Travel

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Iwan Baan/Courtesy of the ICA/Boston

America’s most intimate metropolis, or its biggest small town? Either way, Boston is a charming and classic New England city. It’s home to one of the largest Irish communities in the US, approximately 250,000 college students (one of Boston’s nicknames is “The Athens of America”), and a handful of major league sports teams including the 8-time World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox. Boston’s narrow streets and brick buildings give it a more European air than many American cities have, though it also has its share of modern steel-and-glass skyscrapers. There’s another European-style innovation, too, in the form of Hubway, the rent-a-bike scheme that’s reminiscent of similar programs in Holland and France. Boston is one of the oldest cities in America. Puritan colonists settled there in 1630. As the capital of Massachusetts, Boston has seen a great deal of historical events, such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. Travel to Boston to see all of these sites for yourself, and design your journey with our Boston travel guide.

Things Not to Miss in Boston

• Faneuil Hall is one of the most exciting attractions in Boston. Explore restaurants and shops while you watch live street performances. Also make sure to check out the famous Quincy Market.

• In the mood for some shopping? Then head over to Newbury Street, where you’ll find eight blocks of boutiques and brownstones.

• Relive history at the Boston Tea Party Museum.

• Take a walk through the stunning Harvard University campus grounds at Cambridge.

When to Go to Boston

The weather in Boston is pretty typical to that of other cities in the Northeastern United States: mild springs, warm summers, and snowy winters. The city’s warmest month is July, when temperatures are in the mid 70s. We recommend visiting during the warmer months so you can enjoy all of the great walking tours that the city has to offer. Furthermore, baseball season is during the summer. You’re definitely going to want to buy some Red Sox tickets if there’s a home game at Fenway Park.