We spent three days in Boston, Massachusetts from November 10-14, 2021. We’d been to New England a number of times – to Cape Cod, New Hampshire and Vermont – but never to Boston. We very much enjoyed our fall getaway.
In this oldest of towns, the birthplace of American history, we cheered the Cheers bar and danced along with weeping willows and ginkgo trees in Boston Public Garden. We followed the redbrick road known as The Freedom Trail, from the Park Street Church, which played a key role in abolishing slavery, to the Granary Burying Ground, final resting place of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. We paid tribute to the Old South Meeting House, where arguments in 1773 led to the Boston Tea Party. We walked by Faneuil Hall, where Samuel Adams railed against “taxation without representation.” Finally we saluted Paul Revere’s house, his equestrian statue, and the Old North Church, of “One if by land, two if by sea” fame. We bumped our heads below deck on the U.S.S. Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides,” in Charlestown.
We admired harvest doors in Beacon Hill and circled Fenway park, where we were caught in a sudden deluge. We fought chaotic rain and gale force winds that turned our umbrellas inside out, while making our way to the marvelous Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which we enjoyed despite being soaked through and through. On our final day, we strolled through Cambridge, admiring sculptures and architecture at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and at Harvard. We ate lobster rolls, sushi and bibimbap and toasted autumn in New England with a Southern Tier Pumking Beer with cinnamon on the rim and a Cisco Gray Lady. In a flash, we were on the “T” to the airport and back home in plenty of time for Thanksgiving.
I recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience.
Our top ten experiences in Boston were:
10) Boston Irish Famine Memorial
9) Fenway Park
8) Acorn Street
7) Cambridge: (1) MIT & (2) Harvard
6) The North End, aka “Little Italy”
5) Boston Public Library
4) Beacon Hill (the neighborhood where we stayed)
3) Boston Public Garden
2) The Freedom Trail: (1) the statue of Paul Revere & the Old North Church; (2) Granary Burying Ground; (3) Old State House & Boston Massacre Site; (4) Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
1) Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
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Wow, somewhere in the US that I have been to more than you! 3 times, in fact, Boston was the very first place I visited. Last time was c2013 and we went to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. I agree it was a highlight. I got shouted at for taking a photograph in the courtyard so didnโt take any more. I guess policy must have changed.
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Wow, so funny you’ve been to Boston so often, Anabel. Why so many times? We did love the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Sorry about getting yelled at for taking pictures. Nobody seemed to mind when we were there. Everyone was wearing masks and you couldn’t walk in the courtyard because it was all roped off. It was also pouring rain. Maybe no one had the energy to care at that time. I do wish we’d seen some more museums while we were there. I’m sure there is plenty more to do for another trip, but I doubt we’ll go back just because there are too many other places to visit! ๐
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First and second times, John was going to a conference and I tagged along.
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The third time was an actual vacation in New England because I wanted to see it in a less hurried fashion. Pressed send by accident a minute ago!
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Love the Fall colours, Cathy, and I’ve seen some good looking photos of Boston. It’s a place I’d be happy to visit.
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The fall colors were amazing then, Jo. New England always has the brightest and most colorful autumn leaves. And it was quite late, in November. I’m sure they were more brilliant in October. It was a fun little getaway, and I think you’d enjoy it. ๐
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Boston and Fall are a winning combination, since Toronto I have made the trip several times.
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I’m sure you also have beautiful fall colors in Toronto. And for sure, Boston in fall was beautiful. I see you’ve traveled extensively to South and Central America. We are planning our first trip to South America in June – spending 3 weeks in Ecuador (1 in Cuenca, 1 in the Andes, and 1 in Quito). Thanks for the good ideas on your blog! ๐
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This is a fantastic idea, at least you won’t need to change currency. Ecuador, like Bolivia, is both a very authentic country and one where the tourism sector has developed well close to North American standards. If you haven’t had the experience yet, beware of the altitude, the first two or three days may require you to reduce your activity. I am sure you will come back full of wonderful memories to share.
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Thanks so much for the encouragement. We’ve now booked our entire time in Ecuador. We’ll be in Cuenca, then all along the PanAmerican Highway in Ingapirca, Alausi, Riobamba, Latacunga, and up to Cotopaxi, then around Quito and Otovalo. I’ve been warned about the altitude so we plan to take it easy at first in Cuenca. Also, nice we don’t have to change currency. ๐
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Boston is one American city I really would like to visit. It looks beautiful.
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Thanks, Carol. It is definitely most beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing color. I was actually surprised that in mid-November there were leaves still on the trees. I think October would have been even more beautiful. We certainly enjoyed our time there. ๐
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