Boston is one of my favorite US cities with plenty of Vino con Vista opportunities. It is relatively easy to cover the 48 square miles of glorious history. There are incredible restaurants and bars to keep your energy levels elevated. Go to Little Italy for some of the best Italian Food in Boston.
Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It was founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists from England. You can witness the scene of key events of the American Revolution: the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston.
I love the Freedom Trail where you can re-live Boston’s illustrious history. The path is marked in the sidewalk so you will never get lost.
Its rich history attracts many tourists. The landmark Faneuil Hall attracts over 20 million visitors. Faneuil Halll is part of the “Festival Marketplace” and includes: North Market, Quincey Parket and South Market. Any of these venues is a “Vino con Vista” opportunity!
The 2.5 mile Freedom Trail passes through 16 revolutionary and colonial era sites and monuments.
The Freedom Trail starts at the Boston Common; a 50 acre city park in downtown Boston that’s been around since 1634.Walk the Freedom Trail to see the following historic landmarks:
1. The Old
South Meeting House
where the Colonists gathered to challenge British rule in the years leading to the Revolution. It was saved from destruction in 1876 and is opened daily as a museum. It is actually a church dating to 1729 with a steeple that is 183 feet tall. Since it was the largest building in Boston when it was built, it served as a meeting point for organizers of the Boston Tea Party. It served as a Congregationalist church from 1729 until 1872.
2. The gold-domed Federal style Old State House
is where the colonists debated future British rule. It was designed by Charles Bulfinch and completed in 1798. The Bostonian society has operated the building since 1882. The state house balcony was the site from where the Declaration of Independence was read to the Bostonians in 1776.
The Old State House,was the former capitol building. Built in 1713, it is the oldest public building in Boston. The Boston Massacre took place right outside the Old State House and is marked by a cobblestone circle.
3. The Georgian-style Faneuil Hall was built in 1742 by Charles Bulfinch and John Smibert. It is the home of the national park service visitor center. The first floor was built as a market and still fulfills this role. It was a public meeting house that hosted colonists who spokle out against British policy. Meetings and ceremonies have occurred on the second floor for over 250 years. The fourth floor has an exhibit of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. This is the country’s oldest chartered military organization.
4. The Old North Church
in the North End is where Paul Revere arranged for two lanterns to be hung from the Old North Church steeple on April 18, 1775 to signal that the British troops were heading to Lexington and Concord by way of the Charles River. Tour the church and take a behind the scenes tour of the crypt and bell-ringing chamber.
The church was the origin of Paul Revere’s midnight ride warning colonists of the approaching British expeditionary force. The church was built in 1723 and is part of the Episcopal Church. The 175 foot steeple is crowned with the original weathervane.
Then go to the Paul Revere House on North Street.
5. Copp’s Hill Burying Ground is where you can find: Puritan minister Cotton Mayher, Edmund Hartt (builder of the US Constitution) and Robert Newman. They hung the lanterns in the steeple of Old North Church signaling to patriots in Charlestown that British troops were moving on Lexington and Concord.
6. The Bunker Hill Monument and Museum memorializes a key battle in the Revolutionary War. You can climb 294 steps to the top for a panoramic vista.
7. The USS Constitution is the world’s oldest warship; called “Old Ironsides.” You can climb aboard for a guided tour.
8. Dorchester Heights’ Hills overlook the harbor and glorious waterfront.
9. The Charlestown Navy Yard is home to the U.S.S. Constitution or Old Ironsides. This is the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. navy. This three masted frigate was buit in 1797. Book a Harbor Cruise to get up close and personal with this ship!
The Bunker Hill Monument is the north end of the trail and the end of the Freedom Trail if you stared at Boston Common.
Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel guides at http://www.vino-con-vista.com
The area’s many colleges and universities make Boston an international center of higher education and medicine. It is called the “The Athens of America.”
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Filed under: "Bubble-Licious" Sip for Scholarship at the 38th Annual UNLV Wine Festival in 2012, Boston's Freedom Trail, Italy Travel Guides Tagged: Attractions in Boston, Boston, Boston Massachusetts, Boston's Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Fanueil Hall, Massachusetts, Pizzeria Regina, United States, Wikipedia