Boston, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Long known for its “old world” charm, from the historic Faneuil Hall to the Freedom Trail that celebrates Boston’s preeminent role in the American Revolution, Boston has come a long way towards staking its claim in the 21st century. With the completion of the “Big Dig,” which buried Boston’s vast network of highways underground, Boston has hit the new century running. Attractions span the old and the new, including beautiful public libraries, fascinating museums and plenty of sports. With a collection of parks set to take the place of the ungainly elevated highways, the years to come promise to see Boston grow ever more beautiful.

Population:

City: 667,000
Metropolitan area: 4,600,000

Currency:

US Dollar $1 = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

911

Opening Hours:

Newspapers:

The Boston Globe
The Boston Herald
Boston Phoenix (free alternative weekly magazine)

The City

Boston has a tradition unlike any other city in America. It was here in 1773, when America was still a colony of the British Empire and residents, angered over a heavy tax on tea imposed by King George III, launched a bold nighttime protest in which they dumped 342 chests of English tea into the Boston Harbor. The “Boston Tea Party,” as the raid was called, was the first major event that would lead to the American Revolution.

While proud of its history, Boston has adjusted well to modernity. In 2004, Boston finally completed its decades long “Big Dig” project. The stunning Leonard P. Zakim Bridge, with a width of 180 feet, is the widest cable stayed bridge in the world and the crowning achievement in the single most expensive feat of civil engineering in human history. The completion of the project has made a city already laced with stunning parks and colonial era architecture even more beautiful.

Do & See

Despite its traditions and its idyllic façade, Boston has more than its fair share of excitement. With more than 20 universities, including world-famous Harvard University, and over 100,000 students, Boston is the quintessential college town. From its outstanding live music venues to the fascinating museum and lively parks, Boston pulses with the energy of youth.

Dining

As long as there are fish in the sea, Boston will be a seafood town. New England clam chowder is Boston’s most famous delicacy and is a must try. While traditional sea fare is as popular as ever, interesting new restaurants of all varieties are popping up every day across the city.

Cafes

Coffee was introduced to North America in 1668, and drinking coffee soon became a popular social activity. Boston was, however, dominated by the tea trade, and it took about a hundred years before coffee took over the scene. Coffee houses formed all over the city, and the United States is now the leading consumer of coffee in the world, with Americans drinking an average of 400 million cups of coffee per day.