Boston Day Trip The Freedom Trail

Painting by James Brown Marston

Think you have to go to Philadelphia to immerse yourself in American history? Think again! Just a five minute walk from our rental yacht, the Sea Pearl, is the beginning of Boston's Freedom Trail. The trail makes early American Revolutionary history accessible to visitors with 16 historic sites within a 2.5 mile journey. You can walk or use public transportation as it even has it's own smart phone app! Prefer more in depth education and guidance? You can organize a guided tour open to the public that last around 90 minutes. 

See America's oldest public park at Boston Common, stand where the Revolutionary War began at Bunker Hill, and reflect on missions of human rights and social justice at Park Street Church. These are just a few of the stops along the way and as you wind through the city streets, Boston's rich history will come alive before your eyes. 

http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/freedom-trail-foundation-tours-boston

Boston Day Trip To Arnold Arboretum

Photo:Boston.com

Did you know that Boston boasts an arboretum designed by the same landscape architect who designed Central Park in New York?

 

The Arnold Arboretum, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, makes for an amazing escape from the rush of the city, right within the city. Run by Harvard University as a research and education institution you can arrange for a guided or self guided tour of the large variety of plants, flowers and trees. If you are just interested in enjoying some outdoor time it is ideal for a long walk or run. Be sure to check out the view of the Boston's city skyline from the top of Peter's hill. Arnold Arboretum is especially popular for lilac season with 166 different kinds. 

Open from dawn until dusk everyday and dog friendly. Bring your leash! 

http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu/

After your visit to the arboretum enjoy lunch or dinner in Roslindale or Jamaica Plain. There are diverse culinary roots in these neighborhoods including Greek, Portuguese and Italian which you can find reflected in many great restaurants. 

We recommend: 

Delfino's - http://www.yelp.com/biz/delfino-restaurant-roslindale

Sophia's Grotto - http://www.yelp.com/biz/sophias-grotto-roslindale

Tres Gatos - http://www.yelp.com/biz/tres-gatos-jamaica-plain

Enjoy your visit and smell the lilacs for us! 

Day Trip to Boston's Castle Island

Photo sourced from Mass.gov

The site of a fort since 1634, you would never guess its military past when you first visit this twenty two acre urban park! You can drive here, don't let the word Island scare you off!  You will see people playing in the water, grilling, fishing, and enjoying soft serve ice cream while strolling arm in arm. 

Come explore the historic Fort Independence, bike, run, stroll, get the kids to the playground, relax and picnic. You can watch airplanes pass overhead and ships sail in the water. 

Castle Island Information: 

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-boston/castle-island-pleasure-bay-m-street-and-carson-beach.html

See what others love to do at Castle Island: 

http://www.yelp.com/biz/castle-island-beach-south-boston

Interested in bringing your dog? MassParks has this helpful site. 

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/recreational-activities/dogs-in-massparks.html

Day trip to Boston Public Library

Photo:Mituls Patel

Are you someone whose idea of vacation is curling up with a good book? Or are you someone who likes to get out and explore history and architecture? Either way a trip to the Boston Public Library needs to be part of your visit to Boston. Mere steps from public transportation at 700 Boylston St, it is the oldest public library in America. 

Spend time immersing yourself in the stacks of books. As you explore this charming library be sure to look up to see the amazing details in the ceilings, lanterns, paintings and domes. Settle into the reading room with all you have collected or sit outside in the courtyard. 

As you walk through rooms of rare artifacts, books and maps you can think back to your earliest memories in a library. Chances are it was listening to a story being read at a formal story time. You can thank the walls around you for that memory as Boston Public Library was the first Library to introduce formal story telling for children. 

As you come through the grand entrance remember that the architect, Charles Follen McKim, designed this Library to be "a palace for the people." Can you feel the enchantment around you? 

http://www.bpl.org/general/history.htm

http://www.yelp.com/biz/boston-public-library-boston