A Walkable City Steeped in History
Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and the largest city in New England, known for its role in the American Revolution, its universities and its compact, walkable centre. Founded in 1630, it is one of the oldest cities in the United States, and much of that age is still visible: brick townhouses, church spires and gas-lit lanes sit beside gleaming modern towers. The Freedom Trail, a red-brick line about 2.5 miles long, links sixteen sites from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument, making history easy to follow on foot.
Boston Common, laid out in 1634, is among the oldest public parks in the country, and the neighbouring Public Garden is famed for its swan boats and weeping willows. Beacon Hill offers cobbled Acorn Street and handsome Federal houses, while Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market bring a lively market atmosphere. For a tourist board, the combination of heritage and energy makes Boston an instantly compelling story.
Chowder, Cannoli and Fenway Evenings
Boston's food scene has real character. Creamy clam chowder, lobster rolls and fresh oysters are the New England classics, while the North End, the city's old Italian quarter, serves pasta, pastries and espresso along narrow streets. Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox since 1912, is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and a joyous way to spend a summer evening, with the Green Monster looming above left field.
Across the Charles River, Cambridge is home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, offering bookshops, museums and leafy squares open to visitors. Back Bay has Newbury Street's boutiques and the Boston Public Library, while the harbour and nearby islands offer ferry trips and sea breezes. New Jersey and Philadelphia to the south extend an East Coast itinerary, and a hotel group can offer stays from grand historic hotels to modern waterfront suites.
Read the full Boston guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitBoston.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.