(Song lyrics from Dirty Water by The Standells)Okay it's not my home but oh it could be!! What an amazing city, big and yet small in its neighborhoods. Yes, it reminded me a bit of San Francisco but more so of NYC. They hate being compared to NY here, I believe all Bostonians are taught from birth that NY is the Dark Lord. Though wouldn't we (SF) dislike being compared to LA?
Anyway, have had a great time here playing the tourist. Now I've been a tourist but I've not been that tourist from the midwest with white trainers on and a fanny pack who visits all the typical places like the Cheers bar and Paul Revere's House or goes on a Trolley Tour. I will refrain from including the famous DuckTour in that comparison since even the locals have attempted to convince me to take it.
What I have done is walk - and sweat, oh it's humid! I've walked the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and North End neighborhoods. The Back Bay and Beacon Hill border the Public Gardens and Boston Common which I walked through every day. It is a nice retreat in the middle of a bustling city.
Make it a point to visit Beacon Hill not only for the astute neighborhoods, lovely old houses and Acorn Street but also for its history of abolitionists and its Museum of Afro-American History. One of the least 'crowded with tourists' areas I visited.
Back Bay has the Boston Public Library which houses a rare books room and a beautiful inner garden (I spent two hours there). There is also the trendy Newbury street with shops and good eats/bars (though a $10 martini seems a bit much). And Arlington Street Church with Tiffany glass windows.
I took the T (their subway) which reminded me of the Circle and District Lines in London more so than the Bay Area BART or SF MUNI which I am accustom. They use tokens like NY subways but they're cleaner than any NY train I've been on. I have talked to every person I could about the city and where to go. Apparently those three neighborhoods are a good start. What I missed was South Boston, Harvard and Cambridge so I'll save that for next time, with only 3 days here...you miss a bit.
Food: Fantastic. Great seafood, incredible seafood. And, of course, cannolis from Mike's Pastry in North End (they really are addictive) and the pizza in North end. The deli's and top end restaurants prove the place is a true foodie paradise.
I recommend at least a week here to get a good feel for the place. There is a vast amount of history here and it's all well worth seeing. Even when I wasn't expecting to see history I did. I was in the oldest bar in America (or so they say) right next to the Green Dragon which the Patriots (think founding fathers not the football team) used to drink in. Take the tours that are offered on the first day you visit and it will give you a better idea of where to go on your own there. I was stubborn and didn't do that but I also had a friend of a friend to help me plan out my days there which helped immensely.
Pics and more to come...