Boston: Historical Charm, Modern Sophistication

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Economy Alert! Skip rising gas prices in this public transportation-friendly city.

Steeped in history and colonial influences, Boston combines the charm of yesteryear with the buzz of a highly sophisticated modern city.

With its narrow, winding cobblestone streets, gas street lamps and many Revolutionary-era buildings, New England’s largest city, perhaps more than any other place in America, retains much of the charm of Old World Europe. At the heart of the city lies 45-acre Boston Common, the nation’s oldest public park and a popular gathering spot for visitors and Bostonians alike. Surrounding the Common is a bustling borough that serves up slices of the past and present–modern skyscrapers, elegant brick row houses and historic churches all jostle for their place in the sun.

Rising high above Boston’s skyline is the 62-story John Hancock Tower, which offers an incredible 30-mile view from its observation deck. On a clear day you can see all the way to Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod and to the Berkshire Hills in western Massachusetts.

Boston has long been a melting pot of different cultures and its intriguingly diverse neighborhoods are a testament to its cosmopolitan flavor. In historic North End, home to much of the city’s Italian population, you’ll smell the aroma of coffee in the air and find streets crammed with bakeries, cafés and delis. Cambridge, across the Charles River, is home to Harvard University and MIT, a mix of ivy-covered antiquity, student bookstores and cozy coffee bars, while Boston’s Chinatown, the fourth largest Chinese community in the country, bustles with open-air markets, ethnic restaurants and Asian grocery stores.

Balancing its celebration of the past with the pursuit of the future, this is a city that knows how to extend a warm and hearty welcome.

City Resources

• All About Boston
• Newspapers
• Top Picks for Kids
• Recreation and Attractions
• Museums and Libraries

Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Get detailed information about Boston, its neighborhoods, history, attractions, sporting events and more.

Events Guide
Find out about the latest events and happenings in Boston, get the scoop on the best restaurants in town and check out the top family-friendly attractions.

State Information
This handy guide is filled with everything you need to know about nursing in Massachusetts, including state nursing associations, CE requirements, salary information and more.

The Boston Globe
A daily newspaper, covering local, national and international news, sports, recreational guides and more.

The Boston Herald
An in-depth daily newspaper covering news, entertainment, business and daily columns.

The Boston Phoenix
An information-packed arts and entertainment newspaper.

The Boston Business Journal
Featuring both local and national business news, this newspaper includes a directory of employment services, business events and financial services.

The Children’s Museum
This fun-filled, four-story museum focuses on early childhood development and has three themes: arts, culture and science.

Franklin Park Zoo
The Franklin Park Zoo features lots of animals found in your toddler's alphabet books including kangaroos, lions, ostriches and zebras.

New England Aquarium
Located along Boston's scenic waterfront, the New England Aquarium boasts colorful and educational exhibits that feature more than 8,000 aquatic creatures.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Brimming with Boston flavor, Faneuil Hall marketplace is the city’s most exciting shopping and dining experience.

The Blue Hills Reservation
Located only minutes from downtown Boston, the Blue Hills Reservation stretches over 7,000 acres, providing an idyllic setting for walking, biking, running and inline skating.

Camping
Make reservations at your favorite campground anywhere in the state of Massachusetts. .

Boston Harbor Islands
Just 45 minutes east of Boston, you’ll find the Boston Harbor Islands, where hiking trails, ocean views, rocky beaches, nature walks, campsites, and picnic areas abound.

The Charles River Reservation
The Charles River Reservation offers 17 miles of linear parklands with endless recreational opportunities, including canoeing, kayaking and ice skating.

John F. Kennedy Library and Museum
This dramatic library captures the 35th president's accomplishments and legacy in video, sound recordings and fascinating displays of memorabilia and photos.

Boston Public Library
For more than 150 years, the Boston Public Library has pioneered public library service in America with revolutionary ideas and famous firsts.

The Museum of Fine Arts
One of the world's great art museums, the Museum of Fine Arts is especially renowned for its Impressionist paintings, including 43 Monets—the largest collection outside of Paris.

The Museum of Science
More than 1.6 million people visit this museum and its 500-plus interactive exhibits each year.