Five days in Boston with Ms. Driveby Tourist gave us plenty of history, good food, interesting people, and a few surprises. We stayed in the North End, Boston's Little Italy, within walking distance of the Freedom Trail, Boston Harbor, and more Italian restaurants than we could possibly visit.

Not that we didn't try.

Five National Park Service Sites

I managed to visit five National Park Service units, although a couple required some creative interpretation of the word visit.

They included Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters, Frederick Law Olmsted, Boston African American, Boston National Historical Park, and Boston Harbor Islands.

Longfellow House in Cambridge was particularly interesting. George Washington used the house as his headquarters during the Siege of Boston in 1775–1776. Our guided tour explored Washington's time there and the later years of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who supported abolition.

An Unexpected Invitation

My most memorable encounter happened along the Black Heritage Trail.

At the Lewis and Harriet Hayden House, I met Mary, an 85-year-old woman who has lived there for 50 years. Lewis Hayden escaped slavery, gained his freedom, and became an important abolitionist. He and Harriet helped people escaping slavery through the Underground Railroad.

Mary invited me inside and spent about half an hour sharing the home's history. She even showed me the small garden.

You can't arrange an experience like that through a tour company.

Touring Boston, With and Without Quacks

We enjoyed a 75-minute CityView trolley tour, which I dubbed The Hop-on Hop-off That Isn't! Our ticket covered a nonstop ride, but the driver's entertaining commentary made it worthwhile.

The Boston Duck Boat offered another perspective, including a cruise on the Charles River. Our captain, who called himself “Ernie thologist,” delivered enough dad jokes to qualify for honorary membership in my family!!

Naturally, we quacked on command.

A World Inside Out

The Mapparium provided another unusual experience. Imagine standing inside a three-story stained-glass globe showing the world as it existed in 1935.

The continents look familiar, but the political boundaries tell a very different story.

And Then There's the Food

We enjoyed Florentine Cafe, Trattoria Il Panino, and other North End discoveries. My seafood pasta with lobster and scallops was particularly memorable. Ms. Driveby even managed to bring home some Chicken Parmesan.

I apparently lack that kind of restraint.

The Best Part of Traveling

Boston delivered wonderful history, entertaining tours, and excellent meals. Between walking, riding trolleys and Ubers, we covered plenty of ground.

But the people made it special, especially Mary and the many guides, staff members, and travelers we encountered.

And sharing the experience with Ms. Driveby Tourist made this adventure even better.

Another reminder that the best travel memories aren't always the places we planned to see.

"History opens doors. People invite us inside.”

Classic Rock Song: “Take It Easy” — Eagles

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Until next time.....

Stan

Featured Post: And for a semi-related link, here's a post from a past trip that covers all of the eastern and southeastern states.