I hadn’t really gotten to know Boston in my count-on-one-hand visit to the historic city.
Our first trip there, was a business trip for hubby, where I joined him along with out 10-year-old, who is now 34. We had a great time shopping at Filine’s Basement, where we found bargains galore. Since our visit, Filene’s Basement has filed from bankrupty and now, evidently is being resurrected, due to the popularity of discount mania in the clothing industry. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2015/09/17/filenes-basement-is-coming-back-from-the-dead/
Our next visit was a short hop after we moved to Connecticut, and we really felt lost, and didn’t know where to eat, or what to see.
Third visit was to find hubby’s Dawes roots–he’s a direct descendent of William Dawes, Charles Dawes, and evidently even an archbishop in England. We will commemorate that one soon on a trip to Faversham, the Mt. Ephraim Gardens, owned by the Dawes family. More on that later.
So last summer, the Dawes Family Reunion was held in Boston, and wow, was that a great way to finally acclimate to the city of our ancestors. http://spinningstrawintogold.readmstradinger.com/we-have-the-willys/
I did a walkabout while hubby mixed with relatives, and in my quest for directions, walking a couple of block from our centrally-located hotel, I found myself surrounded by signs all in Chinese. I guess I didn’t realize how small the city is, and that I had found Chinat
own! I will now know where to get good Chinese food.
The family spent a lot of time on the Freedom Trail, and it was at Paul Revere’s house that I realized how much Bostonian historians revered the one who really got through the lines–William Dawes. Family lore says his na
me wasn’t used in Longfellow’s poem because Paul Revere sounded better. The tour reps at the historic house made a big todo about how honored they were to have us visit. And, I believe they meant it.
We loved visiting North Church and learning that no one actually said, “The British are coming,” these revolutionary forefathers were still British, themselves. But they did warn about troops, and a visit to North Church will help you see the dangers therein.
Besides the rich history to be found, there is also wonderful food, and food not so wonderful. I loved Bon Me food truck for authentic Vietnamese food.
I loved Carrie Nation, for their affordable, tasty menu, their great service, and the history there. 
I did NOT love Union Oyster House, and please read my Yelp review before you go because it was more than disappointing. https://www.yelp.com/biz/union-oyster-house-boston
So, after walking around for three days, I now feel closer to Boston, closer to my own and my husband’s, and our nation’s history, and ready to really start exploring the city like neighbor.