Typical, Atypical – 6 Sights in Boston

Boston offers great sights for all tastes. What I personally liked most about Boston’s sights is their atypical way of appearance and therefore I would like to introduce you to my six typically atypical favorites.

Red Socks

The Boston Red Sox, a major league baseball team and their “temple” – Fenway Park is an integral part of Boston. Fenway Park opened in 1912 and is the oldest Baselball stadium still in use. For fans from all over the world, a visit to the stadium is a must when visiting Boston.

You can get into the stadium either with an official guided tour or if you get hold of one of the coveted match tickets. Since we visited Boston right at the time of the season opener, all tickets were sold out a long time ago. Nevertheless, we did not miss out on the sports history magic of the stadium and explored the district around the stadium. Later, we were able to marvel at the stadium from the Prudential Center Skywalk.

 

Advertising since 1940

Just around the corner from Fenway Park is Kenmore Square, which is surmounted by the CITGO sign (Citgo is a petroleum company). Incidentally, the sign gained its fame thanks in part to its good visibility during television broadcasts from Fenway Park. In 2005, the sign was renewed and has since been equipped with more environmentally friendly LED lights. The popularity of the sign is a good illustration of how advertising can suddenly become an identity-forming symbol of a city over the years. Do you know of similar examples in other cities?

Steaming Teapot

This attraction definitely belongs to the more bizarre variety. Above a Starbucks (63-65 Court Street) – funny coincidence, I think – there is a steaming teapot. Yes, really, steam really gets out of the teapot. The huge teapot was originally installed by a tea company in 1873 and has survived to this day.

Milchkannenstand

Just as bizarre as the steaming tea kettle, only much larger is the Hood milk can, which stands on the “Hood Milk Bottle Plaza” just across from the Children’s Museum (308 Congress Street). The wooden milk can was built in 1934 as an ice cream stand and was used for 30 years. Subsequently, it was purchased by Hood Milk, New England’s premier dairy company, and installed in 1977 at its current location. As in 1934, the milk churn is once again used as an ice cream stand. Boston really does have some beautiful contemporary witnesses.

Hidden beauty

The Boston Public Library is a huge complex of buildings and is located next to Copley Square (700 Boylston Street). The building complex is made up of various architectural styles. The old McKim Building, whose architecture is reminiscent of a Renaissance structure, was completed in 1895. In addition, there is the Johnson Building, inaugurated in 1972, which is strongly reminiscent of postmodernist buildings in terms of architecture and, in my opinion, is not necessarily a gem. Nevertheless, the two buildings form an exciting contrast. It’s definitely worth taking a look inside the Public Library. Incredibly beautiful and secluded is the inner courtyard of the McKim building, which is surrounded by a colonnade.

Street art

Eye-catching street art can also be found in Boston, and arguably the most eye-catching example was created by the Os Gemeos – twin brothers and graffiti artists. The work is conspicuously attached to the “Big Dig”. The “Big Dig” refers to the relocation of the city highway into a tunnel that runs under the Charles River. This was one of the most elaborate civil engineering projects in the world. If you arrive by plane and take a taxi to the city (which I can recommend, by the way), you will pass this place.