Boston

Boston, the capital of Massachusetts on the East Coast of the USA overflows with historic sites, museums, and cultural attractions. The cities of Cambridge and Brookline are usually visited together with Boston as they are closely linked.

The city is known as a university city because of its high number of educational institutes and students, it is even called the City of Higher Learning. Boston is where revolutionary events took place during the colonial period including the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. As avid supporters of the States’ independence, the city was called the Cradle of Liberty and the city grew over the years with many Irish immigrants arriving in the city as well as other ethnic groups.

Must-Sees!

Freedom Trail

99 Chauncy St #401
Boston, MA 02111
617-357-8300

If you want to cover a large number of the city’s sites in one go then follow the Freedom Trail which runs for 4km and passes by 16 of Boston’s historic sites. The trail begins at the Boston Common (America’s oldest public park) and ends with the Bunker Hill Monument (an obelisk erected in 1842 commemorating the Battle of Bunker Hill) in Charlestown. The trail will take you to the Massachusetts State House; down past Park Street Church; the Old Granary Burial Ground where Paul Revere among other revolutionaries are buried; next to King’s Chapel and the Burying Ground; past Boston’s first public school attended by Benjamin Franklin; on to the Old Corner Bookstore Building; the site of the Boston Massacre; past Faneuil Hall where Samuel Adam met with other patriots to plan their fight against the British; Paul Revere’s House; Old North Church; Copp’s Hill Burying Ground; USS Constitution, the oldest US battleship built-in 1797 than across the Charlestown Bridge and on to Bunker Hill. The route is indicated by a red line which Boston visitors can follow on this self-guided tour of the city. Pick up a map of the route and information about each site from the Visitor Information Center in Boston Common, then start following the red line.

Harvard Square

Harvard Square
Boston, MA 02129

At the point where Massachusetts Ave widens forming an open pedestrian area, you’ll find a renovated 1928 kiosk in the center of Harvard Square. The lively square is always bustling with people from all walks of life and there are street performers, food stalls, restaurants, and cafes. The square is the venue for many annual events including the Boston Oktoberfest. The stores on the square are unique and include organic foods, DIY, and boutique-style clothing stores.

Walkthrough the Boston University Harvard’s large iron gates into the yard and go up towards Widener Library. The best known Boston university is Harvard and you can see this Boston university which is adjacent to Harvard Square. The Harvard Yard is where the Boston University Harvard’s lecture halls, student dorms, library, and museums can be found bordering the 25-acre yard. Here you can also see a statue of John Harvard also called the statue of three lies as the inscription:” John Harvard, Founder 1638″ contains three inaccuracies. Also adjacent to Harvard Square, through an archway is Cambridge Common.

Museum of Fine Arts

465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
617-267-9300
Hours of Operation:
Sun-Tue, Sat 10am-4:30pm
Wed-Fri 10am-9:30pm
Entrance Cost:

Adults $25
Seniors (65+) $23
Students (18+) $23
Youths 6 and under FREE

This is one of Boston museum’s finest establishments. Here you’ll find many collections including works of art from around the world and from all periods of time. There is an Ancient Worlds collection, photography section, European masters, collection of musical instruments, textiles and fashion, jewelry, and much more. The museum is open daily from 10 am until 4:45 pm and from Wednesday to Friday until 9:45 pm. The adult entrance fee is $25, seniors and students $23 and under 17’s enter for free on weekends after 3 pm and on Boston public school holidays. Otherwise, 7-17-year-olds pay $10 and under 7-year-olds enter for free. The museum is at the Avenue of the Arts, 465 Huntington Ave.

Must Eats!

Neptune Oyster

63 Salem Street
Boston, MA 02113
617-742-3474
Hours of Operation:
Sun-Sat 11:30am-10:30pm
Cost: $$$

This restaurant/wine bar serves European style seafood including fried Ipswich clams, grilled cuttlefish, clam chowder, and lobster rolls. They are located at 63 Salem Street and the small Boston restaurant may have a line of people waiting outside to get in.

Toro

1704 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02118
617-536-4300
Hours of Operation:
LUNCH: M-F 12-3
DINNER: Su 5-10:15, M-Th 5:30-10:15, F 5:30-11:45, Sa 5-11:45
BRUNCH: Su 10:30-2:30
BAR: Su-Th 4:30-12, F-Sa 4:30-1
Cost: $$$

For a break from Boston seafood restaurants try this Spanish tapas restaurant which stays open late and serves navajas-a-la-plancha, Asado-de-huevos, and more. They are located at 1704 Washington Street, run and owned by acclaimed chefs and have a real Spanish atmosphere and décor together with quality authentic Spanish food.

Island Creek Oyster Bar

500 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
617-532-5300
Hours of Operation:

Sun 11am-12am
Mon-Sat 4pm-1am

Cost: $$$

Another Boston restaurant serving seafood, this gastropub stays open late and serves favorites like spicy lobster. The restaurant is in the Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square and serves simple, down to earth seafood including a raw bar, oysters, clams, and other marine crustaceans. The décor is modern and straight forward.

Mike’s Pastry

300 Hanover Street
Boston, MA 02113
617-742-3050
Hours of Operation:
Sun-Tue 8am-10pm
Wed-Thu 8 am-10:30 pm
Fri-Sat 8am-11:30pm
Cost: $

There are many Boston restaurants serving pastries but this one is on Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice list and tops Urbanspoon.com’s Boston restaurants with entrees for under $10. They serve cakes, ice-cream, Boston crème, cannolis, and baked goods. The pastry store is at 300 Hanover Street in Boston’s Little Italy.