Boston, Massachusetts has one foot firmly planted in history, while the other steps forward into modern day and the future. Well-preserved Revolutionary era treasures are a draw to vacationers, families and history lovers. High-tech companies and major financial services bring business travelers to the city and world renowned educational institutions attract academics and inquiring minds. Lively ethnic neighborhoods, a wealth of excellent museums, an intrinsic sports mania and large public green spaces make Boston a fun city to visit for business or pleasure.

Transportation in Boston

Boston is very easy to get around – as long as you are not driving! The streets change names – a lot – so it’s difficult to navigate (even for locals!), parking is very limited and drivers are quite aggressive. Driving in Boston ranges from stressful to hair-raising, but the good news is that it’s a relatively compact city with an efficient subway system called the “T.” From various subway stops, attractions and historic sites, business and shopping areas are very walkable. Travel Maestro tip: The T is inexpensive at only $2 per ride (children under 12 ride free with an adult), but to make it even more economical and efficient, get the Charlie Card, a reloadable plastic card that waives surcharges. Just tap the card on the reader at the fare gates and go. When it runs low, just add the value of your choice at a fare vending machine.

Sightseeing Highlights of Boston

There is so much to see and do in Boston, you can easily fill four days exploring, but if you only have two hours, head to the Freedom Trail and walk the 2.5 mile marked route. Costumed guides lead walking tours (fee) or you can go it alone with an audio guide. 16 historic sites along the route include Paul Revere’s house, the Old North Church and the USS Constitution.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace, a.k.a. Quincy Market, is a busy area on the Freedom Trail route that is filled with shopping, food and drink. In front of the marketplace stands the venerable Faneuil Hall, known as the Cradle of Liberty. Travel Maestro tip: Walk up to the second floor rotunda where park rangers tell about the fiery revolutionary debates that took place there.

 

In the North End, Italian culture sets the stage for the atmospheric neighborhood and plenty of authentic Italian cuisine. South of downtown is the third most populous Chinatown in the U.S. with many restaurants, shops and markets in a few square blocks. Historic Beacon Hill is crowned by the 23-karat gold-plated dome of the “New” State House (c. 1795). In Back Bay, browse the fashionable galleries and boutiques, stroll the Charles River Esplanade or visit the Boston Public Garden.

 

Boston’s beloved Fenway Park is the oldest Major League stadium in use (c.1912) and has a character like no other. A manual scoreboard stands in left field and a single red seat in right field marks the longest home run ever hit. The famous Green Monster bar-style seats are the most coveted, although any seat is hard to come by since the Red Sox have had two World Series wins in the last decade (2004 and 2007). If you don’t have time for a game, daily tours of the stadium run hourly.

 

In Copley Square, the beautiful Romanesque Trinity Church is impressive inside and out. Take a self-guided tour to see the artwork and stained glass, or attend the free weekly organ recital (12:15 p.m., Fridays, September-June, donation suggested). The magnificent Italian Renaissance Revival building of the Boston Public Library is also in Copley Square. Be sure to see the beautiful Bates Reading Room or take a one-hour art and architecture tour.

 

Student-led tours are available at the esteemed higher learning institutions of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), both across the river in Cambridge. Visit famous Harvard Yard and the Harvard Museum of Natural History at the oldest university in the U.S. (c. 1636) or the largest collection of holograms in the world at the MIT Museum. The Cambridge area is charming with many book and antique shops, restaurants and music clubs.

Boston’s Fine Museums

In addition to the excellent university museums, Boston has a plethora of other artistic and educational opportunities where visitors can enjoy an hour or a whole day. These include but are not limited to:

• A strictly hands-on Boston Children’s Museum
• Thought-provoking exhibits in the post-modern Institute of Contemporary Art
• The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum of Renaissance works housed in a 15th century Venetian palazzo-styled building
• The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum designed by I.M. Pei
• The Museum of Fine Arts with the largest collections of works by Monet outside Paris
• The Museum of Science with over 600 exhibits, many hand-on activities and very popular Hayden Planetarium shows

Boston isn’t an inexpensive city, but for added value Covington Travel offers complimentary Virtuoso amenities so if you are traveling to Boston for business or pleasure, contact us to make all the arrangements.

Images courtesy of starthereboston.com unless otherwise noted.