Mrs. Walker's Boston: The Hub

Welcome to Bean Town! Explore the city known for its baked beans, cream pie, and a certain famous tea party. Walk down Newbury Street’s upscale boutiques and outdoor cafés and past million dollar Victorian brownstones in Boston’s historic Back Bay neighborhood. Continue on to Beacon Hill, with its narrow streets, brick sidewalks and desirable living; it is also the site of Massachusetts’ state government. From there, stroll through Boston’s Public Garden, the first public botanical garden in the United States, to see its famous swan boats, diverse collection of plants and flowers and impressive statues.

The British are coming! Learn about Paul Revere and his impact on American history as your knowledgeable guide unfolds the events of that fateful night of April 18, 1775, when troops retreated to Boston from the battle at Old North Bridge in Concord. It was at the Lexington Battle Green, on the morning of April 19 that "the first blood was spilt in the dispute with Great Britain." This quote comes directly from George Washington's diary, from an entry about the victorious day when 77 minutemen faced off against 700 British regulars—and won.

Follow a portion of the red brick trail that lines Boston's sidewalks and visit some of the most important historical sites of the American Revolution and the Abolitionist movement. This 2.5 mile walk, beginning at the Boston Common and ending at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown, also includes the site of the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere's house, and the Old North Church.

One of America's first cities, Boston straddles the Old and New World, its winding streets and busy harbor evoking Victorian England even while its skyscrapers and cutting-edge institutions reflect the American penchant for growth and change. See the city's (and nation's) origins at the Boston Common and State House, site of the Boston Massacre that helped spark the American Revolution. Copley Square and Back Bay bring to mind the literary Boston of Emerson, James, and Thoreau, with graceful houses and wide sidewalks testifying to the area's historic wealth (the posh area had more humble beginnings, however; it started out as a swamp!). The intellectual fervor continues in Cambridge, home to MIT, Harvard University, and all the students, cafés, and bookstores you'd expect in such a big-name college town. You'll also see Boston's North End, which the city's large Italian population has claimed for its own since the 1920’s. While the gelato and cannoli here may be sweet, they're no match for Boston's weirdest disaster -- in 1919, a giant storage tank of molasses collapsed, sending a 15-foot-high wave of the sticky sweet goo through the neighborhood and killing 21 people.

Home to 1,000's of aquatic animals. Your group will select and attend presentations by animal care specialists. Students will be challenged to locate and observe a variety of different species and record their encounter with photos.

Take a trip to the Boston Navy Yard to see “Old Ironsides”, the wooden navy ship that was named by President George Washington and is now the oldest commissioned navy vessel still afloat. The ship and her crew today are now dedicated to promoting understanding of the Navy’s role in war and peace. When available, participate in a historical demonstration aboard the ship to learn about what it takes to keep Old Ironsides in working order.