Frommers.com Community
By Marie Morris
Once in a while, just for a moment, I get a new perspective on my adopted hometown. The sun emerges from a cloud, making the harbor glow. I can't take my eyes off the lush green of the Fenway Park outfield or the sapphire blue of the Charles River. In the Public Garden, a delighted child's laughter rings out. The familiar feels new, and I realize yet again what an endlessly fascinating city Boston is. I'd love to help you find some serendipitous moments of your own. Let's look around.
Photo Caption: Boston, Massachusetts.
Only a handful of American cities have histories as rich and varied as Boston's. A walk along the Freedom Trail will cover the highlights.
Photo Caption: A tour group on the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts.
Whether you're a lifelong fan or you've never been to a game before, the oldest park in the major leagues will capture your heart and stay in your memory. Come to a game at Fenway and cheer on the Little Leaguer next to you waiting to catch a pop-up.
Photo Caption: Fenway Park, Boston.
Boston's loveliest park is gorgeous year-round, but there's something special about the atmosphere at the the Public Garden in spring, when the bitter New England winter finally recedes. Maybe it's the sheer beauty of the beds of tulips. Or maybe it's just that the pasty-white Bostonians all seem so excited about the change of seasons.
Photo Caption: The Public Garden in Boston.
Strolling through the Museum of Fine Arts, you may find greetings forming on your lips. Hello, Degas dancer. How's everything, Vincent van Gogh? Are your teeth bothering you, President Washington? They may not be the most valuable or significant of the museum's holdings, but the most familiar ones feel like neighbors.
Photo Caption: The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.
It does't matter how much I rave about a stylish bistro or some unusual ethnic cuisine -- my out-of-town visitors want seafood, preferably of the bright-red variety, and I can't complain. Legal Sea Foods, here we come!
Photo Caption: Fresh cooked lobster at Legal Sea Foods in Boston, Massachusetts.
Picturesque Beacon Hill has been a blueblood bastion for almost 400 years. Visitors stroll the cobblestone streets and whisper: "This is exactly what I thought Boston would look like."
Photo Caption: Beacon Hill at sunset in Boston, Massachusetts.
Rush, rush, rush. Sightsee, photograph. Wait -- what's this? A cafe that serves perfect espresso? Is this the North End we've been hearing so much about? Why, yes, we really could use a break. A cappuccino would be lovely, thanks.
Photo Caption: Mike's Pastry shop in the North End section of Boston, Massachusetts.
My favorite tour is amphibious and unforgettable. Boston Duck Tours trundle around the city streets before slipping into the placid waters of the Charles River basin.
Photo Caption: The Duck Tour in Boston, Massachusetts.
You may think your town makes a big deal about the 4th of July. We celebrate for a week. Boston Harborfest is a citywide event that culminates in a free outdoor concert by the Boston Pops. Hundreds of thousands of people attend.
Photo Caption: The Fourth of July Boston Pops concert in Boston, Massachusetts.
Skip the body art and ill-fitting pants and head to Harvard Square, the heart of a city that's also an age-old, cutting-edge college town. Beyond the brick walls and wrought-iron gates of Harvard Yard is a festival of trendy shopping, gourmet ice cream (maybe that explains the baggy pants), and alfresco music.
Photo Caption: Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Boston offers unique merchandise of all descriptions at all price points. Begin with an inspirational stroll along Newbury Street.
Photo Caption: Shopping on Newbury Street in Boston, Massachusetts.
From the world-famous Boston Symphony Orchestra to the noisiest street corners, Boston's live-music scene creates a unique soundtrack. We must be spoiled, because we take it for granted.
Photo Caption: Street musicians on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts.
The best night of the year for pyro (technic) maniacs is New Year's Eve, when fireworks explode over Boston Common at 7pm and over Boston Harbor at the stroke of midnight.
Photo Caption: New Year's Eve fireworks in Boston, Massachusetts.
Once in a while, just for a moment, I get a new perspective on my adopted hometown. The sun emerges from a cloud, making the harbor glow. I can't take my eyes off the lush green of the Fenway Park outfield or the sapphire blue of the Charles River. In the Public Garden, a delighted child's laughter rings out. The familiar feels new, and I realize yet again what an endlessly fascinating city Boston is. I'd love to help you find some serendipitous moments of your own. Let's look around.
Photo Caption: Boston, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: A tour group on the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: Fenway Park, Boston.
Photo Caption: The Public Garden in Boston.
Photo Caption: The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: Fresh cooked lobster at Legal Sea Foods in Boston, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: Beacon Hill at sunset in Boston, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: Mike's Pastry shop in the North End section of Boston, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: The Duck Tour in Boston, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: The Fourth of July Boston Pops concert in Boston, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: Shopping on Newbury Street in Boston, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: Street musicians on Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: New Year's Eve fireworks in Boston, Massachusetts.