Travel & Vacation: Exploring Boston – Freedom Trail, Swan Boats, Trolley Rides, Harbor Tour, and Cheers
One of the markers along the Freedom Trail in Boston!
Our next stop was Boston, Massachusetts! The hotel we were staying at was a few miles from downtown Boston so we walked across the street and a couple blocks to catch the subway or MBTA as it is called in Boston. We rode into town with a lot of people going to work. The girls were quite amazed by all the people who were packed into the subway. I didn’t get any pictures in the actual subway because I didn’t want to be rude. It was an interesting experience. The girls were curious how people could sleep on the subway because they may miss their stop.
Our first adventure required walking, but it was really interesting – the Freedom Trail! We decided to go with a guided group along the Freedom Trail. The girls enjoyed hearing all the history!
Brina on the green in front of Massachusetts State House!
Granary Burying Ground was first used in 1660 and is the place where several historical people are buried.
- Paul Revere – the girls are sitting by the marker for Paul Revere who was a silversmith and one of the midnight riders sent to warn that the British were coming during the American Revolution.
- John Hancock – Governor of Massachusetts and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence
- Samuel Adams – organized the Sons of Liberty, signed the Declaration of Independence, and was a governor of the Commonwealth.
- James Otis – a lawyer in Massachusetts who said “Taxation without representation is tyranny.”
- Five Victims of the Boston Massacre, Peter Faneuil, and the parents of Benjamin Franklin –
Walking along the Freedom Trail in Boston. A lot of history and fascinating facts. You can go through the trail on your own or take a guided tour.
Karlie found an interesting place to sit while listening to the guide talk. The Freedom Trail is fascinating, but it does require a decent amount of walking which means when there was an opportunity to rest the girls took it!
Back on the Trolley! We rode the trolley in Boston too! It was actually the same company that we went on in Washington, DC.
We went on the Swan Boats! The girls loved it!
My bench partner on the swan boat. She was much more interested in looking at the wildlife than at the camera!
Daddy and Karlie on the swan boat!
A Boston Harbor Cruise was included in our Old Town Trolley tickets. It was really cool seeing Boston from the harbor. While on the harbor cruise we were able to relax, soak in all the cool views, and listen to them talk about Boston.
Brina enjoying the harbor cruise!
Having fun in Boston!
A view of downtown Boston from the harbor!
It was windy, but we still had a grand time!
Hanging out with my Karlie girl!
Another view of Boston from the harbor.
By the end of the day we were hot, tired, and ready to dinner. We chose Cheers because it was nearby and it is only located in Boston. The food was good and the company was even better.
We did a lot for one day in Boston! It was a great day packed with a lot of neat history and cool sights. Thankful for an opportunity to hang out and have fun with my family.
Travel & Vacation: Exploring Washington, DC – Trolley Ride, Sightseeing, and Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial
Brina all smiles and ready to go for the day.
Our second day exploring Washington DC. We were up early again so we can pack in a day full of fun. Our first stop was the Union Station where we parked the van and caught a ride on the trolley. We soaked up all the cool sights as we made our way through town. Thankful for our time together!
Karlie all geared up with her camera ready to take some pictures while on Washington’s Old Town Trolley!
Washington and Jefferson Monuments reflecting on the calm and peaceful Potomac River.
Karlie thought it was hilarious that several USPS mail drop boxes were painted to look like Sponge Bob. The reason the post office made the mail boxes to look like Sponge Bob was to encourage kids to write more letters. I wonder if it is working?
Riding up the escalator so we can head to the next adventure!
Karlie walking around the Marine memorial and soaking in all the sights around her.
Our family at the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial in Washington DC. It was a super sunny day so all our family pictures were a little cloudy with a rainbow on the memorial.
The Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial in Washington DC is one of my favorite. It shows great pride for our country and team spirit among the Marine soldiers.
We were able to cover a lot of ground in Washington, D.C. thanks to the Old Town Trolley taking us around. It was a well worth the cost because it was a fast and easy way to get through the city to all the major sights. Plus we didn’t have to waste time finding parking at each place or walking everywhere. On the second day we went further out in the morning to Arlington Cemetery than on to the Smithsonian Institution – National Museum of Natural History, Iwo Jima, and more! We packed in a lot of fun, learning, and sight seeing on our second day in Washington D.C. It is a great place to explore with the family!
