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Things to See & Do in Boston
Guide to Sightseeing
in Boston
The Go Boston Card gives you
free entry to over 60 attractions, as well as shopping and dining
discounts, free tours and a guidebook:
1 day: USD45, adults; USD25, children
2 days: USD75, adults; USD35, children
3 days: USD95, adults; USD45, children
5 days: USD115, adults; USD55, children
7 days: USD135, adults; USD65, children
The Freedom
Trail
Beginning at the Boston Common information booth and concluding at
the 200-year-old USS Constitution warship (Tel: +1 (1)617-426-1812)
and the Bunker Hill Monument (Tel: +1 (1)617-242-5641) the trail
takes in 16 sites noted for their role in the US's "journey towards
freedom" in the 1700s.
Intervening sights include the Old State House and the Old North
Church at 193 Salem Street. You can visit both when open, and
services are still held in the church. Apart from when there are
special events or exhibitions, all Freedom Trail sites are free to
enter, and you can easily guide yourself using a pocketbook guide.
National Park Service Rangers give free guided tours along the trail
from May-Sep, Tel: +1 (1)617-242-5642. The Freedom Trail Foundation
offers general information and leads tours by colonial-era-costumed
characters, cost: USD12, adults; USD6, children. Tel: +1
(1)617-357-8300.
Boston Common
America's first public park, some 50 acres of it, has been retained
as a recreational ground for the people of Boston. Up until 1830,
the history books will tell you, the common was still used for
grazing cattle and 55 years prior to that this was the site of the
British army encampment prior to the outbreak of the American
Revolution.
Nowadays the only occupying force is families picnicking or playing
on the vast swathes of grassland. In summer the park offers free
outdoor theatre, tennis courts, children's wading pool, and paved
paths for walking. Through winter skating doesn't get more scenic
than on the Frog Pond public rink here, in view of the gold-domed
State House.
Park St and Tremont. Admission: free, but certain activities carry a
charge. Tel: +1 (1)617-635-2120.
 Faneuil
Hall and Market
Boston's marketplace for two and
a half centuries Faneuil Hall and Market has been at the centre of
everything that's gone on in the city in modern times. Revolutionary
orators such as Samuel Adams spoke here, inspiring the independence
movement that eventually saw the British repelled from the US.
Although the second floor is still used for debates by the local
government, nowadays the whole complex has been much modernised and
the experience of Faneuil today is half shopping experience and half
entertainment. The cobblestoned pedestrian walks attract jugglers,
musicians, and other entertainers, while street barrows offer
passers-by a range of arts, crafts and souvenir items. The adjoining
marketplace, Quincy Market, once the place to purchase live animals
for food now houses an international food court plus upscale shops,
bars, and restaurants.
Park Rangers offer historic talks daily, 09h00-17h00. Tel: +1
(1)617-523-1300.
Harbor Islands
National Park
 Take
in a taste of nature, history, or simply the scenic view of 34
diverse islands within 10 miles of the Boston waterfront. Harbour
ferries and water taxis transport visitors all over the archipelago,
and it is possible to take tours with qualified guides who will fill
you in on the varied history of the islands.
The islands were once the basis for Boston's extensive coastal
defences and many of them still contain the ruins of forts, most
notably Fort Warren on George's Island.
Other notable islands include Great Brewster, home to the country's
oldest lighthouse, and Thompson Island, famous for its wildflowers,
salt marshes, and seabirds.
Ferries operate May-Sep, through Boston Harbor Cruises at Long
Wharf. Tel: +1 (1)617-227-4321. There is also a more limited
schedule from Hingham and Hull. For island information, including
tours, camping, and other recreational possibilities, Tel: +1
(1)617-223-8666.
Esplanade
The Esplanade is a long, grassy park meandering along the scenic
Charles River within walking distance of Beacon Hill and Boston
Public Garden.
Free entertainment is offered regularly at the open-air Hatch Shell
during warm weather, including the Boston Globe Jazz Festival,
"oldies," rock, and symphony concerts, dance programs, and ethnic
festivals. It's the perfect place to bike, roller skate, toss a
frisbee, enjoy a free performance, or just watch the boats sail by.
For the schedule call the Mayor's Office of Special Events, Tel: +1
(1)617-635-3911.
 Harvard
University & Harvard Square
New England is known for its fine educational institutions and
Harvard College is the one that started it all. "Harvard Square"
isn't really a square at all. Instead it refers to the vibrant
neighbourhood of coffeehouses, shops, restaurants, movies, street
entertainers, and general buzz of activity surrounding the Harvard
campus.
Walking among the ivy-covered red brick buildings is an extremely
pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. If you've time it's well
worth visiting the college's museums including the Sackler Art
Museum (32 Quincy St. Tel: +1(1)617-495-9400) and the Museum of
Natural History (26 Oxford St. Tel: +1 (1)617-495-3045), with its
extensive range of specimens.
Cambridge. Major streets to explore include Brattle, John F Kennedy,
and Massachussets Ave.
Museum of Fine
Arts
Boston's massive Museum of Fine Arts is housed in a splendid period
building. Inside, the high-ceilinged galleries contain literally
thousands of paintings, sculptures and miscellaneous objet d'art.
The collection is largely made up of objects bequeathed to the
museum by Boston's wealthy citizens of the last 130 years.
Permanent galleries dedicated to African, European and Ancient art
include such notable items as the largest collection of Monets found
outside Paris. There is a permanent programme of special exhibitions
and events to support the museum's ongoing growth as a world class
artisic venue.
465 Huntington Ave.
Open: daily 10h00-16h45 (until 21h45 Wed-Fri).
Admission: USD15 adults; USD6.50, children.
Tel: +1 (1)617-267-9300.
Isabella
Stewart Gardner Museum
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is housed in a Venetian-style
"palace". Its philanthropic creator first threw open its doors in
1903, dedicating the building, courtyard and her private collection
of over 2,500 works of art to the "education and enrichment of the
public forever".
The items on show read like a who's, who of European and American
art. You can visit Rembrandts, Michelangelos, Boticellis, works of
John Singer Sargent and Whistler. An archive of writtern material
includes correspondence from such notables in the world of
literature and art as TS Eliot and Dante. Even without this dazzling
array of exhibits the courtyard would be a perfect draw, its
secluded ambience creating an air of perfumed refinement.
A full programme of extra events augments the collection, with the
courtyard being an ideal venue for classical music recitals or
informative lectures on the arts and architecture.
280 the Fenway.
Open: Tue-Sun 11h00-17h00.
Admission: USD10 (USD11 on weekends).
Tel: +1 (1)617-566-1401.
Arnold
Arboretum and Boston Public Garden
The oldest arboretum in the country, the Arnold encompasses over 250
acres of pristine parkland. 100-year-old trees and collections of
spring-blooming lilacs are highlights in the extensive grounds - but
you should note that eating in the park is forbidden. Open year
round, sunrise to sunset, at Center Street and the Arborway, Jamaica
Plain.
The Public Garden in the centre of the city is arguably Boston's
finest park, and that's saying something. Spring is the time to
visit, when the park is carpeted in new blooms. The most famous
feature are the swan boats, pedal powered catamarans that sail the
lagoon. They are named for the large artificial swan which forms the
seat of each "captain" - the man who does the pedalling. Swan boats
sail all through summer, starting in April, and a 15-minute cruise
costs USD2. Whether the swans are sailing or not, the garden makes a
great spot for a picnic or a stroll past historic statues,
fountains, and fragrant rose gardens. Between Arlington, Charles,
and Beacon Sts.
Cheers
Of all the historical events that have occurred in Boston over the
centuries, for many people the city is famous for one thing only,
the popular long-running TV show, Cheers. The bar where "everybody
knows your name" can still be visited in the city, at Beacon Hill
(84 Beacon St). It's called the Bull and Finch and although it
inspired the TV series it actually looks nothing like the TV bar.
You need to go to Faneuil Hall to the Cheers bar to get the "real"
thing - they have opened a replica there.
Whichever one you choose (the "real" one that doesn't resemble the
bar or the "fake" one that does) sitting in Cheers and ordering a
beer or two is today as essential a tourist activity as visiting the
home of Paul Revere or any of the other revolutionary sites of the
city. Naturally there's plenty of TV memorabilia in each besides
beer and an extensive bar menu - which included the 16oz "Norm
Burger", finish it and you'll get your name on their hall of fame.
In all honesty there are better (and cheaper) pubs in the city, but
you can't argue with the box office. Be prepared to wait in line for
entrance, these are some of the most popular places in Boston.
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