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Downtown
Boston Harbor |
Boston,
New England's largest city, is known for its architectural beauty and diverse
culture. This old English city has a mind-blowing number of sought after attractions,
shopping and dining opportunities, in addition to the many historical sites
and recreational possibilities. Tackling an informative and entertaining tour
of Boston can prove to be quite challenging and the toughest question is where
to begin. Selecting a tour guide is essential and there are dozens of tour companies
to choose from that explore the city upon a hill. A good approach is to select
a desired means of transportation by deciding whether to travel by air, land
or sea.
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| Customs
House at Night |
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AIR
Tours by air can offer views
from Nantucket to Salem,
and passengers on a helicopter will find that a bird's eye view will unveil
some of Boston's best-kept secrets. Visitors can view the Charles
River above the tips of sailboats and soar over trendy Back
Bay to sneak a glimpse of the Red
Sox over Fenway
Park. Glide through downtown Boston in a helicopter, past the John
Hancock Tower and other skyscrapers in the financial district. Observe
a range of architecture that reflects contrasting modern structures again historic
centuryold brick.
The hustle and bustle of Quincy
Market on a weekend afternoon can be enjoyed without line-ups, from
above and a glance of the Zakim
Bridge, the widest cable-stayed bridge in the world, is sure to inspire
any critic. Upscale Beacon
Hill unfolds around each corner with old and new state houses and trendy
restaurants and shops.Lighthouse
tours by air are also popular and enable a glimpse of all the Boston and much
of Massachusetts's lighthouses in one afternoon. Because of Boston's locale,
lighthouses are abundant and litter the coast, from Derby
Wharf Lighthouse and Fort
Pickering Lighthouse to the Hospital
Point Lighthouse, name a mere few of these historic guiding lights.
An aerial tour of Boston can provide a quick overview of this dynamic city from
a unique perspective.
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An
overview ofFaneuli Hall at Nightl |
LAND
Tours by land lend to many
options of exploration. Whether by foot, bike, trolley or bus, there is sure
to be an approach that is suitable to fulfill the curiosity of any visitor.
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| Boston's
Historic State House |
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Walking
Walking tours can range from
self-guided to fully narrated, depending on the desired level of assistance.
A leisurely tour with a narrative guide on foot along Historic Freedom
Trail is a possible option. Some guided tours can include a cast of
historic characters who paint a vivid picture of history. A tour along Boston's
historic pathway to independence must include a detour to Granary
Burying Ground, to pay respect to the final resting places of John Hancock,
Robert Treat Paine and Samuel Adams, all of who signed of the Declaration of
Independence. The Boston
Common is among the oldest public parks in the United
States, making it a definite must stop along the tour of the Freedom
Trail.
Or for a more thrilling walk, a tour of the Salem's
haunted hotspots promises to produce goose bumps, spine tingling and a racing
heart. Patrons can explore the macabre and bazaar and paranormal history of
Salem while learning details of the 1692 Witch Trial Hysteria at Salem
Witch Village.
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John
Handcock Tower |
Cycling From
urban districts to coastal terrain, cycling is another great way to tour around
Boston and whether going solo or choosing a guided tour, cycling can prove to
be an effective and efficient method of exploration. Bike trails and sidewalks
pave the way for this liberal tour, which can start wherever the heart desires.
Beginning in the seaport district offers a dramatic transformation in landscape,
in part because of the Big
Dig, a tunnel under the city of Boston, that is considered to be the
largest of its kind in North American highway projects. Cycling along the South
Boston waterfront opens opportunity to visit Castle
Island's Fort
Independence, where both Paul Revere and Edgar Allen Poe were stationed.
Harbor views are abundant during a ride around Pleasant
Bay and along Carson
Beach and while in the neighborhood a stop at the Joh
F. Knennedy Presidential Library & Museum is always informative.
For the beer connoisseurs, a brew and beach tour is always an option for a leisurely
view of Boston. Peruse the Harvard
University and campus and tour Boston's own Harpoon
Brewery and then head to Carson Beach to enjoy the view.
Bus
During the fall season, a tour of Boston can provide a pleasant temperate afternoon
passing by golden foliage and perhaps stopping at one of the several local orchards
for a sample of apples and cider.
Newport's waterfront offers both ample opportunity for street shopping and a
good selection of eateries for lunch or dinner. Newport's fishing fleet is also
worth a look; see ships from around the world docked at the marina. The views
along Beacon
Hill district offer streets lined in churches and estates, which showcase
over three centuries of Boston's history and tradition through monumental architecture.
Most bus tours allow visitors to hop on and off the bus at any one of the 20
designated stops
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| Downtown
Marina in the Charles River |
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SEA
Cruises are a great way
to explore the Boston area. Visitors can choose from any variation of cruise,
beginning at very basic and inexpensive short lunch and afternoon cruises, to
opulent all-night luxury cruises that include dinner, dancing and concerts.
Seasonal, themed and holiday cruises are also very popular.
In comparison to urban history tours, whale watching provides visitors with
a more natural view of Boston's commodities. This tour will provide a unique
glimpse into the marine life that exists as little as three hours off the shoreline.
Boston
Harbor Islands Recreation Area presents further opportunity to explore
the geographical lures and unveil the miles of sandy beaches that border the
surrounding lush islands.
OTHERS
Some other more specialized
options for touring Boston include historical tours such as Black
Heritage Trail, which encompasses memorials and historic homes in the
North Slope. The
North End Secret Tour encapsulates secret passageways and gardens of
Boston's North End Italian immigrant history. Another way to explore Boston
is through Boston
Your Way, a company that offers chauffer-driven personally customized
tours.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Boston, MA, USA.
