Visiting Boston Part Two

            Originally, our things to do in Boston list was only going to be one post. Boston, however, has too many places to visit to cram into one little blog post. So we decided to expand it to another. (Honestly, we could probably make a whole series about this… and we just might.) So this week, we decided to offer five more things to do in Boston.

Fenway Park: The home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park is the oldest baseball stadium in the United States. Opened in 1912, just days after the sinking of the Titanic, Fenway is nestled in the Kenmore-Fenway neighborhood resulting in the ballpark’s quirky dimensions. The location of Lansdowne Street forced the construction of the fabled Green Monster, a 37-foot tall wall spanning left field. From April to October, Fenway hosts 81 Red Sox home games. Thanks to the ownership group that took over the team in 2003, Fenway has undergone significant structural improvements and has played host to numerous concerts, soccer games, and outdoor hockey in the winter. The new ownership group also created a new section of seating on top of the Green Monster, offering a great spot to watch a game.  

Make Way for Ducklings! 

Boston Common/Public Garden: Nestled under Beacon Hill and the State House, the Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States. Opened in 1634 as a place for Puritan settlers to graze their cattle, the Common has remained in continuous use since then. After the city of Boston banned cattle grazing in the 1830s, the park took on new life as a green space inside the ever-growing city. Today, it serves as the beginning of the Freedom Trail, and boasts softball and baseball fields, and numerous walking trails. In the winter, Frog Pond serves as a public ice-skating rink. Next to the Common is the Public Garden which includes the famous Make Way for Ducklings installation in honor of the famed children’s book by Robert McCloskey.

North End: Surrounded on three sides by water and Interstate 93 on the other, the North End is Boston’s oldest neighborhood. Originally settled in the 1630s by the Puritans, the neighborhood has been populated by a variety of ethnic groups. Beginning in the early 20^th century, Italians came to dominate the neighborhood. That influence continues today. It’s nearly impossible to walk 10 yards down Hanover Street (one of the North End’s biggest streets) without encountering an Italian restaurant. Any trip to the North End requires a trip to Mike’s Pastry for their world-famous cannoli. The North End also houses much of Boston’s colonial history including the Old North Church and Paul Revere’s house.  

Newbury Street 

Newbury Street: Located in the Back Bay and running from the Common to Brookline Avenue, Newbury Street is famous for its quirky shops and restaurants. Newbury Street emerged as a shopping district in the 1970s with the opening of the original Newbury Comics. The comic book seller and music store sparked an outpouring of new art galleries, eateries, and independent book stores. Over the ensuing decades, many of the independent businesses have closed or moved due to increasing rents. They’ve been replaced by high-end chain businesses seeking to capitalize on Newbury Street’s reputation. Despite the encroachment by big business, the street has retained its charm.

Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market: Faneuil Hall opened in the 1740s as a market house for Boston’s merchant class. During the run-up to the American Revolution, it hosted speeches by Samuel Adams and James Otis. Throughout the 18^th and 19^th centuries, Faneuil Hall served as a public meeting place for the citizens of Boston. It is currently part of the Freedom Trail and the Boston National Historical Park. Located right behind Faneuil Hall is Quincy Market, a historic market dating back to the 1820s. Currently, the lengthy rectangular building houses a wide range of restaurants and storefronts. It is a popular lunch spot for tourists and locals alike.