Thank you once again to the Hingham Lions Club who, along with generous donors, sponsored our…read moreannual 4th of July fireworks. The display last night was simply spectacular, beautiful, fun, riveting and amazing! So proud to be an American as well as a resident of the lovely town of Hingham. We were out in the harbor on our boat where we had front row seats to the best show in town. We had a great time with our friends and other boating neighbors, all of us with lumps in our throats as we watched this incredible show in celebration of our great country. We're ready for the Hingham parade tomorrow! Come join us! Happy 4th of July everyone!

See the photo @ https://500px.com/photo/40387616/hingham-fireworks-by-james-mcgraghan to see how…read moreimpressive the show is!

On Boylston st. Just south where the Boston Public garden & Boston Common meet you can find the…read moreEdgar Allan Poe statue. Another cool statue that you can stumble upon just walking through Boston. During the Boston marathon weekend this one of the statues the city put a participant bib on. The only one statue I saw with a bib was the Democratic Donkey by old city hall. Makes me wonder how many statues in the city does Boston put bibs on during marathon weekend.

I've been a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe's writings since middle school. Re-reading his stories is…read moresomething I never get bored doing. For that reason, this statue holds a special place in my heart (as I'm sure it is for thousands more like me who love his literature). It's a beautifully designed bronze sculpture created by Stefanie Rocknak in 2014. It is located at the Edgar Allan Poe Square. As he was originally from Boston, it seems a fitting tribute to his memory.

The food was amazing from the bread and oil mix to our meals !…read more It's a very busy fast paced place but everything is made to order and soo good

Carmelina's has a North End vibe - you feel part of the family. Awesome people work there. Come…read morewatch them make fresh food in a tiny kitchen, and work together like an A team.

North End aka Little Italy is my favorite Boston neighborhood…read more It's lively and welcoming with bakeries, pizza shops, and Italian restaurants lining the cobblestone streets Paul Revere's house is in North End as are several other historical landmarks. You can't help but feel like you're in a small village in Italy when in the North End.

After spending a year nearby a few years ago, I feel like I've explored and experienced the North…read moreEnd pretty well. I've dined at a few dozen Italian restaurants, wandered through historic landmarks, and even spent quiet moments in the old cemeteries tucked between brick facades and wrought iron. Returning recently for a day of exploring with Mrs. K., I was eager to share some of that charm -- those narrow streets that smell like espresso and marinara, the echo of Paul Revere's midnight ride, and the layered stories etched into every corner. But what stood out this time, more than the cannoli or the cobblestones, was how difficult the neighborhood can be for folks with mobility challenges. The North End is a feast for the senses, but not always a friend to the feet. Sidewalks are uneven, often narrow, and sometimes disappear altogether. Curb cuts are inconsistent, and many storefronts (especially the older, family-run trattorias) have steps without railings or ramps. We found ourselves rerouting a few times, dodging delivery trucks and squeezing past sidewalk café setups that left little room for a walker or wheelchair. Even the Freedom Trail, which winds through the area, occasionally dips into terrain that feels more 18th-century than 21st-century accessible. That said, the spirit of the place remains magnetic. We managed fabulous espressos at a quiet spot on Salem Street. A few blocks away, we paused at Copp's Hill Burying Ground, where the view over the harbor still stirs something deep and reflective. But I couldn't help noticing how much of the North End's magic is locked behind physical barriers. How many stories, meals, and moments are harder to reach if you're not nimble on your feet. It's a neighborhood that deserves to be experienced by everyone, and I hope the city continues to find ways to make that possible. Because the North End isn't just Boston's Little Italy. It is a living museum, a community, and a reminder that history should be accessible, not just preserved. [Review 1117 of 2025 - 1262 in Massachusetts - 24670 overall]

I run everywhere in Somerville and today's course was through the monument. Nice view during the…read morerun. Grass area someone was working out which was nice as well. Good hill training.

AN ABSOLUTELY MUST DO! A FREE EVENT & FREE PARKING! I LOVE CASTLES! This is one of the Secret…read moreHidden Gems of America that most people have never heard about or been to before. The Prospect Hill Monument is a stone structure in the shape of a mini Castle & is located in Somerville, Massachusetts just outside of Boston. This is a residential area with homes. It is also a historic site & provides panoramic views of Boston & surrounding cities. There is also a small park in this neighborhood here with green grass, park benches & a good spot for picnicking & relaxing. It's great place to visit Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall with a changing natural New England landscape. BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PARK OTHERWISE YOU MAY GET A TICKET. Park only at the signs where it says it's OK to Park; it's a residential area. You can also visit here by Mass Transit too. This site is only a few blocks away & up the hill from the bustling heart of Union Square. There are a lot of local businesses & eateries there. The medieval fortress tower was constructed out of stone & steel. It was built in 1903 to commemorate the site's military importance during the Revolutionary & Civil Wars. The Tower stands 4 stories tall. Climb the stairs to the the first outdoor open deck, & you'll see great views of Boston, Somerville, & Cambridge. The inside of the tower & top were open pre-pandemic periodically at various times. Check the website for current info & updates. Be sure to go all around the tower on the ground level. There are plaques with lots of detailed info all around the tower. Also check out all the signs throughout the Park telling you even more info about this spot & how it was instrumental in uniting the colonies. On January 1, 1776, General George Washington himself who would later become the first President of the United States, during the Revolutionary War hoisted the very first national flag of America on this very spot. It was called the Grand Union Flag & predates The Famous Betsy Ross Flag. Our current red & white Stripes with 50 Stars flag is not flown here. Lots of people miss this. Zoom in with your camera & you will see the First Flag of America. The Grand Union Flag is still flown here on top of the tower. It has red & white stripes but with the blue British Union Jack in the corner instead of the Stars. It's Pretty Cool that they still fly our very first national flag here. To make it worth your trip be sure to visit the extremely popular Union Square Donuts which has Great Donuts & is only a few blocks away. It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really Rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!

The Faneuil Hall Marketplace is home to Quincy Market, the largest and oldest food hall in the…read morecountry! This historic 19th-century, Greek Revival-style marketplace, renowned for its massive food hall (the Colonnade) with over 25+ local vendors, central location on the Freedom Trail, and lively street performances. As we walked along the central aisle, we could see great food choices on either side. Asian, Mexican, Seafood, desserts, Greek, Italian, etc... Next time you are in the area, stop by and enjoy some really good food at reasonable prices.

Quincy Market is always a must when visiting Boston. This time around was no different. While we…read moreabsolutely love coming here and testing the food and perusing the vendors, it is always so crowded. I think that's the biggest negative. This place is a foodie's heaven though and somewhere to check out if you want a true Boston feel.

Just to add to the other reviews, nice island which also offers a rocky beach for day use (no…read morelifeguards). There are several tables for picnics, and a few Adirondack chairs scattered about to chill out on. Another option to get to Grape Island other than from Boston is to take the ferry directly from Hewitts Cove located at the old Hingham Shipyard on the South Shore, the ferry takes about 15 minutes to get to Grape Island from there without transfer, you should be able to swim it in 10 minutes though, with combat boots on! To be fair, the boat is a small pontoon boat and not one of the larger ferries, the crews are pretty friendly & informative. If you go on the weekend and the office or gangway shack are both closed just wait at the dock, the boat will arrive as advertised. It hits Grape Island and then out to Bumpkin, Peddocks, and then finally George's, all for $14, so get up early and try to visit at least two in one day. This summer the rangers (very friendly also, must be all non -natives :) are offering guided kayak tours on Weds, Thurs, Sat, & Sunday, I believe on a first come first serve basis, one guide and four visitors. They also offer nature photography sessions if a ranger is available and on request. Enjoy!

This was my first camping experience and I really enjoyed it but…read more.. 1) my group had 2 campgrounds in the group section and both areas were extremely slanted. It was hard to get comfortable and I woke up multiple times at night sliding down my tent. 2) only one of the three bathrooms were working. Luckily there weren't that many people so other than my group, there wasn't a long line. 3) the map wasn't very helpful. There were alot of trails not on the map. It's a small place so we didn't get lost but we had less than 24 hours on the island so it would have been nice to have a more accurate map.

I am not a review writer, but this place has earned a five star-- we came for ice cream and…read morerealized minutes after closing we had left our daughters (expensive) retainers behind. The manager of the facility promptly returned our call, was able to find the lost retainers, and stayed well passed closing until my husband could return to get them. It was above and beyond, and made these out of towners oh so grateful!

Smaller and sleepier than anticipated, with dim lighting by the bathrooms…read more Vendors were friendly, and the space was relatively clean (but could use better signage about bathrooms/exits/etc.) Worth a visit if you're in the area, but I wouldn't make a stop for it

One of many sculptures/statues in Boston, this one was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King and his…read morewife is located in Boston Commons. I had this on my sightseeing list for my visit to Boston, it was nice getting to check off two spots at once since I was coming to Boston Commons to start my self guided tour of the freedom trail. Embrace is the first of many sculptures you'll ended up coming across while you're on the path of the freedom trail.

"Embrace me My sweet embraceable you…read moreEmbrace me You irreplaceable you" (Ella Fitzgerald) While walking around Boston Common, we saw a large and very odd-looking rounded structure so of course we had to check it out. That's how we discovered the statue known as "The Embrace" and learned that it was a monument reflecting Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King's love and time together in the city where they met. The statue is very creative, I mean how unusual is it to see a memorial dedicated to two very famous people that doesn't include their faces? Instead, the Embrace represents a hug and the greater meaning of love. The bronze monument is 20-feet tall and 25-feet wide. There are walls near the monument inscribed with quotes from the Kings, including this from Coretta Scott King: "Love is such a powerful force. It's there for everyone to embrace--that kind of unconditional love for all humankind. That is the kind of love that impels people to go into the community and try to change conditions for others, to take risks for what they believe in".

I can't believe Franklin Park had so many lights…read more IT's AMAZING ‼‼ The amount of detail and work that went into putting up these light displays is beyond even my imagination. It must take at least a month to install everything and then troubleshoot bulbs that don't work. If you have never been there, you have to go this is just an awesome site. I cannot believe that they only leave one month between the Boston lights and then the Christmas lights because they're gonna have to take everything down and then put all the Christmas lights up. I can't wait to go. I mean it's just gonna be amazing. Long in depth reviews, but for this one all I have to do is tell you to go and enjoy because it's amazing. I would like to tell everyone is to bring a snack with you or eat before you go because the concession stand is very expensive just a heads up. Put on a jacket and some gloves and get ready for the Christmas lights cause I am so excited to see what they look like if it was anything like the Boston lights you have to see it. It's amazing. !! I really didn't count to any staff actually I didn't even see any staff other than the girl that was in the booth and she was fantastic right on .

10 out of 10! We went at 5pm on a weekday and got to walk around 3 times with little to no crowds…read more It honestly worked out perfectly since the sun started setting at different points giving the light installation a different view each moment. Plenty of free parking. The staff were great and having pop up food and drink stations kept us plenty engaged. Pro tip: there is a red lantern riddle station, go there, answer 3 riddles at the white tent behind you correctly, and you'll get a small prize. The sohn is super small, but now you know! We will definitely be back again next year!