Four Days in Boston September 2017, 9/17-9/21 =========================================================== General Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS The new Camera takes reasonably good pictures It was cloudy and rainy all weekend so It might not be a good test Very easy to carry in my Pocket Because there is no view finder it's had to take a level picture Jeans were too warm half of the time Temperature was 70 even Some really light Dockers would have been much better Review the subway/bus maps before leaving. You need to understand the layout Know that the Freedom trail is literally marked with a brick line in the pavement. No need for complicated directions, just literally follow the bricks. There is a Dunkin Donut on every corner, and not a single other fast food restaurant anywhere. Very, very, odd. A quick search on Google showed many other people wondering about this. It does not seem to be law or zoning related so I guess it's just preference. People in Boston are nice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday 17 Raleigh Fast Park. Still a winner The Flight from RDU to Boston was Full 1 hour delay leaving Raleigh due to Fog Some confusion when we got to Boston as to how to get from the Airport to the Hotel. The information at the Airport was very limited. I thought it was very hard to tell which routes were buses and which were trains. Louise knew there was an App, but there were multiple apps and it was impossible to tell which if any were 'official' apps. I finally found the "Transit App" which is now the official endorsed App of the MBTA. We eventually found that there are two ways out of the airport, the Silver line bus route and the Airport Shuttle to the Blue Line. We took the Silver line, but in retrospect the Blue would have been easier and that is the way we returned at the end of the trip. Note: The trip FROM the airport is free on the MBTA. But if you take the bus and have to transfer you may have to get off an back on in which case you would need a transit card. We got the 7 day Charlie card for $21 which allows unlimited rides on anything for 7 days. Worked great. Suggestions: Download the most recent official App before you go. Fine out what each color line is Bus or subway Understand that all signs are marked as "In bound" and "Out bound" The app mine give the destination as a Number, but the signs give place names "sometimes" Dinner at Legal Seafood Underwhelming. We both got Lobster Bisque, and thought it Meh. Then we shared the seafood casserole which was also Meh No bread was served with dinner Walked through the Boston Commons were they were having "Freedom Rally 2017", AKA Weed Fest. Currently Weed is legal to own, but not legal to see or smoke/consume in public. The Consuming in public part was very much ignored. Had drinks at the rooftop Bar at the "Revere Hotel". Nice place with a neat view. Appetizer and drinks at the Hotel Bar. Wine was good and the pizza appetizer was great ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday 18 Breakfast/Lunch : Food vendor selling Italian Sausages. Fine, but maybe not before a sea cruise. Funny but annoying. We saw the sign for the Quincy Market, but it didn't say anything about food so we ignored it. Sigh. Whale Watching The Whale Watching trip was interesting but what I expected. Given the murkiness of the water you only get to see the whales when they come to the surface and even when they do so, you only see a small part of them. I'm was wondering if the Caribbean would have better viewing, but could find nothing online. Late Lunch at "Joes" Best food of the trip. The Clam chowder was incredible. Next time get it in the bread bowl Freedom Trail We walked from Faneuil Hall North. New England Holocaust Memorial (kinda saw this in passing) Oldest Bar in America (Low on time, didn't go in) Front of the Paull Revere House (Didn't go in) Italian Section of Boston (Narrow streets and a restaurant every 10'. Don't miss) Old North Church We crossed the bridge to see the USS Constitution but it was after 5pm and was closed. Long walk back to the subway (should have taken the bus but the bus stop was not obvious) Dinner: Hotel Bar for Appetizer and drinks at the Bar. Sliders, Fries, and horrible Manhattans. Warm Manhattans without ice? Really? And OMG slow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday 19 Breakfast/Lunch at Jacob Wirth. Nice place. Would love to visit again. We were looking for someplace quick and light so we both just had the lettuce wedges. We were going to do the Hop on Hop off trolley, but the ticket seller mentioned they were running behind and we didn't think we would get out money's worth. So we just took the subway and bus to the USS Constitution. This worked great (but then again, but this point we were getting the hang of the public transportation system) Freedom Trail Part2 USS Constitution Fantastic. Definitely a "must do" if you have not been before. Bunker Hill Memorial Utterly underwhelming. Just Pass. Really, just pass and only do the stairs if you REALLY feel you need to get more exercise. Tiring, boring climb, with a poor view at the top for not much of a payoff. Back to the Hotel for a shower and change of clothes Dinner at Pellino's Ristorante in the North End Very Nice. Quaint look, great service, and good food. Louise got the seafood ravioli and it was to die for. 5/5 I got the seafood special which was a whole lobster in diablo sauce over linguini. Very Good 4/5 Drinks at Parla Craft Cocktail Bar 5/5 I think this place was made for us. Simply incredible. Love the look and feel of the place. Great owner and bartender -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday 20 Horrible Breakfast at Philadelphia Steak & Hoagie and A pastry shop in Quincy Market. Walked across the street to the Hotel Restaurant "North 26" in the Bostonian Boston Hotel to find food that was edible. Boston Aquarium It's an Aquarium 3/5 If you want a good aquarium go to Baltimore, or Disney's Discovery Cove Afternoon drinks and pizza appetizer at Ned Devine's Great. Love the look and a wonderful bartender Boston Fine Art Museum Exceptional Also huge We wish we had the time we wasted at the aquarium to spend here. Love how they incorporated furniture into the American exhibit Love the "dioramas" where they combined items for a slice of life. They have a musical instrument exhibit and room! Skipped going back to the hotel as we figured we wouldn't leave and went directly to the North End. Dinner at Mother Anna's in the North End Good food and Great service Meals are huge. Share! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday 21 Flight back to Raleigh. About 1/2 full, almost no one in 1st class or Business Class If you have the time go to the ticket desk and ask about upgrades, can't hurt.