Travel & Vacation: Learning About Old Ironsides & the USS Constitution Museum
Our family inside Old Ironsides next to the cannons!
We split up the Old Ironsides tour and the USS Constitution Museum into two days which actually worked out really well for our family. If you are planning on visiting Old Ironsides make sure you are carrying your driver’s license otherwise you will not be able to get into see it. We left my driver’s license at the hotel since I wasn’t carrying my wallet and we would be riding on the subway and trolley. Oh well! It let us spread the adventure out a little bit more.
Visiting the U.S.S. Constitution (aka Old Ironsides)
The first day we explored the USS Constitution Museum. Both girls really enjoyed the museum, history, and all the cool activities. They did a great job making fun and interactive displays for the kids at this museum. It was not huge, but we still spent at least a couple hours doing everything (some activities the girls did multiple times). I highly recommend going to this Museum if you visiting Old Ironsides, it’s right across the street. The kids will enjoy it (especially the second floor)! The second day we explored Old Ironsides the ship!
Brina put together her ship!
They both managed to build their ships using the diagram.
Huge model of Old Ironsides
Our little sailor girl.
This was a lot harder than it looked. They had to stand on a tight rope, pull up the sails, and tie them up without falling off. Took a little coordination, but they both had a blast pulling up the sails!
Yikes! The boats rocking the hammock a little too fast for Karlie!
Brina lounging in the hammock!
We were up early and ready to go the next day. The girls enjoyed riding on the T in Boston. Brina was very worried that I was too close to the subway or that I would get left behind if I didn’t hurry when it stopped.
Went from riding the MBTA (Boston’s subway) to riding the Boston’s Old Town Trolley! Jake and Brina sitting across the aisle from us!
Karlie loving her time exploring Boston!
Ready to go abroad the U.S.S. Constitution otherwise known as Old Ironsides! I am glad we visited Old Ironsides because we just recently found out that they are pulling it out of the harbor for the next 3 years to do restoration work on it.
We got there just as it opened so it was less crowded and cooler! Old Ironsides is still an active ship. Every year on July 4th they take the ship 1 mile out and bring it back into harbor. We were there a couple days before July 4th so they were preparing for their big annual one mile trip out to sea!
Checking out the cannons on Old Ironsides!
Karlie climbing down the steep steps!
We stopped to talk with one of the sailors for a few minutes.
Demonstrating one of their fighting drills after showing us how to load the cannons!
She’s thinking about something….I sense a question about to come!
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.
