If you are looking for the down and dirty, quick and easy way to see as much of Boston in as little time as possible, a Duck Tour is the way to go. What used to be a WWII amphibious assault vehicle--the same ones used for the invasion of Normandy--is now a land and sea tour bus. This is truly a stroke of genius as far as we're concerned, and we're not alone. A Duck Tour is something you need to work into your day, so get there early if necessary. Week days are better than weekends. Sunday we tried to get a tour at noon and the next available one started at 4PM. However, on Monday morning we walked up at 9:15 and got on a 9:30 tour.
You don't actually learn anything about water fowl on the tour, but everyone on our bus did get an opportunity to drive the duck after we launched into the Charles River on the inner part of Boston Harbor. We especially lucked out with the Sarge, our tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable, witty, and hell, he let me drive!
After our 90 minute Duck Tour, we hit the road for Niagara Falls, NY, driving alongside the Erie Canal for much of they way. We stopped to eat near Rochester, NY at the Cartwright Inn. Excellent Veal Parmesan if you find yourself in the area. And if you order before 6:30, you qualify for the early bird special.
Special note: the week of Dave continues today with the gentlemen who was loading the ducks, Dave. Sorry, he wasn't available for a photo op.