BOSTON
Area: Cities
Country: United States of America


Location:
On the NE coast of the United States, in the state of Massachusetts, within the New England region. Logan International Airport is 2 mls NE across the harbour.

Telephone code from UK:
1 617

Website:
http://www.bostonusa.com

Position:
On the E edge of the state of Massachusetts beside Boston Harbor, which leads out to the Atlantic Ocean. The Charles River winds through Boston, dividing downtown and the old North End from the university city of Cambridge to the NW. Greater Boston includes the well-known leafy suburbs of Brookline, Lexington and Concord. The area is flat and low-lying.

Description:
Known as "America's walking city", Boston is comparatively easy to explore on foot, its compact centre measuring only about 1­ by 1» mls. The centre's various districts surround Boston Common and the State House, with the financial areas to the E, Chinatown and the theatre district to the S and the trendy Back Bay area to the W. Skyscrapers blend with colonial public buildings and churches. It is a model for adapting its old structures and accommodating its citizens, including both the oldest and newest immigrants: Boston Brahmins of Beacon Hill, whose ancestors arrived on the Mayflower; the lace-curtain Irish of Charleston; and Italians in the North End. Boston adjoins Cambridge, although they are in fact 2 separate cities. Best times of year are early summer, when the breeze off the ocean cools the city, and autumn, when the air is crisp, the sky clear blue and trees put on one of the world's great natural displays.

Suitability:
History buffs, culture lovers, top-range shoppers, families, students and business travellers will all enjoy Boston. Its cold winters may put off some people, but Boston's indoor joys can delight even in a roaring Nor'easter storm. Families, students, bus tours and individual travellers are as much a part of the Boston visitors' scene as business and government travellers.

Accommodation:
The best hotels centre around the Back Bay neighbourhood; others are clustered in the financial district, along the waterfront and in Cambridge. They range from historic, world-class spots to charming B&Bs, but all are generally expensive.

Shopping:
Favourite areas are historic Back Bay's elegant shops, Copley Place and Prudential Center gallerias; Downtown Crossing, a traffic-free pedestrian area along Washington Street where Summer and Winter streets meet; Newbury Street, 8 blocks filled with trees, gas lanterns, window boxes, cafes in brownstone buildings and designer shops and boutiques; and Faneuil Hall Marketplace, on Boston Harbor, with 150 shops and restaurants.

Beach:
An hour from Boston is the Cape Cod Peninsula, with some of the country's best beaches, charming hamlets, antique shops and great seafood. Summer is crowded, but off-season is enchanting, and the water is warm enough for swimming in September.

Entertainments:
Daytime: the highlight of Boston's history is The Freedom Trail, a 2- to 3-hour walking tour covering over 2 centuries of American history and 16 historic sites, from the Puritans in 1630 to the War of Independence. Starting at Boston Common, these include the State House, site of the first public school, Boston Massacre site, Paul Revere House, USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument. A large number of great museums, including the Museum at the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library (devoted to the life of JFK) and the Museum of Fine Arts. The New England Aquarium has more than 24,000 specimens. Major-league teams in most sports. A good city view is had from the top of the Hancock Building or the Prudential Center. Nightlife: world-class performing-arts companies, including the Boston Pops and Boston Symphony orchestras, the Boston Ballet Company and the Boston Lyric Opera Company. There's a growing theatre district, music, comedy and jazz clubs.

Eating:
Immigrant groups, especially Italian, Chinese and Portuguese, have adapted local seafood and traditional New England produce into a distinctive Boston cuisine. Young chefs are opening restaurants in all areas of the city and luxury hotel dining rooms are better than ever. Boston is a great food town.

Public-transport:
Traffic is awful, so the best bet is the underground (known as the "T"), which covers most of the area, including the airport. It combines trams and trains travelling both above and below ground, and can get extremely busy during rush hour. Passes for 1, 3 or 5 days are available and include bus travel. A water taxi links the airport with Rowes Wharf.

Local-excursions:
Half-day tours: Greater Boston Tour; Cambridge, Lexington and Concord; Plymouth Pilgrimage. Full-day tours: Old Sturbridge Village; Cape Cod; Martha's Vineyard; or Nantucket.