Boston
is less than 3 hours north of New
York but in style and atmosphere it is a million miles
away. The large student base
provides a thriving cultural scene, while the historical pride of the city is
always on show. One true delight of
the city is that everything is close at hand making it perfect to stroll around
– a rarity in modern day America.
The
Freedom Trail incorporates many of the sites that played a crucial role in
American independence, from the Boston Tea Party to the Old North Church. While Boston treasures its history, it is a city of
diverse interests, ranging from a passion for the Red Sox to a love of shopping,
museums and the fine arts.
Boston
fare ranges from authentic international to cutting-edge, fusion-style
cuisine. The authentic clam chowder
and seafood are as good as you've heard and the city's outdoor cafés and
waterfront views make for ideal dining experiences.
Boston
Adventure
American
history plays out along Boston's Freedom Trail. Follow the red line marking the trail, on
foot if you're inclined - it's 2-1/2 miles long and snakes through the hilly,
tree-lined heart of the old city.
Highlights include Paul Revere's Old North
Church, the beginning point
of his famous ride; the Old South Meeting House, which launched the Boston Tea
Party; the Boston Massacre Site; Paul Revere's House; and the USS
Constitution.
Nightlife
& Party with Locals
It
tells you something about Boston nightlife that many popular spots are
associated with hotels and restaurants.
What Bostonians do get excited about is the Red Sox. Win or lose, fans compete for tickets in
storied Fenway
Park. It's easier to get tickets to see the
Boston Celtics play basketball in TD Banknorth Garden downtown. Each year on Patriots Day, the third
Monday in April, amateurs take their turn at the world's most famous footrace,
the Boston Marathon.
Gourmet
Cuisine & Dining Out
If
you love seafood, Legal Seafoods is the restaurant for you. Started in Boston, there's a reason
the chain has become so popular - its seafood is reliably fresh and good. Ye Olde Union Oyster House has been
serving fresh seafood since 1826, and the historic restaurant still offers an
unbeatable Boston experience. For a change of pace, head to the North
End, Boston's
Little Italy, to dine on the best authentic Italian food in the
city.
World
Class Golf Courses
You
won't get far in the suburbs without seeing a golf course, and given the sport's
popularity, you won't be the only one looking. If possible, opt for the lower prices
and smaller crowds that you'll find on weekdays. The Massachusetts Golf Association
represents more than 400 golf courses around the state. It has a searchable online database and
will send you a list of courses on request.
One
of the best public courses in the area, Newton Commonwealth Golf Course, is a
challenging 18-hole Donald Ross design.
It's 5,305 yards from the blue tees, par is 70, and greens fees are
approximately $30 on weekdays, $37 on weekends.
Within
the city limits is the legendary 6,009-yard William J. Devine Golf Course, in
Franklin Park, Dorchester. As a Harvard student, Bobby Jones
sharpened his game on the 18-hole, par-70 course, which is managed by the city
parks department. Greens fees are
approximately $56 on weekdays, $62 on weekends.
Less
challenging but with more of a neighbourhood feel is the 9-hole, par-35 Fresh
Pond Golf Course, 691 Huron
Ave., Cambridge. The 3,161-yard layout adjoins the Fresh
Pond Reservoir, and there's water on four holes. It charges around $22, or $32 to go
around twice, on weekdays; approximately $26 and $38, respectively, on
weekends.
Family
Holidays
Boston
is a top-notch family destination, with tons of activities that appeal to
children and relatively few that don't.
Street
performers, crowds from the world over, the food court, restaurants, bars, and
shops make Faneuil Hall Marketplace (you'll also hear it called Quincy Market)
Boston's most popular destination. It's conveniently located across the
street from the harbour, where a stroll along the water can help your crew
decompress.
An
Exploration of the Museum of Science is another highlight. Your kids will revel in the displays and
exhibits that cram every branch of science and inquiry into this enormous and
child-friendly institution. A trip
to the Boston Children's Museum is another exciting possibility. The hands-on exhibits, noisy galleries,
and overall air of discovery and excitement make this excursion catnip for the
elementary-school set.
The
Mugar Omni Theater (at the Museum of Science) and the 3-D Simons IMAX Theatre
(at the New England Aquarium) offer intrepid visitors hair-raising experiences
in the safety of a comfortable auditorium.
Most of the large-format films concentrate on the natural world.
Finally,
a tour of Fenway
Park, nearly a century old,
the Red Sox' creaky, cramped home is a baseball shrine that delights visitors
with even a passing interest in the sport.
Adolescents too cool to admit that they're having fun at other
attractions tend to drop any pretense of boredom here, and younger kids
unabashedly love it. The parents
saving a bundle of cash by not paying for game tickets tend to
agree.