Boston in a Day

1 - Just outside of Fenway Park is the Howard Johnson (HoJo) Motel. It has the best Chinese restaurant east of Toronto, Ontario that we have eaten at.

2 - Use the MTBA to get downtown to start your day trip. Get off at the Boston Commons station. Pay the -25 fee and get on the Beantown Trolly (red trolly) for the best way to see the sights and have the ability of getting off and on when you want.

3 - USS Constitution is the oldest naval vessel still in active service.

4 - Quincy Market. Food and tourist gifts. Local products. You must try the Cookie Factory -- it's been there for 26 years.

Quick Tips:

Security is tight at historical sites. Make sure you do not have any sharp objects on you (i.e. knife, scissors, nail file) because they will take them away and "not" return them to you. All bags are checked.

Even if the weather is great take that jacket with you. The wind can change and it cools down quickly near the coast.

Best Way To Get Around:

1 - DON'T DRIVE

2 - Walking is the best way on the Freedom Trail. It's marked in red bricks on the sidewalk so it is easy to follow.

3 - MTBA great subway system. 3rd oldest in the world. London is first, NYC is second.

4 - Taxis are scary and expensive.

5 - Tour buses are the best way to get around for a full day of seeing the sights.

WOW -- this has to be the best Oriental food east of Toronto and New York City.

You have to start with the appetizer combination #3, by far the best. After that the options for great food are unlimited. The staff will assist you in the quantity you need. We had rice and two other plates and for two people, it was way too much. On our second visit, it was a repeat of that appetizer #3 and the cold fruit drinks were great. Leftovers are packed for your late night snack back at your unit. (Breakfast is "American" style menu, not Oriental.)

This restaurant is located one block from Fenway Park, so it is a great place to go to before or after a Red Sox game.

They are open from 7am to midnights Sunday through Thursday, and on Friday and Saturday the hours are 7am to 1am.

Bagels -- over 15 varieties. Every variety of bagel is baked fresh daily, in the traditional manner, boiling and baking. A great snack on the go, breakfast or luncheon sandwich.

It is one of the best recommended place to drop into. Watch the bagels being baked in their glassed-in rotating oven. Design your own sandwich.

To effectively 'finagle a bagel' you must have someting to go with it. Add cream cheese (9 varieties), egg, bacon, sausage, veggies, cheese or have it grilled.

A bagel flat bread can be topped with cheese, a Fiesta mixture, Nova Scotian smoked salmon or made into a pizza.

They also have soups and chowders with a daily special.

Prices range from $0.81 (for one plain bagel) to $2.79 for full breakfast bagel. Lunch is from $3.75 to $5.95.

The "best" sight-seeing package there is to see all of Boston. They have been at it for over 15 years. If you are shy, you won't be by the end of the Trolley ride. Hold on tight to your seat for you are in for a rocking good time. The driver's get you involved. Watch out for "Cheers," on Charles Street, where no one knows your name.

You can pick up the tour at any of its 16 stops. The drivers are 'extremely' knowledgeable of Boston's history and current events. The tickets are from $20-25 and allow you two days of FREE reboarding and use of their trolley's (busses).

Some of the 16 stops include the USS Constitution, State House, MIT, Boston Commons, Beacon Hill, Quincy Market, Hard Rock Cafe, and the Boston Tea Party Ship Museum.

For Freedom Trail enthusiasts, there are four stops either on or close to the trail. See the Old North Church tower where Paul Revere used his lanterns to warn of the British coming. Or see teh Bunker Hill Monument at the corner of Adams and Lexington Streets. (Not the actual location of the battle but close enough.) Take in Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. The hall was built in 1742 and was the meeting place of the Fathers of Independance. It was here that the "Cradle of Liberty" took place.

On Beacon Hill (what was the highest point in Boston in the 1700's) see the JFK residence, African Meeting house, Mass General Hospital.

When you visit the USS Constitution (stop 3) take the Water Taxi back to the marketplace (stop 1). It's $1.25/person, and well worth it to see the city from the water. For the more up-to-date tourist you can go to the Hard Rock Cafe near Copley Square or visit the Aquarium. Watch out for the penguins!