I had decided to tag along with a friend’s photography trip to Vermont last minute. Because I was joining him, we decided to tack on a day and add one more city to make the most of our trip. Why not Boston?!
Most of our planning for this trip was dedicated to Vermont and New Hampshire, so we found ourselves driving to Boston without much of a plan – which was perfect because Boston is a great city to wander. Here’s what we recommend from our Day in Boston:
Explore!
Haymarket Farmer’s Market
We had just parked the car for a day of touring Boston. Not sure of what to do first, we started to head towards the North End and came across Boston’s Haymarket Farmer’s Market. I had never seen so much fresh produce, the market went on for blocks! And it was all super affordable – Haymarket boasts that it is some of the lowest prices New England! We were leaving the following day, but I can’t say I didn’t think about what I might be able to stuff on my suitcase on my flight the next day! You can find Haymarket bustling with over 40 independent vendors during the day on Fridays and Saturday.
Eats
Boston’s North End
The North End is Boston’s version of Little Italy. It’s an adorable network of narrow streets and some of the city’s oldest buildings. Italian flags, restaurants, coffeehouses, pastry shops and old-school delis fill these streets, particularly Hanover Street. I was in my glory, it was all I could do to stop myself from attempting to try the majority of the shops in this part of Boston.
Ernesto’s Pizzeria Boston North End
Knowing that we were going to Boston’s historic North End, I knew I had to get some real Italian eats. I saw Ernesto has pizza by the slice and I was sold. Being the Italian girl from Brooklyn that I am, I had some high expectations for pizza and let me tell you, Ernesto’s did not disappoint! It had the real deal cornmeal crust, the right amount of grease (I know that’s not for everyone) but trust me it was good. You can see in the photo I was oblivious to the photo being taken of me I was so focused on this slice! Grab a slice or a pie if you’re in Boston – you won’t be sorry!
Bova’s Bakery
Anisette Cookie for the flight home!
Being an Italian girl originally from Brooklyn but living in Florida the majority of my life, it’s always a surprise for me to find authentic Italian cookies and pastries. When I saw Bova’s Bakery I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop myself here. I was bringing home as many cookies as my little backpack could stand to pack! Check out the sheer delight Jacob caught in this picture! I couldn’t get the words out fast enough – talk about kid in a candy store! Bova’s Bakery is family owned and operated since 1926 and is the premier bakery of Boston’s North End. For over eighty years Bova’s Bakery has been baking authentic homemade items handed down for over three generations. If you’re passing through Boston’s North End, do yourself a favor and pop in for a cookie or 12!
History
Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long self-guided path through downtown Boston, Massachusetts, that passes by 16 locations significant to the history of the United States. I felt like I was on a trek to find the Wizard of Oz, however instead of following a yellow brick road, you follow a 2.5 mile long red brick path. It was a pretty cool tour that you MUST do if you go to Boston. On the trail, you’ll find stops that include simple explanatory ground markers, graveyards, notable churches and buildings, a historic naval frigate and of course, major sites like the 1680 Paul Revere House and the Old North Church.
St. Stephen’s Church
This site has been home to a church since 1714, first of which was the Middle Street Meeting House. It served the New North Congregational Society, of which Paul Revere and his father were members. The current structure was built in 1802-04 as the New North Church or New North Meeting House. Now standing as St. Stephen’s Church, located at 401 Hanover Street at the corner of Clark Street in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts, . Rose Kennedy – the mother of John F. Kennedy – was baptized here in 1890, and her funeral was held here 104 years later, in 1995.
The Old North Church
The Old North Church is Boston’s oldest surviving church building. Built in 1723, it is a National Historic Landmark and is one of the Freedom Trail’s most visited historical sites as it played a key role at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. You might recognize this as the famous site of “One if by land, and two if by sea,” the midnight ride of Paul Revere. It was this spot that Paul Revere instructed three Boston Patriots to hang two lanterns in the church’s steeple.
New England Holocaust Memorial
Just off the Freedom Trail near Faneuil Hall sits the New England Holocaust Memorial, dedicated to the memory of the six million people killed by the Nazis during World War II.
The memorial is simply constructed but extremely impactful, It is composed of six glass towers towering well over 50-feet on a black granite path in a grassy area. The towers symbolize the six major concentration camps, steam often rises from openings beneath the towers representing the smoke from crematoriums.
Upon closer look, you will see the delicately printed six millions names on the glass towers. It’s a beautifully constructed homage to these six million people killed during World War II.
