Spring Break 1: Freedom Trail, USS Constitution, MIT and Harvard

 Arrived in Boston after a LONG (even when direct) flight. But I got to watch a couple movies and the kids were really excited to see the new Ghostbuster movie... so we'll take it. Alaska Airlines for the win. I love that the Boston airport is right downtown, so it was a quick Uber to our hotel suite which turned out be kind of amazing and has a view of the Charles River and this cool bridge.

We stayed up until 1:00... still on Seattle time and hyped up from the trip. Then had to set an alarm to make it to the hotel breakfast before closing at 9:30. That was a stretch, but we did it. Then it was out to  the Freedom Trail. First stop - figuring out how to ride the "T" subway/ mass transit situation. We did it. Not that hard and the kids thought it was cool. Our closest station is at the TD Garden where the Celtics and Bruins play - pretty cool. 

We got off at Boston Common and started our tour. The park was lovely and the statehouse was very bright and stately.

Then to Park Street Church and the Granary Burying Ground. Here lies John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere. Quite an impressive group of patriots to be sure. It was the kids' first time in an old school cemetery and they were impressed and slightly creeped out.

On to this lovely statue of Benjamin Franklin (born in Boston, who knew?!), the site of the Latin School which was the first public school in America, and the Old City Hall with a bronze donkey honoring democrats.

Continuing along, we passed next to the site of the Boston Massacre (five people killed, but drummed up as a massacre to help advance the revolutionary cause). The site of the Massacre is next to the Old State House.

After that we were at Faneuil Hall museum, but it was closed. We did go into Quincy Market, though, and were impressed by how clean it was, the quality of food options, and the dome in the middle.

After that, the trail goes through the North End with tiny streets, and establishments that are hundreds of years old and still doing the same business. Quite amazing. 

And over to Paul Revere's house, which was built in 1680. 

From his house, it is a short walk to this statue of Paul Revere next to the Old North Church, an Episcopal Church. This church played a role in the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by lighting two lanterns in its steeple to warn Charlestown of the imminent British advance.

At Copp's Burying Ground in Boston, the British set up and bombarded Breed's Hill (Battle of Bunker Hill) with cannon fire in 1775. Also, can you spot Boston's narrowest house? 10'4"...

We hit up Star Grocery (underneath the TD Garden), had lunch and a siesta, then headed back out on the Freedom Trail. That is our hotel behind the kids.

Our hotel is adjacent to the Charlestown Navy Yard, still active today, and also still housing USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) that is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world. The shipyard itself is full of interesting things to look at, like Dry Dock 1, which began operation in 1833. There is a very hand-on, interesting USS Constitution Museum here (voted best part of the day by all three kids).

Bringing in the sails - getting to try balancing on the foot rope. It is harder than it looks, trust me! Followed by testing out the accommodations of the hammocks for the sailers onboard.

Then it was off to the Bunker Hill Monument, commemorating one of the first major battles of the Revolutionary War. Though the colonists lost, they did so at great cost to Britain and started to believe in their cause and their might.

We caught an Uber over to the MIT Campus and walked around a bit. It was fun to think about Granddaddy Herbert going to college here.

I think the kids' favorite part of the day was learning out to ride the subway! Back it it again on our way to Harvard.

After a nice rest stop at the Russell Tavern... we were over to Harvard Yard. Everything is so perfectly situated and delightful.

And a special tribute to Hollis Hall which proved to be the namesake of the kids' Great-Grandfather who turned out to be a legendary skier. This is where it all began...

After Harvard, we got back on the subway, figured out how to get back to the Green Line, walked home through Paul Revere Park, and got back to the hotel. Sigh. Long day, great day! But a little pool time was well earned!