Essential Travel Information for Exploring Boston

Discovering Boston: Essential Travel Information and Tips

Boston, Massachusetts is a vibrant city with a rich history and diverse culture. Located on the eastern seaboard of the United States, Boston offers a multitude of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy.

History buffs can delve into the city's past by exploring landmarks such as the Freedom Trail, which takes you through significant historical sites as Long as a 2.5-mile walking tour which passes through 16 of the city's many landmarks. The tour begins at the Boston Common and passes through the Massachusetts State House, Old City Hall, King's Chapel, and more.

Art enthusiasts will appreciate the world-class museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Harvard Art Museums, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum all offer plenty of treasures. Science lovers should check out the Museum of Science, which our home to interactive exhibits, an OMNIMAX theater, and live animals. For sports fans, catching a game at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, is a must-do experience.

To cool off in the summertime, head to the Frog Pond and Swan Pond, or take a relaxing boat ride on the Charles River. Additionally, Boston's vibrant culinary scene offers a wide variety of delicious food options, from fresh seafood to international cuisine.

With its charming neighborhoods, scenic parks, and lively atmosphere, Boston is a city that truly has something for everyone. Here are some must-see attractions in Boston, completed with hotels nearby.

FREEDOM TRAIL

The city of Boston is known for its rich history and culture, and one of the best ways to explore that history is to take a tour of the famous Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long walking route that passes by 16 of the most historic sites in Boston. The tour starts at the front steps of the historic State House and takes visitors on a journey through Revolutionary War sites, such as the old North Church, Paul Revere's house, and the Bunker Hill Monument. Along the way, the guide will give visitors insights and anecdotes about Boston's unique history. At the end of the tour, visitors can explore the smaller sites along the trail, such as the Old Granary Burying Ground, which is the final resting place of several famous Revolutionary figures. A tour of the Freedom Trail is an enlightening and entertaining experience for anyone visiting Boston. It is a great way to learn about the city's historical past, while also adding an element of fun to a day in Beantown. HOTELS AND ACTIVITIES NEARBY

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is one of the most prominent and important museums in the world. It houses a vast collection of art from cultures around the globe and from many periods in history. In the early twentieth century, the museum began acquiring works from diverse cultures, including contemporary American, European, Asian, and African art. The museum’s collection now includes more than 425,000 works of art and artifacts, representing a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, prints, photographs, textiles, and decorative arts. The Museum of Fine Arts also presents special exhibitions, art classes, and films. The museum also has a vast library and archives, housing an extensive collection of works in various media. The museum is a leader in the conservation, preservation, and study of works of art, providing access and educational opportunities to the public. Additionally, the museum offers a variety of programs, including lectures, symposia, workshops, and performances. The museum also sponsors an artist-in-residence program that provides space and resources to contemporary artists, as well as an internship program that allows students to gain valuable experience in the arts. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is an important institution that provides the public with unparalleled access to the history and culture of the world’s most celebrated artists and artworks. HOTELS AND ACTIVITIES NEARBY

CAMBRIDGE

Cambridge, located in the state of Massachusetts, is a picturesque city just across the Charles River from its more well-known neighbor, Boston. Often referred to as a “city of squares”, Cambridge is home to a vibrant and diverse community, with a rich history and a strong academic presence. The city’s most prominent feature is Harvard University, one of the top universities in the world. As you walk through the streets of Cambridge, you can’t help but feel the energy and intellect that permeates through the city. Many famous scholars and artists have called Cambridge home, including renowned poet Sylvia Plath and Nobel Prize winner John F. Kennedy. Visitors can explore the prestigious campus of Harvard, with its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens, or take a walk down Harvard Square and immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere of street performers, local vendors, and students rushing to class. But Cambridge offers much more than just Harvard. The city is also home to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a world-renowned institution for science and technology. Visitors can take a tour of the campus and marvel at the cutting-edge research and innovation happening within its walls. Cambridge is also known for its diverse culinary scene, with countless restaurants, cafes, and food trucks offering a variety of cuisines from around the world. HOTELS AND ACTIVITIES NEARBY

TEA PARTY SHIP

Located on the historic Fort Point Channel in Boston, the Tea Party Ship and Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in American history and the Boston Tea Party. This interactive museum offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing visitors to step back in time and relive one of the most significant events in American history. Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted by a costumed interpreter who sets the scene and explains the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party. From there, guests are transported to December 16, 1773, the fateful night when a group of colonists disguised as Native Americans boarded British ships and threw chests of tea into the harbor in protest of the British tea tax. The highlight of the museum is the fully restored 18th-century ship, the Eleanor. Visitors are able to step aboard and explore the ship, gaining insight into the life of a sailor and the living conditions on a ship in the 1700s. The ship is meticulously preserved and gives visitors a real sense of what it would have been like to participate in the Boston Tea Party. In addition to the ship, the museum also features a variety of high-tech exhibits, including a virtual reality experience that transports guests back in time and allows them to witness the Boston Tea Party first-hand. There is also a multimedia show that tells the story of the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party and its impact on American history. HOTELS AND ACTIVITIES NEARBY

BEST TIME TO VISIT BOSTON

The best time of year to visit Boston is the spring. The city is alive with blooms and the weather is changing from cool to warm. April is an ideal month to visit, when the Boston Marathon is taking place on Patriots’ Day. May brings with it the flowering of the city’s magnolias, crabapples, and other trees as the summer approaches. June spells warm days that are ideal for exploring the city on foot. It’s an excellent time to explore the freedom trail, go on a harbor cruise, or take in a baseball game. In July and August, the city hosts its many music and film festivals, as well as a variety of other events. September and October feature the closing of outdoor seating at cafes, a popular pastime as the weather cools. These months are ideal for visiting historic landmarks, grabbing a bite at one of the city’s many restaurants, and shopping in the numerous boutiques. In November, the fall foliage is at its peak, and the city’s parks become a riot of color. The holiday season in Boston is a must-see, with events such as First Night celebrations. Whether you’re soaking up the culture or exploring the great outdoors, Boston has something for everyone any time of year.

TO OTHER CITIES BY TRAIN

Choosing to travel by train from Boston to other cities is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city while still staying connected to the greater region. Options from Boston include trips to Portland, Maine—a small coastal town with excellent seafood restaurants and plenty of attractions—New Haven, Connecticut—the birthplace of legendary author Herman Melville—or even further afield destinations like Buffalo, New York, home to the historic buffalo wing. The Amtrak service from Boston links to cities up and down the East Coast, offering travelers an opportunity to explore the many diverse regions of the United States. With overnight options available, it’s a great way to get away for a few days while still staying connected to the region. Aside from the Amtrak service, travelers from Boston can also take advantage of the region’s many commuter rail lines to get to cities nearby, like Providence and Quincy. These commuter rail lines offer more affordable fares and run at convenient times, allowing for a quick trip to the city and back.