Sunday, March 15, 2015

Discovering the backbone of America’s revolution in Boston

Old and new in Boston

With championship pro-sports franchises, an historic tea party, a famous pie and chowder and the setting for a top television comedy, I wasn’t sure what my focus would be, when I booked a trip to Boston.

Granted, visiting Boston at the end of winter after a month of record-setting snow storms probably didn’t give me the most positive impression of the city, but I found a hook for my tour. I made it my mission to discover the Freedom Trail.
The State House
Billed as a “one-of-a-kind American experience,” the Freedom Trail links a cluster of buildings and historic sites in downtown Boston that celebrate the American Revolution.
With the spirited and engaging storytelling by tour guide Brian of Free Tours by Foot, I learned about the key activities of more than 200 years ago leading to America’s independence such as the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Paul Revere’s messenger ride in 1775.
 The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile, red-lined route linking 16 historically significant sites – meeting halls, churches and graveyards. Promotional material says “every step tells a story.”  The red-brick line was a little difficult to follow at times when it disappeared into a pile of snow.
Other highlights of this trip:  great coffee and Italian baked goods in the North End (Little Italy); a tour of the Samuel Adams brewery; a Celtics basketball game at the TD Garden; a surprisingly enjoyable Blue Man Group show in the theatre district; a quick walk around the Harvard University Campus and sampling four bowls of clam chowder. 

Old North Church

Bunker Hill Monument
 
Harvard campus
 
Predictably, I did make a stop in the bar that inspired the Cheers TV sitcom. Nobody knew my name.


No comments:

Post a Comment