from
WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
 |
| The
Boston Skyline |
|
The allure of Boston
is complex. The combination of conservative beginnings, a rebellious past, and
a progressive future mingle together, creating a cosmopolitan air. The enchanting
winding streets with lantern lighting and brick town homes are characteristic
of 'Old World' Europe. Numerous parks and green spaces exist in this physically
small city, creating a feeling of openness, despite its high density. A simple
walk around the core area of Boston will give the visitor several slices of
American history. With over 50 colleges and universities in the area, Boston
is the hub of educational excitement. Added to this is the Bostonian love of
sports, evident by the packed venues for the professional sports teams and the
world famous Boston
Marathon .
HISTORY
The Puritans named Boston
after a town in Lincolnshire, England,
honoring their roots by bringing the name to the new world. Boston quickly became
an important port for many reasons, some of which include the narrow entrance
into the harbor which allowed for easy defense, and the waters were generally
ice free all year.
It would take a historian
many days to recount the significant events that occurred in Boston and area,
many of which forged the nation. A stroll down the Freedom
Trail will highlight many of the important scenes of the start and events
of the revolution. Another important walk is the Black
Heritage Trail, which documents the struggles of African-Americans in
the Boston area.
A significant event demonstrating
resistance to the British tax law, and ultimately British rule, occurred in
1773: the Boston Tea Party. King George III and the British Parliament allowed
British merchants to bring in their tea untaxed, thus undercutting the price
of the local merchants. A group known as the ‘Sons of Liberty’ dressed up as
Mohawk Indians, jumped on board three of the British shipping vessels, and proceeded
to hurl the tea overboard into the harbor. The Tea Party and the Boston Massacre
- where British soldiers gunned down five civilians during a scuffle, are believed
to have instilled revolutionary thoughts in the colonials.
In the late1700s to the
mid-1800s, Boston was booming, both commercially and industrially. Shipbuilding,
maritime trading, and textile manufacturing were lucrative ventures. The boom
later subsided when much of the manufacturing moved to the South.
| |
 |
| |
Boston
Buildings - Old and New |
The Irish Potato Famine
in the mid 1800s, brought thousands of Irish immigrants to the Boston area,
an influx that the city was unprepared for. The Irish became influential in
the social and political fiber of the city, and were later followed by many
other immigrants, including those from Italy,
Portugal and Turkey. Today, there is no such thing as an archetypical Bostonian:
even the distinctive accent has thinned out. Academics, high tech industries,
medical research, and tourism are the largest sectors contributing to the economy.
CLIMATE
The weather of Boston is
variable: the summers are hot and humid the average high temperature is around
80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) and last roughly from June to August.
The winter season, November to February, can be quite wet and chilly temperatures
average in the early 40s Fahrenheit (Four degrees Celsius). Snow frequently
occurs during the winter months. City services effectively deal with snowfall,
keeping streets clear to prevent interruption in traffic flow. Spring and autumn
are typically the most pleasant in terms of climate, but also the most popular
times for visitors. As a rule, be prepared for some rain.
TRANSPORTATION
Boston is often referred
to as the ‘walking city’ as many of the key sights are fairly close to each
other. An alternative to walking is the Massachusetts
Bay Transportation Authority, the oldest transportation system in the
nation. MBTA offers subway lines (including the Blue Line, the first subway
line in the world to go under the sea), commuter rail lines, bus routes, and
boat routes. Additionally, taxis are abundant. A note for motorists: driving
in Boston can be bewildering, and parking spaces are in short supply. In the
inner city areas it is best to walk, or use taxis and transit.
To reach Boston by air,
fly into Logan
International Airport, situated just across Boston Harbor from the city
center. Many major airlines from around the world provide service to this airport,
with flights to many major world destinations. Over five bus lines run through
the central terminal, providing good interstate and long distance bus service.
Amtrak
provides rail service to the city: Boston is an important part of Amtrak's corridor
service to New York and Washington
D.C.
ATTRACTIONS
 |
| Boston
Common looking towards Downtown |
|
Boston
Common
The country’s oldest public
park is situated on 48 acres in the heart of the city, and was once the common
area for locals to graze their cattle. Later it was the location for public
floggings and hangings, and also served as a camp for British soldiers. Today,
one can observe children playing in the playground, public gatherings, entertainment,
and monuments.
Freedom
Trail
To capture the essence of
colonial revolutionary Boston, a visit to 16 of the most famous sights in Boston
via the Freedom Trail is the place to begin. The roughly three mile (4.8 km)
trail takes a minimum of three hours to view, but most people allow extra time
in order to further delve into the history the sights have to offer. Included
on the trail is the Old
State House, where in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read
from the balcony, and where the Boston Massacre occurred. The museum inside
the building is of particular interest to history buffs, as it is home to John
Hancock’s coat and revolutionary weapons.
| |
 |
| |
The
USS Constitution - "Old Ironsides" - Boston |
The last stop of the tour
is the USS
Constitution, known as "Old Ironsides" because canon balls bounced off
the thick wooden walls of its hull in the War of 1812. One can also peek at
the grave of Elizabeth Goose, said to be the legendary author Mother Goose,
in the Granary
Burying Ground. The Freedom Trail is marked with red lines and is easy
to follow, thus a self-guided tour should be sufficient. Guided Walking Tours
are available, and many trolley tours make stops at the sights.
Boston
Duck Tours
The lively tour guides of
this roughly 80 minute tour are not outshined by their vehicles: World War II
amphibious vehicles that cruise on the street through the various sights and
neighborhoods and then slip into the waters for the final portion. The tours
are very popular, so it is advisable to get tickets early (they are sold in
advance). Dress appropriately, as these are open-air vehicles.
Museum
of Science
One day may not be enough
for this mammoth science park. The numerous exhibits, the Mugar Omni Theater,
and the Charles Hayden Planetarium combine to produce a scientific extravaganza
of merit. This attraction is a favorite for families because of the approximately
600 interactive displays.
Museum
of Fine Arts
From Egyptian art to contemporary
photography, the Museum of Fine Arts offers something of interest to all its
visitors. Of particular note is the strong focus on American paintings, featuring
exhibits from Fitz Hugh Lane and Martin Johnson Heale. Other collections include
European Art to the 1900s, the Art of Oceania, Asian Art and African Art. Additionally,
concerts are often held in the courtyard.
Shopping
Shopping in Boston is an
experience in itself. Faneuil
Hall Marketplace is comprised of Faneuil Hall (originally a public meeting
house), Quincy Market, and North and South Market buildings. The marketplace
is popular for upscale shopping, window browsing, and pleasant eateries. Newbury
Street is renowned for the trendiest shops and cafes, and Copley
Place offers a multitude of extravagant stores.
Along with the visits to
Bloomingdale’s,
Macy’s,
and Filene’s,
a shopping expedition would not be complete without a stop at Filene’s Basement.
Here one can get a wonderful deal on items from the country’s finest stores,
as they are marked down until sold. Another area for the provident shopper is
Washington Street, where one can purchase everything from jewelry to sports
cards.
WORTH A VISIT
Cambridge,
directly across from Boston on the Charles River, is home to two of the most
renowned universities in the world: Harvard
University and the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT). One feels enlightened simply by gazing
on the buildings, as well as exploring their museums and exhibits. Harvard
Square is considered quite hip, with a medley of restaurants and shops.
Many buskers can be found performing on the streets on warm evenings.
 |
House
of Seven Gables, Salem, Mass.
Northwest Territories |
|
Approximately 20 miles (32
kms) northeast of Boston is the tranquil community of Salem.
Most people immediately conjure up images of rampant witchcraft and horrific
punishments for such practices. True, many people were accused of practicing
the black arts, and several were subsequently executed as a result of the infamous
Salem Witch Trials. However, Salem offers other notable attractions. At the
House
of Seven Gables, escaping slaves used a stairwell passage to the Underground
Railway. The historical house also served as inspiration to Nathaniel Hawthorne
to write his famous novel of the same name. The Salem
Maritime National Historic Site depicts the strong maritime history
of the area. If a look at the eerie side of this hamlet is desired, such sights
as the Witch
Dungeon Museum, the Salem
Witch Museum, and the less factual Museum
of Myths and Monsters (devoted to creepy creatures in general) may be
in order.
Whether to experience the
energy of the city or to explore the history, Boston and its surrounding area
offer an experience to suit any ones tastes, regardless of budget, interests,
or age.
