Deer Island, Winthrop by Deborah

            When we moved our houseboat to Winthrop we were pleasantly surprised to discover the hidden treasure of Deer Island so close to Boston.  According the National Park Service, Deer Island has been used by Native Americans, quarantined immigrants, farmers and prisoners when it housed the counties house of corrections.

            Today the island is home to the Waste Water Treatment plant that serves greater Boston.  It has 5 miles of public walkways and trials for walking, jogging, sightseeing, picnicking,  and fishing.  It is open year round from sunrise to sunset.  They have 2.6 miles of paved handicapped accessible perimeter trail around the treatment planet.  There is a small parking area and park benches along the paved perimeter. 

            I walked the perimeter on a cloudy day in late October. I can only imagine how beautiful it must be on a clear and sunny day.   The Harbor Islands were clearly seen just off shore and the skyline view of Boston dramatic.  You also have a close up view of planes at Logan taking off and landing.   Leashed dogs are welcome and we met a cute little Boston Terrier named Lola who was enjoying the walkways.    Be aware that a portion of that walkway will have an odor from the treatment plant.  I would not let this stop me from enjoying this exceptional spot next to the sea. 

New England Aquarium By Christie

The New England Aquarium is a Boston attraction that most people from the area almost take for granted. Bostonians have gone as children first with our parents, and then again with school field trips and it becomes a place you sort of forget about as much as you can forget someplace you've been often. You start to think you've seen everything there and you don't need to go again.

 

I think we should rethink that. And that people visiting the city should definitely make it a stop on their travels through the city. I went again recently with some relatives from out of town who hadn't been there before. I honestly think I could spend an abnormal amount of time just watching the penguins. They seem to play king of the mountain in their habitat and are just so fun to watch.

 

The way the aquarium is set up you have to sort of pay attention or you'll miss interesting exhibits. The aquarium is set up as a large tank with a spiral around it that you can walk up while watching the sharks, turtles and other animals inside. But all along the right side there are smaller tanks with other fish that either wouldn't survive in the larger tank or for some reason need to be out on their own. Try not to miss these smaller displays sometimes they have the neatest little animals. Also don't miss the outside area with the seals. They are outside of the aquarium entrance and you can easily not notice that they are there.

 

An adult ticket is currently about $25. Adding an IMAX show only adds another $5 so it is a better deal if you have the time to do the aquarium and a movie. For anyone who doesn't know what an IMAX show at the aquarium would be, in general they have different 3D movies usually about sea animals.

 

One of our prior guests who stayed on our houseboat in Winthrop recommended becoming a member. The most economical example is a pass for $145 that allows you to go as many times as you want in a year with up to 4 people and two IMAX passes. The guest liked it because it gave her a place where she could grab lunch in the café when she was visiting other popular sites in the area.

 

The Aquarium website for more information is www.neaq.org

 

For more information on renting the houseboat you can go to http://www.mountainslakesandsea.com/blue_pearl.

 

 

Boston Chipyard by Christie

   The Chipyard is a very simple yet special place we recommend that you visit while in Boston. Let's be honest, a chocolate chip cookie is the first desert that almost anyone learns to cook. Most people with basic cooking skills would agree it's difficult to make a chocolate chip cookie that is truly awful. However, an exceptional chocolate chip cookie is a wonderful thing.

 

I discovered the Chipyard at least ten years ago. They are located in Quincy Market inside of the Faneuil Hall area. In college my friends and stumbled across The Chipyard (possibly literally) because there are a lot of bars in the area that are popular with college age people as well as locals and tourists. The Chipyard is open 24 hours a day, so warm, delicious cookies very late at night were incredibly appealing to us. Faneuil Hall is a wonderful area to grab dinner and few drinks no matter who you are or what age, but remember to save some room for some cookies!

 

     I personally recommend that you follow some tips when you visit them. First, don't be afraid to mix cookies. They often have six or more different flavors and it can be overwhelming to pick only one to try. Go ahead and ask for one of each or (if you're like me) a few of whatever flavor looks the best and a couple singles of other ones you think you might like to test out. Second, I believe the peanut butter chocolate chip ones are amazing, I recommend you should get them every time. And lastly either ask them which ones came out of the oven last, or stand back for a few minutes and ask for the hot ones right out of the ovens. They have a really fast paced business so the cookies are always fresh but there is something about a chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven that just makes them that much better every time.

 

     If you can't visit the city you can also order online and find more information about their products at: http://www.chipyard.com. They also have a handy map of exactly where they are located inside of Faneuil Hall.