Fall, Downtown, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Surprisingly, I encountered some great fall color on this mid-November visit to downtown Boston - the above image was in Leventhal Park at Post Office Square.



On the Boston Common. Dating from 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States and is crisscrossed with broad pedestrian avenues like this one.



On the Common.



On the Common.



Humans aren't the only ones who get to enjoy the Common. An unfenced but designated area is set aside for unleashed dogs (well-behaved) to run free and have fun with their furry-friends and the occasional tennis ball.



Across the street from the Common, the Public Garden is equally delightful to wander through or just hang out.



The Public Garden lagoon is popular for ducks or the iconic swan boats during warm weather or skating in the cold of winter.



"Boston Strong" is a motto that became popular following the 2013 Boston Marathon terrorist bombing. These letters are knitted fabric and attached to one of the ball field backstops on the Boston Common.

Fall, Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

A weekend stroll along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall is a popular activity as folks enjoy perhaps the last weekend day of fall color.












Both sides of the Commonwealth Avenue mall feature classic 4 or 5-story townhouses including a few with green, weeping, copper cladding.

Fall, Along the Charles River, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

The Charles River separates the cities of Cambridge and Boston and is a popular spot for sailing. The Longfellow Bridge is in the background.



Many Harvard sailors were out today enjoying the fall breeze.



I like this Harvard sailboat view against the background of the MIT campus - two world-class institutions of higher learning with neighboring campuses.

The Esplanade runs along the Boston side of the Charles River and offers foot and bicycle trails - and a few remaining colorful fall trees.



Leaving the Esplanade, a footbridge back into downtown Boston to continue my walk - it was about 15,000 steps today.

Fall, Public Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

This might be my final fall visit this year to Boston's Public Garden while there is still some color on the trees.

It was a beautiful November weekend.



A light chill was in the air but still very comfortable to be out and about.



A common sight on a nice day - a painter beside the lagoon capturing a scene.



A yoga practitioner enjoying a quiet spot.

And other random humans walking or sitting.

Or sunning on a warm bench.



A splash of golden leaves.

The area at right is where the famous swan boats dock during the warmer weather.  They have been hauled out for winter - soon, this body of water will be frozen over. The iconic footbridge that crosses the lagoon was built in 1867.

Nice place, Boston.

Fall, Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

The Commonwealth Avenue Mall is a popular spot for a stroll or a sit. This is likely my last visit this year with fall leaves on the trees.

The Mall's 32 acres were designed in the French boulevard style in 1856.

It stretches a half-mile or so westward from the Public Garden toward Fenway Park (baseball stadium) and the Back Bay Fens parkland system. Some very pricey and classically designed real estate lines both sides of the mall.  And in early April, the magnolias will once again burst into bloom along this boulevard.  But first, the winter to come.......

Fall - Post Office Square, Financial District, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

It is a rare day I pass this gazebo in Post Office Square (Norman B. Leventhal Park) when there is not a photo-shoot going on. It is a popular spot for wedding photos.

And it is a nice place to sit and read, too. It tends to be a quiet area on the weekends. This square is right in the middle of the financial district and isn't particular active on the weekends - pandemic or not. I like it because the underground parking has the best rate of anywhere downtown ($9/day on weekends and after 4pm on weekdays) but more importantly, a first class clean restroom - always a consideration for those of us "of a certain age."

Fall - Boston Common, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Many trees were ablaze with color on this visit to the Boston Common, the oldest city park in the U.S., created in 1634.



It's 50-acres in size, and well-used year around.


















A stunning place in the fall - and any other time, too.

Fall - Out and About, Sagamore, Manomet, Ellisville, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

 

The Sagamore Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal had great cloud formations which combined with the low sun angle to create an eerie out of this world light quality.



A swan enjoying the peaceful Rabbit Pond in Manomet.



A lone roller blade enthusiast on the nearly deserted seven mile Cape Cod Canal trail. A different perspective with the sun behind me.



A quiet picnic table beckons in Ellisville State Park.

Fall - A Boston Walk, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

It's unusual to have a few inches of snow on the ground while the leaves are still in full fall color on the trees.



Such was the case on my recent 16,000+ step walk in downtown Boston.



In the Rose Kennedy Greenway.



In the Boston Common.



In the Public Garden.



In the Public Garden.

In the Commonwealth Avenue mall in the Back Bay.



The Custom House tower rises up in the background.

A vendor stand at the Haymarket.

Snow covered chairs in the North End.

Alfresco dining in the North End.



Like public parks in cities in many places in the world, the Arepas, Italian Sausage, and candied nut vendors are always out on Boston Common.