The train wasn't actually parked in Boston but just over the river in the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) campus at Cambridge. It was really nice there and I'm sorry that I didn't get more time to explore it properly but the call of Boston was just too strong. Being a college campus it has a very young feel to it and it had some interesting shops. There was also a Trader Joe's within walking distance of the train which would be really nice every week.
Boston and Cambridge are divided by a river and on both sides there is a really nice river walk. On the Boston side there are a couple of nice play parks that Willow had fun at but she loved watching a dog dive in the water after a stick over and over again much more.
One of the great things about Boston is how accessible everything is, you can either walk or get the transit pretty much anywhere. Even though the arena was downtown and close to lots of things we still did some serious walking here.
Close to the arena was Faneuil Hall Marketplace which seemed to have a lot going on. We caught some street entertainment there and sampled food from all the food stalls in one of the buildings. Willow also quite liked it here as it had a Build a Bear shop and a Croc shop.
The arena is also close to the North End of the city and this is where Little Italy was. A lot of people say Boston has a European feel to it and it is even more noticeable in this part of the city. Not just because of the Italian influence all around but because the streets are smaller and it feels more like a community. There where some really nice buildings here and lots of history to see. In the heart of the North End is North Church.
Where ever you go in the city you see people with little (and big) boxes with the words 'Mikes Pastries' stamped on them and tied up with blue string. So many people had them that it had to be investigated. I'm so pleased I went on the last day though as it is quite close to the arena and I may have gone few times if I'd had time. The shop was packed, pouring out the door and they only take cash but the selection of cakes, pies and pasties was just amazing. Their speciality and what they are know for are their Cannoli. On my one trip there I spent way more than you should spend in a cake shop. My Mum would have been proud, and jealous all at the same time. I wish I could have sent her some.
The main park areas of Boston are Boston Common and The Public Garden, which are next door to each other. The Common isn't massive but is really nice and steeped in history. Willow liked it here a lot, especially rolling down the grass hills and spending ages playing in the Frog playground.
The Public Garden is very pretty with Swan Pond at the centre. It is named this because during the summer months you can take swan boat rides here, we just missed them.
Next to the Public Garden is the bar Cheers, from the programme of the same name. We met up with an old friend (and not so old) and had lunch here, it was packed inside even though they have five different bars. The inside doesn't really look like the TV programme as that would have been filmed in a studio, but this is where they did the outside shots.
We managed to get a free Duck Tour of Boston which even collected us from the train. I like the duck tours of cities, I know they are cheesy but I enjoy the actual tour and history stuff you learn and Willow also loves it and doesn't realise she is learning stuff. She just thinks she is having fun. As always with these things the tour guide either makes or breaks it and ours was great.
Also very close to the arena right on one of the bridges was the Science Museum. We managed to go twice and still I don't think we did everything, even though on the second day we were there for seven hours. They have a butterfly garden and and animal shows and the worlds largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator which produces some amazing lightning. It is a very hands on museum with lots of extras going on. The second day we went they had an Archaeology Activity Fair which was very interesting and again very hands on. I really loved this museum and they had a great restaurant also.
I loved Boston, it totally lived up to and exceeded all expectations and I am so sad we didn't get to spend longer here.
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