Follow these tips for having an indie travel experience in Boston.
- In a country with a short history, Boston is one of the most historic with plenty of important sites that tell the story of the history of the United States.
- Plan plenty of walks around the city to see the architecture and urban planning that Boston has embraced.
- Come during the school year (September to May) to take in the energy and vibe of a city surrounded by prestigious and historic educational institutions.
- Celebrate Independence Day in one of America’s most historic cities.
- Boston is a big sports city and has been extremely successful over the last decade. Take in a Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and/or Bruins game while here to really mingle with the local people.
Why you should add Boston to your RTW travel list
- Get a local to talk to you, and just listen to the accent
- Walk the campuses of Harvard and MIT in nearby Cambridge
- Knock back a green beer on St Patrick’s Day
- Torture yourself with thousands of others in the Boston Marathon
- Eat your fill at the annual Chowderfest
- Take a day trip to Lexington and Concord, important cities in the Revolutionary War with the British
- Scare up some witches in nearby Salem
- See how the other half lives at Cape Cod
Why you should not add Boston to your RTW travel list
- Boston is an expensive city to visit, and if you are traveling on a tight budget, it’s going to cost you.
- If you want to take advantage of all the great surrounding areas, you’re going to need a car to do so.
Overview
As the largest city in New England, Boston provides the visitor with more history
and classic architecture than nearly anywhere else in the country. There is much
more to Boston than the centuries-old landmark buildings and lush parks, but those
make a great place to start your visit. Boston is known for its endless list of
colleges and universities and upon arrival it’s impossible to miss that
this is home to some of the smartest and most interesting people in the country.
What To Do
Boston has a very walkable center and some time should be set aside just to
stroll and appreciate the surroundings. Faneuil Hall is a traditional market
hall located downtown that was built in 1762 and is worth a visit. There are
more museums and galleries in Boston than you can shake a stick at so art and
history lovers can be occupied for days, but there is more to Boston than that.
Fenway Park is the historic baseball field where the Red Sox play and even if
you aren’t there for a game you can have a look at the famous Green Monster
wall and the group of bars right behind it. It couldn’t be more touristy,
but the Bull & Finch bar was the exterior setting for the show TV Show Cheers
and it remains a popular place to order a beer and buy a t-shirt.
Across the Charles River in the city of Cambridge you’ll find two of the
most respected universities in the country. First you’ll come across the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, better known as MIT, and a little further
on you’ll come to Harvard, which, founded in 1639, is the oldest institution
of higher learning in the United States. You can take an interesting walking tour
of Olde Cambridge that leaves daily from Harvard Square.
Getting There
You can get to Boston on the extensive train network in the Northeast and
you can also rent a car if
you are planning on touring around the area, but you’ll likely want to
book
a flight into Boston’s Logan International Airport. It’s a major
airport and good deals are often available. There are buses that connect the
airport with the subway system, but there are also Boston airport shuttle services that
can get you into town more quickly and which you can pay for in advance.
If you need to go to the airport by car you can save both time and money by paying for the Boston airport parking before you leave home.
Where To Stay
There are several hostels
in Boston and obviously quite a few hotels
in Boston, but it’s important to choose your location carefully. The
city has good nightlife and is very easy to do on foot if you are near the center
so you want to think twice about trying to save a bit of money by staying on
the outskirts of town.