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Day 15 - Boston (28 October ‘23)

Updated: Oct 30, 2023

Feeling great after a good nights sleep we had breakfast and headed out. This morning we had planned to go on a harbour cruise (we love a boat!).


We got off the subway as close to the harbour as we could get and finished the journey on foot via the Rose Kennedy Greenway (named after JFK's mum). The greenway is basically a 1.5 mile long stretch of green park space in the middle of two roads (the sort of 'reserve' between the two directions of traffic). All the way along there is public art, places to sit, trees, and grass. Walking along the greenway certainly beats walking along the regular sidewalk.


We arrived at the harbour, boarded the boat and got ourselves comfortable. The tour guide/commentator was so professional we didn't realise he was delivering it live until a good 5 or 10 minutes in. He helped us piece together some of the parts we missed on the Trolley Tour yesterday. The ride took us along Boston Harbour, past the place where the Americans wasted perfectly good tea, past a few wharfs, Fort Independence, the airport and alongside Bunker Hill memorial bridge. In 25 degree sunshine, it was nice to be out on the water - yet again feeling like this had become the summer holiday we never had.


Once back on dry land, we made a beeline to Quincy Market, which has been recommended to us by lots of people, via a stop at the Greenway Artisan Market, where we had a mooch around and a good look at the stalls. It was absolutely buzzing at Quincy Market and had a Covent Garden in the summer vibe to it with lots of people sitting outside, buskers playing music, street entertainers gathering crowds and lots of food and market stalls open for business. As it was time for lunch, we did a lap of the food stalls and decided on a Greek Wrap (I had Souvlaki). We sat inside to escape the blazing sun and enjoyed the food and the atmosphere.


We mooched around the market a bit more and then decided to pick up the 'Freedom Trail'. The Freedom Trail is an absolutely genius idea (they have something similar in Portsmouth but not quite the same). There is a red brick path that takes you all the way from the downtown, through and near all of the key historical places in Boston. For each place, there is an explanatory plaque and/or notes on the freedom trail website. It took us away from Quincy Market, through the Italian district, up to Paul Revere's house and statue, up past Old North Church (where Paul used lanterns to let everyone know the British were coming) and then up to Copse Hill Burial Ground.


We left the trail there (as the rest of it was up to Bunker Hill, the memorial of which was under scaffolding). We made our way to the Subway and headed to Harvard for a little look around. Having done countless tours of Oxford and Cambridge University buildings and colleges, I thought that while in the area I should pop along and see how it works at Harvard. They allow you access into 'Harvard Yard' where most of the main buildings are, for free, and even have a free self-guided tour app that you can follow as you walk around the campus with information about the various buildings and places in the yard. University of Oxford, take note! After spending about an hour mooching around we headed for dinner. We headed to a Smoke House BBQ restaurant which was fairly nearby. The area around Harvard was coming alive with Halloween revellers heading for their nights out.


We finished our meal and on the way to the Subway grabbed a dessert from the famous (and again highly recommended) 'Mike's Bakery'. They are famous for their Canoli's - which is like a crispy pastry shell filled with something creamy. I had a chocolate one, but was saving it for when we got back to the apartment. Despite the excitement building all around us for the halloween events in Boston, we needed to repack our bags and get a decent nights sleep to be able to get up early for our train to New York in the morning - and to be able to make the most of the day when we get there, so instead of donning a costume and heading into the city centre, here I am at 9.15pm Boston time, writing this blog entry having just had a cup of tea and a Canoli.


We know how to party.


An enormous mural on the Rose Kennedy Greenway.


The Greenway.


Boston from the water.


Quincy Market.


Inside Quincy.


Paul Revere's statue.


The Red Brick trail... mind the chewing gum stain. Honestly, photography is not my forte.


Old North Church.


Harvard - Memorial Church.


Harvard - Widener Library.


Harvard - John Harvard statue. Fun fact about two rituals at Harvard.


  1. His left toe is shiny. Tourists like to rub it/touch it for good luck especially while take photos next to it - we saw many doing it.

  2. The streaks below it is from another ritual where Harvard students like to urinate on it. Stay classy Harvard!


Half rack of ribs. Served up with a slice of melon!


Mike's Bakery Canoli. Not bad!





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