The lively capital of Massachusetts is one of the longest-established cities in the U.S., dating back to its foundation by Puritan settlers in 1630. Boston is known for its starring role in the American Revolution in the late 1700s, but it is equally renowned as a sophisticated center of contemporary culture, higher education, and technology.
Aside from its rich history, Boston’s sporting traditions run deep. As well as being home to the famous Red Sox team, the city supports the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots. Beer and sport tend to go hand in hand, and microbreweries and brewpubs are hugely popular in this city.
Here are a few of the things that make Boston such a fantastic destination to visit.
The Freedom Trail
Freedom Trail
Boston can boast many firsts in the U.S., among them the first public park, Boston Common, and the first public school, the Boston Latin School. Both these venerable institutions, which date back to 1634 and 1635 respectively, are well-used today, and form part of the famous Freedom Trail, a two-and-a-half mile red-brick road that runs through the center of the city between Boston Common and the Bunker Hill Monument.
The Trail is the perfect introduction to Boston’s revolutionary history. Guided tours are a great option—you can absorb the sights and expertly narrated stories at a reasonable pace without having your head buried in a map.
There are 16 historic sites along the Trail, most marking significant events in the lead-up to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. These include the Old South Meeting House, Old State House and the memorial site of the notorious Boston Massacre in 1770.
However, you’ll also visit Boston’s oldest church, The Old North Church, built in 1723, and the oldest cemetery, King’s Chapel Burying Ground. You’ll see the oldest commercial building, too, the Old Corner Bookstore, built in 1718, although there’s a restaurant on the site now.
Faneuil Hall
The last stop on the Trail is Faneuil Hall, an imposing establishment that has been both marketplace and meeting place for Bostonians since it opened in 1743. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which is also known as Quincy Market, comprises the hall and three 19th-century market buildings.
You could easily spend a good few hours here, browsing dozens of boutique and big-brand shops, sampling a range of eateries, or watching the entertaining street performers and musicians in action on the cobbled plaza.
Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea Party
The single event that Boston is most famous for is the Boston Tea Party, the December 1773 raid that saw American colonists boarding three British ships at Griffin’s Wharf and throwing 342 chests of tea into the harbor. The rebel Sons of Liberty, disguised as Mohawk Indians, were protesting against a British tax on tea and the monopoly held by the East India Company.
The Boston Tea Party was the first open act of defiance against British rule and, following the 1770 Boston Massacre, was a significant precursor to the start of the American Revolution. You can relive the historic event at the entertaining, interactive Boston Tea Party Museum.
USS Constitution
USS Constitution
A particularly pleasurable way to take in Boston’s landmarks and lovely waterfront properties is on a harbor cruise. There are lots to choose from, but if you’re keen on nautical history, opt for one that takes in up-close views of the USS Constitution.
Launched in Boston in 1797, this magnificent three-masted wooden-hulled vessel is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat and is still crewed by members of the United States Navy.
The USS Constitution got the nickname “Old Ironsides” during a battle in 1812, when shots from the British frigate Guerrière bounced off her sides. The ship is docked at the Charleston Navy Shipyard and is open to the public; the crew are highly knowledgeable about her history and happy to answer your questions.
If you’re lucky enough to be in town for July 4, she’ll set out on an Independence Day cruise as part of the action-packed Boston Harborfest.
Duck Tour
Duck Tour
For an overall introduction to what Boston is known for, you can’t beat the jaunty Duck Tour. Over a couple of hours, a reproduction World War II amphibious vehicle takes you through the city streets while a “conducktor” recounts the historic and cultural highlights of each distinct neighborhood.
The vehicle then plunges into the Charles River, one of the most exciting elements of the tours, for a perspective of the soaring skylines of Boston and Cambridge from the water.
North End
North End
Among the attractive neighborhoods in Boston are North End and Beacon Hill. If you have time, it’s well worth exploring them in depth—both are compact, eminently walkable, and full of character.
You’ll find several sites along the Freedom Trail in North End because it was one of the first areas of the city to be settled by Puritans in the 1600s. Old North Church has the oldest set of bells in North America. Copp’s Hill Burying Ground dates back to 1659, and Paul Revere House is thought to have been built in about 1680.
Boston Public Market by Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
North End is also known as Boston’s Little Italy. Thanks to the area’s big Italian population in the 1900s, there are more than 100 Italian restaurants, cafés, bars, and bakeries within its square mile of narrow streets. Another drawcard for food-lovers is Boston Public Market, which specializes in food and artisanal crafts produced exclusively in New England.
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is the epitome of high-end, 19th-century charm, so perfectly picturesque you feel as though you’re wandering through a movie set. It’s been called home by many illustrious writers, politicians, and captains of industry, and Louisburg Square is said to be one of the most desirable residential areas in America.
Bordered by the Charles River and Boston Common and adjacent to two of Boston’s most esteemed institutions, the grand, gold-domed State House and Boston Athenaeum Library, Beacon Hill packs a lot into its half square mile.
Cobbled streets are lit by antique gas lamps, windows are framed by flower-filled boxes and elegant brick row houses are tastefully draped with ivy. There are some very tempting antique stores, designer boutiques, galleries, and stylish restaurants along Charles Street, too.
Trinity Church and Boston Public Library
Trinity Church
These splendid institutions are a few minutes’ walk from each other across Back Bay’s Copley Square. Trinity Church, founded in 1773 and built in the 1870s, has been named one of the American Institute of Architects 10 most significant buildings in the United States.
The younger Boston Public Library was the country’s first large free municipal library when it was established in 1848—another first that Boston can claim—although the library you see today was built in 1895.
Boston Public Library
While both the church and library are extraordinary architectural wonders, they are much more than museums. Trinity holds regular services for locals and visitors, as well as hosting concerts and guided tours.
You can join organized tours of Boston Public Library’s notable collection of artworks or wander through the library on your own; it also hosts exhibitions, lectures, and author talks.
Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Boston is famous for baseball, and the Red Sox have called Fenway Park home since the day the ballpark opened on April 20, 1912. Tour guides at Fenway Park recount the history of the park, the teams, and larger-than-life personalities that have kept Bostonians enthralled for generations.
Inside the Green Monster—the prominent left-field scoreboard wall—you’ll see hundreds of signatures scrawled by players and famous people who have visited the park over the years.
New England Aquarium
New England Aquarium
Set right on the waterfront at Central Wharf, the New England Aquarium offers up-close sightings of thousands of aquatic creatures, from tropical reef fish to noisy African and rockhopper penguins and northern fur seals.
The centerpiece is the Great Ocean Tank, a four-story circular tank that was the biggest of its kind in the world when the aquarium opened in 1969. It holds 200,000 gallons of water and about a thousand Caribbean reef animals, including sea turtles, stingrays, moray eels, and dozens of fish species.
Myrtle, a green sea turtle who is thought to be between 70 and 90 years old, is the star of the show. Divers feed the animals at regular intervals during the day and there are numerous talks and presentations by aquarium experts at the different exhibits.
New England Aquarium
Another big attraction is the Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank, where you can touch the sharks and rays. Kids in particular love this. For more in-depth insights into sharks, check out the fascinating Science of Sharks exhibit.
The aquarium operates whale-watching tours to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary between April and October and actually guarantees whale sightings. Tours take three to four hours and depart from Central Wharf.
Institute of Contemporary Art
Institute of Contemporary Art
Boston is not entirely about its rich early history; the prestigious Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is another striking modern waterfront building about 15 minutes’ walk from the aquarium.
The ICA started life in 1936 as the Boston Museum of Modern Art, allied with New York’s MoMA, but in 1948 changed its name and went its own way. In 2006, the ICA opened the building you see today, a wood-and-glass edifice cantilevered over the waterside plaza.
It was designed by award-winning New York architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro to maximize the abundance of natural light; the Founders Gallery features a glass wall that spans the width of the building.
Exhibitions include a permanent collection of works by well-known national and international artists and a constantly changing rotation of shows by contemporary artists in many different media. The excellent gift shop and summer pop-up SunBar are well worth a visit, too.
Boston Baked Beans
Boston baked beans
North End’s Italian cuisine is not the only food Boston is known for. The recipe for Boston baked beans is said to be a colonial adaptation of Native American cornbread and beans, molasses and salt pork being the key added ingredients.
You can find a few eateries serving the slow-cooked signature dish, notably the Union Oyster House near Faneuil Hall. The Union Oyster House has been operating continuously since 1826, making it the oldest restaurant in the US. Its local specialties include seafood chowders, lobster, lump crab cakes, and for dessert, what else but Boston cream pie?
Boston
Are you inspired to explore the city’s history and cuisine before embarking on a cruise from Boston to New England and beyond? Browse itineraries on our website and start planning your visit today.
