I have been going to Boston since I started back in 1997 traveling between there, New York City and Montreal; however, I never really took the time to get to know her. The times that I have actually stayed the night were mostly spent just passing the time in the hotel. Either I wasn’t there for very long or simply didn’t think that I could get to the city area by myself. I went once with my husband and once with my crew, both times simply looking at the buildings, grabbing a cup of Starbucks and watching the ducks in Public Park. Never really seeing Boston.

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Yesterday, I was there again except this time with my Mom who I wanted to show those same adorable duck statues and beautiful flowers that line every corner of Boston Commons and Public Park. I know someone who should be relocating there next year so I really took notice this time and actually felt a stronger connection to the place. I feel a bit silly that all of these years I stayed in the hotel instead of getting out and enjoying the view.

Downtown Boston (and just about everywhere in the area) is unbelievably easy to get to. Right at the airport, there is a bus that will take you to the Blue Line, which can in turn get you to anywhere that you would like to go. Only $2 per person, per trip to start and very easy to figure out. If you are unable to read the map of train lines (red, blue, orange, ect.) I found the staff extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Take the train Inbound from the airport to get to the city center and don’t get too comfortable because it’s not that far away! We debated at getting off at State Street or Government Square but thanks to a fellow passenger, we chose State. That way, we were able to see Faneuil Hall , a tribute to the Holocaust and a lot of really great architecture. One of my favorite things about the city from what I is the diversity in not only people but the landscape. Old meets new, modern with classic. All sharing the space together and not phased by the other. Churches from the 1800′s are not uncommon next to all glass offices.

Finally, after asking a mail person or two for directions (they are the most knowledgeable people to ask for directions!), we found Boston Commons. It is a large park, much larger than anything I could find in Cincinnati (due to lack of space), with vendors and readers, sleepers, families and runners. As with any town worldwide, there was a person or two that really needed to put their shirt back on. Yes madame, I am talking to you. I fell in love with the fact that people were napping in the middle of the park without a care in the world. They didn’t appear to be intoxicated or disheveled, simply enjoying the warm sun on a beautiful day. This could be us Cincinnati at Washington Park. The park is laid out with green grass and flowers surrounding walking paths and statues like a tribute to the Civil War.

Different statues every few hundred feet or so, a small lake and even a Ferris wheel. Flowers and perfectly manicured  lawns, portable food including a pickle vendor who tells me, “These aren’t pickles. These are Grillo’s Pickles”!  Walking through the streets and past more than one local cemetery and then into the park, school children learned  from period dressed guides that taught them the history of the land. A large gated playground filled with children,  squirrels that looked light they may have been asking for food. But, where are the duck statues? Across the street at the  Public Gardens.

The first thing that you see is a beautiful black rod iron gate, flowers and a sign of what is expected and prohibited from the park. Walking into the park, I saw them. Mrs. “Duck” and her babies strolling along in perfect arrangement.. I think that I may like this park even more. To our left, we saw the Swan Boats gliding through the water with passengers in tow. Two live swans laying as if king and queen of the ducks appeared to be preparing for parenthood sitting on a bed of hay and feathers with ducks sleeping around them. Workers lay mulch and feed trees all over the park enhancing the work of natural art did not seem to disturb the park goers due to the size and layout of the park. The lake feels like the center piece to me and is a grand piece de resistance.

From the parks, we strolled the streets looking for something to eat. Not just anything but fare local to the area. Lobster anyone? I was hoping for something other than Legal Seafood only because it seems like just another franchise. Of course, that’s exactly where we ended up.

Before finding a place to eat, we headed into the mall for a quick look around. A truffle shop selling chocolates for $30/pound and a Gucci store, where we mistakes the security guard for a sales person he was dressed that good!

After not really finding anything other that a Legal Seafood in the Mall, at least two Starbucks and a bagel place, Mom and I started to head back toward the airport. She told me that there was a Legal Seafood located on the water somewhere where she stayed on time. After asking just one more person, we found it less than a block off the Aquarium exit ( MBTA station). And guess what.? It was fantastic. We ordered the trio roll  (lobster, crab and shrimp meat packed in to a toasted flat side hot dog roll) and a cup of Lobster Bisque. The cole slaw was a little too bland but the rest of it was fantastic and much more food than we could have eaten had we not shared. I also loved the fact that it was on the water, which made it even better.

A couple looks at the bay dotted with boats of all sorts and we headed back to take our flights. All in all a perfect day!

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