Boston, Beantown, The City on the Hill

The only way to understand the city of Boston is to experience it. To the outsider, Boston is a maze, the traffic; incorrigible, and the subway; a mystery… “Who is Chaarlie and how do I get his caard?” Once you set out on your journey of exploration however, you will learn the poetry that the city speaks with every one-way street.

Atop Beacon Hill the golden dome of the state house watches over the purple lilacs within the Boston Common. Cascading down Beacon Street, the Common becomes the backyard to the beautiful brownstones; the homes of families, wealthy bachelors and boutique shops and restaurants which all front the shaded boulevards of the Back Bay.  The brownstones perfectly abut Boylston Street, home to Copley Square. Holding down the square from opposite ends are the Boston Public Library, designed by Charles McKim and Trinity Church, by Henry Hobson Richardson.

Next door to and in opposition of Trinity Church’s strong integrity of stone symmetry is the tallest building in Boston, the John Hancock Tower, known for its experimental falling glass and extreme wind-tunnel force. The sharp corners of the tower shoot up into the sky with breathtaking precision. The glass facade acts like a mirror and if you find yourself at its base, at night fall, the tower reflects the darkness and seems to disappear into the night sky.

To the south of Copley Square is home to the Prudential Center or the “Pru”.  Another towering skyscraper, but more importantly the “Pru” is the navigational beacon between Huntington Ave, Mass. Ave and Boylston Street.  It acts as a gravitational black hole where all of these streets including the green line trolley and Interstate 90, dive into one another.  It is used to judge distance, give directions and if you ever get lost simply look for its spire!

Moving east from the “Pru” you are drawn towards the music of Symphony Hall, passing the Christian Science Center and reflecting pond, the perfect spot to sit and eat a bagel and coffee from Dunkin Donuts.  If you wander too far down Huntington Ave. the Northeastern University Campus may swallow you alive, but awaiting your arrival at the other end is the prestigious Museum of Fine Arts “MFA”.  The “MFA” acts as a gateway to a core of museums and colleges which all look out over The Fens.

The Fens, deriving its name from Fenway Park, is part of Fredrick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace. Olmsted’s vision was to create a loop of parks through the city ultimately connecting the neighborhoods by winding nature trails. Although never completed in its entirety, the slew of parks and recreation areas preserved within the City during this effort act as a refuge from the urban lifestyle.

Beyond the Fens is the urban marvel that is Fenway Park. Completely submerged within restaurants, shopping centers, schools and apartments the park becomes a main attraction all year long. If you ever find yourself in this beautiful city, leave your caar behind and make your own path, definitely bring Chaarlie along, if you can find him!