Every time I think of Boston this is one of the first places that comes to mind. Whenever I visit I…read moremake a point to stop here. This is the place where I had my first Boston cream pie and I will never forget it. Feneuil Hall dates back to the 1700s and was created as a meeting Hall and marketplace, but later became a very important site for public speeches during the American revolution. You can still feel the history here in the spirit and the gorgeous architecture of the space. Every time I visit it feels so vibrant and alive. It's almost always packed with people and has a great energy. You can find amazing food here and I wasn't joking about my first ever Boston cream pie. I was born and raised on the west coast and it's just not something that we eat out there. Ever since my first bite, if Boston cream pie is an option anywhere, that is the choice I am making. It's so simple, but so delicious! Boston has so much to see and do. There is such a rich history here that it can be hard to choose just a few activities during a visit. I've been lucky enough to visit many times and do many things here and I would still put Feneuil Hall at the top of my list. Between the architecture, the history and the atmosphere, its's definitely a must-do and you could honestly probably move through this one quickly, but it's much better if you take your time, grab something to eat and just let yourself enjoy being part of the city for a little while.

National Park Service does a great job with narrated lectures of the hall and informal Q&As from…read morevisitors. In our freedom trail tour, we heard about this, so we decided to come back and check it out. We are glad we did, as it was neat to see the paintings, the history of the hall and the history that has occurred in the hall. We were disappointed the third floor artillery display was not available for viewing, as my son was looking forward to seeing it. Evidently the volunteers were not there that day, but we were sorry we were not able to see it. Otherwise, it was a great experience!

We were here to go to the aquarium and take a harbor cruise and decided to walk around a bit to…read morecheck out the area. This wharf is filled with history and it has a lot of fun things to do and see. If you like taking walks the harbor walk is very scenic, even if you see the airport in full view. There are a few places to eat and drink so if you get hungry there's stuff for you. Quite a few boats leave from this area, including ferries to the multiple islands in the harbor. All in all, this could be a quick visit, but it's a nice one even if it's quick.

We stopped at Long Wharf after a ferry ride. It drops you off here, near the Aquarium. Very lively…read morearea, pretty crowded when we visited, but fun and it has nice views. Lots of restaurants around, pretty touristy area.

Boston is loaded with historical locations to visit. If the weather is pleasant and you're in…read moreBoston, consider checking out Georges Island and Fort Warren. As part of the Boston Harbor Island National Park system, you can purchase a ticket for $25 (and less for seniors/kids), and take a 45 minute ferry ride to one of the islands and explore. I went to Georges Island, which is beautiful and the location of Fort Warren, which housed prisoners during the Civil War. You can follow a tour guide or explore on your own. Bring snacks and water. The ferries aren't frequent, so if you miss one, it's a few hours to get back to Boston Harbor. Other than the ferry interior needing a good upgrade, it's a pleasant and interesting trip, ideal for a half-day excursion.

Fort Warren is on Georges island, part of the Boston Harbor Island National Park. We took a 40-min…read moreboat ride here and was dropped off on the island for 2 hours. There was restroom facilities as well as water fountains located by the visitor center. There is also a concession stand, but I recommend bringing lunch. The fort was so much fun to explore. Some parts are dark, so I do recommend a flash light.

During our last stay in Boston, we had a room that had a direct view of the John Hancock tower…read more It was such a beautiful sight...especially at night...most of the offices were lit up and it made the whole building look almost magical. This towering skyscraper stands tall at 790 feet, making it the tallest building in New England. Construction on the John Hancock Tower began in 1968 and was completed in 1976. The tower is made up of reflective glass panels that give it a sleek and modern appearance The John Hancock Tower is located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, at 200 Clarendon Street. If you are lucky to go up to some of the high floors, you could enjoy great views of the city.

I *SO* wish I was writing this review under different circumstances. There is now a deep pain…read moreassociated with this building... but this isn't the building's fault - thus no stars deducted. You see, I used to work at one of the companies within. I don't want to name it, so let's say I was somewhere between 50%-75% of the way up. To say it was a dream job is an understatement; I couldn't have dreamt it up if I tried. Well, my employment ended in less than six months. Not 100% my fault, not 100% theirs... even if you were to find the numbers, they probably wouldn't add up to 100 either - sometimes in life there is a sprinkle of rotten luck. I had a lot of pride not only in the company I worked for and in the work I did, but also for where (physically) I worked. Friends and colleagues would often ask me, and I would tell them I work right in the John Hancock Tower. Outwardly, I would [try to] be completely nonchalant about it, but inside I felt just a little hurt when the other person wasn't as wowed as I was walking into work every day. From inside, well, the view is incredible, of course. The one caveat is the nighttime view isn't what you would expect (nor what I accurately conveyed in the photos). I think it is partly due to the blue mirror coating on the glass - it reflects some of the now rather scarce blue light. As an architectural symbol, it is probably as uniquely Boston as Fenway. Something that is immediately recognizable. Yes, there are valid criticisms about its location right next to Trinity Church, and how it fits into the overall landscape. It is said, correctly, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I for one, despite what anyone else says, think the building is wicked awesome. I also love how one can see it from very far away (I've seen it from Lynn and Weymouth!) There is also some fascinating history surrounding the building, including cases where the glass would fall out, and many windows were replaced with wooden panels. Or, how it was determined that under certain wind conditions, the building could fall - and reinforcements were added to the structure, as well as a stabilizer on one of the top floors. With all this, and especially the privilege of having worked inside it, there is not conceivable way I would award anything less than five stars.

Boston's Chinatown is a nice place to visit, especially if you are after some good food and drink…read moreand/or historical places. This Chinatown is pretty similar to Chinatowns around the country (and quite frankly, around the world.) There's a gate welcoming you into the area and quite a few other other Chinese inspired decorations in the area. I loved a lot of the murals and street art that lines the streets. There also seems to be a few places to sit and hang out if you'd like. There are quite a few stores and the Chinatown signature produce lining the streets. I love seeing people shop and pick their perfect veggies. If you get the chance, walk through Chinatown. It's a vibe.

I've visited Chinatowns in several cities over the years, including New York and Philadelphia, so I…read morewas looking forward to exploring Boston's Chinatown again. While the entrance gate is beautiful and makes a great first impression, I have to admit that once we walked farther into the neighborhood, we were disappointed. Our biggest concern was cleanliness. Many of the streets and sidewalks appeared dirty and, in some areas, bordering on filthy. A neighborhood with so much history, culture, and tourism deserves better maintenance. Regular street sweeping, power washing, and general upkeep would make a tremendous difference in how the area is experienced by both visitors and the people who live and work there. Just a short distance away, the North End is noticeably cleaner and feels much more inviting, and places like Quincy Market have a much more vibrant atmosphere. Boston's Chinatown has tremendous potential, but during our visit it felt worn down rather than welcoming. I truly hope the city and local stakeholders continue investing in the neighborhood because it has the history, culture, and character to be a destination that's every bit as memorable as the other Chinatowns I've visited.

I was at the Stata Center for a conference, and throughout the center, there are cool interactive…read moreprojects made by MIT students that anyone can play with. What struck me though is that the floor layout is confusing. Almost each floor leads you to a different building.

MIT Stata Center is one of the signature buildings in MIT. It's an amazing and interesting…read morearchitecture covered with lots of irregularly shaped mirrors. People love to play with their reflections and take funny photos. The mirrors were assembled in weird angles and curved into different shapes so you can have your imagination to make funky poses.

Any time you can visit a monument honoring veterans, you just do it. Congrats to the town of…read moreConcord for honoring their heroes. The town green is really nice with two monuments.

This very large stone stands as tribute on Concord's Monument Square. There is a brass plaque added…read moreto the stone. The marker reads, "In memory of these Concord men who gave their lives in the World War. So nigh is grandeur to our dust. So near is God to Man. When Duty whispers low thou must. The Youth replies I Can." As well, the marker lists the 25 names ranks and service area of each. The stone is surrounded by a cobble area and it is in good condition. Stop by and pay your respects because back then, there was just the one World War. [Review 15236 overall, 738 of 2021, number 1096 in Massachusetts.]

We planned a day trip to Carson Beach... But my guest was…read morerestless and wanted to walk. We ended up on Dorchester Shores pavilion... A beautiful, sidewalk path along the ocean. THE DEAL: if you visit Carson Beach, and you like to keep moving, but don't wanna lose that fresh ocean air, take a stroll along the Dorchester Harborwalk!