Discover which of the many sides of Boston is for you. Learn about the American Revolution on a walk along the Freedom Trail or visit the galleries and skyscrapers of Downtown. Explore the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at its waterfront home. Stroll genteel college campuses and gardens before spending an evening in the world-class restaurants of the trendy Beacon Hill area.
You're never far from the water in central Boston – the major sights of Downtown and Beacon Hill cluster round leafy Boston Common park, with the Charles River on one side and Boston Bay on the other. Along the river to the east is where Bostonians go to enjoy themselves; follow them to watch baseball at Fenway Park or join them for top-notch modern dining in Back Bay.
You'll take a trip back in time on the Boston Freedom Trail, as the two and a half mile walk from Boston Common takes in star attractions. These include the Paul Revere House, a national colonial landmark and the oldest building in Downtown Boston, and the site of the Boston Massacre which was one of the precursors of the American Revolution. Head down to the bustling waterfront where sights like the ship USS Constitution (better known as Old Ironsides) jostle for your attention with fabulous fresh seafood restaurants. Don't forget to visit Newbury Street with its great architecture, open-air cafes and designer shopping.
Wander the streets of America's third-biggest Chinatown for spicy Asian food and street-market arts and crafts. Join the writers, designers and architects in South End, a popular neighbourhood dotted with elegant Victorian houses, quirky galleries and peaceful parks. Cross the Charles River for a day among the five squares of the Cambridge district. The charming home of Harvard University, it is also the setting for the city's best Japanese restaurants.
Boston's Logan International Airport is New England's busiest air hub, flying 28 million passengers a year from four terminals. The airport is three miles northeast of downtown Boston, 15 minutes by bus or seven minutes by water taxi.
