Boston may not the Broadway plays and glitzy shopping of New York City down the coast, but this city is steeped in United States history.
It is one of the oldest cities in the United States, founded in 1630 by the pilgrims from England if you really want to know. (Not the pilgrims that come over on the Mayflower to Plymouth, by the way.)
During the United States Revolution several major battles took place here: the Battle of Bunker Hill is one of the most famous. The Battles of Lexington and Concord were fought nearby. It was from the Old North Church that Paul Revere took his famous “midnight ride” crying the warning of the approach of the British. As the poem goes,
“…One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm…..”
Walk the Freedom Trail. This two and a half mile route will help you get acquainted with the city and efficiently visit many of the city’s historic landmarks. Allow yourself at least three hours for this tour… a full day to really see everything would be better. If walking isn’t for you, there are trolley tours that will let you hop on and hop off at the sites.
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Stroll through the historic Public Garden. It is adjacent to the Boston Common and is the nation’s oldest botanical garden. Ride one of the famous Swan Boats. Locals and visitors have been riding in them during the summer months since 1877.
See the Faneuil Hall marketplace, also known as Quincy market. For more than 250 years, the marketplace has played an integral role in the life of this city’s residents. This indoor-outdoor market is still a great place for shopping and dining.
Eat in the Union Oyster House, the city’s oldest restaurant. Walk through the “burying grounds”, the cemeteries. You can find the graves of several famous early Americans.
Visit the colleges and universities, and there are several in the area. Harvard, just across the Charles River in Cambridge might be the most famous. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the U.S. You can also visit Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Brandeis University among a couple of dozen others nearly as well known.
In the summertime, sit on the green along the Charles River and listen to the Boston Pops play in the Hatch Shell, a wonderful free concert. If you’re there for the July 4th concert you’ll hear Tschaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with cannons and fireworks. (You’ll need to be there plenty early for that popular concert!)
Boston has great museums, and there are more across the river in Cambridge around Harvard. There are sports teams for baseball, basketball, football and ice hockey fans, and there is always shopping.
It’s a great starting point to explore the USA’s New England states. With all it has going for it, give Boston a look when you’re making travel plans.
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Boston Tours
From Viator:
Boston Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour
Price: $37.99
Discover Boston at your leisure with a one-day ticket on the Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour. Create your own itinerary to see the most popular sights of Boston at your own pace.
Boston Walking Tour: Freedom Trail
Price: $29.99
This Boston Walking Tour is a trek along the Freedom Trail is a walk through Boston’s past. Wind your way back into history and follow the trail traveled by the Patriots in their fight for independence. Visualize the scenes and listen to the echo of Patriots in their struggle to break away from British rule.
Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Tour
Price: $36.09
Join other adventure seekers and become an apprentice grave digger on an entertaining tour through the darker side of Boston. A scary, fun and informative frightseeing experience that is truly one of a kind.
Boston Duck Tour
Price: $35.6
Water is no barrier for a duck, why should it be for you? A Boston Duck Tour is a wonderful way to get a great look at Boston on land and water. See all the major landmarks and hear the history of the city as you tour Boston in a renovated World War II amphibious vehicle.
Boston Walking Tour: Boston Back Bay
Price: $29.99
Elegant French-inspired boulevards meet diverse architectural marvels in Boston’s Back Bay district. Explore this cosmopolitan neighborhood on a Boston Walking Tour that provides historic commentary of the sites and attractions in Copley Square.
Boston Chocolate Walking Tour
Price: $39.99
Love chocolate? For a sweet introduction to Boston, you won’t want to miss a Boston Chocolate Walking Tour. Eat your way through the best chocolates in Boston as you stroll along the streets of the city.
Fall Foliage Spectacular Tour from Boston
Price: $58.0
Enjoy the spectacular New England countryside as the leaves turn a multitude of colors during the fall season. A pleasant tour of foliage display is capped by a stop at a native orchard for apples and cider.
Boston Walking Tour: Beacon Hill
Price: $29.99
Beacon Hill impresses locals and tourists alike with its charming streets, brick sidewalks lined with gas lamps, hidden houses, and parade of doors and doorknockers. This 18th century neighborhood is rich in history, elegant architecture and stately homes and is waiting for you to explore on this Boston Walking Tour.
Boston Tours from Trusted Tours and Attractions:
Ghosts and Gravestones Tour Boston
Price: $34.2
This spirited tour will give you a look at the city of Boston’s darker side as we share local tales and legends. The 90 minutes journey will take you on a spine tingling trip through Boston’s historic burial grounds.
Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour
Price: $20.95
See your favorite Boston movies and TV shows come to life. Visit the actual filming locations on this 90 min walking tour. Walk in the same steps as your favorite actors and actresses on this exciting tour! The most filmed part of Boston, The Boston Movie Mile, includes over 30 filming locations.
Boston Lighthouse Cruise and Tour
Price: $68.25
Cruise the famous lighthouses of Boston area coastline. Learn the stories and legends of these important icons of maritime history. Members of the American Lighthouse Foundation narrate the Northern Lights tours.
Boston Old Town Trolley Tour
Price: $37.8
SPECIAL PROMOTION – Next Day Trolley ride FREE! From Beacon Hill to the New England Aquarium, the Back Bay to Boston Common, Old Town Trolley is the best way to see Boston. Hop on and Hop off at 18 designated stops. Now includes 45 minute Boston Harbor Cruise & admission to the Old State Museum.
Boston City View Bike Tour
Price: $45.0
This signature tour allows you to pedal from the Italian North End and historic Beacon Hill, up to Fenway park, and through modern and dynamic Back Bay. Riders will see parts of Boston off the beaten path and all the best sites of the city. Narrated tour led by friendly and knowledgeable guides.
Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise and Tour
Price: $23.1
With the setting sun as a backdrop, see Boston from the water and learn it’s history and lore. A romantic sunset cruise is a wonderful way to end your day. You’ll be on hand to witness the USS Constitution’s sunset serenade as she fires her cannon and lowers her flag.
Boston Charles River and Locks Tour and Cruise
Price: $22.05
Cruise up Boston’s Charles River and view the majestic skyline of Boston on one side and the beautiful college town of Cambridge on the other. Travel through the Charles River Locks on this narrated tour.