Boston Museums and Freedom Trail - Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Again, the kids and I woke up and went to breakfast at the Dunkin Donuts in the Prudential Centre. We had the same meal as we are definitely creatures of habit. We couldn't decide what to do and we really didn't want to take another tour, but going on a trolley tour would allow us the flexibility to get on and off at points of interest. The children wanted to go to the Aquarium and Children's Museum so Al dropped us off at the Museum before he started work for the day.
We were there so long and they enjoyed it so much, we didn't have time for the Aquarium. In the afternoon, we took a cab back to the Boston Common Visitor Center for our walking tour of the Freedom Trail. We were the only four people on the tour. It was a nice and informative tour. Our guide was an older gentlemen who was soft-spoken and knowledgeable. He was very kind and patient with our overly excited children. After the tour we had dinner at Mama Anna's restaurant in the Italian area of the city right by Paul Revere's house and then drove around Charlestown and to the Bunker Hill Monument. We went to bed relatively early (around 11:30 p.m.) because we are all exhausted.
Showing posts with label Boston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston. Show all posts
Duck tour through Boston - Monday, July 13, 2009
Duck tour through Boston - Monday, July 13, 2009
My daughter slept with me last night and spent the night kicking, punching, and just jumping all over the place. I did not get much sleep. Al had to stay in the hotel and work so I took the kids to the Prudential Centre (attached to our hotel) and had breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. I studied brochures, guidebooks and talked to the concierge and couldn't decide what tour(s) to take. We walked around a bit, and finally decided on the Duck Tour.
We got lunch at Shaw's (market) so we could take it on the tour with us since we'd be on the tour for a long time. We arrived at 1:00 p.m. as we were told for a 1:30 p.m.departure. We were third from the last row to board, but took the last row of seats. The two kids sat on one row and I sat across by myself. Once the tour guide came on, she closed the ladder and added a third seat in between the 2 rows. We had a lot of space! These are interesting vehicles and the kids loved it.
The vehicles used for these tours are modeled after vehicles from World War II (DUKWs). Due to many challenges facing by the armed services during World War II, it became apparent that troops needed vehicles that could carry men and supplies on land and water. In 1942 (within six months), the DUKW was designed. D is for designed in 1942, U is for utility amphibious cargo carrying vehicle, K is for front wheel drive and W is for double rear axle drive. I know it doesn't make sense...
They made about 21,000 DUKWs and women mostly made them since the men were off at war. When the war ended they sold the vehicles and that's how Duck Tours got them. Some are original, but the majority are modified reproductions. Each of the vehicles is painted and has a cute name. Ours was painted in Red Sox colors and was named "Red Sox Nathan." My son was happy about that. Our guide was Penny Wise and she was in a Navy Uniform. All the guides must wear costumes. She wears the Navy uniform in honor of her Dad and Grandad who served in the U.S. Navy.
The tour was informative, funny and very entertaining. We drove on Bolyston St. (we drove right over the finish line for the Boston Marathon). We passed in front of the Trinity Church, Beacon Hill and the State House in between the Public Garden and Boston Common (the oldest public park in the U.S.), and many more sites. Then we went to a deserted construction site where the ramp to enter the river is found. The kids were filled with anticipation and their faces were glowing with the excitement. We basically drove in and then the propeller kicked on. It was great! We cruised on the river for awhile.
While we were on the river, we saw many sailboats. The view was beautiful with the skyline in the distance and hundreds of sailboats in the river. One of the sailboats almost crashed into us and did hit the wall of the bridge. It turns out this was one of the students from the nation's oldest boating program. Every summer, local school children (about 1600) participate in the program to learn to sail. They pay only $1.00 for the whole summer and go out every day and all day. The little sailor was fine. Our guide called for help and someone came out to help him immediately.
Our ride on the Charles River continued and it was wonderful. Then the kids got a great surprise as they were all going to take turns driving the DUCK. They both had turns and got their pictures taken while steering. We were on the river for 45 minutes or so, then we went to Charlestown, Quincy Market, and back on Tremont Street (where we saw the three mountains), and back to the stop. We bought the book, "Make Way for Ducklings" and the state book of Massachusetts at the DUCK gift cart. We had a stupendous time, and we were all glad we decided on this tour over the other ones!
We met Al at the hotel and went to the Public Garden to ride the Swan boats. We had a beautiful ride. It was very serene and the views from there were breath-taking. Boston is a gorgeous city. We walked around the park, took many pictures on the "world's smallest suspension bridge" and then took a cab back to the hotel. We picked up our car and drove to Cambridge, Harvard Square and around Harvard. We parked and explored the Harvard campus. We walked around a long time and got to hang out with some of the students as they walked around us getting to their classes and dorms.
We had dinner in Cambridge and then went back to the hotel!
My daughter slept with me last night and spent the night kicking, punching, and just jumping all over the place. I did not get much sleep. Al had to stay in the hotel and work so I took the kids to the Prudential Centre (attached to our hotel) and had breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. I studied brochures, guidebooks and talked to the concierge and couldn't decide what tour(s) to take. We walked around a bit, and finally decided on the Duck Tour.
We got lunch at Shaw's (market) so we could take it on the tour with us since we'd be on the tour for a long time. We arrived at 1:00 p.m. as we were told for a 1:30 p.m.departure. We were third from the last row to board, but took the last row of seats. The two kids sat on one row and I sat across by myself. Once the tour guide came on, she closed the ladder and added a third seat in between the 2 rows. We had a lot of space! These are interesting vehicles and the kids loved it.
The vehicles used for these tours are modeled after vehicles from World War II (DUKWs). Due to many challenges facing by the armed services during World War II, it became apparent that troops needed vehicles that could carry men and supplies on land and water. In 1942 (within six months), the DUKW was designed. D is for designed in 1942, U is for utility amphibious cargo carrying vehicle, K is for front wheel drive and W is for double rear axle drive. I know it doesn't make sense...
They made about 21,000 DUKWs and women mostly made them since the men were off at war. When the war ended they sold the vehicles and that's how Duck Tours got them. Some are original, but the majority are modified reproductions. Each of the vehicles is painted and has a cute name. Ours was painted in Red Sox colors and was named "Red Sox Nathan." My son was happy about that. Our guide was Penny Wise and she was in a Navy Uniform. All the guides must wear costumes. She wears the Navy uniform in honor of her Dad and Grandad who served in the U.S. Navy.
The tour was informative, funny and very entertaining. We drove on Bolyston St. (we drove right over the finish line for the Boston Marathon). We passed in front of the Trinity Church, Beacon Hill and the State House in between the Public Garden and Boston Common (the oldest public park in the U.S.), and many more sites. Then we went to a deserted construction site where the ramp to enter the river is found. The kids were filled with anticipation and their faces were glowing with the excitement. We basically drove in and then the propeller kicked on. It was great! We cruised on the river for awhile.
While we were on the river, we saw many sailboats. The view was beautiful with the skyline in the distance and hundreds of sailboats in the river. One of the sailboats almost crashed into us and did hit the wall of the bridge. It turns out this was one of the students from the nation's oldest boating program. Every summer, local school children (about 1600) participate in the program to learn to sail. They pay only $1.00 for the whole summer and go out every day and all day. The little sailor was fine. Our guide called for help and someone came out to help him immediately.
Our ride on the Charles River continued and it was wonderful. Then the kids got a great surprise as they were all going to take turns driving the DUCK. They both had turns and got their pictures taken while steering. We were on the river for 45 minutes or so, then we went to Charlestown, Quincy Market, and back on Tremont Street (where we saw the three mountains), and back to the stop. We bought the book, "Make Way for Ducklings" and the state book of Massachusetts at the DUCK gift cart. We had a stupendous time, and we were all glad we decided on this tour over the other ones!
We met Al at the hotel and went to the Public Garden to ride the Swan boats. We had a beautiful ride. It was very serene and the views from there were breath-taking. Boston is a gorgeous city. We walked around the park, took many pictures on the "world's smallest suspension bridge" and then took a cab back to the hotel. We picked up our car and drove to Cambridge, Harvard Square and around Harvard. We parked and explored the Harvard campus. We walked around a long time and got to hang out with some of the students as they walked around us getting to their classes and dorms.
We had dinner in Cambridge and then went back to the hotel!
Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park - Sunday, July 12, 2009
Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park - Sunday, July 12, 2009
We woke up around 9:00 a.m. Al and the kids went to get breakfast and we ate in our room overlooking the awesome view. We are on the 20th floor. Shortly after breakfast, Al and the kids left to buy Red Sox paraphernalia so they can wear it to the game. I stayed in the room to unwind and shower and get ready. We will be heading over to the Red Sox game very soon. It starts at 1:30 p.m. and it is now 11:00 a.m.
We took a cab to historic Fenway Park and went to the Stub Hub offices to get our tickets. They were located in a small office building right near the stadium. What an experience! There were thousands of people on the streets right outside the stadium, which is really a closed off neighborhood. When you scan your ticket, you are not entering the stadium. You are entering the neighborhood. We arrived at our seats and they were pretty horrible. We were in Grandstand 7 and had a beam right in the middle of our view. In addition, I had an overly large man sitting next to me (or on me) and he coughed a lot. I was a little grossed out. Needless to say, we were all a little disappointed, including Alissa. We tried to comfort ourselves with lots of food, but it didn't work. We decided to move.
We walked around looking for a spot or a place we could sneak in to get a better view. We found a place directly across from the field next to the Upper Deck bar. We stood there a long time, while Alex scoped out the bleachers. He noticed that there were a group of seats that remained empty the entire time. He decided to go down and try to sit in them. I stayed just in case he couldn't get them so we wouldn't lose our great spot. Finally, I went down and joined them and we weren't asked to move the whole game. Thank God it turned out well!!!! We were sitting very close to the lone red seat where Babe Ruth hit his first home run. Jake tells me that the Yankees and Red Sox hate each other because the Red Sox took Babe Ruth away from the Yankees...they didn't like that.
We had a lovely time at the game, even though it was a bit warm. We ate Italian sausage, hot dogs, kettle korn popcorn, and lemonade. We walked back to the hotel. It was a nice walk, and there were so many people doing the same it was actually entertaining. Mike Lowell was stuck in traffic and we walked alongside his car most of the way.
We went back to the hotel to change rooms and clothes. They changed us to a better room with two beds and on the 15th floor. We tried to go to ride the swans at the Public Garden, but it was closed already. We decided to have dinner at Legal Seafood and headed down to the wharf for dinner and sightseeing. We couldn't find parking near the restaurant so we parked by Quincy market and walked and enjoyed the scenery. The tall ships were in Boston for the Harborfest. It's funny as they've been following us around the whole trip. They were in Charleston and Norfolk and now in Boston.
We woke up around 9:00 a.m. Al and the kids went to get breakfast and we ate in our room overlooking the awesome view. We are on the 20th floor. Shortly after breakfast, Al and the kids left to buy Red Sox paraphernalia so they can wear it to the game. I stayed in the room to unwind and shower and get ready. We will be heading over to the Red Sox game very soon. It starts at 1:30 p.m. and it is now 11:00 a.m.
We took a cab to historic Fenway Park and went to the Stub Hub offices to get our tickets. They were located in a small office building right near the stadium. What an experience! There were thousands of people on the streets right outside the stadium, which is really a closed off neighborhood. When you scan your ticket, you are not entering the stadium. You are entering the neighborhood. We arrived at our seats and they were pretty horrible. We were in Grandstand 7 and had a beam right in the middle of our view. In addition, I had an overly large man sitting next to me (or on me) and he coughed a lot. I was a little grossed out. Needless to say, we were all a little disappointed, including Alissa. We tried to comfort ourselves with lots of food, but it didn't work. We decided to move.
We walked around looking for a spot or a place we could sneak in to get a better view. We found a place directly across from the field next to the Upper Deck bar. We stood there a long time, while Alex scoped out the bleachers. He noticed that there were a group of seats that remained empty the entire time. He decided to go down and try to sit in them. I stayed just in case he couldn't get them so we wouldn't lose our great spot. Finally, I went down and joined them and we weren't asked to move the whole game. Thank God it turned out well!!!! We were sitting very close to the lone red seat where Babe Ruth hit his first home run. Jake tells me that the Yankees and Red Sox hate each other because the Red Sox took Babe Ruth away from the Yankees...they didn't like that.
We had a lovely time at the game, even though it was a bit warm. We ate Italian sausage, hot dogs, kettle korn popcorn, and lemonade. We walked back to the hotel. It was a nice walk, and there were so many people doing the same it was actually entertaining. Mike Lowell was stuck in traffic and we walked alongside his car most of the way.
We went back to the hotel to change rooms and clothes. They changed us to a better room with two beds and on the 15th floor. We tried to go to ride the swans at the Public Garden, but it was closed already. We decided to have dinner at Legal Seafood and headed down to the wharf for dinner and sightseeing. We couldn't find parking near the restaurant so we parked by Quincy market and walked and enjoyed the scenery. The tall ships were in Boston for the Harborfest. It's funny as they've been following us around the whole trip. They were in Charleston and Norfolk and now in Boston.
Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield to Boston, MA - Saturday, July 11, 2009
Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield to Boston, MA - Saturday, July 11, 2009
Last night, we had made it just in time to see the fireworks from our room. They were spectacular. We all enjoyed watching them from the comfort of our room. Al picked up dinner and we had a super nice dinner overlooking the falls and in the comfort of our room. The price of our room on the door was supposed to be $1299.00 per night, regardless of the time of year. We got a great price and we believe an upgrade due to Al's status with Marriott, because we paid less than 20% of the listed price. Thanks Marriott! WE loved our experience!
We packed as much as possible and got everything ready to facilitate an early departure on Saturday morning. We woke up around 7:30 a.m. and were crossing the border around 8:30 a.m. The encounter with border patrol was very uneventful. It was the easiest crossover we've had. We got on the road, traveled on I-90 and I-91 to Springfield, MA. The drive was supposed to take about six hours, but tt took longer because we stopped a million times. One person always had to pee, eat, or do something. We finally made it to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
It wasn't as large as you would expect, but just the right size. They had lots of memorabilia with interactive games and activities for children and adults. They had an area where you could jump up and grab the ball at different heights. Another area had basketball hoops (from the different eras) at different heights and you could attempt to dunk the ball. Also, there were areas to play basketball with other people. You could play virtually and see yourself on a television screen, and also do a commentary on radio and television and hear and see yourself. It was great! We did the whole thing in about 1.5 hours, which was a perfect afternoon.
We had dinner at Pizzeria Uno right behind it and saw a bunch of kids playing Lacrosse on the lawn of a hotel. It looked like they were part of a tournament and reminded us when our son participated in basketball tournaments. The kids got to make their own pizzas at Pizzeria Uno and they enjoyed it very much.
We drove off on our 1.5 hour drive to Boston. We arrived around 9:00 p.m. We are staying at The Sheraton Boston hotel right in the Back Bay area. The hotel is amazing and it is next to the Prudential Center which has a shopping center. The area is very nice and centrally located. There are many things to do right in the area.
We will have a very nice stay here!
Last night, we had made it just in time to see the fireworks from our room. They were spectacular. We all enjoyed watching them from the comfort of our room. Al picked up dinner and we had a super nice dinner overlooking the falls and in the comfort of our room. The price of our room on the door was supposed to be $1299.00 per night, regardless of the time of year. We got a great price and we believe an upgrade due to Al's status with Marriott, because we paid less than 20% of the listed price. Thanks Marriott! WE loved our experience!
We packed as much as possible and got everything ready to facilitate an early departure on Saturday morning. We woke up around 7:30 a.m. and were crossing the border around 8:30 a.m. The encounter with border patrol was very uneventful. It was the easiest crossover we've had. We got on the road, traveled on I-90 and I-91 to Springfield, MA. The drive was supposed to take about six hours, but tt took longer because we stopped a million times. One person always had to pee, eat, or do something. We finally made it to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
It wasn't as large as you would expect, but just the right size. They had lots of memorabilia with interactive games and activities for children and adults. They had an area where you could jump up and grab the ball at different heights. Another area had basketball hoops (from the different eras) at different heights and you could attempt to dunk the ball. Also, there were areas to play basketball with other people. You could play virtually and see yourself on a television screen, and also do a commentary on radio and television and hear and see yourself. It was great! We did the whole thing in about 1.5 hours, which was a perfect afternoon.
We had dinner at Pizzeria Uno right behind it and saw a bunch of kids playing Lacrosse on the lawn of a hotel. It looked like they were part of a tournament and reminded us when our son participated in basketball tournaments. The kids got to make their own pizzas at Pizzeria Uno and they enjoyed it very much.
We drove off on our 1.5 hour drive to Boston. We arrived around 9:00 p.m. We are staying at The Sheraton Boston hotel right in the Back Bay area. The hotel is amazing and it is next to the Prudential Center which has a shopping center. The area is very nice and centrally located. There are many things to do right in the area.
We will have a very nice stay here!
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