Travel Guides > Boston, MA

Boston Travel

You can almost hear Paul Revere as he galloped across the city streets or the angry yells of the colonists as they heaved their tea into the harbor. If you listen closely, you can hear the shots fired at Lexington and Concord or see "the whites of their eyes" at Bunker Hill. The sights and sounds of long ago are alive and well in historic Boston and waiting for you to come and explore.

This New England town is so full of history that any red-blooded American is sure to be fascinated by the museums, landmarks, and other sites located here. But the town attracts foreign visitors also, who come to enjoy world-class arts and culture, great sporting events, fine food, and much more.

A good place for visitors to begin their sightseeing ventures in Boston is by taking some sort of historic tour. That might mean a bus or carriage tour but a self-guided walking tour can be even better. Able-bodied guests should follow the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile walk through town with stops at the city's most important historic landmarks. Follow the red brick trail and see sites like Old North Church, Old South Meeting House, Faneuil Hall, the Bunker Hill Monument, and Paul Revere's home. Stop as often as you like and for as long as needed.

You can also follow a number of other trails in Boston that lead to other interesting sights that are peculiar to a particular culture or ethnic group, like the Irish Heritage Trail, Black History Trail, or Women's Heritage Trail.

Want to do a little tea tossing? Visit the Tea Party Ship and Museum, and re-enact one of the most important events leading to the Revolutionary War. The kids will love it!

If you like boats, make a visit to Old Ironsides (USS Constitution) for a look at the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world. Fascinating guided tours are available and appropriate for all ages.

For those who prefer a ride on a boat to a look at one, take advantage of the many Boston Harbor cruises available or enjoy a Charles River sightseeing excursion via riverboat, providing excellent views of both Boston and Cambridge.

A stop in Cambridge will provide you with a look at majestic Harvard University, with its stately buildings, both old and new, and attractive landscaping. The university also offers a number of programs that are open to the public, from music and theater to football games.

When it's time to do some shopping, consider a stop at Quincy Marketplace. You could spend half the day here, shopping the more than 150 stalls that offer everything from local crafts to designer duds. This is a great place to eat as well as you can choose from a large variety of cuisine found here in the market.

Baseball fans can take in a game at old Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox. Music and arts aficionados might grab tickets to a performance by the Boston Pops, the Boston Philharmonic, the Boston Ballet, or any number of fine theater companies that produce top-notch shows and Broadway-style musicals.