS THE CHARLES RIVER and stood on the other side awaiting the lantern signal "one if by land, two if by sea."

This is a very friendly, somewhat slower-paced area of Boston that you should enjoy.

click on the photo to see more.

Directions: Storrow Drive / Memorial Drive

BOSTON COMMON: A GREAT STARTING PLACE Boston Common Review

MANY PEOPLE START THEIR WALK ON THE FREEDOM TRAIL RIGHT HERE.

Directions: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.

Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

WALK THE FREEDOM TRAIL! Freedom Trail Review

JUST START AT THE BOSTON COMMON and follow the bricks lined along the middle of the sidewalk. Its the greatest self-guided tour in America, in my opinion.

Directions: From the Boston Common to Old Ironsides.