Why
Travel to Boston?
It's the best preserved historic
city in the USA,
the godfather of independence and mostly in a small, clean, safe,
walkable area.
Boston also harbours perhaps the most intellectual and cultural environment
in the country due to the presence of many top education establishments.
Downside:
The weather can leave much to be desired.
When
to Travel to Boston:
Best: April/May, Sept/Oct
Worst: Nov-March, July/Aug
Length
of stay not inc. flights:
Minimum worthwhile stay 2 days for
walks.
Recommended: 2-3 days for a brisk but exploration; add a day for
Salem or Plymouth.
Arts
and Culture:
Museums -
Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur Sackler Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum,
Fogg Art Museum, Boston Tea Party Museum.
Classical Music -
world class performances by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston
Popular Orchestra at Symphony Hall, Boston Ballet and Opera.
Major
Festivals and Events:
February,
Chinese New Year, Chinatown.
17th
March, St Patrick's Day
April, Boston Marathon, Hopkinson
to Boston.
4th July, week-long Harborfest,
Boston's Independence Day celebrations, including the Chowderfest.
October, Head of the Charles Regatta,
rowing festival along the Charles river.
Shopping:
Exclusive
- Newbury St, Charles St
Other - Harvard Square, Huntington Avenue, Downtown Crossing
Souvenirs - Faneuil Hall
Cuisine:
Most
international fare as to be expected from a top USA city, but the
New England specialty is seafood.
Boston
Pictures above: Snowy
public garden by Chee-Onn Leong and Charles
River skyline by djpilot. |
|
USA
Tours
More
tour operators offering tours to the USA can be found in our listings
here: USA
Tours
Sights:
Freedom Trail*** The
2.5 mile Freedom Trail links most of the city's historic sights. Also
The Black Heritage Trail and Harbor Walk for walkers.
North End**
the oldest section of the city, with buildings dating back to the
17thC, now colonised by Italians.
Boston Public Garden**
a pleasant historic 17thC parkland and garden, with memorials and
lakes.
Cambridge*
just like its namesake in England, this area is tied to the country's
intellectual elite - in this case Harvard and MIT. Here you can see
why top US universities are called 'Ivy League'. Or is it 'IV League'?
Whatever, it's a lively area.
Activities:
Walking: One of USA's best city walks
is the Freedom Trail, see above.
Biking/Inline skating: The Emerald
Necklace of parks, Back Bay Fens and Shining Sea Bike Path offer
pretty multi-mile routes.
Windsurfing, boating, canoeing: Charles
River or Cape Cod.
Bird watching: Plenty of wildlife refuges
on Cape Cod.
Beach life: Cape Cod again for good
beaches.
Short
Trips:
Cape Cod** a
stunning 60 mile peninsula, 2/3 hours south of Boston, with beaches,
nature reserves and historic towns, particularly Falmouth and Provincetown.
The latter is also a thriving arts and gay centre. Reachable by
ferry direct from Boston or a 3 hour drive.
Plymouth* the
Pilgrim fathers decided to stay here in 1620; see a replica of the
Mayflower ship and a 17thC style plantation.
Salem* traditional houses and spooky
17th Century witch-trial exhibits. A must for horror fans; 20 miles
north.
Sports:
Baseball
- the
Redsocks at Fenway Park
American
Football - the
New England Patriots at Fenway Park
Basketball
- the
Celtics at the Fleet Canter
Ice
Hockey - the
Bruins at the Fleet Canter.
Boston
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