Boston's Top 8 Musts

[Lily Berns]

Visiting the capital of Massachusetts (and, indeed, all of New England) is a treat in uncountable ways, as 16 million visitors a year can tell you. And here are the don't misses:

Freedom Trail

An itinerary covering 16 key history/heritage sites connected to the American Revolution for independence from Great Britain. It includes the Massachusetts State House, the cemetery where various famous citizens are buried; the Benjamin Franklin monument, the Old State House, Old South Meeting House, and Paul’s Revere house, ending up finally at the USS Constitution Sailboat Museum, a historic and most impressive sailing ship. 

Harvard University

This educational establishment was founded 150 years before the USA itself, and has been the alma mater of some of this country's highest achievers, including eight U.S. presidents, 36 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 49 Nobel Prize winners, with current star alumni including Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg. 

Museum of Fine Arts

The USA's second- largest museum has an incredibly rich collection including French impressionists, ancient Egyptian art/artifacts, and art of Japan art and other Asian cultures. 

Boston Common 

Right near city center, the USA's oldest city park has more than a dozen interesting landmarks, and is a favorite relaxation spot for Bostonians.

New England Aquarium

Situated on the Boston seaside, it has more than 600 kinds of fauna relating to the world's waters, from the Pacific to the Arctic, including penguins, sea lions, exotic jellyfish, turtles, sharks, and fish of every shape and size. There's also a cafe, souvenir shop, and IMAX cinema with the huge screen where you can watch films about the underwater world.

Franklin Zoo

A family favorite, divided into thematic zones and their denizens (Africa is especially prominent, with giraffes, zebras, ostriches, wild dogs, lions, and more). Big and colorful pavilions are devoted to birds and butterflies. Plenty of cafés, too. is a big set of cafes! 

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Created by a prominent American collector in her mansion and opened in 1903, this amazing collection includes fascination objects and more than 2,500 masterpieces of art from all over the world: pictures, decorations, sculptures, ancient scrolls, ceramics, and silver goods.

Boston Children's Museum

Founded in 1913, now with more than 18 elaborate themed exhibits here such as Construction Zone, where kids can learn how to use a rock-drill, digger, and other building equipment. There is also a chance to visit Japanese House, which is more than 100 years old. For small children there is a chance to participate in experiments and other entertaining events in the museum. 

To get the most out of Boston (especially suburbs and outlying areas), rent a car and pay attention to the street system, which is not the usual one in the USA (for example, lots of narrower and one-way streets, especially in the historic center). 

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