Overview

Boston is one of the most storied cities in the US, with a greater concentration of historic and cultural attractions than you’re likely to find anywhere else. The museum scene is world-renowned, with giants like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Science. A number of the best historical sites are found along the Freedom Trail, which takes in the USS Constitution and Paul Revere’s House. The city has many other claims to fame, spanning stoic universities, a world-famous aquarium and eclectic markets.

Cambridge

The adjacent city of Cambridge houses two of the most prestigious universities in the US: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University. Harvard Square is the centrepiece of the city, and Harvard itself is an attraction well worth visiting. Founded in 1636, this is the oldest university in the country and operates four museums that are open to the public. Many prominent US figures, including a number of presidents, graduated from Harvard.  

Museum of Fine Arts

Among Boston’s many art museums is this world-class attraction. It has the distinction of being the second-largest collection of art in the West and is currently expanding. The museum houses a particularly fine collection of Impressionist paintings and is the only museum outside of Paris to display so many Monet paintings. In all, there are 200 onsite galleries.  

Paul Revere’s House

Paul Revere was a revolutionary hero and remains one of the best-loved figures in US history. His house is located along the Freedom Trail, which begins at Boston Common and runs for 2.5 miles. The house dates to the late 17th century, making it Boston’s oldest. Revere was a silversmith and fathered 16 children. Self-guided tours of his house tell a great deal about his life, his role in the revolution and the atmosphere of the city in those days.

USS Constitution

This storied ship was one of the first six frigates commissioned by the US Navy. It was constructed 20 years after the revolutionary war, with much of its metalwork contributed by Paul Revere. ‘Old Ironsides’, as it was called, never lost a battle. Today it has been converted into a museum along the Freedom Trail. The ship is towed into the harbour for the annual July 4th celebrations.

New England Aquarium

The Boston Aquarium is a longstanding favourite. It is located on the harbour and offers nice views over both the sea and city. The aquarium is home to 7,000 species, going beyond fish to include penguins and a range of aquatic mammals. Favourite attractions are the daily otter shows, the recreated Caribbean coral reef and shark feedings. 

Museum of Science

Another giant in Boston’s museum scene, this one boasts a collection of 500 exhibits that simultaneously educate and entertain visitors. All of the exhibits have an interactive element, some focusing on scientific principles and others bringing the disciplines together. The latter sees patrons diagnosing make-believe patients with the help of medical-imaging technology, testing Newton’s Law on a playground and applying scientific principles across the board. 

Faneiul Hall Marketplace

Faneiul Hall Marketplace opened on the bicentennial of US independence (1976) and has gone on to become one of the city’s most successful tourist attractions. Featuring historic buildings, vast shopping options and an array of entertainment venues, this marketplace is a one-stop attraction that captures the essence of the city. Street performers and cafés are on every corner. One of the quirkiest attractions is the Bull and Finch Pub, the inspiration for the hit television show, Cheers. 

Children’s Museum

This museum is most appealing to children 10 years old and under, but adults are likely to have a good time as well. The museum is fronted by a 40-foot tall bottle of milk, and inside is a variety of interactive exhibits that give kids a chance to test out scientific principles. The Boats Afloat exhibit is particularly popular, giving children the opportunity to build a wooden boat and float it down a 30-foot channel. 

Walking and jogging

Boston boasts excellent walking and jogging infrastructure through a number of well-maintained paths and public parks. The 2.5-mile long Freedom Trail is a great place for a leisurely walk, taking in 16 historic sites that were central to the Revolutionary War. There is also an 18-mile path that follows the river and is better suited for joggers.

Cycling

Cyclists enjoy as many options as joggers and walkers, with the most accessible paths found next door in Cambridge. The Dr Paul Dudley White Charles Path starts at the Museum of Science and follows the river. The Minutemen Bikeway follows an 11-mile stretch that was formerly a railroad. Memorial Drive is also an option on Sundays, when the road closes to cars and hosts crowds of joggers, cyclists and skaters.

Boating

Sailing is popular in almost every season, though most boats take a break during the coldest winter weeks. It is possible to join guided tours of the harbour or even charter your own boat and spend a day at sea. A popular launching point is along the Charles River. Speedboat tours of the harbour are more entertainment oriented, some of them designed to cool passengers off during the winter by taking sharp turns that throw up a curtain of water that soaks everyone in the boat. Tourists can also board ferries bound for Georges Island.

Skating

In-line skating is popular during the summer months, and is possible across town in many of the same venues that attract cyclists and joggers. Ice skating picks up from November to March and attracts greater crowds. Frog Pond at Boston Common is one of the most popular venues. There are also a number of hotels and community centres that host indoor rinks.

Golfing

Golf enthusiasts are in their element in Boston, with a wide range of options in areas surrounding the city. The William J Devine Golf Course has the best reputation and is actually found in the city limits and is administrated by the parks department. The Newton Commonwealth Golf Course is also excellent. Both of these greens feature a full 18 holes.

Swimming

Boston's beaches don't get much attention as the water is perennially cold and used to be prone to pollution (though recent cleanup efforts have been successful). But there are many other options for visitors in need of a swim. Virtually all top-end and most mid-range hotels have swimming pools for guests, and the city also offers numerous fitness centres with Olympic-sized swimming pools. During the summer, the Boston Harbor Islands State Park is popular with campers and swimmers who don't mind the cool water.

Dining and shopping

Boston is one of the most sought-after shopping areas in New England, with department stores, open-air markets and a range of boutiques. The densest selection of shops is found on Newbury Street and at the Downtown Crossing. Diners are equally well off. Fresh seafood headlines local menus, but the options stretch much further than this. Chinese, Italian and Irish communities each contribute to the local culinary scene.

Boston is overflowing with excellent restaurants, ranging from modest diners serving fish and chips or burgers to large-scale operations with views over the harbour. Fresh seafood is key in many of the best establishments, though diners will find excellent options in every category.

Local cuisine is rich and hearty. New England clam chowder, featuring fresh clams and plenty of heavy cream, is on menus across the city, but shellfish offerings stretch far beyond clams to include oysters, shrimp and Atlantic lobster. Boston baked beans are another local favourite (with a century-old tradition) and are usually served with corn bread.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a good place for indecisive diners to begin. The options here are staggering, spanning cafés, seafood restaurants, steakhouses and everything in between. Beyond this concentration, restaurants are widely distributed across the downtown district.

A range of well-established ethnic neighbourhoods broaden options for visitors. Chinatown offers everything from delicate dim sum restaurants to inexpensive cafeteria-style affairs. Italian food is available in dozens of cafés and restaurants across the North End. Finally, the Boston Irish community maintains an outstanding selection of Irish pubs that have sparked a fair amount of copycatting. For every authentic Irish pub there's a touristy Irish-themed bar, but both can be fun depending on the situation.

A day of shopping in Boston begins at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Tourists are the target here, with many outlets dealing in memorabilia. Souvenirs can also be picked up from mobile merchants who ply the streets where tourists are likely to be found. Apart from this, the city is full of more authentic options ranging from fashion boutiques to antique dealers.

For exclusive designer fashions, visit the boutiques found in Back Bay. Newbury Street boats the greatest selection of outlets, with chic name brands and soaring prices. Clothing shoppers without an unlimited line of credit don't have to despair, however, as prices become more reasonable away from Boston College.

Newbury Street has more to offer than high fashion. Art galleries and artists' studios are also found here. South Washington Street (often called ‘SoWa') at the Downtown Crossing is more down to earth when it comes to prices, but the quality of work is still excellent. The most exciting time to visit is during artist open house weekends, when visitors can tour the studios of dozens of local artists.

Popular shopping malls include the Cambridgeside Galleria, home to well-known brands and department stores. On Huntington Avenue, the Prudential Center and Copley Place both feature department stores and restaurants. The two are connected by a pedestrian skyway.

Boston's restaurant scene is world class, with a range of options near the city centre. A few of the local eateries encourage their waiting staff to be a little cranky, and visitors line up for the great food and playful disparagement. But there are just as many chic and sophisticated establishments, ranging from exclusive five-star restaurants on the harbour to eclectic, chef-owned dining rooms looking over Harvard Square.

Overview

The main gate of entry into Boston and much of the eastern seaboard is Logan International Airport. Trains and buses also access the city and are convenient for regional connections. Inside Boston, the MBTA takes care of public transportation through public buses, the metro and a fleet of ferries.

Airports

Logan International Airport (BOS) is Boston's main gate of entry and is one of the six busiest airports in the country. Flights connect to countries across the world, with an emphasis on the Americas and Europe. Further, given its important role on the eastern seaboard, Logon International Airport offers numerous domestic connections to cities up and down the coast.

This massive, five-terminal facility serves more than 27 million passengers every year. Most international flights are handled in terminals E and C. Facilities are comprehensive and include ATMs, currency exchange counters, extensive restaurant and bar offerings, boutiques, newsagents and duty-free outlets.

The airport is equipped to accommodate business passengers with executive lounges and business centres. But the best selection of business amenities is available at the adjacent Hilton and Hyatt conference centre hotels.

The airport is only a few miles east of the city centre, and there are several modes of transportation available including taxis. The subway's Blue Line has an airport station and is most convenient for travellers without much luggage. A free shuttle bus departs every 10 minutes for the Logan Water Shuttle Dock, where ferries connect to the downtown district. Public bus numbers 459, 448 and CT3 also service the airport

Public transportation

A range of ground transport options also offer service to Boston. Regional coach companies like Peter Pan Bus Lines, Bonanza Buses, Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway connect to other major cities in the area. Greyhound Buses offer nationwide service to every major city in the country.

Boston's South Station is serviced by Amtrak trains. Transportation is possible to cities across the eastern half of the country. Express trains can reach New York City in 3 hours, 15 minutes and Washington DC in 6 hours, 45 minutes. The Lakeshore Limited line reaches Chicago in 13 hours.

Traffic can be a problem in the city so the metro system, run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation authority, or MBTA, is a real time saver. The subway system was launched at the end of the 19th century and operates four underground lines. A commuter rail runs to the suburbs.

The MBTA also operates the city bus lines. Tourists can make good use of the bus number 1, which plies Massachusetts Avenue and passes many key sites. The Silver Line is also useful, running from South Station to the waterfront. Ferries operate along the coast, connecting Long Wharf to Navy Yard.

Driving in Boston is only recommended outside of rush hour. Hire cars are available from the airport and around town. Taxis are also on hand but are best arranged by calling ahead.