If you want big city appeal in North America without the oppressive hustle bustle, Boston is the place to be. The city has all the culture and attractions you can handle but lacks that element of claustrophobia so many other urban areas curse visitors with. The landscape of Boston is spread out, manageable and the city has a lot of history and charm.
With the recent phenomenal success of Boston sports teams - witness the Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots - the over 4 million people who live in the metro area are even more hospitable than ever. Just be sure not to wear a New York Yankees cap or Los Angeles Lakers jersey if you walk around at night.
Here are the top 10 attractions to visit while in Beantown.
A location near the waterfront and Government Center city square makes Faneuil Hall a wonderful vantage point for new visitors to Boston. The historic hall has been a cradle of political demonstration and a marketplace since the 18th century. As such, it offers splendid architecture from the era and houses shops and food stalls in the form of three distinct markets: Quincy, North and South.
For a veritable, authentic sports pilgrimmage, it gets no better than Fenway Park. One of the last, great original ballparks left in America, the intimate stadium with the legendary Green Monster is a popular draw even when baseball is not in season. If you visit Boston between the months of May and October, do whatever you can to secure tickets to a Red Sox game, especially if the archrival Yankees are in town.
Discover great hotel deals within close proximity to the ballpark.
The Emerald Necklace is really a collection of many sites that deserve your time in Boston. The term refers to a 1,100 acre span of public parks that line many attractions of note in the city. From the Boston Common to the Arnold Arboretum, Boston Public Garden to the Riverway, the Emerald Necklace comprises a vast array of green space that makes for a wonderful 11 km walk or bicycle ride.
The premier place in Boston to stroll and shop, Newbury not only contains the best labels in fashion, the street has a beautiful assortment of brownstones. Newbury is more than that however, with eclectic architecture everywhere, trendy brand name shops and cool, kitschy boutiques that sell books, music and vintage threads.
The preeminent academic institution in North America is also a great tourist attracion. The main campus provides a first class respite from the city, as well as some terrific sites of interest. These include exceptional museums. The Fogg Art Museum offers a vast collection of Western art, while the Busch-Reisinger specializes in art from Central and Northern Europe. For notable art from Asia and the world of Islam, visit the Arthur M. Sackler Museum.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT, grooms the best engineers and computer scientists in the world. As the supreme technical school, the campus offers some cool attractions and structures, many of which are I.M. Pei and Frank Gehry designs. The MIT Museum features installations from the student body over the years that represent advances in artificial intelligence, robotics and holography.
The Black Heritage Trail is a historical homage to areas and attractions of great import in African-American history. The path that winds through Boston is a reminder of the role the city had as a haven for former slaves who left the South in search of a better life.
Every President of the United States has a library built in his honor once he leaves office. What distinguishes the John F. Kennedy Library from the rest is the manner in which he left his post and the critical symbol he became for a country at a crossroads in the 1960’s. The I.M. Pei structure features original letters, papers and film reels about the late President.
Most aquariums are ho hum but the New England Aquarium is different. One of the best in the world when it comes to conservation efforts, the museum features a massive collection of aquatic life. On the beautiful Boston waterfront, the best exhibits include the Giant Ocean Tank which simulates a Caribbean coral reef, Freshwater Gallery with anacondas and piranhas and the Edge of the Sea tidepool.
If you have time for one live music event in Boston, try to book a seat at Symphony Hall or Hatch Shell in the summer to see the world famous Boston Pops. The orchestra features some of the best musicians in the world and they continually have household name guest performers on stage with them.
Find out where to stay in Boston with the best rates on hotels around.
Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
If you liked this post subscribe to our feed to get regular updates.
