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Boston

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Boston
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Boston Travel Guide

  • About Boston
For all intents and purposes, Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, is the oldest city in United States. Founded in 1630, its winding streets and stately architecture recall a legacy that is unmatched in the US, including key moments from the American Revolution, the abolition of slavery and the founding of the country’s first university, newspaper and labour union.But Boston’s notable past doesn’t mean that the city is backward looking. Quite the contrary, it remains pioneering in intellectual and entrepreneurial fields, its historic universities attracting the very best scientists, philosophers and writers from around the world. What’s more, the city continues to foster a rich cultural life, offering visitors a bewildering array of lectures, music gigs, poetry slam sessions and symphony concerts to choose from.Divided into distinct and characterful districts, Boston is a small city. It’s easy to walk around and public transport is extremely efficient. Begin at Boston Common, where you’ll find the tourist office and the start of the Freedom Trail. Rising above the Common is Beacon Hill, the city’s most historic and affluent neighborhood. To the east is Downtown with a mix of Colonial sights and high-rise, modern office blocks. North of Beacon Hill, across the broad Charles River lies pretty Cambridge, home to Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).To get an overview of the city ascend the Skywalk Observatory on the 50th floor of the towering Prudential building. From here you’ll be able to look out over the Harbor and to the islands beyond, where day-trippers escape to enjoy whale-watching cruises and lazy afternoons at one of the 30-odd islands in the bay.With its mix of cutting-edge museums and galleries; historic cultural sites; sophisticated restaurants and shopping; fantastic outdoor activities, from sailing in the bay to cycling the Charles River Cycle Path, Boston is an endlessly interesting, year-round destination. That said, the most popular time to visit is undoubtedly autumn, when the legendary New England foliage bursts into fiery colours.
  • Boston History
In the beginning, Boston was a small settlement for puritan families from England.The small settlement eventually became the capital of the original Massachusetts Bay Colony founded in 1630. In 1638, America’s first college, Harvard College later to become Harvard University, was established across the Charles River in Cambridge.Then followed the Boston Tea Party in 1773 sparked by a protest against the tax policy of the British Government, which made colonies pay a tea duty. Colonists, known as Whigs, who objected to the tax charge on the basis they hadn’t elected representatives in Parliament, boarded the ships containing tea bound for England and instead threw it into the harbour.This culminated in the Revolutionary War against British colonial rule. In the end, George Washington succeeded in driving the British out in 1776.Steadily, Boston was transformed from a relatively small and economically stagnant town in 1780 to a thriving seaport. By 1800, it had become one of the world’s wealthiest trading ports, exporting products like rum, fish, salt and tobacco. It population grew and by 1822, Boston was granted city status.Manufacturing industries boomed, particularly in garments, leatherware and machinery. The 1840s brought new waves of immigrants from Europe, especially Italians and Irish, giving the population a Roman Catholic bias.Around the same time, the abolitionist movement was established in Boston by the social reformer William Lloyd Garrison. High culture also flourished in the city – and the city became linked to key intellectuals, writers, theologians and philosophers. The Massachusetts Institute for Technology was established in 1865, followed by the first medical school for women and the country’s first vaudeville theatre.During the late 20th century, the city thrived and its universities attracted hordes of students who decided to settle in Boston permanently. It’s been followed by tremendous strides in public transport but at the same time, the city’s chronic congestion problems have not eased.Although it is considered to be one of the world’s most expensive cities – reflected too in its lack of cheap hotels – it has a unique ambience and has been compared flatteringly to many European cities.
  • Did you know?
Boston was originally called ‘Trimountain’, given its location beside three hills on the mouth of the Charles River. In 1919, the city was pummelled by the freakish Boston Molasses Disaster, when a huge tank collapsed, unleashing an immense wave of molasses up to 15ft high down the streets, killing 21 and injuring over 100. In the world of sport, the Boston Red Sox won their first World series in 86 years in 2004, and again three years later.
  • Weather in Boston
Modern Boston is very much a microcosm of New England. It has the typical east coast climate of hot, humid summers and freezing, snowy winters.
  • Spring (March to May) is a great time to visit Boston, as temperatures are generally mild: between 5°C (41°F) and 23°C (73°F). However, frequent fog can cause it to feel quite chilly. Since temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day, wearing layers is key.
  • Summer (June to August) sees average highs of around 29°C (84°F) but frequent thunderstorms, causing humidity.
  • Autumn (September to November) sees the white church steeples of the suburbs create a stunning contrast to the turning colours of the surrounding trees. Temperatures range from 17°C (63°F) to 7°C (44°F) throughout the season.
  • Winter (December to February) typically brings heavy snowfall, turning the city into a magical winter wonderland despite the freezing weather.

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