There is plenty of summer left so if you’re looking for a long weekend or even maybe a full week, why not consider the Boston/Plymouth area. Boston is chock-full of history and Plymouth while not only the start of the country with the landing of the pilgrims but also is a gorgeous harbor.
Boston is only about 3 hours from Saratoga and Plymouth is about 45 minutes from Boston so each can be easily visited in a weekend but if you have more time there are other sites that might be of interest–Plimouth Plantation, Walden Pond, Lexington and Concord, Marblehead, Cape Cod, Mohawk Trail, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket Island – or each of these could be done as a separate trip.
Boston is easy to navigate. All the high spots of American History are on the Freedom Trail, a tour you can take by foot that has a marked path so there is no chance of missing any event. The trail will take you to the site of the Boston Massacre, The Old North Church (where Paul Revere saw the lights in the steeple, you know one if by land and two if by sea), Quincy Market, Fanueil Hall, Paul Revere’s house, which is now a museum, just to name a few. And since this is a walking tour you can take your time and stop and stay as long as you like. You can do some shopping along the way or even grab a bite to eat.
The North End of Boston is a favorite of mine. This is where you will see the Old North Church, visit Boston’s Little Italy (where you can take a separate culinary tour) with over 80 restaurants you’re sure to find something to fit your taste. The North end is also home to the Paul Revere Mall where you will find a magnificent statue of Paul Revere and the walls of the mall have plaques that commemorate the contributions of north enders throughout American history. The mall also has a fountain and benches, so it’s a nice place to rest while walking the trail. The Old North Church is a special stop for any American history buff. The pews are called box pews and had to be purchased as long as the family kept up with their rent then they could decorate the pew however they liked.
If you want to delve deeper into Boston’s history take a look at Copp’s Burying Ground on the north side or better yet wander through the Granary Burying Ground on Trenton St. In this cemetery you will find the graves of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Thomas Paine, the parents of Benjamin Franklin and even Mother Goose!
Once you’ve explored Boston why not take a side trip to Plymouth, one of my favorite places.
Plymouth Harbor (south of the Mayflower)
The Mayflower II Replica
Plymouth Rock (under the pavilion)
The harbor there is beautiful and just right for taking lots of fantastic pictures. While there you can see Plymouth Rock, and the sarcophagus that holds the remains of some of the original settlers. (insert photo) I would suggest taking an entire day or day and a half in Boston and then maybe another day in Plymouth. There is so much to see and do in both places. You might want to add Cape Cod to your trip to Plymouth although there enough to do at both places to make them a separate trip.
When we went to Boston we camped. We stayed at the Minuteman campground which used to be a KOA. It was nice and clean, I highly recommend it. When we went to Plymouth and Cape Cod we stayed at an actual KOA, it was okay but not as nice as the Minuteman. Camping is an inexpensive way to see a lot of sites. If you find a campground that is centrally located then you have a base camp, so to speak and can travel to the sites from there. Hotels and bed and breakfasts can be expensive so do you research before you book. With the end of summer coming close you might be able to find good deals especially after Labor Day. Most hotels in the are open until the first part of October. Boston is a fun, historical place that has something for just about everyone. Cape Cod is great for beaches, restaurants, art museums and the like. Plymouth, well in my opinion has it all!
If you visit Boston remember: There are lots more historical and interesting places than I have mentioned. Do some research and I’m sure you will find something that will make it a worthwhile trip. (While we were there a few years ago, they were filming The Departed with Robert Dinero and Leo DiCaprio. Actually while standing on a street corner I almost walked into Leo DiCaprio, so maybe you might spot some stars during your visit too!) Bring plenty of money for souvenirs and a camera with either lots of memory or lots of film because there are photo ops galore Try camping. Its an inexpensive way to find accommodations and will leave you more money to spend in Boston Try a culinary tour of the north end, there are lots of companies that offer these so check the internet to find one that suits you.
If you visit Plymouth remember: Explore. There are homes that were built in the early 1700’s so take the time to walk around town. You never know what you might find. There are lots of other things to see and do in the area so if you have a week try these suggestions: Walden Pond: The fabled home of Henry David Thoreau. Not really a pond, but more like a huge lake. There is a replica cabin there so the you can just how rugged and beautiful Thoreau’s life was there. Bring your bathing suit because there is a small beach and other ways to access the pond for swimming. Concord’s North Bridge: Remember “the shot heard around the world” from history class, well here you can visit that very spot, along with the Minute Man statue by Daniel Chester French, quite impressive. Minute Man Park: This is a national park. Here you can walk the Battle Road Trail, a five mile trail that connects sites that launched the American Revolution. There is no charge to walk the trail. Whether you decide to go to Boston, Plymouth, Walden Pond, Cape Cod or all of then I’m sure it will be a memorable trip. Just another reason I love living in the Saratoga area. All these great and beautiful trips are just a few hours away!
