26 Best Things to Do in Boston

Boston is the cradle of American history. Monuments, buildings and streets leave vivid emotions in memory, the spirit of «New England» does not leave the traveler long after a trip to this beautiful coastal city.

Things to do in Boston

The capital of New England will appeal to connoisseurs of vivid impressions from excursions and walks around the city. Boston does not look like mothballed old European cities, but the spirit of antiquity, change, the desire of immigrants for a new life still hovers among the houses and towers.

To get to know the city better, you should walk along its bridges, visit the embankment and look into the harbor. Fans of sports and outdoor activities can rent a boat or yacht here, play baseball or ride a bicycle through the parks.

Children will enjoy the Aquarium, located on the waterfront, numerous parks, wildlife areas, zoos and aquariums. In between excursions, you can eat a couple of hot dogs at the huge food court of the Quincy Market center.

Memorials and temples

USS Constitution (Ship «Constitution»)

The sailboat was built in the 18th century and was intended for military battles. Until now, he is listed in the United States Navy. Previously, the ship took part in battles, in particular, in the Anglo-American War of 1812. Then the Constitution survived, remaining unharmed, for which he received the nickname — «Iron-sided old man.» The last reconstruction of the ship was in the late 90s. Since then, it has been a museum exhibit, which leads tours.

Old North Church

The first stone laying during the construction of the Old North Church took place at the end of the 18th century. Now the building is considered the oldest in Boston. As conceived by the architect W. Price, it was built in the Gregorian style, which was very common at that time in Britain. Once the North Church was the highest in the city — before the appearance of the first skyscrapers.

New England Holocaust Memorial

The memorial was erected 50 years after the end of World War II. The creators adhered to the concept of depicting six towers that would symbolize the largest death camps: Auschwitz, Treblinka, Belzec, Chełmno, Majdanek, Sobibor. Inside each structure, the walls are engraved with the words of prisoners who recalled the events that took place in those terrible places.

Cemetery Granari

In Boston, Granary is the oldest burial site dating back to the 17th century. Famous American revolutionaries and reformers rest here. The graves of Adams, Hancock, Payne can be found on Granari.

Guides and tour guides include a visit to the city cemetery in the tourist program, especially since the route to it runs through the Freedom Trail. Although most of the gravestones on Granari are modest and simple. There are no fanciful crypts and majestic sculptures, which in general is quite authentic.

Trinity Church

This Boston church is somewhat younger than the North one. It was installed on Kopley Square. It is known that previously there was a swampy area at this place, which was specially cleared and covered with gravel in order to build residential areas.

The idea of ​​​​creating the Trinity Church belongs to the designer G. Richardson, who decided to execute his brainchild in the neo-Romanesque style. Emphasis was placed on finishing with local materials — sandstone and granite, which were mined in a Massachusetts quarry.

Museums

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Museum

This public library also functions as a museum. Most of the books in the vault belonged to John F. Kennedy. The building was built during the reign of the 35th President of the United States — in the 60s. Funds for its construction were collected «by the whole world», that is, they were built on donations from philanthropists. Kennedy’s personality was so respected and popular that 36 million people wanted to donate personal funds to create a museum.

Science Museum

One of the oldest museums in Boston was opened at the beginning of the 19th century. Since then, it has been not just a repository of historical artifacts, but also a complex, which includes the famous IMAX cinema, as well as a planetarium.

The first exposition consisted of trophies of discoverers and travelers who visited Africa and Asia. Since the last century, the Museum of Science has organized a real park, making an extension on the banks of the Charles River.

Museum of Fine Arts

The gallery, which houses an impressive collection of American art, is considered the largest in the United States. In terms of the number of exhibits, it is second only to the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The building is an example of neoclassicism and was designed by the architect G. Lowell. Gradually, the collection is replenished with new exhibits, so new pavilions are added.

«Boston Tea Party»

The museum collection and the building itself are dedicated to the proclamation of American independence. At the end of the 18th century, activists staged a protest against the English conquerors. It was this event that caused unrest and led to a revolution. The country received the long-awaited freedom and proclaimed the formation of the United States.

Museum «Boston Tea Party» is located on a sailboat, which houses the exhibits of the war. Often, workers arrange productions and shows dedicated to the events of that time.

Salem Witch Museum

Not far from Boston is the Salem Witch Museum. At the end of the 17th century, five girls were judged in this place, who behaved strangely: they convulsed, screamed loudly. They were not shown to doctors, but were executed at the stake. Since then, witch hunts have begun in Salem.

The museum in the town was opened a little later. It became a rallying point for other branches: The Witches’ Dungeons and the Peabody Essex Museum. The vault collection contains documents on court hearings and punishments, there are even terrible instruments of torture, witch attributes, and full-length figures. And next to the building, tourists can buy souvenirs in the shops.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Isabella Stewart Gardner was a philanthropist and connoisseur of the fine arts. She has amassed an impressive collection of paintings and historical artifacts from the early 20th century. Thanks to this, a gallery was formed.

The woman wished that after her death all the exhibits were transferred to Boston and put on public display. Among the valuable works of art are paintings by Titian, Raphael and other masters of European painting.

Interesting places

Boston Common

Central parks in America are commonplace. Each major city can boast of having its own, which is no less extensive than the capital. Boston also occupies a decent area — 20 hectares.

Initially, the territory of the park was the private property of the first European settler — W. Blackstone. Later, the colonialists appropriated it for themselves, used it as a pasture, a military camp and a execution ground. Walking in this place began to be practiced at the beginning of the 19th century.

Arnold Arboretum

The Arboretum is owned by Harvard University and is located in Cambridge, Boston’s campus. The idea for the park came from architect and designer F. L. Olmsted. And the name of the arboretum was decided to be given by the name of James Arnold. Once he was a merchant and whaler, a wealthy Bostonian who donated some of his land and money to create a city landmark.

Today, the arboretum is not only a picturesque park with rare plant species, but also a research base for Harvard students.

Freedom Trail

Locals and travelers call this hiking route the Way of Freedom. Its beginning is Boston Common, and the «trail» ends at Charleston Harbor, where the ship «Constitution» stands.

Along the route are the most famous monuments and attractions of Boston. They symbolize the independence of the city from the English colonialists. The length of the path is four kilometers. Each memorable place is accompanied by a sign and a sign — this is done for the convenience of city guests.

public garden

The park was laid out in the middle of the 19th century — at that time it was the first botanical garden in America. Gradually, this place was chosen by the inhabitants of the city, and it turned into a public one. Locals and guests come here to admire the beautiful views, go boating on the lake, take a walk under the canopy of rare trees.

The community garden is part of the Boston Common. Along the alleys there are monuments of public figures. One of the most famous is the figure of George Washington on horseback.

New England Aquarium

Guests and residents of the city come to the Boston waterfront to visit the aquarium. First of all, they are interested in a large number of inhabitants of the deep sea. The aquarium is famous for the fact that it has collected more than 25,000 individuals from all over the world.

The area is divided into several zones, which correspond to the basins of all oceans. In the Arctic you can see penguins, in the Atlantic and Pacific — seals, lions, turtles, jellyfish, sharks and killer whales. Each hall is equipped with IMAX screens, which broadcast educational films about various marine life.

Quincy Market

This is one of the most famous markets in the city. The pavilion was built in the middle of the 19th century on the initiative of the mayor of the city, after whom it is named. Today, the market has long ceased to be just a food market. Thousands of tourists come here to enjoy the authentic atmosphere, make valuable purchases, and taste the delicacies of the local cuisine.

In addition to shops and market stalls, Quincy Market has several eateries and souvenir shops. Often, real concert performances and shows organized by artists and street musicians unfold before the guests of the city.

Fenway Park

Every American city has a stadium that is the home arena of a baseball team. The Boston Red Sox is one of the most popular clubs in the league in North America, which not only includes famous players, but also world celebrities among fans.

Fenway Park Stadium was built in the early 20th century. It is also the team’s home ground, where important competitions are held. In addition to baseball tournaments, football matches are also held here. The arena can accommodate up to 40,000 spectators.

Architecture

Harvard University

The name of this prestigious educational institution is widely known to many. Harvard has been one of the most famous universities in the world for several centuries. The building is located in Cambridge, which is included in the Boston metropolitan area.

The university was founded in the middle of the 17th century. Since then, the most famous people of the past and present have become its graduates. Harvard has graduated from 8 presidents of the United States, many celebrities and multimillionaires.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

No less famous Boston educational institution is this institute. It has been included in all the prestigious lists of the best universities in the world.

The institute specializes in training technologists in various fields. So, linguists, economists, philosophers, political scientists were released from the walls of the university. MIT has one of the strongest research departments. All graduates are highly demanded and highly paid specialists.

Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library is located in a beautiful old neo-Renaissance building. The book depository became famous due to the fact that it began to give out valuable copies to readers at home.

The library fund is impressive. It is made up of not even thousands, but millions of handwritten and printed editions of famous writers. Among the collection there are also works by authors of the 16th-18th centuries, engravings and maps that have been preserved since the Middle Ages.

The Boston Library collection is the third largest in the United States.

Massachusetts State Capitol

Capitols in the United States are buildings in which the legislature of a city sits. In Massachusetts, the Capitol is also home to the staff of the governor of Boston.

The red brick building was designed by architect C. Balfinch on Beacon Hill. The facade of the Capitol is equipped with a portico and Corinthian columns. All this testifies to belonging to the classical style.

Old Capitol

It is the former seat of the Boston legislature. The Old Capitol is located in the center of the city. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century — on the spot where the town hall used to be.

The building is designed in the Gregorian style, which was typical for that time. City officials consider the Old Capitol to be Boston’s most historic building. In the XXI century, he turned 300 years old.

Fanel Hall

The oldest shopping center in the city appeared on the main street of Boston in the middle of the 18th century. The idea for the creation of the structure was put forward by a businessman from France — P. Feynuel. Faneuil Hall now bears his name. The building is known for the fact that S. Adams, an American revolutionary leader, once spoke in it.

Currently, boutiques are located on the first floor of the building, and an auditorium is located on the second floor, where political and public conferences, meetings and debates on important issues related to the life of the city are held.

Boston light

This Boston lighthouse lights the way for sailors and anyone who arrives at the port. The structure was installed on Little Brewster Island at the end of the 18th century. The height of the lighthouse reaches almost 30 meters. It is currently active. The Boston Light was turned off only during World War II. Since the late 60s, the lighthouse has been a historical value of America.

Longfellow Bridge

The bridge was named after the American poet who wrote the poem of the same name. The author dedicated his work to the first structure across the Charles River, which connected the city center with the University of Cambridge.

Bostonians call the bridge «the construction of salt and pepper shakers» — for the outward resemblance of the columns to these kitchen utensils. Longfellow is not a pedestrian structure — cars and trains run on it.