Back to Meet Boston
Travel Talk with Ed Finn in Association with Destination Cleveland
Saturday, 6 April 2024 - 13 minutes
When I first arrived in the city 11 years ago, I discovered a place full of history and style, and I fell in love with it right away. Boston is one of the oldest cities in the US. With its red-brick buildings, brownstones and those prestigious universities, the city's culture and architecture are reminiscent of those of an English town. The streets are narrow and compact, which makes it an excellent city to walk around. Follow, for example, the red line painted on the footpaths of the meandering Freedom Trail, which will lead you to 16 historical sites over the course of a few hours, encompassing two and a half centuries of the US's most significant past. It was terrific to be here for St. Patrick's Day this year and to meet Dave O' Donnell from meet Boston and Steve Johnston, the GM of the elegant Boston Harbour Hotel where I had the pleasure of staying for 4 nights.
I enjoyed watching the Boston Celtics win a great basketball game and loved my return visit to Fenway Park. The John F Kennedy Library and Museum is a must see as is the famous Cheers Pub, where everyone knows your name. Boston is a great city for food lovers, sports fans and culture vultures. Quincy Market is great for clam chowder and ChinaTown is also excellent for authentic Chinese Food, Jackie Church does a terrific Tour here. View Boston in the Prudential Building also gives you amazing 360 degree views of the city. Of course the city is awash with the best Irish Bars on the planet aside from the old sod of course and food to match. Also great sessions at the Black Rose which was near my hotel. We flew over with Aer Lingus who fly twice a week from €190 and the Silver Line free bus SL1 dropped us off five minutes walk form the hotel. It goes from Logan airport to South Station. I also took the Amtrak from South Station to Mystic Connecticut when we departed Boston (1hr 40 mins) and that was stunning.
There are several beautiful parks in the city. Swan boats are a highlight at Boston Common, near the historic Beacon Hill neighbourhood; while south of the city are the Arnold Arboretum and Jamaica Pond, which is good for a long walk, especially in spring and fall, with its cherry blossoms and changing leaf colours.
If you have time, take a trip to the north shore beaches (Crane Beach or Plum Island), or to Cape Cod and its islands – Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Summer is great there for good weather but you can also go off-season, in spring or fall, and you might have the sandy beaches and parks to yourself. I for one can't wait to return to Boston again soon, it's the kind of city that you just keep going back to. As Stephen Johnston told me - "I came here for 2 years Ed and I'm still here 15 years later" Say no more....
You can listen back to my chat with Stephen, Dave and Jackie Church by clicking here - Listen Back to The Sunday Show from Boston
A Huge thanks to Tony Lane from Visit USA who helped to put my fantastic trip together.
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