Black Friday in Boston 2012 is anything but....

Although I'd just been to Boston a few weeks ago, I thought it would be a good idea to return the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday), walk around again and burn off  the calories consumed the previous day.  I purchased two round-trip tickets Portland to Boston on Megabus.com for $16! and off we went, this time with my sister, Barbara.  Boston is about 100 miles south from where we live which accounts for why they still have quite a few leaves on their trees.   It turned out to be an incredibly beautiful day and we started by heading over to Beacon Hill from South Station.  From there, we went over to Commonwealth Drive over to the Top of the Hub for lunch, then back through the Boston Public Gardens & the Commons before heading over to the North End, grabbing some pizza and wrapping it up at Fanheuil Hall for the lighting of the Christ mas Tree.

Beacon Hill is an interesting, early 19th cetury neighborhood with narrow streets, and row houses which are  almost all brick in Federal, Victorian or Georgian styles.  I especially enjoy walking around and admiring  the various window box displays each season, and I've only recently become aware that the Beacon Hill Garden Club sponsors contests to see who can create the most healthy, beautiful and unusual window box!

The narrow streets which define Beacon Hill....

Afterwards we walked over to Commonwealth Avenue, a parkway in Back Bay which is divided by a wide grassy mall.  This greenway has many statues and memorials.  

Such a pretty day, wasn't it?

It was such a pretty clear day that we went to the Top of the Hub for lunch.  You could pay $14 a person and do the skywalk, but I'd prefer to spend just a little more than this (about $20), sit down, and have a beer and and appetizer!  This is what we shared a bowl of mussels.

Quite spectacular, isn't it?  Make sure to go there if it's a clear day, you will not be disappointed.

Apparently, we exited the Prudential Center (which houses the Top of the Hub) from a different exit than we are use to, and came ended up on the Christian Science Plaza which houses the First Church of Christ Scientist. 

We took a quick peek inside before quickly slipping out!

I can see why it's called The Mother Church!

Okay, back through the Boston Public Gardens and Boston Common, which is the very first public park in the U.S.  It was perfect day to be in theGardens and park as evidenced by the hundreds of people strolling through.

 This guy is quit good, he's a one man band! and plays 1960s songs, "Smile on your brother,"....

 The ropes were connected to drums on his back!  He has a pile of assorted  hoola hoops and tamburines, etc. closeby if kids want to join in!

In season, you'll see the special Swan Boats here.

Boston Common even houses an ice skating rink!

Next, it was on to the North End, I can't go to Boston w/o going there!  

 I like the reflection of this church? in the glass building and have probably taken dozens of shots of it over the years.

We stopped at a small place for a slice of pizza and beer.

and then on to Modern Pastry, there was a line outside the door, waiting to get some of these.....

It was dusk as we headed back to South Station....

It was dusk as we headed back to South Station.....

Heading into Faneuil Hall for tree lighting ceremonies....

It's not just a simple tree lighting, the tree lights blink to music from the Boston Pops....

It was time to head back to South Station....Happy holidays everyone!