In my wanderings around Boston to follow the Freedom Trail and visit art musems, I walked. The distance to the waterfront was a little further, and in eighty degree (F) heat, it seemed like a good idea to take mass transit in one direction. I was staying at a bed and breakfast in Back Bay, so I rode the green line on the T, short for MBTA, to Government Center downtown, an easy walk to the waterfront.
As an aside, the train ticket is called a CharlieCard. That made me smile! Some may know the oldie song by the Kingston Trio from the 50s about fictional Charlie, the man who never returned. “May he ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston” because he didn’t have the money to pay a five cent exit fee. The original song was written as a political protest for the controversial fee in 1949. The transit authority didn’t want to retool its entry machines to add the fare increase, so riders had to pay the extra coin when they got off the train.
My destination, on Central Wharf, was the famed New England Aquarium, highly recommended by my son, who works on ocean research ships. The core of the museum encloses a huge four-story tank, which contains a wide array of marine animals. A curving walkway runs around the outside of the tank from top to bottom and provides viewpoints of the interior of the tank from different levels. The variety of sea life changes with the depth and amount of light. Caribbean coral reef, sharks, sea turtles, barracudas, moray eels, exotic colorful tropical fish, and more. An under the sea fantasy! I was entranced by the tank and explored it both going up and coming back down. Informative displays line the outer walls as well. One suggestion I wish I had been aware of before going into the exhibits: noise canceling headphones are available. There were groups of children visiting the aquarium and the noise level, echoing through the building, was ear-shattering.
Colonies of penguins inhabit the Penguin Pool, perched on rocks, around the base of the giant tank.
Seals and sea lions live in an outdoor area covered by a canopy. Ample seating along the seal habitat is provided, so it’s fun to sit and watch them swim and do their water aerobics. Most of these sea creatures were rescues that can no longer survive in the wild.
It was a short walk to the end of the Long Wharf.
I sat outside at the Chart House restaurant, listening to the waiter describe to each new customer that the red brick building was the third oldest in Boston. The lobster bisque was thick, creamy, and dreamy.
On the way back to my lodging in Back Bay, I wandered a different route, avoiding retracing Freedom Trail steps I had already covered, A ramble amid city life, rather than a tourist route.
Boston Common & Public Garden, Freedom Trail, Boston art day, Boston waterfront
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Been to Boston only once and we hardly scratched the surface. I’ve marked New England Aquarium as Want to Go in my maps.
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There’s certainly a lot to see and do in Boston. I feel I’ve just scratched the surface in three days. Hope you get there.
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Boston looks like it is a very livable city with its parks, public spaces and waterfront. I had a chuckle at the Charlie Card story. It figures they would turn the name to their advantage. Good for them. I do love an aquarium. There is very little chance I will ever become a deep sea diver or take up scuba diving, so this is the only way for me to see what the heck goes on down there. A very enjoyable series Ruth. Enjoy your weekend. Allan
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Thanks so much, Allan. Glad you enjoyed it! It was a fun and interesting exploration. I’m not going to scuba dive, but snorkeling is a good way to get a glimpse. Such a delight for us inlanders to get to the ocean now and then!
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Beautiful Boston! Good idea to take public transport, especially in warmer weather. The penguins look so cute! And that lobster bisque looks divine. Boston certainly has that blend of its colonial past and modern charm, which offers something new for everyone!
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Thanks for your comments, Rebecca! I packed a much in those few days as I could. It’s a great city.
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Ah, I recognize the Long Wharf building and the cozy trellised walkway (not far from Faneuil Hall if I remember correctly). That’s a beautiful part of Boston, both the shopping area and the harbor front, with plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy the views. Probably the best seafood dinner I’ve ever had – fittingly – was in Boston, at Legal Seafood in the downtown area. Looks like I need to see the aquarium next time I visit.
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Legal is classic. I’ve eaten there in other places. I bought their packaged clam chowder at the local market to have in the house in Cape Cod.
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A very nice day in Boston, and I love the CharlieCard. Airbnbs are the rage but a good old B&B is fine by me.
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I’ve had a few iffy stays in Airbnb, and prefer VRBO if I go that way. But there is something cozier and more welcoming about a B&B. I don’t do big hotels. A smaller place has more of the character of the area.
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I’ve not been to Boston, thanks for this tour of the wharf, Ruth. Looking at the photos I thought the place looks similar to Sydney. 🙂
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They were both settled by the British so there is a similarity! And the harbors have a common feel. Thanks for your comment.
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Ah that’s right. That must be it. 🙂
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The weather was agreeable for brilliant photography that day. Lovely images.
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Thank you! The weather cooperated for me that time. A good day for walking.
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Thanks for these beautiful impressions of Boston Ruth. Unfortunately, I recently heard that the city of Boston also has a completely different and less beautiful side (read: very dangerous side)
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That’s probably true of most big cities, in the U.S. but abroad in many places as well. I didn’t explore the more residential or poorer areas. You have to be street smart when traveling.
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That’s for sure Ruth 🙂
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A lovely walk – it must have been especially nice to be by the water in that heat. I love the colourful buoys 🙂 And the lobster bisque looks and sounds wonderful!
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It was definitely cooler by the water. Lots of people were out boating. I saw a wall of those colorful buoys in Woods Hole on Cape Cod also. I wonder if that’s a thing there!
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A place I would like to visit.
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It’s quite an interesting city. I packed as much as I could into just a few days. I hope you get there!
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These are such fantastic photos, Ruth. I just love how the city is full of historical and cultural attractions, from the North End’s Italian heritage to Boston’s classic brick facades and New England charm. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thanks so much for your kind words, Aiva! There’s much to see and a blend of history and cultural influences.
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Boston seems like a city that just keeps on giving.
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I imagine I’ve just done the obvious in the city in those few days. There’s so much to explore.
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The aquarium sounds amazing
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Thanks for reading, Beth. It was fascinating and well organized.
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Boston has done a remarkable job with its waterfront to make it more walkable and for the people. I didn’t know that there were noise cancelling headphones available at the New England Aquarium. What a fantastic idea.
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I wouldn’t have thought to get the headphones when I checked in, but if I had known, I would have gone back for them.
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I haven’t spent nearly enough time in Boston. I love the sites on your rambling walk. Maggie
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I think I’ve just scratched the surface. I would have liked to explore the neighborhoods more but there’s a lot to do there.
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I enjoyed this Ruth as Boston is a city I have always wanted to visit and one that has made its way onto the list for if/when Sladja and I eventually get to spend some time in The U.S. Kinda wish I could jump into these photos, as the waterfront looks like it has so much to offer. Love all the art of course and it seems like there are some mesmerising museums. Just doing my first listen to the Kingston Trio’s M.T.A, love it.
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It’s such a fun song, although at first it was a protest. Boston had been on my list for some time, having just spent an afternoon years ago. I packed the days with as much as I could, lots to do there. Hope you will visit.
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The architecture is quite spectacular, Ruth. I haven’t visited Boston and didn’t realize there would be so much modern architecture. Great to hear about another good aquarium for a future visit.
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It’s an interesting blend of historic and modern in Boston.
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