BOSTON

Boston

Long known for its historic ambience, Boston is becoming a modern city to be reckoned with, offering futuristic architecture and excellent cultural hotspots.

Boston in a nutshell

Long known for its historic ambience, Boston is becoming a modern city to be reckoned with, offering futuristic architecture and innovative engineering feats such as taking its bustling highways underground and creating the modern P Zakim Bride, the world’s widest cable-stayed bridge.

But it’s history that has kept Boston center stage for so long, a history that dates all the way back to 1773 when Boston was still part of the British Empire and the Boston Tea Party occurred, a protest by residents angry over the heavy tax imposed by the British on tea.

At night, these protesters dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This was the start of the American Revolution which led to the country’s independence. You can learn all about Boston’s important role towards independence on the city’s iconic Freedom Trail.

The city is an absolute delight to explore on foot, a veritable college town, home to over 20 universities including iconic Harvard University, which results in an extremely energetic and vibrant, youthful vibe. The city’s narrow streets lined with brick buildings are distinctly European in character, and the tall modern structures on the skyline add to its cachet as a forward-thinking town with plenty of activities and attractions for the visitor.

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Boston has lots of lovely and intereting buildings such as the Boston Public Library.

Best time to visit: Come in the spring (April & May) to enjoy Boston’s parks in full bloom. Otherwise, visit in the fall (October & November) to experience an authentic New England shoulder season.

Best Area for Sightseeing: It’s hard to choose just one area to visit in this vibrant city. See Things to do in Boston below for some ideas.

Shopping in Boston: Newbury Street is Boston’s major shopping area, with a wide variety of stores, both upmarket and quirky. Visit historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace, home to a modern mall as well as plenty of shops, restaurants and entertainment. Another great place to shop is Quincy Market, a city landmark, that offers superb fresh produce and deli fare.

Food & Restaurants in Boston: Seafood is Boston’s specialty, so make sure to sample New England clam chowder here. You’ll find restaurants offering every imaginable type of cuisine, so take your pick. If you like, you can visit the oldest running restaurant in the country, Union Oyster House, open since 1826 for traditional New England dishes. The city’s largest Italian neighborhood, North End, offers a variety of traditional Italian specials. 

Nightlife: Revellers fill the bars and pubs in the city to celebrate or commiserate over the latest sports game. Boston is also renowned for its live music venues, evident in Lansdowne Street’s bars and clubs.

Beaches: New England’s Cape Cod is much better known for beautiful beaches than Boston. But there are some hidden gems close to the city, less than an hour away by subway, bus or ferry. These include Revere Beach and south of Boston overlooking Dorchester Bay you’ll find 3 beaches along a 5km stretch of sand – Carson Beach, L Street Beach and M Street Beach. To enjoy some of New England’s best beaches along the coastline in nearby Cape Cod, take the 90-minute Provincetown Fast Ferry ride.

Things to do in Boston:

  • Walk Boston’s Freedom Trail, which incorporates 16 historic sites, including Faneuil Hall, King’s Chapel, the Bunker Hill Monument, Old North Church and Paul Revere House.
  • Explore the city’s Museum of Fine Art (MFA), to see its incredible modern and ancient masterpieces including the largest collection of Japanese art outside of Japan.
  • Step into the world of science at Boston’s Museum of Science, which includes a digital 3D theater, IMAX theater, planetarium and various enthralling displays.
  • Learn all about President John F Kennedy at the JFK Library.
  • Discover Boston’s historic sights on a Duck Tour, driving along in an amphibious landing vehicle that dates back to the Second World War.
  • Find out all about the history of fire-fighting at the fascinating Boston Fire Museum.
  • Take in a local sports match at TD Garden or Fenway Park, home to Boston’s Major League Baseball team, the Red Sox.
  • Visit the oldest battleship in American history, the USS Constitution, which first set sail in 1797. 

Best way to get around: The city’s MBTA rail service is excellent. Alternatively, take a cab or rent a bicycle.

Best Area for Families: North End This neighbourhood offers easy access to numerous family-friendly activities and attractions including bustling Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the city’s aquarium. North End is also Boston’s Italian district, so the eateries here are superb.

 

Guide to Boston areas

Back Bay

A great neighborhood for first-time as this area is quintessential Boston, with rows of Victorian brick houses, architectural landmarks, upscale boutiques and stores plus cool eateries. Situated on the south side of the Charles River, this area, was a bay that was filled in to make more land for the growing city.

Now Boston’s most upscale district, Back Bay is home to some of the city’s finest architecture. In Copley Square alone, you’ll find the breathtaking Boston Public Library, Trinity Church and the modern John Hancock Tower, the tallest building in New England. The city’s best shopping is located on Newbury and Boylston Streets as well as hip restaurants, sunny sidewalk cafes and upbeat bars.

Best hotels in the Back Bay

Best restaurants in Back Bay

The Waterfront

A portion of the North End, Boston’s oldest neighborhood, but with an entirely different feel to it as it includes Little Italy. The Waterfront spans a strip of the city roughly from Battery Wharf to Fort Point Channel. Originally the site of the Port of Boston, it offers stunning views of Massachusetts Bay.

Many excellent hotels, historic sites and family attractions are located here. Boston Harborwalk spans the entire length of the waterfront, so take a stroll along its piers and beaches. The Waterfront is great for family activities; it’s home to the New England Aquarium, the Greenway Carousel and the Boston Tea Party Museum. Little Italy is within walking distance – a gorgeous romantic spot whose harbor views make a stunning backdrop for weddings and proposals.

Best hotels in the Waterfront

Best restaurants in the Waterfront

Beacon Hill

This residential area is a great place if you prefer to live like a local. Once home to more than half of Boston’s African American population and the center of the country’s abolitionist movement, it’s also one of the most expensive places to live in the city, just behind Back Bay.

Includes iconic gas lamps lit over brick sidewalks, row houses built in Federal Style, antique shops, boutique stores and chic eateries. This area is within walking distance of almost all of Boston’s attractions. There are only few hotels here and few tourist traps; the main draw is the Beacon Hill’s charming architecture and historical significance.

Must-sees include those connected by the Black Heritage Trail, such as Abiel Smith School, the African Meeting House (first black church in America) and the Lewis and Harriett Hayden House (a stop on the Underground Railroad). The gold-domed Massachusetts State House is here, too, as is Boston Common.

Best hotels in Beacon Hill

Best restaurants in Beacon Hill

  • Grotto Cosy partly underground spot offering creative Italian dishes.
  • Ma Maison Stylish French fare with great cocktails. Book ahead.
  • Toscano Traditional Tuscan fare in a rustic setting.
  • Mooo… Refined steakhouse with superb dishes and a vast wine selection.
  • 75 Chestnut American dishes done right.
  • Beacon Hill Pub Boston’s last dive bar. Cash only.

Downtown Boston

The city’s historic, political,and commercial heart and the center of the action, as well as home to the city’s most iconic attractions, including Boston Common, Faneuil Hall and the Old South Meeting House. Blackstone Block is home to Boston’s oldest restaurants and bars, while the Downtown Crossing area boasts department stores and the city’s most exciting new restaurants.

Boston is a very walkable city, and Downtown is the perfect place to walk around and explore. If you wish to explore outside the city and spend a day or 2 in Salem or Cambridge, Downtown is the best place to stay. All major transit lines intersect here, and getting anywhere from here is easy. Downtown offers numerous activities and attractions.

Luckily, most of the best-known attractions are all stops on the Freedom Trail, which begins at Boston Common and ends in Bunker Hill, weaving through Downtown along the way past the Granary Burying Ground, Faneuil Hall and more. The trail is a great way to familiarize yourself with the city.

Take time to explore the Boston Public Garden, Haymarket on the weekend and take a selfie with the Edgar Allan Poe statue.

Best hotels in Downtown Boston

Best restaurants in Downtown Boston

  • Yvonne’s Chic spot for food and drinks on a special occasion. Book ahead. 
  • Jade Garden Great Chinese dishes. Open till 2am.
  • RUKA • Specializes in nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) and chifa (Chinese-Peruvian) food. Best to book.
  • Cuong’s Vegan Sandwiches In Chinatown offering yummy sandwiches and bubble tea at the counter. It’s so tiny and busy, you may have to take your food to go.

The Seaport District

Boston’s newest up-and-coming area is the harborfront portion of South Boston. Home to new hotels, office towers, restaurants, and bars.

The Boston Harborwalk passes through the Waterfront and continues south through this neighborhood, past the Boston Children’s Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art,and Harpoon Brewery, with superb Bay views all the whole way.

In the summer months, stop by the Lawn on D, a family-friendly park for outdoor games, concerts and events.

Best hotels in the Seaport District

Best restaurants in the Seaport District

Cambridge

Best known as the home of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge is located on the opposite side of the Charles River. It’s lively, with a youthful, intellectual vibe, home to plenty of hip boutiques, sidewalk cafes, coffee houses and bars especially around Harvard Square.

There are also several great museums here. Cambridge is big and it takes time to explore, so spend a day or 2 doing just that. 

Best hotels in Cambridge

Best restaurants in Cambridge

  • Giulia Stunning Italian spot serving handmade pasta.
  • Oleana Restaurant Superb Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean fine dining.
  • Bondir Cambridge American farm-to-table dishes washed down a great selection of craft beer and wine.
  • Tasting Counter Unique food experience. Buy tickets in advance – counter seats face the open kitchen.

Boston travel guides

Best hotels in Boston