Boston Travel Review - History - Attractions

Considered by many to be equal in stature to Philadelphia as the cradle of American Independence, Boston has a rich historical heritage.

History
On April 19, 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first engagements involving both British and American military forces in the Revolutionary War. Long considered one of the most important cities in the founding of the Republic, Boston rivaled New York and Philadelphia as one of the largest cities in the Colonies. It was also a hotbed of discontent and revolt, as groups such as The Minutemen actively supported efforts to thwart British rule. The Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre are perhaps the most famous events associated with our early efforts to break ranks with the British Crown. Colonists like Jon Adams and Paul Revere actively supported rebellion against King George III and Paul Revere's ride has become immortalized in children's literature and is now a standard in classrooms around the country. Boston's roots date to 1630 when John Winthrop and the Massachusetts Bay Puritans sailed to New England seeking religious freedom. They named the town after a small town in England from which many of them had emigrated to start a new life.

The Freedom Trail winds through downtown Boston and takes the visitor to several of the most important spots representing the region's history, including Boston Commons , Old North Church , Bunker Hill and Paul Revere's House . Not far away is Faneuil Hall , now a teeming marketplace with a wide variety of shops and restaurants.

Boston has such a huge array of historical sites and monuments, a visitor could spend several weeks exploring them all. The Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum highlights the famous protest by colonists against the tea tax. The U.S.S. Constitution at Pier One was launched in 1797 and is reportedly the oldest commissioned ship in the world. King's Chapel at Tremont and School Streets is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the United States. The Old State House (built on the site of the 1657 Town House) was constructed in 1713 and is Boston's oldest public building. The Soldier's Monument on Dorchester Heights is the spot where General George Washington drove British forces out of Boston on March 17, 1776. More History...

Restaurants
Boston over the decades has been known for its strongly ethnic neighborhoods, including Irish, Italian and other nationalities. Far from being limited to their famous baked beans and boiled ham and cabbage, the locals have grown a vibrant restaurant community which is world class. Some of the better four and five-star restaurants in and near downtown include: Clio , Julien , The Oak Room , Radius , Aujourd'hui , The Ritz Carlton, L'Espalier and Rowes Wharf . The suburbs also offer an enormous array of fine establishments, including Italian and numerous specialty restaurants. More Restaurants...

Clubs and Music
Downtown Boston and surrounding areas have a number of well known colleges and universities which bring a wide array of musical talent to the area to meet the tastes of younger crowds. Yet the area also offers classical and other musical styles to match the preferences of older audiences. Symphony Hall is home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops. Nearby Lenox, Massachusetts is home to the world famous Tanglewood Music Center . For younger audiences, Bill's Bar , the Big Easy Bar , the Regattabar, Ryles , Sculler and the Bay Tower Room all offer alternatives from pop to jazz and blues. For rock aficionados, the Orpheum Theatre , the Fleet Center and Foxboro Stadium all present a fare tailored to contemporary standards. More Clubs and Music...

Area Attractions
The Boston Public Library is believed to be the first major city library in the nation. The Children's Museum of Boston is designed for fun and educational activities for children through age 10, with a variety of hands-on exhibits. The Institute of Contemporary Art has a wide variety of cutting edge contemporary photography, painting, sculpture and related exhibits. The Museum of Fine Arts spans Asian, Egyptian, Classical, European and American art. The Public Garden , opened in 1837, was the first public botanical garden in the United States. The Isabella Steward Gardner Museum exhibits numerous works by Titian, Rembrandt, Whistler and Sargent. As a more casual experience, one might stop by the Bull & Finch Pub at 84 Beacon Street which was the setting for the popular TV. show "Cheers", which first aired in 1982 and ran for eleven seasons.
Boston is home to numerous major sports teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins which die-hard fans follow devotedly. Harvard University and M.I.T . are among the most respected in North America and their lovely campuses are visited by thousands every year. The John F. Kennedy Library at Harvard houses superb collections of manuscripts and memorabilia from famous authors such as Ernest Hemingway, along with numerous other famous Americans. Downtown Crossing is a major shopping area and the Garment District and Nostalgia Factory have items for specialty and bargain shoppers alike. More Attractions...