Boston Day 2

We had a great breakfast down at the Boston Hilton, then picked up the Freedom Trail visiting the Quincy Market early before it got too crowded. We enjoyed the central hall with its domed ceiling and the old traders' signs decorating the walls. The Trail, today, took us across the river to Charlestown City Square, then up the hill to the Bunker Hill Monument. This is a granite obelisk commemorating the 17 June 1775 battle, won by the English, but with heavy losses. Those losses were of great importance as the colonial forces eventually gained from them. Then we made our way down to the Charlestown Navy Yard. On the way we kept spotting some 'Tree Gardens', by Jake. Sort of guerilla gardens planted in slim boxes attached to trees, bringing colour to the streets.
At the Navy Yard we looked for a café, but ended up popping into the local store for a press button coffee and sandwich, which we ate on a bench on the street. Then we were off to view USS Constitution or 'Old Ironsides' to give her her nickname. This is the flagship of the US Navy and was built in 1797, her hull made of live oak that is incredible hard - even resisting cannonballs. She has been completely restored (1997) and we were able to climb all over under the supervision of various guides stationed throughout the ship, above and below decks!

The lovely day tempted us to walk back over the bridge and along wharves, which brought us to the Institute of Contemporary Art where we saw the exhibition of 2013 James and Audrey Foster Prize, a biennial award recognizing a Boston-area artist of exceptional promise. There was a display all about a fictional female Bauhaus architect complete with model buildings, press cuttings and life history. Katarina Burin was the winner of the prize with this installation.

On we strolled eventually coming to the Boston Tea Party Museum complete with tea ship and teapot weather vane, before we turned for the hotel. We decided dinner would be at the Hungry I on Charles St. We were deeply disappointed with the offhand service and definitely second rate dinner compared with the previous two evenings. Maybe too many rave reviews have led to complacency. Not a place we would recommend.




Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall
Bunker Hill Monument
Charlestown Navy Yard
Institute of Contemporary Art
Boston Tea Party Museum