Boston, MA Hotels

Yet Boston is not just for the literati and the academic set. There is a strong blue-collar tradition in ol’ Beantown (so-nicknamed for its love of baked beans in molasses during slave times) and an Irish immigrant history that gives the population real heart and guts. Happily, the Irish influence extends to Boston’s many, many pubs and bars, in which you can happily while away the hours listening to locals wax lyrical about the old days in their strangely hypnotic accents.

Outside the city, you can take a tour to beautiful Cape Cod, take in the famed Kennedy Compound or head North to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire and experience the unique New England landscape and traditions.

Boston is what you get when you shake up an English respect for higher education and knowledge with a generous shot of American idealism, then finish it off with a free-pour of Irish fighting spirit. It’s a heady cocktail, and the city is drunk on it.

Well that, and a helluva lot of Samuel Adams, which is brewed locally at the Boston Beer Company.

Boston's Top 10

Boston History

• Adams National Historic Site – Recounts the history of the Adams family, including the two family members who became presidents: John Adams and John Quincy Adams.
• Boston African-American National Historic Site – Home to the biggest structure owned by blacks before the Civil War.
• Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum – Recounts the historical event that transpired in Boston more than 200 years ago.
• Paul Revere House – Dedicated to the memory of Paul Revere, who made history by his famous ride to warn of the arrival of British troops.
• Freedom Trail – An approximately two-mile trail that runs along 16 historic sites.

Boston Art & Culture

• John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum – Dedicated to the memory of President John F Kennedy.
• Museum of Fine Arts – Famous for its collection of impressionist paintings and home to the biggest Monet collection outside of Paris.
• Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments – Has a collection of more than 20,000 artefacts from the 1400s until today.
• Harvard Museum of Natural History – Its most famous exhibit, “Glass Flowers”, has been a major attraction for almost a century.
• MIT Museum – A place that investigates ideas, inventions and innovation.

Boston Shopping

• Newbury Street – An area of eight blocks with boutiques, galleries and hair salons.
• Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market – Features some of the oldest markets in Boston, with many stores and restaurants.
• Copley Place and Prudential Centre – These two large shopping areas are connected by a walkway.
• Cambridge Galleria – This mall has a great mix of well-known shops, clothing stores, bookstores and more.
• Harvard Square – This historic area attracts many visitors who come to look around, shop, eat or sit and enjoy the atmosphere.

Gay & Lesbian Boston

• Boston Pride – This is officially the second-biggest city event held in June of each year.
• Jacques Cabaret – In the theatre area and draws in all walks of life.
• Fritz Lounge – A great place to hang out until the wee hours of the morning.
• Chaps – One of the oldest of its kind in Boston and a popular spot.
• Jillian’s Boston – Offers a bit of everything with drinks, food, entertainment and sports.

Boston Outdoor

• Independence Day – Festivities include parades, outdoor concerts, fireworks and more.
• Feast of St Anthony – This big feast is held in Boston toward the end of August and includes games, food vendors, music and a parade.
• First Night – A public New Year’s Eve celebration with citywide events.
• Boston Harbour Islands State Park – You can participate in many activities, such as swimming, camping or fishing.
• Boston Common and Public Garden – The oldest park in the country and a wonderful place to visit during the warmer months.

Boston Sport

• The oldest marathon in the world, the Boston Marathon, is held on the third Monday of April.
• In October every year, the Head of the Charles Regatta is held on the Charles River.
• The Boston Celtics basketball team plays in the TD Garden.
• Check out Fenway Park to catch a game with the Boston Red Sox baseball team.
• The Gillette Stadium is home to the New England Patriots football team.

Boston Local

One of Boston’s most historic districts as well as one of the most beautiful. It’s also played host to some VIP residents, including Louise May Alcott (who wrote Little Women), Carly Simon (who wrote You’re So Vain), Edward Kennedy and Uma Thurman, most of whom lived in or around Louisburg Square, so named for the Battle of Louisburg that took place there in 1745. Take a walk along the tree-lined streets and come face to face with the oldest buildings in the city, as well as a bevy of bars and restaurants.

Check out Massachusetts State House for another dose of history and then kick back in the stunning Public Garden, which spans across a few of the city’s neighbourhoods and is home to lush greens, colourful, sprouting flora, many bird species and swan boats that cruise the lake-like pond.

Another high-end area that boasts some of the most exclusive real estate in Boston. Shop (or window-shop) at the expensive stores on Newbury St, Boston’s (classier) answer to Rodeo Drive. Once night falls, head over to Boylston St, where you’ll find bars and eateries as well as swankier stores at Copley Square and the Prudential Center. Right by Copley Square you’ll find The Old South Church, an Italian Gothic-style church that’s one of the most prominent and beautiful landmarks in the area.

Chinatown

Boston’s Chinatown is one of the biggest in the United States and hosts an assortment of great Asian restaurants, herbalists, markets and bargain shopping. Take a picture next to The Chinatown Gate and then get your caboose to Edward Wong Square, the hub of the area and the place where you’ll find all the previously mentioned goodies. If you want a little navigational guidance, join the Chinatown Walking Tour, which will take you to all the important sites and, most importantly, best restaurants and shops.

Downtown

The heart of the city has a bit of a Euro-vibe going on, as well as being saturated in history. Start your day on a relaxing note in Boston Common, one of the oldest parks in the US, then move on to some shopping at Downtown Crossing and Fanueil Hall Marketplace, one of the most popular malls in the city. End your day on the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile (4km) walk that educates visitors on Boston’s rich history and takes them to 16 of the most historic sites in the city, including the Granary Burying Ground.

Boston Eat & Drink

Boston Events

March’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is huge. The parade is paired with a lot of drunken good times and it’s a fun time to be in Boston. The day is also recognised as ‘Evacuation Day’, celebrating the expulsion of British forces after the Siege of Boston. Slap on a green shirt and get your Guinness on for a double celebration (and reason to mock the English).

Come and cheer on (or join in) fitness freaks at the Boston Marathon in April. The marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world and always reels in massive crowds (over half a million!).

April to October is the season of Major League Baseball and therefore, Sox season. Cheer/cry along with the ever-passionate Bostonians at Fenway Park.

Celebrate Independence Day on 4 July with the Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks Display. The Boston Pops orchestra performs a combo of classical and popular music and finishes things off with church bells, the firing of cannons and a spectacular fireworks display. It’s one of the most attended classical music events in the country (we’re talking thousands of people here), so make sure you arrive early.

October sees the unique Massachusetts Cranberry Harvest Festival. This is more county fair than festival, but it’s definitely worth a look. Not only will there be market stalls, food and entertainment, but you’ll also get to see/tour a cranberry bog – which is a lot more fun than it sounds.

When To Go

Boston weather changes every day, so it can be a little tough deciding on the best time to go. In general, the winter tends to be pretty brittle on the East Coast, with an average of just 2°C (36°F), so try to avoid visiting from December to March.

Spring is a great time to be in the city as the air is crisp and the city is starting to get into the celebratory swing of things. Average temperature is 16°C (61°F).

Autumn in New England is a sight to behold – leaves in every hue of red, yellow, gold and brown pattern the streets and trees, and the weather is cool (12°C – 54°F), but bright and sunny.

While Boston’s summer is a lot of fun, remember that many students go back home for their break, and there’s something to be said for the city when it’s humming with the vibrancy of university life. Still, if frat boys and sorority sisters make you squirm, summer’s your best bet, with an average temperature of 21°C (70°F).

What To Miss

Gang-infested areas like Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester (especially along Dorchester Ave) should be completely avoided, especially after dark. Chinatown can get a little sketchy after dark, too.

Don’t make fun of the accent, no matter how much you want to. Bostonians have a pretty heavy accent matched only by their heavy right hooks. You’ve been warned.

Avoid criticising the Sox at any cost. In fact, if you find yourself in a bar during a baseball game, it’s best to cheer and whoop along with the rest of them to avoid attracting suspicion that you may be a Yankee fan or, worse, not care about baseball.

Getting Around

Boston has a fine public transport system that includes buses, trains, boats and the T subway. Fares are reasonable and travel passes and ‘Charlie Cards’ are available.

Cabs in Boston are relatively inexpensive and reliable, and if you’re lucky and get a true Boston-Irish cabbie, expect to be spun a yarn or two.

General Information

Attractions

Events

Climate