Introduction to Boston

Located in quintessential New England and hugging the Massachusetts coastline, Boston has a rich history as one of the first European settlements in North America. Once known as the “Cradle of the American Revolution,” Boston is the home of the famed Paul Revere and the site of the Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution. In the 1800s, Boston became one of the most important sites in the United States for the abolitionist movement and as a major hub for maritime and commercial activity which continues to this day. Currently, Boston is referred to as “the college capital of the United States” with higher education institutions including Harvard College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Suffolk College, Boston University, Boston College, and the Berklee College of Music just a few of the many colleges and universities that call the city home. Today, Boston has become one of the most educated cities in the United States and maintains a place as one of the leading areas for research in the technology and medical sectors. 

 

Whether it is your first visit to Boston or your hundredth, the city offers no shortage of activities for all ages. When it comes time to explore Boston, the best months to visit the city are often April and May because with the warmer weather of the spring, flowers and trees are blooming throughout the city’s numerous parks and green spaces that will offer picturesque scenery. Navigating through the city is easy by utilizing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) system that includes subways (more commonly referred to as the “T”, buses, and commuter rail that transport you throughout Boston and nearby towns.  Sports aficionados will want to make sure that a tour or game at Fenway Park - home of the Boston Red Sox - is available while a Celtics game at TD Garden is a must for any hardcore NBA fan. Hockey fans will want to visit Boston in February when the annual Beanpot Championship pits local college hockey teams including arch rivals Boston College and Boston University against each other in a game for the ages. 

 

A visit to Boston is not complete without experiencing the city’s rich history. Whether it is exploring the Freedom Trail, seeing the city aboard a legendary Duck Boat, or exploring one of the many green spaces to include Boston Common, the Public Garden, the Charles River Esplanade and more is a must do activity. For high-end shopping, head to legendary Newbury Street where a celebrity sighting is not uncommon. With more than 50 museums, there is no shortage of cultural activities but for a short list be sure to check out the Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Harvard Museum of Natural History. Perfect for exploring without a set schedule, walking nearly any street in Boston or Cambridge affords a visitor a trip through history with beautifully restored brownstones, cobblestone streets, and historic landmarks a common sight.