USA : Boston – Woke and Awake Travel

To & From :

Boston is such an easy City to visit, a little over 7 hours out and 6 back, the -5 GMT allows for a long weekend visit, these days it would almost be a commute option, Aer Lingus flight returns are amongst the first to arrive in Dublin around 5 am.

Frequent schedules into Boston Logan International Airport ( BOS), allow you to maximise your time arriving just two hours after departure, so mid-afternoon is best, the airport is close to the City, transfers only take about 30 minutes, so from touchdown to downtown is about 90 minutes, assuming you have completed pre-clearance at Dublin.

We have been to Boston a number of times, but our favourite location and Hotel visit was to the Loews, a converted former Boston Police Headquarters building close to Copley Square which ticks all the boxes.We also stayed in the Fairmont on previous visit great location also.

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As in most US cities check in is straightforward and efficient, and being within walking distance to all amenities, you will be immersing yourself in American culture the night of arrival.

We chose to stroll out to Joe’s American Bar and Grill 10 minutes from the hotel in Back Bay district, few drinks and overdose on American cuisine sets you up for the weekend.

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Day 1.

Boston is a relatively compact City with good subway services, and easy to navigate. We headed for the nearest Subway at Back Bay and headed to Boston Common, dating from 1634 it is the oldest city park in the US.

We picked up the Freedom trail marked largely with brick, which winds its way between The Common and over the Charles river to the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. Plenty of stops along the trail include simple explanatory ground markers, graveyards, notable churches and buildings, and a historic naval frigate. While most of the sites are free or suggest donations, the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House and the Paul Revere House charge admission.

Possibly one of the most iconic stops on the trail is Faneuil Hall centrally located between Old Boston and the Financial District, nicknamed the Cradle of Liberty it was often the centre for revolutionary gatherings back as far as 1763, today like much of USA a hot bed of fast food restaurants garishly blended with retail.

Over the Charles river into Charlestown the Bunker Hill monument is in Obelisk terms precisely that, proud and loud, commemorating a battle waged in 1775.

We turned our attentions to maritime military conflict and headed for the USS Constitution Museum, a fascinating insight into the war of 1812.

And of course lots of shopping for part & parcel of this trip you will find all you could want in Copley Place where anchor stores include J.Crew, Saks Fifth Ave & Neiman Marcus!

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We headed back over the river to North Station, and back to our hotel, for drinks and dinner at Precinct Kitchen & Bar.

Day 2.

Straight out next morning to explore the upmarket residential areas of Beacon Hill and West End. Louisburg Square, is at the centre of the wealthy trappings. Nichols House Museum provides a great insight into privileged mid 19th to mid 20th Century life. By contrast the Museum of African American History is only a few blocks away and more sobering.

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Harvard Gardens is a great spot for late lunch, before heading towards the river then down Charles street, and onto Beacon, passing Cheers pub leads you into Back Bay and Copley Square for some shopping before return to hotel for getting ready for dinner. We had chosen Mela an Indian restaurant about a 15 minute walk down Clarendon Street from the hotel, a distinctly average Indian, but the US seems to excel at mediocrity when it comes to curries.

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Day 3.

North End and Waterfront were amongst the first neighbourhoods established in Boston, now many of the old warehouses that were once the key to the City’s fortunes have been converted to apartment blocks worth fortunes.

We jumped out at South Station towards Griffin’s Wharf where in 1773 the Boston Tea Party took place, the wharf was buried beneath landfill years ago, but today a floating museum sits off Congress Street Bridge complete with replica ships, and live re-enactments.

Further along Atlantic Avenue is the New England Aquarium, a welcome sight as snow started to fall and temperatures dipped.

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The Aquarium is impressive centred around a vast four story ocean tank showcasing all sorts of marine life. There is a subway at Aquarium so easy to head back towards downtown and thaw out, and prepare to welcome in the New Year