Untitled Document
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| An
Old Fashioned Ship Floating Over Boston Harbor.1 |
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In 1630, the Puritans of
the Massachusetts Bay Colony founded Boston,
in hopes of building a Christian utopia. Its advantageous position on the harbor
and freshwater source appealed to affluent settlers who decided to name the
area after Boston, Lincolnshire, England, where many of them hailed from. It
has since been nicknamed City on a Hill, the Cradle of Liberty and the Hub of
the Universe. The city was the largest, wealthiest and most influential in America
until the 1760s. Its landscape, heritage and diversity set the stage for nation-defining
moments such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party, which was a major
instigator of the American Revolutionary War. The first public school and the
first subway in the United States
were also erected here. This clash of Puritan values and liberal rebellions
has given Boston a personality all its own.
Hundreds of years and countless
historic leaps later, the thriving city of Boston is the home of many celebrities,
politicians, universities and registered historic sites. The economy is heavily
reliant on research, finance and technology, especially biotechnology. The residents
are easily recognizable, from their non-rhotic accents, to the infamous driving
habits, to the inherent sense of pride that comes from living in such a historically
rich city. Although Bostonians are stereotypically the social elite blue bloods,
as many as one in five residents are post-secondary students. From the Kennedys
to Samuel Adams to Ben Affleck, many famous faces have called this cultural
mecca home.
An astounding 16.3 million
people visit Boston every year. With a whirlwind of attractions
and opportunities to explore, these tourists can see, learn, buy, eat and drink
just about anything. Following, is a sample of Boston's best.
BEST CITY SPIRIT
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The
Lone Red Seat Stands Out at Boston's Fenway Park.2 |
Many cities are defined
by their sports teams and Boston is certainly no exception. The beloved Red
Sox have made their city proud since they were formed in 1901. When
the Sox won their first World Series title in 86 years during the 2004 season,
mass hysteria erupted, with millions of Bostonians filling the streets for a
rolling rally. The aftershock of this joyous occasion can still be felt at Fenway
Park, the home of the Red Sox. This venue has hosted three Major League
All-Star Games and ten World Series. It is the oldest MLB stadium, and has several
unique features, including the Lone Red Seat, which signifies the Ted Williams
home run in 1946 that hit a Yankees
fan sitting in that spot. Despite plans to build a new modernized park at a
nearby site, local protest campaigns managed to save Fenway, which remains at
the heart of Boston's city spirit, where culture, discipline and pride mingle
with a sense of competition.
The Boston
Bruins also draw a large crowd of hockey fans at the TD
Banknorth Garden. This venue is also thehome of the NBA team, the Boston
Celtics. Without a doubt, sports venues are important in illustrating
a city's personality and history. Boston's arenas are a must-see for any sports
or history fan.
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| The
Old North Church on Boston's Freedom Trail.3 |
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BEST HISTORIC ATTRACTION
The city's prominent role
in American history make it a hub of historic sites and museums. The Freedom
Trail allows visitors to experience 16 major Colonial and Revolutionary
sites during a 2.5 mi (4 km) walk along a red brick path, winding through downtown
Boston. Boston
Common is the first stop on the trail. This park has been around since
1634, making it the oldest city park in the country. Over the centuries, it
has been used as a cow pasture, a Revolutionary War camp for the British, a
place for public hangings and the venue for many significant protests. It has
also been the setting for important speeches, concerts and addresses, such as
those made by Martin Luther King Jr. and Pope John Paul II.
Another important stop is
the Granary
Burying Ground, the resting place of many significant Bostonians including
Samuel Adams, a founding father, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts and a
brewer; and Paul Revere, who took the fateful Midnight Ride to warn American
Patriots of the British Army's advancement in 1775. The grave site of Mother
Goose, author of many fairy tales and nursery rhymes, is also a popular spot
for visitors. Her headstone reads “Mary Goose,” and she died in 1758.
Other stops along the trail include the Paul
Revere House, Old
North Church and the Old
State House.
For more recent local history,
the John
F. Kennedy Presidential Library is a great way to learn about America's
35th president. Born in Brookline,
which borders Boston to the east, Kennedy spent his childhood years in Boston.
The Kennedy family legacy is still felt in the city and this attraction celebrates
JFK's years in office. The architecturally unique building is located next to
the University
of Massachusetts. Official papers of the Kennedy Administration, unpublished
materials, family photographs and political memorabilia are on display here.
There is also a partial recreation of Kennedy's Oval Office, several documentary
films and frequently changing exhibits that often change their displays. Kennedy's
sailboat, the Ventura, is displayed outside during spring, summer and fall.
BEST PLACE FOR HIGHER
LEARNING
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Harvard
University is the Oldest Institution in the United States.4 |
Metropolitan Boston is home
to over 100 post-secondary institutions and 250,000 students, giving it the
nickname, Athens of America. Harvard
University is a powerhouse of tradition, in academics and athletics.
Established in 1636, the university is an active Ivy League member and has the
fourth largest library collection in the world. The daily campus newspaper,
the Harvard Crimson is one of the oldest daily publications in the country,
dating back to 1873. With an acceptance rate under ten percent, Harvard is one
of the most selective institutions in the country. The campus is located in
Cambridge, across
the Charles
River from Greater Boston. The prestigious Harvard
Square is a prime tourist destination due to its cultural significance.
Visitors can tour the university, or walk around and take in the energy and
adrenaline of the busy complex. Several theaters, museums and galleries are
located here, including the Harvard
Art Museum, which houses a diverse collection and attracts international
acclaim. The funky Proletariat
sells one-of-a-kind vintage clothing as well as skateboarding and art supplies.
Over 90 diverse restaurants grace the bustling streets of Harvard Square, notably
The Regattabar,
Boston's most popular jazz club, which hosts live performances from all over
the world, as well as the annual Regattabar
Jazz Festival.
BEST REGIONAL CUISINE
Bostonians love to eat,
and the diverse dining scene in the city reflects the cultural mosaic it has
become. Boston cuisine is known for its heavy emphasis on seafood, cream and
beans. In fact, the nickname Beantown comes from the regional popularity of
baked bean dishes. Bulkie rolls are often used instead of buns, for a crisper
taste and roast beef sandwiches and burgers served on these local favorites
are not hard to find around the city. Boston cream pie is the official state
dessert and was created at the Omni
Parker House.
The Union
Oyster House is dubbed as America's oldest operating restaurant, established
in 1826. It is appropriately located on the Freedom Trail and was the first
place where the toothpick was used in the country. The upstairs dining room
was a favorite of the Kennedys and JFK's usual booth is dedicated to his memory.
A wide assortment of high-quality oysters are served at the bar. The menu features
Boston clam chowder, gourmet baked beans, boiled fresh Boston scrod and a variety
of lobster dishes.
No visit to Boston would
be complete without seeing the bar that inspired the hit TV series, Cheers.
The Bull
and Finch Pub (known locally as Cheers) is a local institution and captures
the city's lively spirit. With two locations in town, visitors can enjoy the
Cheers ambiance, drinks and souvenirs. The menu features pub fare, including
fresh made clam chowder, Fenway-style hot dogs and an assortment of signature
drinks.
Italian food is huge in
Boston. The North End neighborhood is considered the local Little Italy, with
almost 100 Italian restaurants, high end stores and traditional coffee shops.
Italian food has come to be considered a part of Boston's local ambiance and
the best place to find it is in this beautiful, diverse neighborhood on the
harbor. Ristorante
Limoncello is definitely at the top of the heap, with their Italian
crafts and murals decor. A true family business, the staff and owners are all
related and make visitors feel like they are guests at an extravagant family
dinner. The opulent wine list encompasses anything one might need to emphasize
the gourmet menu. The pastas include black squid ink fettuccine with Maine lobster
meat, fusilli with ragu of lamb, veal and red peppers, as well as a daily risotto
special.
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| Boston's
Harborfest Includes Beautiful Fireworks Over the Harbor. 5 |
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Bostonians (and Massachusetts
residents in general) are known as the highest ice cream consumers in the country.
Anyone looking for a good cone won't have to go far in the city.
J.P. Licks is one of the city's finest, with several locations spanning
Boston. The homemade ice cream is rich, thick, and new flavors are featured
every month. The owners also acknowledge dietary restrictions with low fat and
lactose-free options. White coffee, cow trax and cake batter are some signature
flavors.
BEST LOCAL EVENT
Boston hosts several high-profile
annual events, such as the Boston
Pride Parade, Feast
of St. Anthony and the Head
of the Charles Regatta. Boston's
Harborfest Independence Day festivities are televised and draw hundreds
of thousands of viewers and attendants every year.
The Boston
Marathon, started in 1897, is the oldest marathon in the world. It coincides
with Patriot's Day on the third Monday in April, to celebrate Paul Revere's
ride. The festivities include reenactments of the famous ride and the resulting
battles of Lexington and Concord. Amidst the celebrations, the Red Sox always
have a home game at 11am, so fans can watch the marathoners as they go by Fenway
Park. Over 20,000 runners participate in the 26-mi (42-km) race every year and
the event brings as many as 500,000 spectators to the streets of Boston.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- An Old Fashioned Ship
Floating on Boaston Harbor; Boston, MA, USA
- The Lone Red Seat
at Fenway Park;Boston, MA, USA
- The Old North Church
on the Freedom Trail; Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard University
Campus ; Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harborfest Fireworks
Celebrate Fourth of July; Boston, MA, USA
