Paris, Via Boston Part 2

Do you ever see something and wonder, why is that there?  It happens to me often.  Like in Boston, in our hotel room, on the back of the bathroom door was a bottle opener.  Why?  Did someone complain about not having a bottle opener and the hotel thought, well we can't just have one in the room, people will steal it. I know! Let's attach it to the back of the bathroom door! No place better!

With the mystery of the bottle opener lingering over us, we set off to explore the city.  First, breakfast at Au Bon Pain, because it was a short walk from our hotel and the hotel restaurant was expensive.  Our mission for the day was to walk the Freedom Trail.  This is a red line on the sidewalk that takes you through a lot of important historical landmarks.  You can pay to do a guided tour, or get the free app from the National Parks Service and do it at your own pace.  We took the second option and found the app easy to use and full of information.  

Here's what we saw...

Park Street Church, founded in 1804.  William Lloyd Garrison made his first speech against slavery here in 1829.  Also, My Country, Tis of Thee was first performed here in 1831.

The Granary Burying Ground.  Founded in 1660.  Many notable American Patriots are buried here.  We spent about an hour in the cemetery.  I could have spent all day.  

From across the street.

Grave of the victims of the Boston Massacre.

This is the grave of Benjamin Franklin's parents.

We found it amazing that The Franklins lived into their 80's. That was amazing for that time period.

John Hancock.

The headstone to the right is the actual grave, the big one is just a monument.

Not an actual part of the Freedom Trail, but we walked past the Parker House Restaurant, where the Parker House Rolls were first served.  

Boston Latin School.  Founded in 1635, the first public school in the colonies.

Side note- we homeschool our kids with the "classical model" which teaches using the trivium and includes the learning of Latin.  This is also the model that was taught in the Boston Latin school, the first public school.  You would be hard pressed to find a public school that utilizes this method today.  

Old Corner Bookstore.  Built in 1718.  First used as a book shop in 1828, on the National Register of Historic Places.  Now houses a Chipotle.  

​The Old State House.  Built in 1712.  Site of the Boston Massacre (1770). Declaration of Independence was first read publicly in Boston from the balcony (July 18, 1776).

Cool old staircase.

The circle is the site of the Boston Massacre.

Balcony where Declaration of Independence was read.

Uh, unicorn on top of the Old State House. Why is that there??

Faneuil Hall.  Built 1743 by Peter Faneuil.  Center of commerce, also Samuel Adams spoke here.  Nicknamed the "Cradle of Liberty."  Currently under refurbishment.

Paul Revere's House.  Built 1680.  Really cool to walk through, only $5 a person.  Parts are original, some parts were restored in the early 1900's.  No photos allowed inside.  

From this point, the Freedom Trail crosses the Charles River and takes you to the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill.  We had to cut our tour short, so we decided to leave the Paul Revere House and go for lunch.  

Ye Olde Union Oyster House.  Established in 1826, longest continuously operating restaurant in America.  Very good food.  

Lobster Roll. Yes!!

Rob and I committed the cardinal sin of site seeing.  We forgot that however far you walk away from your hotel, you have to walk back.  We headed back the 2 miles to the hotel so Rob could take a preflight nap.  I went to the hotel lobby, watched people and read a book.  It was a great day in Boston and I was ready for Paris!!