Short visit to Boston

[feistycurves]

I'm going to NYC in November, and I'm spending a Thursday afternoon and night in Boston, and then the Sunday afternoon and night in Boston on the way back. Any ideas for things I should definitely do? I've never been to Boston before.

[jno]

follow the Freedom Trail for a sense of American history.

http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

There aren\'t that many really historic houses but Paul Revere\'s is one

http://www.paulreverehouse.org/

Highest viewing building is Prudential Tower

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prudential_Tower

(I went up the Hancock Tower years ago, and the view was great, but it\'s been closed since 9/11).

People say visit Filene\'s Basement, which is a famous department store, but it\'s not that different from others.

[Clanad]

Along with jno's good advice, don't miss Faneuil Hall/Qunicy Market near the beginning of the Freedom Trail. Come hungry!

While there,look for the Boston Commons Visitor Center, and pick up a self-guided tour brochure and other free information.

I didn't open jno's link, but the Freedom Trail takes you right past The Old North Church where the lantern signal ("One if by land , two if by sea") was given. Go inside and look at the fenced pews, some still belonging to some of Boston's original citizens.

If you back track on the Freedom Trail and return to Faneuil Hall area, it takes you right past numerous small Italian "hole in the wall" restaurants run by families that have lived in the area for years... excellent!

Welcome to the U.S. by the way!

[feistycurves]

Thanks guys. The prudential tower and quincy market were already on my list. I never thought of the Freedom trail. I'll have a look at that site.

[Andyvon]

My wife and I visited Boston several years ago. We visited the New England Aquarium on the harbourside and that was very interesting. We also crossed the Charles River to the Navy Yard in Cambridge where you can visit the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) which was built in 1812 and she's the second-oldest commissioned warship in the world (behind HMS Victory). The USS Cassin Young lies nearby and she's a WWII destroyer preserved following her legendary actions and damage at Okinawa. We also visited the observation deck at the top of the John Hancock Tower, although jno says that's closed now. There's the swan boats on the lake on Boston Common and the original Bargain Basement in Filene's. Quincy Market is a must too as is a sightseeing tram tour of the city. Have fun.