A melting pot of old and new, Boston has the charm and verve of a cultural centre, but with the flair of an ultra modern city thanks to its busy streets, impressive skyscrapers and packed highways. For a city filled with historic architecture, a holiday in Boston will allow you to experience the youthful vibrancy that emerges from more than 50 colleges and universities in the local area, with an energetic nightlife, many lively daytime attractions and a nearby ski resort. The best times to visit are from late May to September, when days are warm and nights are cool, and all of the attractions are open. Though the winters are cold and snowy, many are drawn to the sight of the city hidden under a white blanket. Journeys take about seven hours with flights to Boston daily from the UK.
| great for families with a wealth of activities to enjoy... |
Best for...
Historical Boston and its neighbouring ski resorts have plenty to keep holidaymakers happy...
Boston is a gateway to New England and is great for families with a wealth of outdoor activities to enjoy including spending lots of time on the piste. The bustling city life is better suited to couples and single travellers who want an active holiday exploring one of the largest and most important cities in the world, and for history buffs this is the leading city in America. Partygoers will also be drawn to the area as its massive student population means that nights are regularly long and heavy, though there is real diversity available after dusk with many highbrow offerings.
What to do...
Though much of Boston is modern, it has earned the nickname the 'walking city' because a quick stroll will introduce you to many active remnants of its colonial past. Boston is packed with museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, with its extensive galleries, the Museum of Comparative Zoology, which is full of 'stuffed' birds and animals, along with the John F Kennedy Library and Museum, which is an architectural masterpiece with its massive glass pavilion. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a Venetian-style palazzo filled with outstanding works of art, while there is even a Children's Museum with many interactive exhibitions to keep youngsters quiet and happy!
The Boston Tea Party was one of the most iconic moments in the American civil war and you can visit Beaver II, an exact replica of the famous ship involved in the Tea Party incident, along with its museum. In addition, as the city is renowned for keeping you on foot its unsurprising that two of Boston's biggest attractions are walking tours. Both of them begin from the country's oldest public park, Boston Common, with the Freedom Trail exploring the city's revolutionary past, and the Black Heritage Trail highlighting the role Boston played in anti-slavery.
Exploring Boston gives you the ideal opportunity to shop and the malls are notoriously competitive so it can make sense to shop around for a bargain before you buy. With everything from clothes shops to antiques, patisseries to bakeries, you'll never run short and there are large savings to be made particularly at Filene's basement in Downtown Crossing.
For a taste of more modern culture you might wish to head to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, or visit the Cheers bar, on which the famous 1980s sitcom was based. The restaurant above the Cheers bar is also a great place to grab something to eat, and is famed for Bloody Marys, seafood and brunch. The Top of the Hub restaurant is another great place for a meal before you head for a night out.
Boston Harbour is packed with 34 islands, many of which are open to the public if you feel like enjoying a nature trail or sandy beaches, with guided tours available from George's Island, a 19th Century fort that has become the hub for transportation. A short trip across the Charles River will introduce you to Cambridge, the home of Harvard University and its surrounding square, which is full of coffee shops, music cafes and restaurants. With its high student population this is one of the best areas to enjoy a night out, especially at the so-called Enormous Room, which is filled with oriental rugs and lavish pillows.
Finally, don't forget to explore the slopes near Boston, with Killington about a three-hour drive away and the largest ski resort on the east coast of America. There are Meet the Mountains tours, more than 200 trails and a number of restaurants and bars if you prefer to people watch rather than test out the skis or snow tubing!
Related links:
Boston City Breaks
