Hey, Walter, if any of this gives you some more ideas for things to do around here, come on back!
Dang, username, do you know Pho Lemongrass in Brookline? It's off Beacon. Awesome food. Small prices. RP and I saw one of the Red Sox coaches in there once (not Tito, someone you see on TV but not so high profile, can't recall the name). We should do that next time, maybe, there's parking about a block and a half away in a town lot (get on Beacon, walk to Paper Source, cross the street and go another block).
I never know what to tell people when they ask what to do in Boston. So
I'll just tell you what I'd do with a free morning.
First I'd go to the North End. You can get on the Green Line at BU and get
off at Haymarket. Once there, I'd walk up Hanover St., checking out the
caffes. I'd stop in one of them (probably Caffe Vittoria or Caffe Paradiso)
for some good coffee or espresso and a pastry. Man's gotta have
sustenance.
From there I'd walk over to the waterfront and stroll through Christopher
Columbus Park. I love looking out at the harbor. From there, you walk
over to Quincy Market, a restored market place. Now it's full of shops and
restaurants, but early in the morning you can still get some some sense of
what it was like in the eighteen the century. Back then it was right at the
water's edge. Chris Columbus Park would have been under water.
Past the market buildings is Faneuil Hall, scene of many an over-heated
meeting when revolution was a-brewing. I always look for the statue of
basketball coaching legend Red Auerbach, cigar in hand, seated on a
bench.
Then I'd walk over to State St. and walk up to the Old State House, one of
my absolute favorite buildings anywhere. What other historic building has
a subway station in its basement?
From there, I'd meander up to Tremont St., past the Old Granary Burial
Ground to the corner of Park St. It was once known as "Brimstone
Corner" and in that church the Abolitionists railed against slavery. A short
walk up Park St., along the side of Boston Common, brings me to Beacon
St. and the Bulfinch-designed State House. There's a statue of to the left
of a Civil War general on horseback. The inscription reads "HOOKER".
Gen. Hooker was notorious for the mobs of prostitutes that followed his
army around. The legend has it that that is where the term "hooker"
comes from. To the left and across the street from the State House is the
memorial honoring the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the first
African-American regiment recruited and the subject of the movie "Glory".
This is a good spot from which to begin a stroll across Boston Common
and the Public Gardens. I like to watch kids splashing in the Frog Pond.
The footbridge across the pond in the Public Gardens is a gem. At the end
of the stoll you'll be on Arlington St. Get the Green Line at Arlington St.
station to return to BU.
If one of your free mornings is a Saturday, why don't we get together for coffee?
I'd enjoy meeting you.
jes wrote:RP and I saw one of the Red Sox coaches in there once (not Tito, someone you see on TV but not so high profile, can't recall the name).
it was bench coach brad mills.
i would've gotten up and talked baseball with him, but i'm a tad shy by nature...
If you like beer, you have to stop at Sunset Bar & Grill, which is 1 mile max from BU. 100+ beers on tap, not including a huge bottle selection. It's right on Brighton Ave in Allston.
You've got the water right across from you off Memorial Drive. Makes a good walk. You're also pretty close to Newbury St/Boston Common/Beacon Hill., then over to North End & Faneuil Hall and to the waterfront.
Duck tour is a good semi-quick tour of Boston, drives on the road and water.
George wrote:If one of your free mornings is a Saturday, why don't we get together for coffee?
I'd enjoy meeting you.
I will be exactly one week on the east coast starting next wednesday but unfortunately (for the situation) we're going to NY city in the weekend.
I have no plans the rest of the days and both my A2K-member meetings (Dag and Ul in Vienna and Raphilion in Rome) have been fun and interesting, so if anyone's up for something be it a coffee in the morning or a beer in the night, something can be arranged.
And Slappy, what's the duck tour?
It's a Boston tour on a vehicle that drives on the road and goes on the water. They sell tickets & leave from the Prudential Center.
sounds cool, thanks for the info
Well, I'm back and I must say I now think Boston is SWEET!
I liked that despite the fact that it's a city it had a townish feeling, people would sometimes greet each other in the street, parks were full of life, lots of bikers and joggers. It was great just to go outside and walk around which I did but I also followed most of your suggestions and they proved to be spot on, so thanks for that.
I also went to a RedSox game and spent a crazy, crazy weekend in NY. I left happy from the east coast, I want to spend some more time over there for sure but in the summer, don't think I'd enjoy it as much on winter.
Glad you enjoyed our fair city, Pantalones. Actually, the best time to visit Boston is neither in summer nor winter but in the fall. September and October are optimal for weather (not too hot or too cold) and the cultural scene becomes more vibrant.
Pantalones -- next time you come -- gathering .....
Yes, June was very lovely.
Will let you guys know when I go back.
