Trip report June 5-7

Took my teenage niece for two nights last week. Arrived Thursday on early flight from Chicago, took the Silver Line bus to South Station and walked to Hotel Intercontinental (thank God for frequent flier miles - booked through AA vacations). Room wasn%26#39;t ready yet, so left bags and took Red Line to the JFK Museum. Spent the afternoon there - had reminder how old I am now when she kept telling me about things she learned in history class that I lived through! Enjoyed the Museum, we watched every film. She liked the pizza in the cafe. Nice gift shop as well. Ate that evening at Durgin Park in Quincy Market, walked around, she bought me an ice cream from Sluggers cart in the market, it was close to $6.00! Couldn%26#39;t believe the price. Next day went to Lexington on the Red line to Alewife, then on the bus. Toured the tavern right by the Common area, interesting to think of the history. Then took the Liberty Ride trolley tour to Concord - only a couple of other people were on it. Got off at Orchard House as I am a Little Women fan, got many interesting tidbits from the tour relating to the books. Great books iin the bookstore. Got back on the trolley (90 minutes in between trolleys), they had remembered that we were there and planning to catch them so were actually pulling up to the stop as we left the House. Continued on the tour to the Old North Bridge where we got out and walked to the bridge and statue. At this point we were the only tourists on the trolley. Continued back to the National Heritage Museum where we looked at some of their exhibits(events leading up to Revolution, Massachusetts crafts and clocks, then caught bus back to Alewife and the Red Line. Trolley is nice option for those without a car, but unfortunately as it only runs every 90 minutes you really can%26#39;t get out at the smaller stops. Next time would like to walk part of the route but weather was bad (we hit the cold and damp weather last week). Had dinner in North End at restaurant on Salem that I forgot to write down the name of, good casual place with families there, then had pastry from Mike%26#39;s Pastry shop - enormous slices for $3! Walked back on the Rose Kennedy greenway to hotel. Last day Saturday, warmed up considerably, rode Swan Boats, hired a pedicab (niece%26#39;s special request) to Beacon Hill, walked through Quincy Market again looking for souvenirs, then took the Water Taxi from the IC to the airport. Cost $10 per person, arranged by concierge, and picked up right at hotel, then shuttle bus to terminal. No lines at TSA, amazingly. Had great time in spite of weather.People at hotel very nice and helpful, called my cellphone when room was ready (about 12:30).

Trip report June 5-7

';Next day went to Lexington on the Red line to Alewife, then on the bus. Toured the tavern right by the Common area';

This is a cool little tavern, glad you took the tour. I love the story on how a 4 star hotel came to be.

Trip report June 5-7

I%26#39;m a big fan of little historical tidbits.

Thanks for posting. I always look forward to reading trip reports. Did you do any of the Freedom Trail or have you done so in the past? If not, you%26#39;ll just have to fly back here some day!

great post, Warriorjan, thanks! Yesterday temps hit 100 degrees in some spots - you never know what you%26#39;re gonna get!

Thanks for the report Jan. Sounds like a good trip.

How did you arrange the Liberty Ride Trolley tour? I don%26#39;t think many people know about it. People often fret about how to tour Lexington and Concord without a car. Perhaps if they got more business they%26#39;d run more frequently.

Great trip report.

forgotmypword-

To get to Lexington and Concord using public transportation from Boston take the Fitchburg commuter rail or go to Alewife Red line T stop and catch a bus (bus 76 or 62) to Lexington Center and you can catch the Liberty Ride trolley tour.

http://www.libertyride.us/libertyride.html

A walk around Sleepy Hollow cemetery in Concord is also interesting. The Alcott family graves are there plus several of the other local writers.

Had done the Freedom Trail on prior trips, niece specifically wanted to do Kennedy Museum and Lexington/Concord. Found out about Liberty Ride from the Frommer%26#39;s Boston book, also ran across it on a Lexington or Concord website. Thanks for all the info people post, I read the board all the time.

I really enjoyed reading your trip report. It%26#39;s amazing how different your trip was from mine. I definitely just scratched the surface of what%26#39;s available, which just gives me a good excuse to come back. Next time I%26#39;d like to do your trip! :D

P.S. Did you just love Durgin Park? My husband %26amp; I had a delicious lunch there which I will detail more in day 2!

Very good TR seems like you really enjoyed Boston.