In Europe we have our Derby Days, El Clásico and, of course, the Old Firm. In Boston, those days are when they go up against their biggest rivals in sport — New York.
The Boston Celtics were facing off against the New York Knicks and the TD Garden erupted as the team ran onto the court with Dropkick Murphy’s I’m Shipping Up To Boston blaring throughout the arena.
The crowds went wild after the runaway victory for the Celtics and I couldn’t help but join in the celebrations.
The atmosphere was electric as the Boston Celtics faced the New York Knicks[/caption]
It was a storming victory for the Celtics[/caption]
Wooden carved statues of Boston sporting heroes Harry Agganis and Ted Williams at the TD Gardens sporting Museum[/caption]
Even when there are no games on, TD Garden is well worth a visit, specifically for the Sporting Museum which tells the stories of Boston’s sporting heroes.
Inside are wood-carved sculptures of sportsmen considered the best of all time, including Harry Agganis who was a star college football player who had the chance to go pro and was dubbed “The Golden Greek”.
He eventually swapped the football field for the ballpark as he went on to play for the Boston Red Sox before his tragic death at just 26 in 1955.
Also featured are basketball giant Larry Bird and baseball legend Ted Williams. Here in Boston they are worshipped and the museum will help you understand why.
One display even has Shaquille O’Neal’s SIZE 22 shoes from when he played for the Celtics.
A trip to Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, was too good to miss[/caption]
As an avid baseball fan, I may root for the Chicago Cubs but I couldn’t pass up a chance to visit Fenway Park, one of America’s most iconic ballparks and home of the Red Sox.
I sat atop the “Green Monstah”, the 37ft left field wall which is a challenge for any away teams who visit.
Like the rest of the city, the ballpark is steeped in sporting history.
At Fenway you’ll find one red-backed chair in a sea of green seats.
That’s where Ted Williams hit the longest ever home run at the park and knocked the straw hat from the head of fan Joe Boucher.
For me there’s only one thing that can rival sport — and that’s eating.
And luckily Boston is perfect for any foodies with a love for coastal cuisine.
A trip to Alcove was an amazing first impression of Boston’s food scene. A mouth-watering selection of small plates including flavour-filled wings and ribs to set taste buds dancing.
My pals and I stopped by The Dubliner, one of Boston’s many Irish bars, for a pint of Guinness and some classic lunch grub.
Just along from the TD Garden is Ducali, an authentic, Roman-style pizzeria designed after the great neighbourhood pizzerias of Italy.
Walking inside you’re hit with the enticing aroma of the freshly cooked dough and you know why this place is so popular.
A trip down the road to Allston was well worth it for a visit to Sloane’s, where chef Sarah Wade cooks up delicious comfort food. I can highly recommend the chicken burger.
The TimeOut market near Fenway Park showcases some amazing local cuisine, including a mouthwatering warm lobster roll.
Harry loved his chicken burger at Sloane’s[/caption]
The TimeOut Market’s warm lobster roll melted in the mouth[/caption]
You can’t go to Boston and not have their famous Clam Chowder![/caption]
And when in Beantown, I just had to try some famous Boston clam chowder.
But it wouldn’t be a trip to Boston without a trip down Beacon Street to visit Cheers.
It seemed fitting to finish my trip to ‘Sportstown USA’ with a brisk walk in the sunshine to the bar made famous by the iconic sitcom where we sat down to Sam’s turkey sandwich and in honour of Norm Peterson, a beer to wash it all down.
Take a trip to the iconic Beacon Street bar[/caption]
Cheers… where everybody knows your name[/caption]
It wouldn’t be Boston without a trip to Cheers[/caption]
