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During your Boston vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Paul Revere House
One of the most pleasant stops on the Freedom Trail, this 2 1/2-story wood structure presents history on a human scale. Revere was living here when he set out for Lexington on April 18, 1775, a feat immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Paul Revere's Ride" ("Listen, my children, and you shall hear, / Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere"). The oldest house in downtown Boston, it was built around 1680, bought by Revere in 1770, and put to a number of uses before being turned into a museum in the early 20th century. It holds neatly arranged and identified 17th- and 18th-century furnishings and artifacts, including the famous Revere silver, considered some of the finest anywhere.The thought-provoking tour is self-guided, with staff members around in case you have questions. The format allows you to linger on the artifacts that hold your interest. Revere had 16 children (he called them "my lambs") -- eight with each of his two wives -- and he supported the family with a thriving silversmith's trade. At his home, you'll get a good sense of the risks he took in the events that led to the Revolutionary War.Across the courtyard is the home of Revere's Hichborn cousins, the Pierce/Hichborn House. The 1711 Georgian-style home is a rare example of 18th-century middle-class architecture. It's suitably furnished and shown only by guided tour (usually twice a day at busy times). Call the Paul Revere House for schedules.Before you leave North Square, look across the cobblestone plaza at Sacred Heart Church. It was established in 1833 as the Seamen's Bethel, a church devoted to the needs of the mariners who frequented the area. Today it's Roman Catholic, and one Mass every Sunday is in Italian. Wharves ran up almost this far in colonial days; in the 19th century, this was a notorious red-light district.To continue on the Freedom Trail: The trail leaves the square on Prince Street and runs along Hanover Street past Clark Street. Before turning onto Prince Street, take a few steps down Garden Court Street and look for no. 4, on the right. The private residence was the birthplace of Rose Fitzgerald (later Kennedy).
Boston Massacre Site
A ring of cobblestones on a traffic island marks the location of the skirmish that helped consolidate the spirit of rebellion in the colonies. On March 5, 1770, angered at the presence of royal troops in Boston, colonists threw snowballs, garbage, rocks, and other debris at a group of redcoats. The soldiers panicked and fired into the crowd, killing five men. Their graves, including that of Crispus Attucks, the first black man to die in the Revolution, are in the Old Granary Burying Ground.To continue on the Freedom Trail: Turn left onto Congress Street and walk down the hill.
USS Constitution
"Old Ironsides," one of the U.S. Navy's six original frigates, never lost a battle. The ship was constructed in the North End from 1794 to 1797 at a cost of $302,718, using bolts, spikes, and other fittings from Paul Revere's foundry. Constitution played a key role as the new nation built its naval and military reputation, battling French privateers and Barbary pirates, repelling the British fleet during the War of 1812, participating in 40 engagements, and capturing 20 vessels. The frigate earned its nickname during an engagement on August 19, 1812, when shots from HMS Guerriere bounced off its thick oak hull as if it were iron. Today, the active-duty sailors who lead tours wear 1812 dress uniforms.Retired from combat in 1815, Constitution was rescued from destruction when Oliver Wendell Holmes's poem Old Ironsides launched a preservation movement in 1830. The frigate was completely overhauled for its bicentennial in 1997, when it sailed under its own power for the first time since 1881, drawing international attention. Tugs tow Constitution into the harbor every Fourth of July for its celebratory "turnaround cruise" (the vessel must be turned regularly to ensure that it weathers evenly).To continue on the Freedom Trail: Walk straight ahead to the museum entrance.Security On "Old Ironsides"--The Charlestown Navy Yard, home to USS Constitution and the Constitution Museum, is an active military base. Expect to have your bags searched at the gate or at the access point for "Old Ironsides," where you'll probably have to pass through a metal detector. And call ahead if the national terror alert is high; the navy yard closes to civilians at the first sign of a serious threat.
Holiday Inn BOSTON-LOGAN AIRPORT
The Holiday Inn Hotel Boston-Logan Airport offers all the conveniences of an airport hotel, without the noise and bustle of the airport. Located only 1 mile from Logan International Airport, with complimentary 24 hour shuttle service. Park, Stay, & Fly package available for guests leaving cars.**you must have Park Stay and Fly package booked** Enjoy complimentary coffee in one of our beautifully renovated guest rooms, including high speed Internet. The hotel is located only three miles from ...
Doubletree' Club Boston-Bayside
Located adjacent to the Bayside EXPO and Executive Conference Center off I-93, the Doubletree Club Hotel Boston-Bayside is just 1 and 1/2 miles from downtown Boston and five miles from Logan International Airport. Boston Logan Airport 6 MI NE, Hotel Shuttle, Taxi, rental car, limo. JFK/U Mass Red Line T 0 MI W, Subway train. Downtown Boston 2 MI N, Financial district TF Green Airport- Providence 53 MI ...
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