Boston Bits and Pieces

"Just as they were getting ready to start on their way, a strange enormous bird came by. It was pushing a boat full of people, and there was a man sitting on its back." -- Robert McCloskey in Make Way for Ducklings

One of my favorite Boston spots is the Boston Public Garden, and the Swan Boats are a major reason for that. If you are on your first trip to Boston, the Swan Boats should definitely be on your list! The driver sits at the rear of the boat inside a giant swan shaped "box" and pedals the boat around the pond. The passengers sit on benches in the front, enjoying a perfect view of the pond, the bridge, the island, and the park. It is relaxing, rejuvenating, and refreshing.

The Swan Boat season lasts from April to Labor Day. One heads-up is to arrive early because the boats close 5, even earlier before mid-June. The cost is $4 for adults and $2.50 for ages 2-15. The small cost is totally worth it. If you are a fan of Make Way for Ducklings, an added thrill is all the ducks you get to see on your 15 minute ride around the pond. If you take a short walk from the boat pavilion to the edge of the park, you will even get to see those 8 sweet ducklings and their protective mother cast in bronze and immortalized on their journey across the park.  Swan Boats

No visit to Boston is complete without one or several (in my case) trips to Faneuil Hall Marketplace. If the Old North Church is the heart of Boston's history, then Faneuil Hall is the life of Boston's present. It simply bursts with life. You can eat here every day for a week and never eat the same thing twice. You can shop for souvenirs intended for any age recipient. There is also retail shopping for those whose idea of travel is to shop until you drop. People-watching is also a favorite activity of the marketplace, especially when watching the talented street performers, of which there are many. Make sure that this is one of your first stops, and you will not be disappointed! Faaneuil Hall Marketplace

Other interesting stops for your time in Boston are the Prudential Center (for shopping/dining), Copley Place (for upscale shopping), the Mappparium (interesting inverted glass globe), the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (made more interesting by the theft of 13 paintings in 1990), and Chinatown (good, but it's not NYC).