Boston is a lively city that is home to countless attractions. As the capital of Massachusetts, this New England city contains myriad historical landmarks, as well as professional sports teams and dozens of museums. When visiting Boston, you will likely have to choose between attractions, as it would be impossible to see them all in one visit.
The Freedom Trail allows visitors to see sixteen historical sites along a 2.5 mile (4 km) walking trail. The trail starts with the Boston Common, which is America’s oldest public park, and concludes with the Bunker Hill Monument. The trail is clearly marked in red by either paint or bricks, and guidebooks are available. Along the trail, you will see Paul Revere’s house, Faneuil Hall, the Old State House, multiple historic churches and more.
Near Boston Common is Boston Public Garden and the lake with the famous swan boats, which have existed since 1877. Quincy Market, a combination indoor-outdoor marketplace of shops and restaurants, is in the vicinity of Faneuil Hall. The New England Holocaust Memorial is also near Faneuil Hall. Many types of tours, from walking to ducks, a type of amphibious vehicle, exist to provide various slants on the sights.
Another walking tour is the 1.6 mile (2.5 km) Black Heritage Trail. The many museums in the Boston area include the Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum and the Museum of Afro American History. Two others are the Children’s Museum of Boston and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which houses a massive art collection and is also known for its garden.
There is also the New England Aquarium and the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S., which is also undefeated in battle. Boston Harbor National Park houses Fort Warren, a Confederate landmark. Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, is one of the oldest baseball parks in the U.S.
Pop culture fans will want to see the two Cheers bars. One is the bar used for outside shots of the long-running Cheers television sitcom. The other is a replica of the inside of the Cheers set, located in Quincy Market. A newer and rather unusual Boston attraction is the interactive TOMB experience, which features an Indiana Jones theme and Disney-like special effects.
Beacon Hill is a unique Boston neighborhood with cobblestone streets and elegant townhouses. Newberry Street is a stylish shopping destination, with top of the line merchants and trendy boutiques. Last but not least, Filene’s Basement is a very famous discount retailer that has existed since the early 1900s.
