Financial District skyline, Boston

Financial District skyline, Boston
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Why Boston is the perfect place for everyone to explore

There's more to Boston than just clam chowder and the Red Sox although we have to admit they are both pretty impressive! Here are five reasons to visit the largest city in Massachusetts.

1. History

Start with the history of Boston and visit Boston Common, the splendid central public park in the city centre. Dating back to 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States, consisting of 50 acres of land. It was initially used to herd cows, the British army camped there before the American Revolutionary War in 1775, Martin Luther King Jr and Pope John Paul II have given pivotal public speeches there, and it continues to be a drawcard for public protests, meetings, concerts and leisure. It is the starting point of the Freedom Trail, where history buffs can follow a 4 km path through central Boston that passes by 16 locations significant to the history of the United States. Families with young children will enjoy the Frog Pond – a splash pool in the summer and skating rink in the winter. Adjacent to the Common are the Boston Public Gardens, famous for the “Make Way for Ducklings” statues that kids adore to climb and photograph.

Nestled behind the iconic gold dome of the Massachusetts State House, Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s oldest settlements. Take a stroll and admire the Federal-style brick houses, antique shops, art galleries, cafés and boutiques along the narrow gaslit cobblestone streets of this historical neighbourhood, which is generally regarded as one of the most desirable and quaint in Boston.

2. Sports

Sports are a major part of the city's culture, and Boston is home to several first-class teams: the Boston Red Sox (baseball), Boston Bruins (hockey), Boston Celtics (basketball, incidentially Massachusetts is where the sport was invented), and New England Patriots (American football). Even visitors who are not sports-obsessed will enjoy the energy and passion of a Boston Red Sox game in Fenway Stadium complete with a beer and 'Fenway Frank' (a hotdog that has been boiled, then grilled, topped with relish and mustard).  

For those interested in watching a basketball or hockey game, the Celtics and Bruins both play in the TD Garden, which is also the venue for The Sports Museum, a half-mile exhibition of New England sports history and memorabilia. The Charles river, which separates Boston from Cambridge, is home to the largest regatta in the world – the 2-day regatta takes place every October with 11,000 international athletes rowing more 1,900 boats in 61 events.

3. Water

Water seems to be a stone's throw away from everywhere in Boston. The magnificent Atlantic Ocean is just beyond Boston Harbour, influencing the tempestuous weather patterns, leisure activities and supplying the delectable cuisine. Boston’s waterfront can be enjoyed in many ways from walking along the Harborwalk, a near-continuous, 43-mile linear park along Boston’s shoreline, or take a harbour cruise around the Boston islands and indulge in whale watching. Its position along the Atlantic allows local restaurants to lure diners with the promise of lobsters, cod, clam chowder and oysters. And of course the New England Aquarium is a must for marine life enthusiasts.

4. Art

Boston is home to a thriving and varied art scene with many inspiring sites to visit. The Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art and SoWa Design District are just the starting point. Less than 20 miles north of Boston, the Peabody Essex Museum is home to one of the largest art collections in New England (around 1.8 million works in total). The backbone of the museum’s stock is maritime art, but there is also African, American, Asian, Native American and Oceanic art to admire. The deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park is devoted to modern art and houses some of the most cutting-edge contemporary art in the area. The collection extends to the 30 acre grounds, with giant sculptures set among towering trees making it New England’s largest art park. Timed with the return of students, the Boston Art Festival takes over every September, while many of the city’s colleges and universities showcase student art throughout the year.

5. Wine

Wine lovers have an abundant choice of wine bars, independent wine shops, festivals, and even wineries to visit around Boston. Voted the Best Wine Bar in Boston 2022, Nathálie is a stylish new natural wine bar offering an excellent selection of organic, natural and minimal intervention wines paired with light and flavourful dishes. For a more classic setting, Bin 26 Enoteca in Beacon Hill offers 60 wines by the glass and over 200 by the bottle to be enjoyed with small plates and seasonal dishes.

There is a Coastal Wine Trail which includes 14 local wineries spanning southeastern New England for those interested in seeing local wine production first-hand. The Boston Wine & Food Festival is an annual event in the Boston Harbour Hotel offering themed weekends and intimate winemaker-hosted dinners, luncheons, tastings, seminars, and more. Bauer Wine & Spirits, located at 330 Newbury Street, has been serving the Boston area for over 60 years. They are knowledgeable, passionate and very friendly offering to help navigate their outstand international and local selection. For anyone tempted to revisit their student days, where better than Boston to join a wine course or evening wine tasting at the Commonwealth Wine School

Boston’s collegiate atmosphere is perhaps what makes it one of the most diverse, intellectual, and dynamic cities in the US. It has more than 30 universities or colleges, and the world-famous Harvard and MIT are just across the river in Cambridge. Take inspiration from the student vibe and explore the city through your favourite passions.

Victoria Daskal
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