Boston's Northend and the Freedom Trail

What started off as an attempt to follow the Freedom Trail through Boston, wound up as a destination trip to the Northend.  Boston is one of those places where getting lost is not really a problem, it's an adventure.  The Freedom Trail is easy to follow.  It's a 2.5 mile trek through the heart of Boston with stops along the way that can be really exciting for a history buff who loves architecture.  From Boston Common we made it past Faneuil Hall and were on our way to Paul Revere's house when we wound up in Little Italy, at lunch time.  After that there was no chance we were going to finish the Freedom Trail. We found a little restaurant, Piccola Venezia, where we had a wonderful, quiet lunch with great service.  After our meal we wandered up Hanover Street and found Mike's Pastry.  For those of you who have never been you have to be patient, the lines can be a deterrent. We got there at a perfect time, because the line was only out to the door.  Before we left it had wrapped out the door and around the block.  Maybe I'll get to Paul Revere's House next time.  Two things to think about for visitors.  Bring cash for lunch, pastries and a quick stop at Haymarket on your way home because you can't use your debit card and be prepared to change course. -AMA Frommer's Boston 2010 (Frommer's Complete)Top 10 Boston (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)Streetwise Boston Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Boston, Massachusetts - Folding pocket size travel map with MBTA subway map & trolley lines Boston: History Comes Alive! (Great City Guides Travel Series)

Going to Fenway

Fenway park in Summer is wonderful. In June it's not too hot yet, there is still hope that the season will go well (the Red Sox are winning more than they are losing) and just being there gives you a sense of belonging. Of course there are a lot of reasons not to go to Fenway. Tickets can be difficult to get, the food and beverages are pretty expensive and it's a little easier to see sitting on the couch.

So here's a few tips: take a water bottle, buy Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets and eat before you go. That brings down the cost of the trip significantly. Sitting on the couch singing "Sweet Caroline" is not nearly as much fun as singing it in Fenway with 35,000 other fans.
-AMA
101 Reasons to Love the Red Sox (Revised) Red Sox Nation: An Unexpurgated History Of The Red Sox 100 Things Red Sox Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die (100 Things .... Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die)