Would it be possible to capture the essence of one of America’s most historic cities in a weekend?  I was determined to find out and to share it with members making travel plans.  I had what I thought was a “short” list of things I wanted to do and thought I could accomplish.  It would be a challenge, but I was convinced I could do it.  That list included nine different goals: 1. Take a DuckTour  2. Walk the Freedom Trail  3. Attend a performance of “Shear Madness”  4. Visit the North End  5. Shop at Filene’s Basement  6. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts  7. Go to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library  8. Go to the top of the Prudential Tower  9. Attend a Boston Bruins Hockey Game

Arriving at Logan Airport late Friday afternoon, I hopped aboard the “T” to get downtown.  Clean, quick and convenient, Boston’s subway is a real bargain at $2 a ride.  Visitors can purchase a one-day ($9) or 7-day ($59) LINK pass allowing unlimited travel on busses and subways.  Important to note, though, the public transportation system shuts down by 1 a.m.  If you’re out whooping it up, you’ll have to walk back to your hotel or take a cab.  After a short walk from the Park Street “T” Station, I was at the historic Omni Parker House where I was staying.  After settling in, I reviewed my list and developed a plan of attack. 

Saturday morning I met with Parker House staff at to learn more about its history.  The oldest continually-operating hotel in the United States, the Omni Parker House (above) was founded in 1855.  Authors Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne and Longfellow regularly met there in the legendary Saturday Club.   Babe Ruth and Ted Williams wined, dined, and unwound. Generations of politicians including Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Clinton met for private meetings, press conferences and power breakfasts. 

After breakfast, I met the kids and we climbed aboard a vintage World War II amphibious vehicle for the infamous Boston Duck Tour.  Admiral Amnesia, our driver/guide (left), educated and entertained us as he drove through the streets of Boston.  And much to everyone’s delight, we ended up exploring the Charles River . . .   by driving right into it.  The Admiral invited younger passengers to steer the vehicle while on the river, creating memories of a lifetime.

After a brief rest, it was off to a Bruins game.  My friend, Alex, a life-long “Bostonizer,” met me at the hotel and escorted me through the city streets leading me to the Boston Garden (or so I thought).  Much to my dismay, it was a new building with a new name . . . TD Banknorth Garden.  (Apparently no facility is safe from corporate sponsorship.)  After watching the Bruins win, Alex led me into the North End to Regina’s Pizzeria.  While waiting in line for a seat we struck up a conversation with two couples who traveled from New York City just to have a pizza at Regina’s.  Not only was it worth the wait to get a seat, I understand why someone would drive four hours for this fabulous pizza. 

Sunday’s plan was to take a PhotoWalks tour of the Freedom Trail.  Mother Nature had different plans.  The rain and cold sent me to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts instead.  Wandering through the museum I stumbled up Renoir’s “Dance at Bougival,” one of my favorite paintings of all time.   I use to dream that it represented me and my now ex-husband.  In spite of that, I still love the painting. 

The next stop: Conor Larkin’s Pub just down the street to meet Nik and Aimee to watch the Browns’ game.  Seems every major city has a place where Cleveland Browns fans can congregate to cheer on our favorite team.  After watching my team lose it was off to the Charles Playhouse to attend a performance of Shear Madness.   Boston’s longest running show has been performed more than 10,000 times and holds the Guinness Book of World Record as the longest-running play in the history of the American theater.

With a 6 p.m. flight departure on Monday, I planned to take a trip up the Prudential Tower to view the city from above.  While stopped for a quick bite of pizza (at one of Regina’s satellite stores), Alex called and said he had something special to show me.  I caught the “T” and headed to Dorchester, a gritty neighborhood in South Boston trying to rejuvenate itself.  Hidden away was a small garden with a reclining Buddha (right) as the centerpiece.  Established by Vietnamese residents to provide a place to meditate in the midst of the cacophony of the busy neighborhood, this small space was a treasure.   After a short visit, it was back on the “T,” a quick stop at the hotel to pick up my bags and off to the airport. 

I learned that a weekend just whets one’s appetite for what Boston has to offer, and that my initial list of goals proved too ambitious!  Instead of getting shorter, each time I walked past an interesting building, restaurant or pub, the list lengthened.    So, I’m planning my next visit to cross more items off my list. Any suggestions for my next Boston visit?