Declare your Freedom in Boston!

If you mix a sports-crazy town, with the ultimate university city and mix in a little revolution, you produce Boston! Located right on Massachusetts’s east coast by the Atlantic Ocean, Boston is one city that you don’t want to overlook. This city is vibrant with history, a fun sports culture, and great food! Boston makes my list of favourite places to visit in the United States.

Beautiful Boston Bay begs a look!

Boston was first named “Trimountaine” by the Puritan settlers referring to three ‘mountains’ that are now mostly unrecognisable but was renamed Boston after the home of several prominent settlers in Lincolnshire, England. Boston was once the largest city in North America and is full of history.

Throughout the city are remnants of this history, from the Freedom Trail to the spot where the Boston Tea Party occurred.

The closest airport is Boston Logan International Airport. The easiest way to reach downtown from the airport is to either take the metro called the ‘T’ (blue line), the Logan Express Bus, or a taxi. It’s also easy to order an Uber or Lyft from the airport, both of which are used frequently in Boston. If you aren’t going to travel afar, then I recommend you do not rent a car. Boston is centuries old and its roads are not the widest. Couple that with a lack of parking and you’ll thank me if you skip the rental car.

Here’s a Pro-tip: You should purchase a Charlie Card if you plan to travel around Boston using public transportation. The T and public buses are quick and reliable, so purchasing a visitor Charlie Card will save you money and time during your trip.

Boston is filled with so many great places, it is difficult to narrow down which you should visit. Here are some you won’t want to miss:

• Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market are located downtown and are busier than other places in the city, but this is where you should go for any shopping needs! If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during the season, you may attend the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which is one of the city’s most-loved events.
• To relax, head over to Boston Commons, the largest park in the city. It’s located directly downtown and filled with lots of benches and spots lay out while people watching. Plus, the dramatic Boston skyline unfolds all around. Be sure to check out the many food trucks. Cookie Monster is hands-down the tastiest and serves up scrumptious ice cream sandwiches!
• Art fans should check out the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the iconic Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), both of which are right in Boston’s Fenway neighbourhood. Visit the MFA on a Wednesday evening after 4 p.m. to enter for free!

  Tell me, did you ever hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere?
• For the best view of Boston, visit the Prudential Center, and take the elevator to the Skywalk Observatory. This costs a small fee, but it is very much worth it, especially if you can try to visit at night to see the city lights. There are exhibits showing important aspects of Boston’s history.
• Newbury Street is the perfect place to spend an afternoon amongst the beautiful brownstone buildings of Boston. These are all shops, with some of them being larger department stores such as Nike while others are local, like Newbury Comics. If you happen to be visiting during the Boston Marathon, this is usually the perfect place to watch because it’s around the corner from the finish line.
• To learn more about Boston’s history, be sure to visit the Massachusetts State House and walk the Freedom Trail. There are also fun guided tours called Duck Boat Tours, which will introduce new visitors to the city’s history!

You’re on the right trail in Boston!

• There are 44 colleges and universities in Boston including the iconic Harvard University, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”), Boston University and University of Massachusetts – Boston (“UMass”). The campuses of all of these schools are beautiful and decorated with parks and sculptures.

• Boston is a huge sports city, so you’ll want to catch a game. The most iconic team is the Red Sox who play home games at Fenway Park. Other teams in the area to watch if you visit depending on the sports season include the Celtics, Boston Bruins, and New England Patriots.

Here’s another Pro-tip: tickets can be pricey if you buy them ahead of time, but if you wait to buy tickets right before the game starts, you might catch a big discount!.

Boston is a foodie’s paradise! This city is home to some of the best places to eat in America. Here are some of my favourites:

• Boston Burger Company is the place to visit if you want the quintessential American burger experience. It serves giant burgers with unusual toppings, including mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and even banana! They also have enormous milkshakes topped with slices of cake.
• An affordable restaurant that is a top pick is Roxy’s Grilled Cheese. This iconic restaurant was featured on The Great Food Truck Race (a hit reality show in America) about ten years ago. It sells great grilled cheeses in numerous flavours, and its Cambridge location has an arcade for enjoying some leisure time.

• Seafood is excellent and one of the foods for which the city is most famous. One such restaurant that serves delicious seafood is Union Oyster House. It’s located right downtown too, so it’s super easy to reach.

Make sure to review the contract claws closely!

Here’s a final Pro tip: Oftentimes, these restaurants are bustling on the weekends, so call ahead and reserve a spot right before you arrive. Alternatively, enjoy a weekend lunch or visit during the weekdays instead. The food is just as delicious no matter when you eat!

Since Boston is a large city, there are many great places to relax and party, including pubs, bars, and clubs. Here are a few of the best venues to relax in the city:

• House of Blues – This is the perfect place to visit for live music. It’s conveniently located right across the street from Fenway Park and is quite cozy, so you always feel close to the artist no matter where you are seated.
• Bleacher Bar – Bars are abundant, but Bleacher Bar sticks out as a favourite. It’s a sports bar, but it is also a fun place to char with local residents
• The Grand – Popular international artists have performed at this exciting venue over the years, and it is decorated with great animations from Steve Aoki. This is continuously named as one of the best nightclubs in the city!
• Symphony Hall – Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops both perform here. They have lots of shows, but you’ll want to book your tickets ahead of time.

There is a multitude of fun and funky local hotels and bed and breakfasts throughout Boston. Here are some of my favourites:

• The Verb Hotel is a unique accommodation in Boston’s Fenway neighbourhood. It is located right around the corner from the park. The hotel is vintage-themed, and there’s a fantastic Japanese-style pub attached.
• Harborside Inn was previously a warehouse and has since turned into a comfortable and convenient hotel. It’s located right on State Street, which is one of Boston’s main streets, so it is centrally located to visit the city. The rooms are beautiful and packed full of amenities.

Boston is a fantastic place for a city-break particularly if you’re interested in history. It feels like freedom! You’ll have a great time visiting!

Love,

Isabella