Marvel at Massachusetts' capital city, where super-swanky skyscrapers soar confidently over cobbled streets, on city breaks to Boston.

Located on the US east coast, the city of Boston is a cool and cultured destination. It’s often used as a gateway to the natural vistas of New England, especially during the autumn, or “fall”, when the trees of this glorious region take the landscape from green and lush to red, gold and orange – an utterly spectacular sight.

But don’t go anywhere before you’ve got to grips with Boston. Walk the Freedom Trail, visit the Cheers bar, shop in Faneuil Hall, tuck into fresh-from-the-sea lobster or crab, or join the locals as they cheer on one of their teams.

With its waterside café scene, sculpture-strewn parks and showy architecture, Boston is a city that mesmerises. The cobbled streets lying neatly behind the shiny yachts of Charlestown harbour give a sense of the city's colonial history. Triple decker townhouses tower over the web of wide avenues in Mission Hill and a collection of trendy art venues define nearby Roxbury. Cool bistros tempt in the Leather District and haute couture beckons in the boutique-lined avenues of Back Bay.

Flights to the city land at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). It’s easy to get into Boston from Logan airport. The MBTA Silver Line fast transit service whisks you from the airport to downtown Boston in around 10 minutes. The MBTA Blue Line subway, the speedy underground system, also connects the airport with central Boston. Most hotels provide a free shuttle bus for guests or you can take a taxi outside the terminal.

It’s also easy to get around once you’ve checked into your Boston hotel. Dedicated cycling lanes make it easy and safe to sightsee by bicycle on short breaks in Boston, while trains, buses and the subway are inexpensive and efficient ways to travel around the city. Trip planner guides are available at all stations.

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Spring, summer, autumn or winter, Boston glows whatever the weather, and short breaks can be arranged at any time. Travel in spring, when the parks and open spaces are blooming, or arrive in summer for picnics on the grass and delectable dinners on a terrace by the water. Spring temperatures range from around 12C in the daytime, while summer highs can reach towards 30C (though lows can linger around 20C in summer). Expect rainfall at any time.

In autumn, as the leaves change colour, you should anticipate a range of temperatures (from 5C at night to 20C in the day) though rainfall is less common. Winter can be snowy and freezing, though a dusting of the white stuff only adds to Boston’s good looks – and you can go skating on Frog Pond in Boston Common!

St Patrick's Day; March: Boston has a huge population of people with Irish heritage and when the city goes green in March you’ll certainly know about it! This is one of the biggest St Patrick's Day parties in the US and you’ll need to book early to secure your break during this busy time.

Chinatown Main Street Festival; June: Once the Irish party is over, the city gears up to celebrate its large Chinese community amid the colourful buzz of Chinatown. Expect acrobatics, lion dances, fashion, music, martial arts and copious amounts of delicious and authentic food.

Boston Harborfest; July: The Independence Day weekend is taken very seriously in Boston and this fantastic event caters for every kind of visitor. Historical re-enactments, free walking tours, fun for children – even a competition to find the city’s best chowder – this is one of the best places to be on and around July 4.

Families: Kids get interactive in the Science room or burn energy in the sandpits of Peep's World at the lively Boston Children's Museum. Set them challenges such as reaching the top of New Balance Climb or filling a bag at the Recycle Shop.

Active types: Collect the Boston Sports Trail route map from the tourist office or download to your mobile and set off to see where the New England Patriots play football and the Boston Bruins shoot ice hockey pucks.

Shopping: Browse for trendy trainers, silk scarves and fashionable shirts in Boston's oldest marketplace, Faneuil Hall. Snack at its cheap food stalls and watch magicians bamboozle the crowds with playing cards.

Romance: Nothing adds sparkle to a love affair like a Champagne and strawberry picnic! Pack a hamper for two and head to Boston's Emerald Necklace, a chain of parks where you can kick back beside a tree-lined river crossed by quaint stone bridges.

Free & cheap: Follow a Freedom Trail guide past the State House and Bunker Hill and be gripped by Boston's role in the American Revolution. Climb aboard the USS Constitution to glimpse high sea living.