After falling madly in love with Fallout 4 just before the holidays, chance would have me in Boston for a conference in January. It was my first trip there ever (which is still incomprehensible given I’m originally a Northeasterner), and with the added Fallout excitement around it for me, I was pretty pleased about it. As conferencing often goes, I didn’t have much time at all to explore, and quickly realized I’d need a return visit to have a proper vacation there. I decided to make it happen last month, and I was able to spend about four days running around the city and nearby areas. I wanted to hit up as many Fallout 4 locations as possible, and obviously, there are far too many to see during a single four day visit. Still, I was able to see and explore several. Some, of course, I’ll need to follow up on amid subsequent visits in the future (oh, there will be many more). I wanted to commemorate the experience with the help of my most beloved companion, everyone’s favorite roguishly delicious ghoul, Hancock. So I brought him with me, and had him appear in each of my dedicated location photos.
So, Boston’s sorta big. Even though I stayed waterside at the North End, getting to and from every main location was no small task – even with the help of the tour trolleys that crisscross the city. In some cases, I actually didn’t get as close I wanted to, due to closures or traffic, or what-have-you. And as mentioned, there are places I needed to save for next visit. I did manage to get a lot of mileage in, from landmarks around Boston, to those north of it. What I did get to see was thrilling as an historian, and having Fallout 4 as my most immediate frame of reference for the city was a particularly fun aspect for me. And quite honestly, I can’t listen to the Fallout 4 theme without thinking of my time there, and being really sad all over again for having to leave.
Here are my photos, in order of visiting each location:
1. M.I.T.
So, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, aka “C.I.T”. I wasn’t here long, but I did explore the library…and lived to tell the tale! I love the iconic rotunda room, which is essentially a quiet study area for students. It’s a neat campus, and just a stone’s throw from Harvard. I somehow didn’t actually realize that beforehand.
2. Columbus Park
This park is unnamed in the game, but it lies just east of Faneuil Hall. Actually, that area, east of Faneuil Hall, by the water and near the Custom House tower is where I stayed. It was pretty nifty how familiar the area was even though I hadn’t ever been there before.
3. Salem Witch Museum
Thankfully, I encountered no Death Claws here. It was still a spooky place, though. Even the town had an intriguing vibe to it. I did take the museum’s tour/presentation experience. It was certainly an experience! And I am glad I went, especially since it’s been on my radar for almost as long as I can remember.
4. Saugus Iron Works
So, I saw a sign for Saugus on the way back from Salem. Of course, I had to go – especially when a sign for the Iron Works quickly followed. While the place looks little to nothing like the structure in the game, the area/terrain certainly does. Well, minus the residential installations, of course. This was a fun little bonus location, for sure!
So, the Saugus Iron Works box said to take a brochure. There were none. Somehow this seems rather fitting.
And, here’s the structure. As mentioned, they most certainly updated (futurized, really) the place in the game.
5. Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall is famous for being a Super Mutant stronghold. And, hey, I can’t really blame them for it. It’s a lovely and centrally located historic building with proximity to lots of other interesting sights, not to mention live music. They picked a good one.
Also, I tried to get the golden grasshopper in this shot as much as possible. Check it out at the top-right. Or, below. At times, I forget I can zoom.
The historical markers.
6. Old State House
Oh, hey, it’s Hancock’s place! Gave me flashbacks to first walking into Goodneighbor. Oh, so many Good Times in Goodneighbor.
I just had to go inside and see the museum. Of course, I mostly wanted to check out Hancock’s actual outfit behind glass. And I could see why he was so compelled to don that garb. It’s pretty swank.
I’m fairly sure this is the balcony from which our Mayor addresses his citizens. Was cool to look out at the street from it.
7. Paul Revere Monument
I couldn’t miss the iconic Paul Revere monument.
8. Old North Church
….Oh, hello there, Railroad HQ! I almost took out my earbuds and listened to their theme on my phone as I stood there. I really wish I had.
9. U.S.S. Constitution
I unfortunately arrived a bit too early to the U.S.S. Constitution to actually be able to explore the ship. Damn my timing! But I was able to capture it in the background, at least. Sadly, no robots came out to greet me. I was disappoint. I would have gladly met the Captain and helped them if they had. I’m glad I could confirm the ship’s reality for Hancock, though. ❤ Nah, you didn’t hallucinate it at all, babe.
10. Bunker Hill Monument
So, what I somehow didn’t realize was that you have to hike a wee bit through lovely Charlestown to get to this monument. But, the area and the weather were both nice. So it was forgivable. My tired ass was too tired to walk the hundreds of steps to the top of the monument, however. Next time, for sure.
11. Boston Common
One of the more unsettling areas of the game. Even Hancock tries to talk me out of going there from time to time. Seemed pretty harmless when I visited. Granted, I ran around it for about an hour looking for things from the game and I was exhausted. But it was worth it. It is also worth noting that this area is much larger in real life. In the game, they seemed to have combined the Common with the Public Garden area, and it’s still much smaller. As for my hour-long wild goose chase of sorts in the Common, looking for things that might apparently only exist in the game version…well, silly me for not doing just a bit more research before launching into this.
12. Boston Public Garden
Thankfully, I did not run into Swan at his pond. That would have been bad. Very bad.
13. Trinity Church
This was a place that I only found in game very recently. Not sure what I’ve been doing for much of the past months of playing, but I surmise it’s been mostly errand-running for Preston.
14. Boston Public Library
Again, no Super Mutants. I was very relieved. I would have most definitely returned Daisy’s overdue book, though. No question.
15. Fenway Park
Oh, look, it’s Diamond City! We didn’t linger here long, of course. No sign of Piper. Guess she was inside, berating Mayor McDonough.
16. Hatch Memorial Shell
Yeah, you kinda have to squint to see it, but the Charles View Amphitheater (Hatch Memorial Shell) is back there. Due to a really tight schedule, I didn’t feel keen on testing Boston traffic, or trying to follow the road up to the other side. Next visit, I’ll get closer!
17. Park Street Station
Nothing much to see here except…hey, it’s a subway station featured in the game! No raiders, thank goodness. Nobody got time for that while on vacation.
18. Extras
This was taken just outside my hotel. In fact, my hotel sat/sits on the wharf here, just behind me. I mainly took this because the table’s design really reminded me of Fallout architecture. Bethesda’s team did an exceptional job of getting details like these into the game.
Another shot looking at the North End wharf from Columbus Park. Such a lovely and vibrant area, I’m so glad I stayed there!
The Old State House door – which actually wasn’t an entrance/exit like in the game. Still, I had fun photographing our Mayor in front of it.
I’ve got the rest of my Boston photos stashed here: poietria@Flickr. I know I’ll be building on the collection over time. I can’t stay away. I’ve fallen utterly in love with Boston, as happens.
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