Overview to Boston: Travel Guide and Tourist Information

  Downtown Boston

The compact city of Boston is at the heart of what is held to be ‘American’. Old and decidedly European in style, it’s one of the country’s most quaintly atmospheric cities, as well as being known throughout the world as the seat of Harvard University.

Boston is, first and foremost, a remarkably green city, with nine parks (known as the ‘Emerald Necklace’) spread across its limits. Of these, the largest is Boston Common, a vivid strip of open space running through its center.

The Common is also the starting point of the ‘Freedom Trail’. Running to Bunker Hill, it’s a great way to see the city and learn a little about its history; the route passes key American monuments such as the State Houses and the former dwelling place of Paul Revere.

Beyond Paul Revere House lies the North End. The city’s Italian neighborhood (and full of cafés and restaurants), it’s a great place to while away an afternoon. To the west of the Common, meanwhile, the smart residential district of Beacon Hill is also well worth a visit.

When it comes to culture, the city is extremely active; the Theater District (to the south, between Chinatown and Back Bay) has plenty of entertainment options, while the Boston Museum of Fine Arts is just one of a series of excellent museums and galleries.

On the other side of the Charles River lies Cambridge, the home of Harvard – the world’s most famous university. The area is not so much the site of the university, as completely dominated by it, with the surrounding shops, cafés and bars overflowing with students.

And it’s their presence that makes Boston far from merely a stuffy historical artifact or lofty academic seat. Alongside its great museums, galleries and many, many bars and restaurants, they make Boston a thriving and thoroughly satisfying place to visit.

Search Guides