Around Wheelchair Accessible Cambridge

 

My morning post operative appointment went well with my doctor at Tufts Medical Center. I was left with a full day to explore before my evening flight home.

I went back to the Royal Sonesta Cambridge and put my feet up for a while. My feet and legs have been swelling from lipedema, a problem common with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. When I don’t have a place to rest, I am at least able to raise the legs of my power chair.

  

From the hotel I went on an adventure to Harvard University. I have been to many college campuses through my years covering college tennis, but never Harvard.

Cambridge is certainly a nice area, and I felt the New England vibe. I hadn’t had anything to eat except a leftover chocolate peanut butter cookie from the day before. I spotted Brooklyn Bagel Factory and decided to give it a try.

I ordered an egg sandwich, and it came on a fresh, warm bagel, with a latte. It gave me some energy, and I was ready to continue onto the campus.

I soon arrived at my location, the Harvard Museum of Natural History. CityPass gave me an attraction pass I had used for the Museum of Science the day before. 

I saw the Harvard Museum on the list of attractions and was intrigued as I hadn’t previously heard of it.

The front of the museum had steps, but there was a sign pointing at an accessible entrance on the side of the building. It was a bit of going in circles; however, the signage was clear and I found my way to the gift shop.

 

Everyone was extremely helpful and told me that I must start with the exhibition Glass Flowers. I’m so glad I was able to see it. I was impressed with the intricate designs of flowers and plants made from glass.

I spent about an hour going through them. Beyond the plants and flowers, there was also a beautiful area of Sea Creatures in Glass Sea, with cucumbers & squids.

When I finished looking through all the glass creations, I checked out some of the other exhibits. One was New England Forest Plants, Trees, and Animals. There was also a Great Mammal Hall. While I confess to not being a huge fan of Taxidermy, I found the information interesting.

Before I left, I found two more fascinating sections. One was on Minerals, with hundreds in assorted sizes and colors. The other was about Climate Change.

The Harvard Museum of Natural History was impressed, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone coming to Boston. I’m glad I decided to do the Cambridge area on this final trip—at least for now.

I was running late so I took an Uber WAV back to the hotel, picked up my luggage, and headed to the airport. It had been a year of back and forth in Boston for appointments and surgery. I wasn’t going to miss that, but I will miss Beantown!

Another Wheelchair Accessible Trip to Boston

 

I had traveled back and forth to Boston, Massachusetts, for a year to see a surgeon to repair nerve, muscle, and tendon damage in my arm. It all happened when I fell and broke my humerus in two places in April 2024. I looked all around the country for someone to do the repairs.

My second surgery was extensive and I came back to Boston a few weeks later for a post operative appointment. On my previous six trips I had stayed in the downtown area, near the hospital and doctor’s office. Many hotels were sold out or expensive this time and I decided to stay in Cambridge.

 I arrived in Boston early afternoon and took a Lyft to my hotel, the Royal Sonesta Cambridge. One of the things that made these trips easier was the fact that Boston has Lyft and Uber WAV available and fairly easy to get at that airport.

The hotel was huge and had a welcoming lobby, complete with cider from local apples and warm cinnamon donuts. I passed that time as I had already ordered food from Uber Eats to be delivered any minute. If I didn’t have a restaurant previously arranged, I would do this on each trip. There was always enough food for two meals and a Mike’s Pastry order for two days.

 

My room was a little tight to get around in, but there were lots of outlets and USBs on the night table and the bathroom had room to wheel around. I also had a tub with plenty of railings and a chair. I love bathtubs and my one at home is too deep for me to get in so I love having one in a hotel.

I enjoyed my pasta from Alfredo’s and chocolate covered cannoli from Mike’s. I then headed outside and took the smooth path across the Charles River Walk to the Museum of Science.

 

My dad was a scientist and loved taking the family to the Museum of Science in Boston. The last time I had gone was probably twenty five years ago. It’s certainly expanded and changed with the times, as told by the exhibits.

It was all impressive, unusual, and hands-on. The exhibits at the Boston Museum of Science are ever-expanding and give kids and adults a lot to think about. It was also easy for me to wheel around. In fact, accessibility is important here.

 

The Museum of Science offers AIRA Explora support for those with sight impairments, as well as braille, and audio tapes. They also have virtual ASL (American Sign Language) help available. For those with sensory differences, the museum offers noise cancelling headphones, low sensory viewing, and quiet areas.*

The museum is huge and I saw as much as I could before they closed. I spent time in the exhibits for Climate Change, Robots & AI, Arctic Adventure, Hall of Human Life, and an interesting display on the history of cancer studies. Along the way there were many hands on experiences for kids and a look at the earth and space program.

 

I missed the Boston Red Sox Exhibit, the Planetarium Show, and the Live Animal Presentation. You need two full days there if you want to see it all.

I walked by the large Food Court on my way out, remembering that I had food left from lunch. I also enjoyed a beautiful view of the Charles River from the museum.

 

I rolled back to the Royal Sonesta just before dark. I took my food out of the refrigerator and heated it in the microwave, both in my room. I was ready to put my feet up and relax. I would get to see a lot more of Cambridge the next day, after my doctor’s appointment.

 

*For details contact the Boston Museum of Science, accessibility department before you go: accessibility@mos.org or 617-723-2500.

An Unforgettable Hotel Before Surgery

I was able to sleep late in the morning because my surgery wasn’t until the afternoon. It was the first time I had been told before surgery that I could even drink clear liquids until a few hours before I went in. I was in the right place for the best coffee, and to spend a free morning.

Have you ever walked into a hotel and just said out loud, “I love this place?” That was the reaction the first time I walked into The Verb. I booked it because it looked unusual and accessible, but it certainly went beyond expectations. I have never been in a place quite like it and I doubt I ever will.

 

The Verb is all about the music, mainly Rock. It’s about the feeling of relaxation through the music and how music and life intertwine. You’ll see it everywhere: in the lobby which looks like you remember the 70s, with colorful couches and tables; on the walls full of pictures from concerts and moments of the stars you’ll never forget.

The check-in area looks more like a bar top. You can take music with you in the form of albums available you can borrow to listen to on your room’s record player. Instruments are also located throughout the place.

 
Photos, concert posters, autographs, and murals are everywhere. I spotted Alice Cooper, the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, The Beatles, and Tina Turner, within just the first few minutes. Over my bed was a magazine cover about Pearl Jam & Eddie Vedder.

Beyond the music is the vibe. Steam comes from the outdoor heated pool you can see in the center courtyard, which my room overlooked. Ramps took me around the whole property and the pool. Although there was an area in my accessible room that was tight to get around, when I mentioned it to the manager, she said she would look into re-arranging it.

 

It’s a good place to enjoy a coffee setup you’ve never quite seen in a hotel. You’ll have your choice of (complimentary) cold brew, nitro, flavored, or regular, always available in the lobby of The Verb. In the next room is a rock and roll tavern, with a twist that Hojoko serves sushi, sake, and Japanese small plates.

I was able to have some of the hazelnut cold brew in the morning. Unfortunately, I couldn’t have anything from one of the best complimentary buffets I’ve ever seen. There were eggs and yogurts, bagels and breads, and a ton of fresh pastries that looked like they just came out of a bakery oven.

 
I took one of the muffins for later, because I know how long it can be before hospital trays arrive in your room. In the meantime, I mellowed in coffee and music before my Lyft WAV arrived.

Surgery on my upper arm to remove a nerve stuck in a muscle (from the fall that broke my humerus eight months earlier, went well. I stayed overnight in the hospital. My trip home wasn’t quite so good thanks to a blizzard.

 
It took two days to get home from Boston. Traveling alone after surgery is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I was tired and in pain and am incredibly grateful to the Boston Logan Admirals Club staff for helping me get comfortable.

While I wasn’t anxious to come back for a post op check-up in two weeks and additional surgery in six months, I was excited about seeing more of Boston.

 

 

 

 

Boston Trip 2: Busy Day Back in Boston

 

My second trip to Boston in the 21st Century was for surgery. I wasn’t going to waste a trip to a city I Ioved, so I arrived two days early, and filled the schedule with as much as I could. It was a cross between being dedicated to seeing more of Boston and trying not to worry too much about my upcoming surgery.

It was just before the holidays, and the downtown hotels were pretty expensive. I found a deal at a hotel in the Fenway Park area that looked interesting. It turned out to be directly in front of Fenway Park and interesting was an understatement.

 

I had arranged an accessible ride with Go Airport Shuttle. The driver was waiting for me at Logan Airport when we arrived and took me to The Verb. An attendant greeted us. There were no steps to get in, and I wheeled right into the lobby.

Soon after I checked in, I went out to explore. I couldn’t be this close to the iconic Fenway Park and not check it out. I was told the tour was not accessible—but you can get accessible seating during the season. I still walked around the outside and could see just how special this place was.

I hadn’t eaten since my early morning flight and grabbed a Mediterranean bowl at Cava. The Fenway area is much different than downtown Boston. The cobblestones were missing and there was a more modern feel.

 I  took a short nap after my exploration and decided to forego the Lyft WAV and wheel the mile to The Prudential Center, where I was meeting my friend, Amanda. It was an unusually warm day for December, and it looked to be a scenic ride.

I went through the Fenway Victory Gardens and through the Back Bay Fens. Like just about everything else in Boston, there was history all around me. I passed a statue of “Poet Patriot” John Boyle O’Reilly, and the location of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 

I hit those famous cobblestones and got bounced around a bit, but I saw The Prudential Center in front of me and knew it would be better in there.

The Prudential Center is a modern mall, with wide and smooth walkways that are perfect for wheelchairs. They even had a huge accessible bathroom. I love a bathroom I can easily turn my wheelchair around in, then be able to get myself up holding on to properly placed rails. 

I knew we were having dinner, and I didn’t want to fill up, but I was early and decided to stop at Eataly for a latte and a cannoli. They make them fresh and they are delicious.

I met up with Amanda about an hour later in front of the entrance to The View Boston. I expected to just go up to the top floor for view of the city, but it was so much more. We found multiple floors with displays, history, and videos about Boston. There were also 360-degree views and miniature maps explaining everything you are seeing.

The Stratus, Boston’s highest bar, was decorated as a winter wonderland. We were tempted to stay for a drink, but it was crowded and we had reservations for dinner at the restaurant. Stratus has a patio too. We went outside to catch the view, but it was too cold to stay there.

The Beacon had a creative cocktail menu that included Spirit Free and Zero Proof drinks. Amanda had a Boston Garden Fizz, with vodka, strawberry-basil shrub, and soda water. I did the Southside, with zero-proof gin, mint, and soda. With all the botanicals in the gin, I couldn’t even tell that it was alcohol-free. After all, I was having surgery the next day.

The food at The Beacon was as good as the menu made it sound. We started with sharing the wings and meatballs with ricotta. They were both flavorful, but not too spicy. I had the sausage and cavatelli with burrata for a main course.

 

We enjoyed our meal before it was time to go. I was surprised to find out when we got downstairs that it was raining hard. I didn’t want to get soaked so I called a Lyft WAV to take me back to The Verb.

I had thought I’d eat something again and stay up late because I couldn’t eat in the morning and surgery wasn’t until the afternoon. I was just too tired and drifty off to sleep quickly.

 

It’s Not Boston Without Cheers

 

It was my third day in Boston and the most important one, my doctor’s appointment, but that didn’t change my interest in seeing more of this historic city.

I started the day at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza with breakfast at Off the Common restaurant. I had the Cinnamon French Toast the previous day, and as good as it was, I was pressed on time. The buffet breakfast looked really good, and I picked a piece of quiche, a muffin, and fruit to have with my latte.

 

It was impossible to go anywhere in Boston without walking through history (or wheeling, in my case). I took advantage of a beautiful day and went through the Boston Public Garden on my way to the doctor's office.

Boston Public Garden was the first public botanical garden opened in the United States. It’s just on the side of Boston Common and was scenic and quiet in the morning, with just a few joggers cutting through (like I was) on their way to work.

 

My appointment at Tufts went well. I decided that, since I wasn’t in a rush and it was a fall like day without a chance of rain, I’d ride my power chair through the park and street rather than take an Uber. It took a bit longer, and I dealt with one hill, but I made it to my next stop without issue.

I was a fan of the show Cheers, and my heart was set on visiting the location of the show. It is currently a museum, shop, and restaurant. I hadn’t even thought about accessibility until I arrived and found out that the only way to it was stairs.

 

Just when I was getting ready to turn around, an employee from the building came out and asked if I was trying to get into Cheers. Dinora told me to wait and returned a few minutes later with a long ramp she placed on the stairs! She held on to my chair, guiding it, as I rode up to the top.

Once inside, I was given a tour and the chance to pose with Cheers sets and cutouts of the actors. Then, another staff member led me into an employee elevator and down to the restaurant.

 

The restaurant has the same décor as the show and was very crowded. I had a root beer and Sam’s Turkey Sandwich (turkey, cheddar, tomato, and cranberry mayonnaise), which was quite good. I was given an escort again up on the elevator and down the ramp to the sidewalk. Before I left, I purchased a Cheers ornament.

It was too far to wheel to my next stop, and I had a long wait for an accessible Uber. I was late for the Museum of Fine Arts. By that time, it was raining, and I was happy to be indoors for a while.

 

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is magnificent. I was impressed with every exhibit. I was lucky enough to see two great ones I really enjoyed: Georgia O’Keefe and Henry Moore, and Power of the People: Arts and Democracy. The latter was timely and interesting, focusing on voting rights and protests.

I wondered around and was fascinated with the Chihuly statue in the library. I had discovered the artist on my trip to Seattle and loved his work. The museum is a must-do in Boston. It has a mix of modern and ancient, antique and contemporary.

 

I also had a long Uber Wave wait from the museum. I had a latte and cookie at the museum’s café while I waited. By the time I got back for to the Hilton, I was exhausted and wet from the rain. I took a shower and went to bed early for my flight home the next day.

Between my activities during the day, I had heard from the doctor’s office that my first surgery was scheduled for two weeks later. I’d be back soon to discover more Boston, with more trips to follow.

A full Day in Boston

After a late start on day one, I packed my second day in Boston, Massachusetts, to get in as much as possible and I saw—and ate—quite a bit.

I started with breakfast downstairs at Common in the Hilton Downtown. I went for the Cinnamon French Toast, and it was delicious and filling. I then took the short ride on my wheelchair to back to the stop of the Old Towne Trolley.

I was heading to the New England Aquarium first. I love aquariums and didn’t have enough time the previous day. It is a large building that starts with the biggest penguin exhibit I’ve seen. I sat and watched the little black and white birds frolicking for a while.

The aquarium has a lot on protecting the planet for the marine life and I read through all of valuable information posted. I also spent time at the Marine Mammal Center with the seals and sea lions.

 

The aquariums were filled with colorful fish and coral, as well as jellyfish. I was impressed with the accessibility too, with plenty of ramps and automatic doors.

I headed out of the aquarium to pick up the Old Towne Trolley for my next stop. My driver, Gonzo, was helpful giving me advice on what to do next. I was heading to the Boston National Historical Park at Charlestown Navy Yard.

It was not a stop I expected to make, but I’m really glad I did as I was quite impressed with everything. The complex includes USS Constitution Ship (which is not accessible, so I only saw it from the outside), the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitors Center, and the USS Constitution Museum.

I learned a lot about the U.S. Navy and this famous ship’s history. The cobblestones, which are in a lot of places in this historic city, were difficult to navigate outside, but the insides of the buildings were easily accessible.

 

I was getting hungry and decided to take Gonzo’s advice and take the trolley downtown to the Omni Parker House Hotel. There I got a croissant sandwich and my main reason for going there: the original Boston Cream Pie. 

It’s a dessert I love and don’t get often, so I had to have it here. I was incredibly surprised to find out I didn’t like it! Compared to the newer versions, it had less custard and less chocolate frosting. It also had an almond coating.

I decided not to get back on the trolley and instead explore while making my way back to the hotel. I went down Tremont Street wheeled through to Boston Commons Park. It was a beautiful day, and it was a scenic ride.

The historical park was founded in 1634 and is the oldest city park in the United States. It has walking paths, an ice-skating rink, tennis courts, ballfields, and a playground.

I took a nap before heading to Davios Northern Italian Steakhouse down the block from the hotel. I had heard good things about it, and I was not disappointed.

I sat next to the open-air kitchen and the smells were amazing. I started with a glass of pinot grigio and the restaurant’s signature popovers. I love popovers, going back to the days when I waitressed in a high school that served them. These were fresh out of the oven.

I knew I wanted pasta (made from scratch here) so I picked a light beet salad first. It took a long time for me to settle on my main course because everything sounded so wonderful. I went for the Tagliatelle Bolognese, and it was an excellent choice.

It’s a rare moment for me, who always has a sweet tooth, but I was ready to skip dessert. Then the waiter came over with a magnificent dessert cart and all my willpower went out the window.                                                                                                      

 I chose an unusual take on cannoli, thinner than what I was used to and surrounded by fruit. I was glad to have this lighter version after such a filling meal.

I was back in my room at the Hilton Downtown Boston soon after. Before bed, I decided to plan out my next day for after my doctor’s appointment. I wanted to see a lot more before my plane back home.