Top 25 Attractions in Boston

A symbol of freedom, a forge of professionals and an important tourist center in the United States - all this is about Boston. It was here that the flames of the American Revolution flared up, as a result of which one of the most powerful and prosperous states in the world was formed. From the walls of the famous Harvard University came out outstanding people who turned the world of technology. Therefore, Boston really has something to be proud of.

In addition to the glorious past, the city can offer tourists an equally valuable and interesting present. Boston is constantly becoming a venue for music festivals and grandiose sporting events of a national scale. Even a simple walk among the greenery of the Public Garden or the Arnold Arboretum will leave travelers with pleasant memories.

What to see and where to go in Boston?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Freedom Trail

A hiking trail that starts at the Boston Common and ends at Charleston Harbor, where the USS Constitution is docked. The trail leads through the city center and the main attractions associated with the history of Boston gaining independence from the English metropolis. The length of the route is about 4 km. All memorable places are equipped with signs and tablets for the convenience of travelers.

"Boston Tea Party"

Museum dedicated to the famous protest of American colonists against the authorities of the British Empire in 1773. This event gave impetus to the American Revolution, as a result of which the country gained independence and eventually formed the United States. The museum is located on the ship. In it, visitors can not only look at the exhibits, but also take part in impromptu performances dedicated to the events of those years.

USS Constitution

Sailing ship of the end of the 18th century, which is still in the service of the US Navy and is listed in its combat structure. He took part in several battles. During the Anglo-American War of 1812-14, British cannon balls were fired off the sides of the USS Constitution, earning the ship the nickname "Old Ironside". The ship was last repaired in 1995. Today there are guided tours.

public garden

The park was established in 1837 as the first botanical garden in the United States. Over time, it turned into a public place where people come to relax, take a walk, ride a boat on the lake and communicate with nature. The public garden is adjacent to the Boston Common, forming a single space with the latter. Sculptures and monuments are scattered everywhere here, at the entrance there is a statue of George Washington on horseback.

Boston Common

Boston Central Park, which dates back to the first half of the 17th century. It covers an area of ​​20 hectares. At first, this area belonged to the first settler from Europe, W. Blackstone, then passed to the colonial authorities and began to be used as a pasture, a little later - a military camp and a place for executions. A full-fledged park appeared here only at the beginning of the 19th century.

Arnold Arboretum

The Arboretum is located in a suburb of Boston. It was created by the architect and landscape designer F.L. Olmsted. The place was named after the merchant and whaler James Arnold, who donated a large part of his fortune and land to create it. Today, the arboretum is not only a picturesque park, but also a research site of Harvard University.

New England Holocaust Memorial

The composition of six glass towers was erected in 1995 to commemorate the Jews who died during World War II. Each tower symbolizes a concentration camp of death: Auschwitz, Belzec, Treblinka, Chełmno, Majdanek and Sobibor. Inside the towers, the walls are engraved with the words of people who survived their imprisonment in these terrible places.

Old North Church

The temple was founded in 1772. It is one of the oldest in Boston. The building was built in the Gregorian style, very popular in the British Empire in the XVIII century. The architect W. Price worked on the project. Until 1810, the North Church was the tallest building in the city. The church spire was installed on the roof three times. The first two designs succumbed to the hurricanes of 1804 and 1954.

Trinity Church

The building was erected in 1877 on Kopley Square. Previously, there were swamps here, but gradually they were covered with gravel and the construction of a residential area began. The Trinity Church was built in neo-Romanesque style according to the project of G. Richardson. The architect focused on local materials - sandstone and granite from the quarries of Massachusetts. The temple was added to the US National Register of Historic Places in 1907.

Museum of Fine Arts

The Boston Gallery is considered one of the largest art museums in the United States. Her collection is second only to the Metropolitan Museum of New York. The exposition is located in a picturesque neoclassical building designed by G. Lowell. Due to the huge number of exhibits, in the 2000s it was decided to build a separate wing, which was completely dedicated to American art.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Private gallery founded by J. S. Gardner in the early 20th century. This woman was a great connoisseur of art and a philanthropist. Isabella wished that after her death, an outstanding collection of more than 2.5 thousand exhibits would become public. Among the works exhibited in the gallery are paintings by Titian, Rafael and other European masters, as well as paintings by D. Sargent and D. Whistler.

Science Museum

The Museum of Science is a whole complex, which includes not only exhibition halls, but also a planetarium and one of the largest IMAX cinemas in the United States. It opened in 1830. Initially, its exposition consisted of the trophies of travelers who visited Africa and Asia. In the 1950s, the museum turned into a full-fledged science park. At the same time, a large complex was built for him on the banks of the Charles River.

Harvard University

One of the most famous and prestigious educational institutions in the world. The university building is located in Cambridge, which in turn is part of the Boston metropolitan area. Harvard was founded in 1636. Today, its structure includes 7 faculties, 12 schools and one institute. Many famous people graduated from the university. Among them are eight US presidents, as well as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Another famous educational institution in Cambridge, which is included in the lists of the best universities in the world. The institute specializes in the training of specialists in the technical field (which is obvious from the name). He also trains in the areas of management, linguistics, economics, philosophy and political science. MIT has a powerful research base, which allows it to train competent and sought-after specialists.

Boston Public Library

The book collection is located in a magnificent neo-Renaissance building. The library is known for being one of the first to lend out books and materials to take home. She also owns the third largest book fund in the United States. Several million copies of valuable books and manuscripts are stored here, among which there are early editions of writers of the 16th-18th centuries, as well as medieval maps and engravings.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Museum

Most of the museum's exposition is dedicated to the life and work of the 35th American President, J.F. Kennedy. The building for the collection was built in the 1960s with charitable contributions. It should be mentioned that more than 36 million people donated money to the museum, Kennedy's personality was so popular among the American people. The opening ceremony took place in the presence of President D. Carter.

Massachusetts State Capitol

The building that houses the state legislature and also houses the governor's working office. The structure was erected on Beacon Hill according to the project of C. Balfinch. The building is built of red brick. The main facade is decorated with a portico and Corinthian columns, which is typical of the classical style. At the beginning of the 20th century, the eastern and western wings were added to the structure.

Old Capitol

The Old Capitol is located in central Boston. It was erected in 1713 on the site of the old town hall. Prior to the construction of the New Capitol on Beacon Hill, the state government met here. The architecture of the building is an example of the Gregorian style. Sometimes the Old Capitol is called "the most historic building in the city", as in 2013 it turned 300 years old.

Fanel Hall

The Faneuil Hall shopping center graced the streets of Boston in 1722 thanks to the efforts of the French merchant P. Feynuel. The first floor of the building is occupied by shops, on the second floor there is a hall where public debates on various issues take place. In the 19th century, S. Adams, one of the leaders of the American Revolution, spoke at Faneuil Hall. Other well-known political figures were also noted here.

New England Aquarium

The aquarium is located on the Boston waterfront. It is inhabited by several hundred species of marine inhabitants (more than 20 thousand individuals). Visitors will see the fauna of the Arctic zone and the Pacific basin: penguins, sea lions, turtles, sharks, exotic fish, jellyfish and many others. On the huge IMAX screen, guests are shown breathtaking films about the underwater depths. After the tour, you can have a bite to eat in a cafe located right there.

Quincy Market

An indoor pavilion in the center of Boston, which was erected in 1826 and named after Mayor D. Quincy (he organized the construction). As a result, Quincy Market has become a tourist destination for shopping, delicious food, socializing and atmosphere. The pavilion houses shops, market stalls, eateries and souvenir shops. Here you can often see the performance of street artists and musicians.

Fenway Park

Baseball stadium built in 1912, home arena for the Boston Red Sox team. It is the oldest venue in North America's Major League Baseball. After the reconstruction in 2008, Fenway Park began to accommodate up to 40 thousand spectators. Along with baseball games, classic and American football competitions were previously held here.

td garden

Sports complex in the city center, built in the 1990s. The stadium is home to several teams in various sports at once: the Boston Bruins (hockey), the Boston Celtics (basketball) and the Boston Blazers (lacrosse). The TD Garden is a multifunctional arena that allows various types of competitions to be held. In 2008, the NBA Finals were held on its territory.

Cemetery Granari

The old city cemetery, which was founded in 1660. Here are the burial places of famous figures of the American Revolution, including the graves of S. Adams, J. Hancock, R. T. Payne. The necropolis is included in the attractions of the Freedom Trail tourist route. Gravestones on Granari are modest and simple. Here you will not find magnificent crypts and bizarre figures that are typical for European cemeteries.

Boston light

A 1783 lighthouse erected on Little Brewster Island. The height of the building is 28 meters. Since its inception, it did not work only during the Second World War, the rest of the time it regularly illuminated the path to Boston Bay. Boston Light is the oldest lighthouse in the United States. Since 1964, it has been a US National Historic Landmark.