April 5th - Along the Charles River

This morning our bus transferred us to Bunker Hill to see the monument to the ‘Battle of Bunker Hill’, another of Boston’s important historical sights.  We visited the museum & viewed the monument itself and even climbed to the top of the monument - 294 steps each way!
From Bunker Hill it was just a short walk downhill to the USS Constitution.  Known affectionately as ‘Old Ironsides’, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in the United States Navy.  As the ship is in dry dock at the moment we were unable to go aboard  but we toured the ship’s museum to learn her history - including how she was named by George Washington & her actions in the War of 1812.  Afterwards we took this rare opportunity to see the full size of this magnificent ship, even below the waterline!

Next up was a fun visit to the Tea Party Ships Museum where we learned all about the fateful Boston Tea Party and even threw some tea in the harbor!

Later this afternoon we traveled as the locals do, riding the MBTA or ’T’ to Cambridge, home of Harvard University.  We took a tour of the campus with a student, learning about the college's history, traditions, & student life.

Dinner was in Boston’s ‘Back Bay’ area, followed by a performance of ‘Shear Madness’, a comedy-whodunit.
We then returned to our hotel for our final night in the Boston area.

At the top of the Bunker Hill Monument!

The Bunker Hill Monument

Onboard the Boston Tea Party Ship (Replica)

Tea Overboard!

Cambridge in Cambridge!

April 4th - Revolutionary Boston, in the Snow!

Today we drove into the center of Boston, then explored the city on foot.
Our first stop was at Boston Common where we met our local costumed guide, dressed as an historical character, for a walking tour along the Freedom Trail.
We visited sites connected to the American Revolution, then continued to Old North Church, where Paul Revere began his midnight ride under the famously liit lantern that gave the "One if by land, & two if by sea" signal.

After time for lunch at historic Quincy Market, we dodged the snow by visiting the amazing New England Aquarium. 

We rode the 'T', Boston's subway, to Copley Square where we visited the magnificent Boston Public Library. 

Then it was time for the grand finale of the day - an epic snowball fight on the lawn in Copley Square!

We had a great dinner & then, exhausted from trekking around in the snow, decided to call it a night.  A great day!

Walking the Freedom Trail with our costumed guide

Old North Church

Paul Revere

Boston Public Library

Copley Square

April 3rd - Welcome to Boston!

Our Boston adventure began this morning with a non-stop flight from Dallas Love Field to Boston.  

Upon arrival the group met our Global Explorers tour leader & began to explore ‘Bean Town’.  We were also greeted by New England weather - very cold & with a strong likelihood of snow in the next few days!  Brrr. 

This afternoon we took a short orientation bus tour of Massachusetts’ state capital, helping us to appreciate the layout of the city & get our bearings.  Along the way we stopped to see a few of Boston's most famous sights, including Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, & Beacon Hill, an historic neighborhood.

We had a welcome dinner tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe, where we also celebrated Ana's birthday.

Finally we ended our long day by heading to our hotel in the suburb of Peabody, but before checking-in to our base for the next three nights we stopped at Walmart for some cold weather supplies!

Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox

Exploring Beacon Hill with our tour leader Mike (from left)

Birthday Girl at the Hard Rock Cafe