Stylish, trendy and cutting-edge
One of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston enjoys both a rich economy and history. Known as “The Cradle of American Independence,” the city has evolved dramatically over the centuries and continues to break barriers.
Boston’s landscape has changed visibly with the addition of ultra-modern architecture and innovative urban planning projects. Culturally, the city’s à la mode reputation has grown, as artists, literati, thespians and filmmakers rediscover the city’s rich resources.
Boston is full of stylish hotels, trendy shops, and cutting-edge restaurants rivaling those in New York and Chicago. Unlike those more geographically expansive cities, though, Boston is small enough to navigate with a pair of comfy shoes.
Getting there:
Boston Logan International Airport sees more than 400,000 flights per year. Located in the inner harbor, Logan is accessible via subway, bus, taxi, limousine, rental car and water transport. The newly renovated Airport Station train terminal includes free shuttle buses to all airline terminals and the water transport dock. Airport Station connects to Government Center Station, a train hub for the green and blue T lines.
Getting around Boston:
Unless you have business in the suburbs, driving is not recommended in Boston. The roads are not laid out in a comprehensive manner, making them difficult to navigate.
Walking is not the only way to get around Boston. The “T” is Boston’s extensive subway and bus system. It is the most efficient option to travel around Boston and serves most areas of the city, Cambridge and outlying suburbs.
Taxis are plentiful, although more expensive than in many other cities, but luckily most destinations are within city limits, including Logan airport. “Trolleys” (buses made to look like trolleys) are aimed at visitors and can be a fun way to get around the city. Simply buy a day pass and hop-on, hop-off as you please.
There are also a number of water shuttles, water taxis and public ferries available from several ports and the waterfront area.
Don’t miss:
The Freedom Trail
Walking the two-and-a-half-mile Freedom Trail between Bunker Hill and the 50-acre Boston Common (central park) is a great way to get acquainted with Old Boston. The mostly brick red line passes 16 major historic landmarks, including the King’s Chapel & cemetery, Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) and Bunker Hill. Allow three hours to walk the entire trail at a leisurely pace. Ninety-minute guided tours with guides dressed in 18th century costumes also are available.
Boston Public Garden
Created in 1837, the Public Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the United States. The park includes 24 acres maintained in the Victorian style in the heart of Old Boston bounded by Arlington, Boylston, Charles and Beacon Streets.
Arlington Station is the closest “T” stop (on the green line).
Cut through the park for a pleasant stroll between destinations. Recommends BCD Travel senior corporate travel consultant Fran McGeough: visit the depiction of children’s book Make Way for Ducklings; or (between April 18 and Sept. 20) take a 15-minute excursion in the lagoon in one of the famous Swan Boats (US $2.75 per adult), still operated by the Paget family since the 1870s.
Fenway Park
Founded in 1912, Fenway Park is the historic home of Boston’s Major League Baseball team, the Red Sox. Attending a night game at Fenway, home of the iconic 37-foot-tall wall in left field (the Green Monster), is a quintessential Boston experience that offers the opportunity to sample a plump, juicy Fenway Frank, sip a beer and mix it up with 39,000 of baseball’s most intense fans.
Museum of Fine Arts
Housing a permanent collection of 450,000 objects from all regions of the globe, the MFA owns some of the most rare and important artistic treasures in the world—from masters of American painting to the icons of Impressionism, from exquisite Asian scrolls to Egyptian mummies. With a large portion of its collection available for view online, patrons can plan visits ahead of time by visiting www.mfa.org.
Where to eat:
Boston has experienced a culinary revolution, with a dining scene now on a par with cities like San Francisco, Chicago and New York. Here are some of our top picks:
Oleana
134 Hampshire Street, Cambridge
Tel: +(617) 66-0505
www.oleanarestaurant.com
Owned by award-winning chef Ana Sorton, Oleana serves innovative food with a strong North African influence. Tantalizing starters include whipped feta with sweet peppers and tamarind-glazed beef with smoked aubergine purée, followed by mains such as a meltingly tender Turkish lamb.
647 Tremont
647 Tremont St.
Tel: + (617) 266-4600
www.tremont647.com
For Sunday brunch, BCD Travel corporate travel consultant Patrick McCue recommends 647 Tremont, where “the waiters are all wearing pajamas, and the brunch is awesome.” Entrees include gingerbread pancakes and Andy’s Huevos Rancheros. Owner Andy Husbands is famous for his barbecue, and executive chef Owen Tilley draws inspiration from Latin and Caribbean “hot zones.”
Terramia Ristorante
98 Salem Street
Tel: + (617) 523-3112
www.terramiaristorante.com
Touted as one of the North End’s smallest restaurants delivering large culinary rewards, Terramia serves authentic Italian fare considered by many as the best in the city. Intimate surroundings stir an ambience that is simple, classic, yet refined. Terramia is a modern high-end Italian eatery with an excellent range of menu options, including lobster fritters, open face ravioli and its signature dish, the raviolini aperto.
Shopping:
Boston rivals better known destinations when it comes to shopping—with boutiques & unique shopping experiences as well as malls, department stores and chains. Striking in the interesting mix of brownstones and more modern architecture lining it, Newbury Street has evolved from its college-town origins into a diverse shopper’s paradise, mixing tourist traps, bohemian avant-garde and high end—Boston’s equivalent of New York’s Fifth Avenue. The district is also a favorite of antique aficionados. Quincy Market (Faneuil Hall Marketplace) sits adjacent to the 250-year-old Faneuil Hall and includes indoor retail stores, outdoor carts and kiosks and a cosmopolitan atmosphere punctuated by street performers (jugglers, clowns, magicians, mimes and musicians).
Quincy Market (Faneuil Hall Marketplace) sits adjacent to the 250-year-old Faneuil Hall and includes indoor retail stores, outdoor carts and kiosks and a cosmopolitan atmosphere punctuated by street performers (jugglers, clowns, magicians, mimes and musicians). Nestled near the waterfront, financial district, North End and Haymarket (farmer’s market), it is a great place for both shopping and dining.
For the mall-shopping experience try Copley Place. Located two blocks south of historic Copley Square, Copley Place Mall offers high-end retail and designer stores (Gucci and Christian Dior) within minutes of Boston Public Library, the Hancock Tower and Trinity Church. Attached to Copley by a walkway is Prudential Towers, which bills itself as New England’s #1 shopping & dining destination with more than 75 shops and restaurants.