Boston is one of America’s most historic cities--home to the Sons of Liberty including Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Paul Revere and John Hancock, to name a few. These historic patriots helped to lay the foundation for the Democratic society in the United States today. Boston honors its famous sons throughout the city with landmarks, museums and cultural centers. For the budget-minded traveler, Boston offers a multitude of activities both contemporary and historical to leave you entertained as well as educated.
Historical Eats
In 1763 Faneuil Hall was completed for the second time after burning to the ground. The first floor was a marketplace much like today, while the second floor was a large meeting room. This meeting room is where Sam Adams and other patriots met and discussed the issue of taxation without representation. Faneuil Hall became known as the Cradle of Liberty. Today visitors can walk the halls lined with an eclectic mix of shops and food stalls, including many serving up healthy fare. More than 16 million visitors a year flock to Faneuil Hall to dine on New England fare.
Hiking the Freedom Trail
A 2.5-mile hike through downtown Boston is a historical walk like no other. The hike starts at the visitor center in Boston Commons where you will follow a red line to various interesting landmarks. You will pass the gold-domed Massachusetts State House built by Charles Bullfinch. Next is the Park Street Baptist Church and Old Granary Burial Grounds. Here you will find the tombstones of Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams and the real Mother Goose, Elizabeth Foster Goose. The Freedom Trail brings you past other historic sites like the Old North Church where the lantern signal “One if by land, two if by sea” sparked Paul Revere’s famous ride. The hike ends at the Bunker Hill Monument, the tallest monument in America until the construction of the Washington Monument in 1885.
Relax in the Park
Boston Common is America’s oldest park. This is an inviting place to stroll the gardens or just relax in the summer sun watching Shakespearean Theater. The frog pond is a popular wading pond for children in the summer and a skating rink in the winter, offering opportunities to get outside and exercise. Boston Common is part of the Emerald Necklace, a system of parks throughout the city of Boston. The Parkman Bandstand hosts several concerts throughout the year.
Swan Boats in Public Gardens
The Swan Boats ride of Public Gardens is the icon of Boston outdoors. This favorite with children and adults alike has been popular since the 19th century. The same family has been operating the Swan Boats since 1877. The 15-minute boat ride has become so popular that the original eight passenger boats have been upgraded to 20 passenger boats. A leisurely trip through the garden waterway offers a plethora of botanical wonders.
Attend a Lecture
Boston is one of the leading academic cities in America. Finding an interesting topic is easy with so many options to choose from. The New England Aquarium Lecture Series sponsors free lectures to everyone. Here you can learn about how the sea assists in keeping people healthy and marine life research for medicine and food sources. The Museum of Science offers lectures from renowned scientists and researchers who inform the public of the development of medical and scientific research.
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