I wasn’t sure what to think about Boston when we first arrived. On one hand, the city retains its very historic base while on the other there is no doubt that this city is quite modern at the same time.
One of my favorite stops in Boston was the Public Garden. With 42 acres, there is plenty of room to roam right here in the hustle and bustle of Boston. It was originally created during the early 1830’s as a promenade for some of the city’s more well known and wealthy residents but over time, the park has grown into a swarm of activity for everyone. The Swan Boats are practically famous and enjoyed by couples as well as families. They’ve been a tradition in the Park since at least the turn of the century. We were delighted with the real swans and many other feathered friends that gathered on the banks of the lagoon and couldn’t resist stopping to feed them. This was a great place to take a leisurely stroll and relax beneath the weeping willows that grow along the edge of the lagoon. It’s a very restful and relaxing place to while away the afternoon.
I also enjoyed the New England Aquarium. On the ground level we fell in love with the penguin exhibit, hailing from , and South America. I could have stayed there for hours watching the little birds cavort around on the rocks, diving in the water and gliding about. I knew there was a lot more to see so I forced myself to move on to the other displays. Just about everything you would want in an aquarium can be found here, from a variety of different environments including the Amazon River Basin and the Pacific tidal pool. Besides the penguins my other favorite display was the one of bioluminescent deep reef fish. The Caribbean coral reef was really impressive as well. This is one of the world’s largest saltwater tanks and you can actually walk completely around the four story artificial reef. There are more than a hundred different species in the display. After cruising around the Aquarium, we stopped for a bite to eat at the café; which had some great harbor views. It was a terrific spot to sit and rest for awhile.
While we didn’t take part in them that day, the Aquarium also offers whale watching tours. If we ever come back I want to arrive earlier and try to see one of the sea lion presentations and maybe take in a movie at the Imax theater.
