Boston is Americas historic epicenter. It is renowned for its importance in Americas creation, its educational institutions and its cultural hubbub of museums, galleries and libraries.
The best time of year to visit this attractive New England city is during the autumn when the many trees in the city start to turn various shades of red and gold and the skies are clear and bright.
Boston casually blends old with new. This is apparent in its architecture and its population. There are over 50 colleges and universities in the greater Boston area, meaning that the population is highly-educated, young and outward looking. The most famous of these is Harvard University, founded in 1636, and it is worth visiting for its beautiful ivy-covered buildings and four museums including the Harvard Art Museum and the Museum of Natural History.
Being small and compact means Boston is a city that should be explored on foot. There are two walking routes that are themselves local attractions. Firstly, there is the Freedom Trail that charters the citys part in the revolution and the Black Heritage Trail that follows Bostons role in abolishing slavery.
Both of these trails start from the Boston Common park, the oldest public park in the US. Follow the red bricks dotted along the pavement and pass by key sites in Americas fight for independence from the British for the Freedom Trail.
The Black Heritage trail takes you through Beacon Hill one of the first communities of free blacks in America. Massachusetts was the first state to abolish slavery and prominent anti-slavery campaigner and Boston resident, Robert Shaw is honoured with a memorial in Beacon Hill.
Boston is famous for a certain Tea Party and you can learn more about this important historic event at the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum. The whole scenario had nothing to do with a party; it was an act of revolution by the patriots against the British over increased taxes on tea. The ship is a replica of the original but its still a remarkably interesting attraction.
Cambridge, although actually a separate city across the Charles River, is usually lumped together with Boston. Over 30,000 students live here and attend either Harvard or MIT. Harvard Square is a great place to have a coffee and spend an afternoon perusing bookshops.
Boston is also a proud sporting city. It has highly successful teams including the Red Sox for baseball, the Celtics for basketball, the Bruins for hockey and the New England Patriots for American football. You should really try and watch at least one sporting event whilst youre in town.
