Places to Visit in Boston

In downtown Boston, Faneuil Hall was a significant market building and meeting hall. Faneuil Hall, often called 'the Cradle of Liberty,' was constructed between 1740 and 1742 by Peter Faneuil, a Huguenot merchant. Originally built as a market hall, it also played a significant role as a gathering place for revolutionaries during the 18th and 19th centuries. This building, constructed in the Georgian style, has served as a venue for numerous debates, protests, meetings, and political shows throughout the city's history. 

Harvard University, established in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It is widely recognised as one of the foremost academic institutions globally. Visit the Harvard Information Center for a lively and enjoyable free-walking campus tour. Led by a knowledgeable student, this tour offers a unique blend of historical facts, Harvard legends, and personal insights. 

Harvard Yard is located in Harvard Square, a vibrant centre for students, locals, and tourists. The area is bustling with various shops and bookstores and reportedly has the highest number of ice cream vendors compared to any other city in the United States.

One of Boston's oldest and most picturesque districts is Beacon Hill. The south side of Beacon Hill, established in 1795, has long been the residence of Boston's "old money" families. It is characterized by fine Federal-style rowhouses and free-standing mansions lining its winding streets with cobblestones and gaslights. At its center is Louisburg Square, where residences look out onto a lush private park. The stately, gold-domed Massachusetts State House, Suffolk University, the Nichols House Museum, a Federal-style residence designed by Boston architect Charles Bulfinch, and many more are the main draws in this area. 

Just outside the Congress Street Bridge in Boston lies a floating history museum called the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. The museum is well-known for its displays, interactive dramatizations, collection of historical items, and restored tea ships, all depicting the tale of the 1773 uprising. 

One of Boston's biggest and most famous museums is the Museum of Science, located on the Charles River's banks. This expansive science museum opened in 1830 and aims to advance science education among tourists by combining a dynamic science museum with an indoor zoo. More than 700 interactive displays, including fossils, mounted animals, rocks, spacecraft models, minerals, and the human body, are housed in the museum. 

In the heart of Boston's Faneuil Hall neighborhood, Quincy Market is a famed market housed in a historic structure. The structure, which was built between 1824 and 1826, bears the name Josiah Quincy in recognition of the mayor who oversaw its construction without incurring any debt or tax. It is a Greek Revival-style building with a rectangular shape and a large, elaborate domed pavilion. There are more than 20 restaurants and 40 kiosks inside that serve delectable cuisines. The area is well known for its dining and shopping possibilities. 

The Boston waterfront provides breathtaking views of the city skyline, completely free of charge! The area is protected and open to the public, so take advantage of it. The current length of the Harborwalk is 38 miles (61.1 kilometers), and once it is finished, it will span 47 miles (75.6 kilometers), extending from East Boston to the Neponset River. Experience breathtaking views by beginning your journey near the New England Aquarium and following the scenic walkway that leads to the front of the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse. 

Another enjoyable activity in the city is taking a stroll along the Charles River Esplanade. The leafy path, which is approximately 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) long, provides scenic views of Cambridge from the Boston side of the Charles River. You can walk, jog, or bike along the trails with the locals. Alternatively, you can rent kayaks and paddle boats to examine the river closely. Additionally, you can visit the Hatch Memorial Shell to attend various events. 

Located on the opposite side of the river from the Old North Church, you will discover the impressive and grand Bunker Hill Monument. The enormous obelisk, perched atop Breed's Hill, commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill. This significant battle took place on June 17, 1775, during the American Revolutionary War involving British and Patriot forces.

Rising to an impressive height of 220 feet, the magnificent granite monument stands above Charlestown, the city's oldest neighborhood. Surrounding the monument are lush green grounds, adding to its picturesque setting. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramas of Boston's skyline and the glittering Charles River after climbing its 294 steps to the top.

One of Boston's charming historic neighborhoods for you to explore is the North End. This neighborhood has been home to Europeans since the city was first settled in 1630. The district is now famous for its Italian American community. Its streets, which have been around for centuries, are adorned with numerous historic sites, attractions, and dining establishments.

In addition to visiting iconic landmarks like the Old North Church and Paul Revere House, visitors can enjoy a delicious meal or drink at one of the charming cafes or fantastic Italian restaurants and pizzerias in the area. In addition to its appealing architecture and public artworks, the neighborhood hosts numerous community events and festivals annually celebrating Italian culture.

The Freedom Trail, spanning three miles, takes you on a journey past and inside 16 of Boston's most significant historical monuments and sites. It is easy to follow the path by looking for the line of red bricks on the sidewalk and the footprints at street crossings. Before heading to the State House, pick up brochures on the attractions at the Visitor Center in the Boston Common.

The trail will lead you to several historically significant sites in Boston. These include the Old Granary Burying Ground, where figures such as Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock are buried. Another stop is the King's Chapel Burying Ground, Boston's oldest cemetery, which contains Governor John Winthrop's graves and two Mayflower passengers. 

Additionally, you will visit the Old South Meeting House, where influential speeches by patriots played a role in sparking the Boston Tea Party. Lastly, the trail will take you to the Old State House. This building in Boston is not only the oldest public building in the city, but it is also the location where the Boston Massacre took place. 

The Boston Common is a historic public park that was established in 1634. It holds great significance and has been recognized as a Boston Landmark by the Boston Landmarks Commission since 1977. Situated at the southern end of the Freedom Trail, this park is one of the oldest in the country. It is considered a must-visit destination in Boston tour packages. The 50-acre piece of land is a diverse space with numerous memorials, burial grounds, a children's playground, the Frog Pond, a fountain, a spray pool for children, a bandstand gazebo, and a Visitor's Center. 

The Museum of Fine Arts, established in 1870, is renowned as one of the most extensive art museums globally and ranks as the fifth-largest museum in the United States. The museum, situated in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood, boasts an exceptional collection of Impressionist paintings, ancient Egyptian treasures, fine arts from Asia and Persia, and works from ancient Greece and the Middle East. 

The museum is widely recognized for its exceptional Art of the Americas Wing, showcasing a diverse range of artwork from pre-Columbian and colonial-era pieces to contemporary art. Furthermore, the expansive museum galleries also showcase an impressive collection of Asian and Persian fine arts, ancient Egyptian mummies, and masterpieces created by European artists. The museum offers a wide range of exhibits that will captivate visitors. 

The Old North Church is thought to be Boston's most famous historic location. It gained notoriety in 1775 when Captain John Pulling, Jr., a vestryman, and Robert Newman, the church sexton, climbed the steeple with two lamps. Paul Revere used these lights to announce that the British were crossing the Charles River by ship. "One by land and two by sea." This occasion sparked the American Revolution. 

The New England Aquarium, located at the Central Wharf in Boston, is the oldest and largest non-profit aquarium. The aquarium, which was opened in 1969, features a variety of exhibits that showcase an array of sea life. Visitors can marvel at exotic jellyfish and stingrays and enjoy the playful antics of seals and penguins. 

The aquarium is home to over 20,000 fish and aquatic animals, which represent more than 600 different species. One of the main features is the Giant Ocean Tank, which holds an impressive 200,000 gallons of water and accurately replicates the coral reef environment. The tank is surrounded by a walkway that offers a close-up view of various marine creatures, such as sea turtles, barracudas, sharks, and schools of small fish.