Things to do in Boston

Many of the major attractions in Boston are historical in nature, with a focus on the part this area played during the time of the American Revolution. All of these attractions and others as well, are set in this city of architectural beauty, which boasts lovely parks and gardens and is surrounded by water.

Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail extends for 2 1/2 miles, following a red line on the pavement, which links 16 historic sites related to the struggle for independence from British control, prior to the American Revolution. There are markers identifying the attractions and providing information about them - from the city centre on to the North End, and to Charlestown and the Bunker Hill Monument.

Along the way youll see Paul Reveres House, which is Bostons oldest surviving house, and home to the famous revolutionary hero, and nearby is the Old North Church where lanterns were hung to warn of British movements. The Old State House is also on the Trail: it was the seat of British colonial government and also the historic location of the reading of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. At the Old South Meeting House, Samuel Adams delivered an address prior to the Boston Tea Party and a cobblestone circle here marks the site of the Boston Massacre. The USS Constitution is docked in Charlestown: known as Old Ironsides its the oldest warship afloat. The Bunker Hill Monument, also in Charlestown, is the site of the first battle of the America Revolution, in 1775. Park Street Church is also on the Freedom Trail: it was the site of important anti-slavery speeches. The Old Granary Burying Ground and the Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall are other Revolutionary-era sites also on the trail. Although the tour is completely self-guided, free tours with guides in historic costumes are also offered by the National Park Service. Tel. + 1 617 357 8300; website: www.thefreedomtrail.org.

Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace

These two major gathering spots for visitors to Boston, are actually four buildings: Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market. The place is teeming with shoppers, diners and sightseers during the day and at night. Millions of visitors come here each year, where they are entertained by an assortment of jugglers, magicians, mimes and bands. As its almost always crowded, its recommended that you arrive either in the morning or late afternoon. Faneuil Hall is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00, and on Sundays from 12:00 to 18:00 PM. Quincy Market hours vary by shop or eatery.

Boston Tea Party Ship

The Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum is home to a replica of one of the three ships stormed by patriots in 1773 in rebellion against new taxes imposed by the British on tea. Disguised as Mohawk Indians, they boarded the ships and dumped the tea crates into the harbour. The Beaver II is an exact replica of the original Beaver I, one of the three ships involved in the Boston Tea Party. Tel. + 1 617 269 7150; website: www.bostonteapartyship.com.

John F Kennedy Library

Renowned architect I M Pei designed this striking, modern marble edifice, which has been dubbed the shining monument by the sea. Opened in 1979, the architectural centrepiece is a glass pavilion featuring 115-foot ceilings with full length windows overlooking Bostons harbour. The museum is a tribute to the life of JFK and his legacy. Video recreations of historical events provide younger visitors with a dynamic portrayal of the early 1960s. Family photographs and private writings of the president and his wife, add a personal dimension to the exhibits. Tel.: +1 617 514 1600; website: http://www.jfklibrary.org.

Cambridge

Across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge is home to two of the most prestigious universities in the US: Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Theres a vibrant atmosphere here due largely to the 30,000 students from around the world that make Cambridge their temporary home. Harvard Square is the centre of activity, reflecting the international nature of life here. All around the square are dozens of bookstores, music shops, cafs, coffee houses and restaurants. Youll also find buskers, homeless people, evangelists and political campaigners. Its a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee and soak up the atmosphere. Harvard University is situated on one side of the square. Website: www.harvardsquare.com.

Harvard University

Harvard University, established in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher learning in the US, and one of the most prestigious in the world. It has produced world-renowned economists, biologists, poets, and US presidents, such as John F Kennedy. The focal point is Harvard Yard, which is a courtyard surrounded by ivy-covered buildings dating from the 18th century. There are four outstanding museums here: the Fogg Art Museum, with its vast collection of works from the European Renaissance to the present; the Bush-Reisinger Museum; the Arthur Sackler Museum; and the Natural History Museum, which is famous for its exhibits of hand-blown glass flowers. Tel.: +1 617 495 1573; website: www.harvard.edu.

Museums

Boston boasts a large number of top-rate museums, with three of the best being the Childrens Museum, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Interactive, educational exhibits are featured at the Children's Museum, providing entertainment for kids from pre-schoolers to teens. Of particular interest are the bubble exhibit, a climbing wall, a two-storey climbing maze, a construction site and also a fun play space for toddlers. Tel.: +1 617 426 8855; website: http://www.bostonkids.org.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is housed in a magnificent Venetian-style palazzo, and boasts nearly 2000 priceless objects, including tapestries, and Italian Renaissance and 17th century Dutch paintings. The museum is a testimony to the artistic taste of this one woman. It was stipulated on her death that nothing in the museum could be changed. Tel.: +1 617 278 5166; website: http://www.gardnermuseum.org.

Bostons Museum of Fine Arts is considered one of the best in the US. Its vast galleries emphasise American painting and decorative arts, Asian treasures and European paintings - including a permanent collection of French impressionists. Particularly noteworthy is the museums collection of American art, which includes works by John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper. Tel.: +1 617 267 9300; website: http://www.mfa.org