Boston

Boston has always been a favorite tourist destination, but now more than ever it is sparkling and fun. New buildings and hotels and a new expansion along the waterfront have added a great deal of activity, stores, and restaurants to the mix. The Boston Harbor Walk is a great way to view the sailboats in the harbor, to visit the Boston Aquarium, to find elegant shops and hip new restaurants. From there you can take a whale watching cruise or walk up into the North End, the Little Italy of Boston. History abounds in Boston, home of the famous Freedom Trail that connects many of the historic sites.

Top 10 Boston things to do

1. The City of Boston is synonymous with the historical and iconic Boston Tea Party, so for a real taste of the history of the city, a wander along the Freedom Trail is where you should start. The Trail has red markers throughout the city. Stop in at the Old State House and the Boston History Museum, the site of the famous Boston Massacre of 1770. Carry on to the Old South Meeting House where the Tea Party uprising began. Guided tours are available.

2. Faneuil Hall Marketplace is located in the centre of the city close to the waterfront. Also a historical building on the Freedom Trail, it is worthwhile to wander through The Colonnade on the ground floor with its incredible food stores, eateries, bars and pubs; and the photographic history of the market on the second floor Rotunda. Make time to see a show at the comedy night club in the market.

3. The Boston Public Garden is the oldest botanical garden in America, located just next to Boston Common. In summer, enjoy the beautiful trees and flowers; and a view of or a pedal in one of the famed Swan Boats on the pond.

4. The Museum of Science at Science Park is world renowned for its IMAX theatre and 3-D science movies, its planetarium and its motion simulator; as well as its amazing exhibits of dinosaurs, medical inventions and other diverse exhibits of a permanent and temporary nature.

5. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is famed for its vast collection of Monet Impressionist paintings. In fact, it houses the largest number of this artist’s works outside of his native France; and a wonderful collection of other Impressionist art. Also inspect the Chinese section with its calligraphy exhibits and Imperial Chinese paintings.

6. A museum of a different type is the Boston Beer Museum at the Samuel Adams Brewery, where one of America’s most loved beers is brewed. Take a guided tour to learn about the processes involved in beer making and sample the product at the end.

7. On another thirst quenching note, do not miss the Cheers Boston pub, which was the inspiration for the Cheers TV show. Although very touristy and quiet pricey, it is worth a visit and a good place to pick up some souvenirs.

8. The New England Aquarium is where you can see the most amazing sea life. View the Giant Ocean Tank through glass from above, or go down the staircase which curves around its perimeter to see corals, sharks, turtles, eels and many more species. The poisonous fish tank is one of the most popular attractions.

9. Even if you are not a sports lover, you should pay a visit to Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox of baseball fame. Take a guided tour of this iconic Boston site or, if a game is scheduled during your visit, take in a game.

10. Finally, take a trip to the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, which is a chain of 34 small islands within Boston’s harbour. Ferries sail to these gems of nature from the Long Wharf and from Quincy.