Downtown, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

 

Like big cities everywhere, Boston is loosely divided into designated neighborhoods. This post is from my wandering in or adjacent to the area known as "Downtown."

The tourists and tour guides out in force enjoying the history of Boston is always a good sign. The Old State House in the background was built in 1713 and the small balcony facing us is where the Declaration of Independence was first read to the Boston citizenry in 1776.

The Quincy Market food court is bustling once again. Many purveyors are open again and survived the pandemic.



The outside tables at Quincy Market were full of diners as I passed by mid-day.

A field of wildflowers adorns this section of the Rose Kennedy Greenway.



One of many vendors in the Haymarket area. This market has been ongoing for hundreds of years. I wish I could have shopped here - incredible bargains compared to my home supermarket but, it was too far to carry any purchases to my parked car elsewhere.



A shaded street in the adjacent North End neighborhood.



In the rose garden area of Columbus park.

Leaving Columbus Park and heading back.



Any city that builds public fountains that encourages and make it easy and safe for kids to play in the water gets my vote. This particular fountain squirts random streams and clouds of vapor to delight the young ones - especially on this mid-90's F day.  I did notice the tightly-coiled look of the surrounding parents ready in an instant to swoop in should the need arise - it's been a while since I had that look - but I recognize it.

Out and About, Downtown, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

In downtown Plymouth, the temporary unidirectional lane has now reverted to its normal two-lane use, the yellow centerline repainted, the extra room for restaurant tables eliminated for the winter - no one wants to sit out at table in the cold. The spired building at center is, in fact, the Spire Center for Performing Arts, its stage dark due to the pandemic disruption over the past year and continuing.



A view from the high point in town, Burial Hill, established in the 1600's, some of the original settlers find their final repose here.



It may be midday but, the sun is low on the horizon shining through the trees on Burial Hill.

It is a nice path for part of a walk through and above town.



This gazebo covers the walkway into the Brewster Gardens park just down the street from Plymouth Rock. It's popular for weddings in the warmer weather.



Around the corner from the Gardens, many of the vessels have been removed from their docks at Safe Harbor and are up on stands for the winter.



This ever popular restaurant in downtown, open for business, is located in what had been an historic firehouse.

A beautiful spot - Plymouth, Massachusetts.  I am glad to call it home. 

15,000 Steps, Downtown, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

This day was one of those unseasonably warm mid-December days we don't often see. I took advantage with a 15,000 step walk through parts of downtown. It amazes me how much area I can cover sometimes - just keep putting one foot in front of the other - no big plan usually, just see where the whim takes me on any given day.

This skate park is located beneath the Zakim Bridge and was bustling with activity.











A surprising number of young folks were wearing face masks - not everyone but, quite a few of them.

Even joggers were wearing masks.



So too, this T. Rex at the Museum of Science had on a mask!



But, no masks on Acorn Street - doesn't make for good portraits.



I am surprised that the ducks at the "Make Way for Duckings" artwork had not been fitted with whimsical masks.



This very talented busker regaled folks in the Public Garden with Christmas carols.



Winding back through the Boston Common, folks were hanging out in the fading daylight. A few days after I was here, this gently sloping hillside in the Boston Common became a popular slope for snow fun as the area experienced it's first major snowstorm of the winter season.



The Downtown Crossing area is decked out for the holiday season.

As always, it was a great day to wander about the world class city of Boston. It never ceases to amaze me at the range of humanity one encounters in a big city - from sane to crazy and everything in between.

On this day, I walked from Post Office Square up Congress Street past Faneuil Hall, then the Greenway, then the Zakim Bridge, then past the Science Museum, along the Charles River and Storrow Drive, along Charles Street through part of Beacon Hill, to the Public Garden, the Common, Downtown Crossing, and finishing up back where I started about 15,000 steps later at Post Office Square.

Out and About, Downtown, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

At the lagoon in the Public Garden, this Canada Goose was not at all bashful. All the rest of his flock nearby kept their distance from us unpredictable human monsters.



A cobblestone walkway through the Boston Common. And a few weeks earlier.......



.....the same location had looked like this.



And elsewhere on the Boston Common, a timeless slice of life.



This alleyway is somewhere between Post Office Square and the Boston Common.



There was a good turnout of folks on this weekend day. Each of us knows that very soon it will turn cold and stay cold and the beautiful days to hang out in the Public Garden and lounge about will be way fewer until springtime arrives.



And finally, my favorite building reflections along Congress Avenue near Post Office Square.

State House, Downtown, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

I just happened to be in downtown Boston when the U.S. presidential election results were announced. Spontaneous celebrations and screaming and horn-honking broke out on and around the Boston Common and surrounding areas - including the Massachusetts State House which borders the north side of the Common.



Demonstrators for both sides came out to scream and wave at each other - mostly scream.

Impassioned speeches were made by many at the event.



As voices became more heated, the Boston Police bicycle brigade showed up to set a line and ensure the folks didn't get too rowdy.



As the police line formed and strengthened, I found myself on the wrong side of it. I think it was because of my old man invisibility cloak they just didn't see me and push me back.

Out and About, Downtown, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Another wander out and about in Boston as the summer days begin the annual slide towards fall. It's still warm outside but, not hot like it was a month ago. This is the Rose Kennedy Greenway at Hanover Street.



Rose Kennedy Greenway at Hanover Street.



Boston Harbor view toward East Boston.



Boston Harbor and the Seaport district in the distance.



A tourist sailing cruise preparing to board passengers for an outing.



Tourists at the archway at Rowe's Wharf.

Lines, angles, glass, and clouds at the InterContinental Boston.

The Exchange Place building towers above Congress Street.

What a fine city is Boston!

Out and About, Downtown, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

It seemed like a typical Saturday morning in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood - except for people carrying political signs supporting candidate Joseph Kennedy III.



Then lo and behold, a few minutes later the candidate himself arrived to do some campaigning. (He's the red-haired man in the center above).

I didn't plan to cover so much territory today but, I just kept walking and when I stopped I had wandered from Post Office Square to Chinatown, the Theatre District, the Common, the outdoor Haymarket, the Quincy Market, the Waterfront, and the North End before returning to the starting point about 15,000 steps later. 



I don't know what it says but, I think it is a menu.

I have always liked this view - the foreground is the Old State House, built in 1713, to the left is the Custom House, built in 1837, it's tower built in 1913, and at center, the gleaming high rise Exchange Place, built in 1984. A nice range of Boston historical architecture in one viewscape.

Al fresco dining along The Freedom Trail near Haymarket.

The throng of weekend shoppers finds great bargains in the Haymarket, one of the nation's oldest outdoor markets - been in business for more than 300 years.

A thunderstorm passes in the distance of these waterfront 1-2 BR condos, real estate website Zillow values these units between 1-2 million USD. It is expensive to live along Boston's downtown waterfront.

Masked wedding photos in the time of the pandemic.

Unmasked wedding photos in the North End.

More al fresco dining in the North End along Hanover Street.

Kids, dogs, and dads frolic in the fountain.  This park area was formerly the location of the busy and noisy upper and lower decks of Interstate 93 as it roared through downtown Boston.  No more.  That right-of-way is now the Rose Kennedy Greenway parkland and the highway is underground.