Boston, Massachusetts, birthplace of the American Revolution, is steeped in history, yet also one of the most urban of American cities. From Fenway Park to Faneuil Hall, there's entertainment for every interest. Boston is nicknamed "America's Walking City" for good reason: City parks and esplanades can be found in every neighborhood. Communities surrounding Boston continue along the course set by the city, combining history with recreation.
Walk Through History
Those red bricks on Boston sidewalks mark the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile walk that goes past 16 historic sites, including: Boston Common, the Boston Massacre site and Paul Revere's House. The Black Heritage Trail explores 14 sites closely related to the history of free blacks living in Boston between 1783 and 1865. Pick up a guide at the Boston African American National Historic Site. The Emerald Necklace, a group of nine city parks stretching from the Charles River to Dorchester, is a 7-mile walk through 1,100 acres of green space.
Visit an Island
The Boston Harbor Islands, a part of the National Park System, are 34 small islands that together encompass 1,600 acres of land with 35 miles of undeveloped coastline. The islands feature hiking trails, campgrounds, ranger-led nature walks and kayaking tours, swimming spots and boating opportunities. Grape, Bumpkin and Lovells Islands have campgrounds for tenting within sight of downtown Boston. Ferries depart from Long Wharf North daily for the islands; visit the eco-green visitor center for information upon arrival.
Tour a Mill Town
America's other revolution, the Industrial Revolution, took place 25 miles north of Boston in Lowell, Massachusetts. Park rangers at Lowell National Historic Park lead visitors through 19th century cotton mills on walking, boating and trolley tours. The New England Quilt Museum is across from the park's visitor center and features a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. Artist James McNeill Whistler was born in Lowell; his birthplace is now the Whistler House Museum of Art.
Visit a Museum
Boston has a museum for every interest. Check out America's oldest car collection at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts. Then head over to the Sports Museum of New England. Take the whole family to the Boston Children's Museum or the Children's Museum in Easton and let the kids be kids. Get immersed in the arts at the Museum of Fine Arts or the Institute of Contemporary Art. Drop a postcard to friends back home and let them know you're going to Harvard, then check out the college's impressive Art Museum and the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
Getting Around
The Boston metropolitan area has one of the best mass transit systems in the country. With subways, buses, trains and boats, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has the region covered. Bicycles are allowed on board, and the city has plenty of bike parking; some facilities are monitored by cameras. Parking a vehicle, on the other hand, can be difficult, especially downtown and in the residential neighborhoods of Boston. In towns farther from the city center, finding a parking spot gets easier.
Member Comments