INTRODUCTION
Founded in 1630, Boston is one of America's oldest cities, making it chock-full of Yankee history, unique culture, and heaps of everything classical and contemporary Americana. Boston, Massachusetts, is located on America's east coast, near the Atlantic Ocean, in a region known as New England. Because of its location, Boston was America's most important international port early on, making Boston America's original biggest, wealthiest, and most influential city. As the home of Harvard University among other higher education institutions, Boston is also an intellectual city, and very much a college town.
History buffs will enjoy the The Freedom Trail. Boston has many sites related to the American Revolution, such as The Massachusetts State House?, Old South Meeting House?, Copp's Hill Burying Ground?, Paul Revere House?, King's Chapel and Burying Ground?, and Old State House?. If you like architecture and beautiful houses, be sure to visit Beacon Hill?.
Traveling to Boston with children? Be sure to check out the Children’s Museum?, Boston Museum of Science?, or take a journey on the popular Boston Duck Tours?. For the art lovers, the Museum of Fine Arts? is a must.
You can do lots of shopping at the Quincy Market? and on Newbury Street?. More attractions include the Theater District?, Chinatown?, and The Waterfront?.
HISTORY
Puritan Colonists, whose culture greatly influenced the city, founded Boston in 1630. There, they founded the first American public school and the first American college, (Harvard University?), in the 1600s. This early influence led the Boston area to become one of the world's leading cities in teaching and research. Due to the constant influence of higher education, Boston was also the starting place of the abolitionist movement.
Bostonians were also some of the more influential instigators of the American Revolution. Boston was the home to such key moments in the war as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. In the 1820s, the landscape of Boston greatly changed with the mass immigration of Irish and Italians, giving the city a large Roman Catholic influence.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The Boston road system can be difficult to navigate by car, but fortunately there is an excellent public transportation system in Boston known as the "T." There are four main lines: the green line, red line, orange line, and blue line. The green line services places like Newbury Street, Fenway Park, and Boston Common. The red line services Harvard University and other locations in Cambridge. The orange line goes to the Boston TD Banknorth Garden, and the blue line services Logan Airport, the Boston Aquarium, and Revere Beach.
Tours of Fenway Park are available every hour on the hour from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. If there is a game that day, tours stop three hours before the game starts. Tickets can only be purchased at the park, so get there at least 30 minutes before the tour departs!
The Boston Pops are not only a Boston tradition but also an American tradition and give concerts year-round. While they are more famous for their holiday concerts, they have several varieties of concerts throughout the year that should not be overlooked.
Boston is the ultimate college town. If that makes you think of Boston as a boisterous party town, think again. Most bars and clubs close by 2am.
For a fun, unique adventure, check out the Sam Adams brewery! You will get to sample a beer and see exactly where Boston’s most famous lager is brewed.
ATTRACTIONS
Boston Historical National Park
Freedom Trail
Boston Harbor
Boston Common
Black Heritage Trail
Fenway Park
Newbury Street
The North End
Duck Boat Tour
RESTAURANTS
Faneuil Hall Market Place
4 Faneuil Hall Market, Boston, MA 02109
(617)248-0399
For a chance to shop and dine in the same place, visit Boston's Faneuil Hall Market Place, which has been around for 250 years. Large, brand-name stores and smaller, independent ones sell women's and men's apparel, jewelry, leather, sporting equipment, toys, and more. A full day of shopping is sure to work up an appetite, which can be satiated at restaurants serving cuisine from America, Mexico, Germany, and Italy, just to name a few.
http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/
Tangierino
73 Main St, Charlestown, MA 02129
(617)242-6009
Tangierino holds the torch in culinary innovation for being the first and only Moroccan chophouse in Boston. This heavily Moroccan-influenced Mediterranean menu represents traditional foods as well as contemporary creations. Choose from a wide selection of meat and seafood dishes with fresh vegetables and potent Moroccan spices.
http://www.tangierino.com/
Tango
464 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02474
(781)443-9000
Argentina is known for their exquisite, high-quality beef, as well as the availability of a wealth of fresh seafood. Stop in for a bite to try all of the different meat and seafood combinations and dishes, such as chicken and vegetable empanadas.
http://www.tangoarlington.com/
Wing’s Kitchen
23 Hudson St, Boston, MA 02111
(617)338-2218
This tiny basement mom-and-pop shop serves some of the best Shanghai food in Chinatown. Owner Tin Wong waits tables while his wife May, single-handedly does the cooking. From her wok come delicacies like pork and crabmeat xiaolongbao—soup dumplings that burst when you bite into them—and a stir-fry of sweet minced pork you layer into flaky squares of sesame pocket bread.
Abe & Louie's
793 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
(617)536-6300
In a city of a dozen steak houses, Abe & Louie's ranks among the very best. Regulars rightly rave about the comfortable club-like atmosphere, the lengthy wine list, and all-American fare.
http://www.abeandlouies.com/
Andre's Café
811 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
(617)267-9599
A great eatery if you like Middle Eastern food, like gyros, but also crave a good burger, Andre's Cafe is situated on Harrison Avenue near Boston University Hospital?. Their Chicken Teriyaki wrap is not to be missed, along with their homemade frozen yogurt in 20+ flavors. Don't miss it!
http://www.andrescafe.net/
LODGING
Boston Harbor Hotel
70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
(617)439-7000
Boasting sweeping harbor views and even a private marina for your yacht, the Boston Harbor Hotel offers a world of European luxury just minutes from the Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the historic Freedom Trail. A water taxi is a great option if you are coming from the airport.
http://www.bhh.com/
Nine Zero Hotel
90 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
(617)772-5800
This hip red brick hotel has stylish rooms and views across Boston. Kooky but cozy, Nine Zero feels like a boutique hotel but the building is tall, housing 190 guest rooms. It is located on the northeast corner of the Common, in front of the Old Granary Burying Ground, where three signatories of the Declaration of Independence are interred.
http://www.ninezero.com/
Doubletree Hotel
821 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
(617)956-7900
Fans of the theater district will find this hotel a perfect place to stay when they’re in town. It offers quick access to the area’s attractions, including the Wang Theater and Faneuil Hall. Rooms are a fairly standard fare, with comfortable furnishings and a contemporary look.
http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/BOSCODT-Doubletree-Hotel-Boston-Downtown-Massachusetts/index.do
The Liberty Hotel
215 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
(617)224-4000
Recently converted from a jail, this ironically-named building dates from 1851 and housed some of Boston’s most notorious criminals. The severity of the old granite edifice and the exposed brick and wrought iron chandeliers are offset by luxurious, yet understated furnishings. Do Not Disturb signs read "Solitary," and the popular lounge bar is called "Alibi."
http://www.libertyhotel.com/
XV Beacon
15 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108
(617)670-1500
It’s the juxtaposition of old and new that make this hotel so irresistible. Restaurateur Paul Roiff, a specialist in renovating Boston buildings, has preserved many of the Beaux Art features, and the hotel exudes a nostalgic charm. It also offers luxurious creature comforts, including a complimentary chauffeured Mercedes.
http://www.xvbeacon.com/
The Herbert Carruth House
30 Beaumont St, Boston, MA 02124
(617)436-8260
This Dorchester guesthouse is set on an appealing residential street and offers comfortable beds and wonderful breakfasts to budget-conscious travelers.
http://www.carruthhouse.com/
