Explore More Autumn 2019

From top to bottom: The

From top to bottom: The foilage on the banks of Boston's Jamaica Plains changes colour as autumn draws closer; famous Red Sox player Mookie Betts Boston Boston offers visitors the chance to see sites where the American Revolution unfolded, as well as the renowned Red Sox baseball team, Harvard University and fiery fall colours The Boston Tea Party, the American Revolution and the invention of Facebook are just a few of Boston’s claims to fame. It’s also a city of firsts; the United States’ first public library, subway, public park, landfill and phone call. Iconic 19th-century architecture is some of the country's finest and best seen from Copley Square, flanked by the gothic-revival Trinity Church and the grand Boston Public Library. But it’s not just about looking back in this old-time city. As the epicentre of the Eastern Seaboard, Boston has always been a creative hotbed and there’s no shortage of the unexpected. Atop a multi-storey car park in Cambridge’s Kendall Square, there’s a secret garden complete with ping pong tables, and every first Friday of the month studios in the SoWa arts district open their doors to passers-by. In autumn, Boston comes alive with popping autumnal colours. The Public Garden, America’s oldest botanical park, is the best place to bask in the glow of orange and red foliage. Here over 600 trees create a combination of shapes and colours not seen anywhere else in New England. Come winter, head across the road to Frog Pond on Boston Common where locals go to finesse their ice-skating skills. Don’t miss • The Public Garden’s Swan Boats have been delighting passengers on the four-acre lagoon since the late 19th century. In the height of summer, it’s the perfect way to cool down, while in winter it gives way to ice hockey enthusiasts. • If you’re looking to immerse yourself in some of the erudite Harvard goings-on, grab a 60-minute free campus tour led by students and then head to The Harvard Book Store where famous authors give regular readings. • Beacon Hill is where the rich and famous live. This pocket of village life in the middle of town is about as picturesque as Boston gets. Take an hour-or-so to stroll the cobblestone streets nosing into brownstone homes. • The 2.5-mile Freedom Trail is an excellent way to uncover Boston’s American Revolution history. The red brick road connects Paul Revere House, Massachusetts State House, significant chapels and cemeteries, and the Boston Public Garden. • If baseball is on your agenda, and you miss the chance to pick up tickets to a Sox game, the next best Fast Facts Boston’s most loved statue is a series of bronze ducklings in Boston Public Garden. The Hancock Tower has coloured lights that tell the weather. On 10 March 1876 Alexander Graham Bell made the first ever phone call to a Boston machine shop. The Public Garden has the world’s smallest suspension bridge. thing is a tour of Fenway Park. The three-hour tours often take place just before a game so you’ll at least get a chance to see players warming up. A beer in the Bleacher Bar before or after is essential. Eating & Drinking Boston’s culinary delights lean towards the sea with oysters, lobster and clam chowders permeating most menus. Sampling fried clams and Boston pies are a must, while the Italian quarter serves up a mean Bolognese and there’s a thriving craft beer industry. CHART HOUSE £££ Boston Long Wharf is home to the city’s finest seafood, dished up with views across the harbour. Chart House occupies Long Wharf’s oldest surviving structure, now filled with striking interiors. Alongside seafood classics, it’s renowned for Boston’s best ribs. 68 VIKINGCRUISES.CO.UK | AUTUMN 2019

TRAVEL CRAIGIE ON MAIN £££ Tony Maws leads the charge at this award-winning restaurant with a major influence on Boston’s foodie scene. Its burger is so popular, it’s become a limited edition, but the rest of the menu is equally brilliant. Insider Tips MARIA’S PASTRY SHOP £ For a gluten fix head to the Italian neighbourhood for fogliatelle (clamshell pastry filled with cheese and fruit) and cannoli (similar but in a cylinder shape). Maria’s Pastry Shop is a good place to start for a punchy dose of caffeine and sugar. PHOTOS: © ALAMY/GETTY IMAGES/ ISTOCK BULLY BOY DISTILLERS TASTING ROOM ££ Local cocktail connoisseurs Dave and Will Willis not only make craft spirits but serve them to a small crowd in a Prohibition-era bar. The distillery is just next door, and if you reserve a spot, you can get a quick tour before sampling. FOODIE FAVOURITE On Thursdays and Fridays, you can 'Sip & Shop' your way around Boston Public Market. Guests can enjoy beer and wine from a pop-up bar as they peruse the market's 40 food stalls. VINTAGE APPEAL SoWa Vintage Market is a haven of bric-a-brac that makes for pleasant people watching every Sunday. The rotating vendors sell everything from clothes to jewellery to art and furnishings. HARBOUR SIDE For a proper harbour experience, get your hands on some Ipswich clams, steamed Wellfleet Littlenecks and raw East Coast oysters. Work up an appetite first with a walk along the shoreline. AUTUMN 2019 | VIKINGCRUISES.CO.UK 69