Travel-and-Leisure
Boston; Revolutionizing The Present
Boston is a city where old meets new, the ghosts of American?s past shake the hands of the contemporary artist, the educated and the talented.
When the rest of the western world was busy modernizing and contemporizing, Boston was nurturing its history holding onto its past and accomplishments, its pulse that beats with ancient victory.
City skyscrapers are juxtaposed against Faneuil Hall, built by John Smibert in 1762! The granduer of the Massachusetts State House stands proud and strong even though it was built in 1795 (pictured right).
19th Century majesty still breathes through restored hallways, red bricks tower heavenward and old oaks whisper secrets into the breeze. Boston never abandoned its heritage, it was celebrated.
Buried in the ground and lining the streets is the map to the past, the Freedom Trail follows the city?s greatest sites and events, a walking timeline if you please (takes a good couple of hours).
It might only inhabit around 600, 000 people, but what it lacks in size, Boston makes up in diversity and cultural sophistication.
Centered on the arts and education, Boston is home of some the world?s most celebrated galleries, museums and universities (that's the Harvard Museum below).
The Museum of Fine Arts houses a great collection of classical pieces, with collections from infamous Impressionist artists Renior, Degas, Manet and Monet to name drop a small few.
It?s also the home of leading educational institutes Harvard University, MIT and Emerson College.
On the opposite side of the scale, Boston is also birthplace to the ska/ punk movement that swept music scenes globally (think the Mighty Mighty Bosstones).
You might think it?s good now, with New Year (Bostonians call their celebrations The First Night), Chinese New Year, and St Patrick?s day atmosphere lingering in the streets, but Boston city is just warming up.
Coming up this summer there?s the Fourth of July Harborfest, and July Chowderfest, not to mention the Boston Film Festival in September and the unlimited amount of things you can do to celebrate the new summer breezes. Activities
You can sail out on the Charles River, cycle on the Shining Sea Bike Path (scenes of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket!), walk the Freedom Trail and swim around the shores of Cape Cod.
Take an excursion out to the Boston Islands, each one with its own fascinating history.
Catch a Red Sox game out at the infamous Fenway Park, the Boston institution of baseball (pictured left).
Even though the dreaded peak season is around June through to October in this city, it truly is the best time to go.
The air is comfortable by late May and the heat rises through July to August. If you?re in search of the prettiest times however, September to October is the foliage season. Gardening gloves on!
Be aware that prices will go up at these times and there may be restrictions on bookings regarding stay dates and extra charges or deposits.
Leah Bradicich has travelled comprehensively through Europe, the UK, South East Asia and Australia. She works for Vroom Vroom Vroom, a website collating all the deals and specials from the nation?s largest car rental companies, offering discounts on car rentals. Her writing career is starting to take off, with articles written and published in the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand. |
Leah Bradicich
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