The Crazie Explorers Visit BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

cruisetarp · August 23, 2010

This will be our last stop before returning to Cape Liberty. Just a quick over-view and later on a few suggestions of things to see and do here. We will be in Boston from 8AM til 5PM.

Boston is a big city, but it doesn't feel that way when you're walking around -- and make no mistake, this is one of those cities perfect to explore on foot (if you're not a walker, join a trolley or amphibious vehicle tour). In 20 minutes you can stroll from the Common (Boston's Central Park) down to the waterfront, and pass major historical attractions, shops and food purveyors along the way. Boston is perhaps America's most glamourous historic city, dating back more than 350 years. The city was founded in 1630 by colonists led by John Winthrop, and gets its name from an English village. The events that led to the American Revolution started here, including the infamous arguments over the tax on tea that led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773. During the protest three British ships were raided by colonists dressed as Indians who dumped tea into the harbor. In 1775, Paul Revere helped spread the word here "The British are coming." The next day, the "shot heard round the world" was fired, signaling the start of the American Revolution. These days, Boston, also dubbed "Beantown" (the moniker is another colonial-era legacy, referring to a time when baked beans made with molasses were a Boston specialty), has a European feel, in part because of its many ancient buildings and cozy ambience. But it is not a city museum by any stretch. As an area home to major educational institutions, including Harvard, M.I.T. and Boston College, a big student population also contributes a fresh, edgy feel. The "locals" are part of Boston's charm. Just keep in mind they tend to come in two categories: friendly and grouchy (there are even restaurants that specialize in surly waitresses). This is a big sports town and the Red Sox and the Patriots are king. A conversation on either will bring emotional discourse. Politics are freely discussed too in the land of the Kennedys (and Kerry). Sure, there's lots of American history, especially on the Freedom Trail (just follow the red lines down the sidewalk) -- but if television history is more your style, visit the bar that was the model for "Cheers." And as a visitor you shouldn't overlook the city's many museums. Boston has great shopping both for those who want to spend big bucks and for those looking for "bah-gans." And we care much about eating here too -- you can find everything from haute cuisine to Fenway Franks. If you order "chowda" it will be the creamy kind (don't even ask for tomato-based). The "Big Dig" -- the world's largest construction project, and a major effort to create a system of roadways and tunnels that will alleviate Boston's famous gridlock -- has become a tourist attraction in its own right. Bostonians are adjusting, cabbies are learning the new routes and the multi-year project will be completed ... eventually!

cruisetarp · August 23, 2010

Boston is rich in history and there is plenty to see and do while we are there. After visiting some of the historical points in Boston a stop at the bar used for the TV show Cheers could be in order (although the inside of the bar looks nothing like the Cheers set lol)

American History: Walk the Freedom Trail (www.thefreedomtrail.org). The 2.5-mile trail links 16 historic sites. Start at the Boston Common information center (146 Tremont Street), where you can get maps and information. Audio tours are available, as are guided walking tours. Several operators also offer trolley tours. You really have to be into history to do the whole thing (it takes a day, at least). But don't miss a personal favorite, the gravesite of the woman known as Mother Goose. It's at the Granary Burying Ground on Tremont Street. The Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center (15 State Street) has friendly park rangers available to answer questions, and a book and souvenir shop.

Art: The Museum of Fine Arts (465 Huntington Ave.) is one of the finest art museums in the country, noted especially for its Impressionist collection. Monet lovers will rejoice! For quirky, visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (280 The Fenway), located in the eclectic collector's former home, a 19th-century building designed to look like a 15th-century Venetian palace.

Back to the Country -- In the City: Boston Common, this city's version of New York's Central Park, is absolutely lovely. It's a must do, especially on nice sunny days. Don't miss the adjacent Boston Public Garden, especially the lagoon where you'll find the city's famed Swan Boats, operated by paddles. The ride takes about 15 minutes, but beware: On nice days lines can be long. If you're a fan of the famous "Make Way for Ducklings" children's book (which also makes a great souvenir) check out the statues of Mrs. Mallard amid her ducklings.

Shopping: Near the Common are the expensive shops of Newbury Street, shopping Nirvana (more shops, including Neiman Marcus, can be found a few blocks away in the mall settings of Copley Place and the Prudential Center). For distinctive, one-of-a-kind antiques and contemporary crafts, we love the Beacon Hill area's boutiques.

Marketplace: Faneuil Hall is a lively historical spot with street performers, a huge food court, restaurants, bars and lots of shopping opportunities.

Waterfront: The New England Aquarium (Central Wharf) has an excellent indoor fish collection, performing sea lions and seals, and excellent whale watching excursions.

KeithnRita · August 23, 2010

We just want to dump some tea into Boston Harbor!

deb1220 · August 26, 2010

I highly recommend The Freedom Trail. At least doing part of it. I'm not a big history buff and it was very interesting to me....especially the cemetery. You see many familiar historical names.

1shipshape · August 27, 2010

I'm looking forward to speaking with the locals to hear their Bostonian accents!!! Also, I read that you can get some of the BEST lobster lunch and dinner deals any where on the coast. Hiking some of the trail sounds great especially before the lobster to work up an appetite and after the lobster to work it off.

cruisetarp · March 23, 2011

Since Boston will be our busiest port of call with 2 other ships in port at the same time as we are (Carnival Glory and Queen Elizabeth) I think we should find something to do here and get it booked before we can't get what we want.

Does anyone have anything special they want to see there? Hector has suggested we take the Hop On Hop Off trolley tour which I think will give us the most bang for our bucks and allow us to see as much as possible while we are there. We can start off together and then everyone can more or less do their own thing - getting off when they want or stay on for the whole tour.

Suggestions please?

deb1220 · March 23, 2011

The one and only time we visited Boston, we just followed the Freedom Trail - very interesting. Some friends of ours went on the the "Duck Tour" and loved it - http://www.bostonducktours.com/

sailingrose · March 23, 2011

The trolley seems to be a good value from what I've been reading.

dino1pa · March 23, 2011

Hello Everybody; Mary Lou. Excellent review and information on my favorite town Boston. I think that seeing the amount of time available to us that day, the trolley seems to be the most convenient way to see the sites. By the way everyone there are 3 Cheers based bars in the Boston area, 2 of them back to back at the Marketplace, and the original one (fasade only used for the show) directly across from the Boston Gardens. Mary Lou; You just let me know what is required of me to partake on the group tour. Sorry to hear about the latest cancellation. How many shirts do we need now? I am planning to contact the printer this Saturday. :cool2:

/

cruisetarp · March 23, 2011

Hello Everybody; Mary Lou. Excellent review and information on my favorite town Boston. I think that seeing the amount of time available to us that day, the trolley seems to be the most convenient way to see the sites. By the way everyone there are 3 Cheers based bars in the Boston area, 2 of them back to back at the Marketplace, and the original one (fasade only used for the show) directly across from the Boston Gardens. Mary Lou; You just let me know what is required of me to partake on the group tour. Sorry to hear about the latest cancellation. How many shirts do we need now? I am planning to contact the printer this Saturday.

/