By Mike Dunphy
Boston is full of historical attractions for the sight-seer.
steeps in a tasty brew of history, intellectualism and geography that outweighs its relatively diminutive size. The metropolitan area's 3.5 million people hardly justify the sheer amount of sightseeing and activities on par with megalopolises like
New York, Paris and London. The city's tourist industry is no doubt ecstatic about the multi-millions that annually fill their coffers while the tourists are likewise enthralled and enriched by the city's many treasures.
Boston Common
America's first public park, Boston Common has also served as a pasture, pulpit, parade ground, cemetery, theater and even an execution ground. Today's more nefarious activities are restricted to the witching hours while daylight sees that park as a great public spread of business and pleasure around which the city turns.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Often drowned out by Boston's revolutionary glory, the Isabella Stewart Gardner quietly houses one of the premier art collections in the world across from the Fenway gardens. Bequeathed to the city by Gardner in 1903, works by the great artists of history are housed in her sumptuous Venetian villa and tied together by the delicacy and grace of her personal touch.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
280 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
617-566-1401
gardnermuseum.org
Bunker Hill
The first stop of Boston's famous "Freedom Trail," the Bunker Hill memorial offers both fascinating history and sweeping views of the entire city. The site of the first major battle of the Revolution, the hill has remained hallowed ground throughout the country's history. Let the tales of bravery inspire you to climb the 294 steps up the tower and carry a light camera.
Bunker Hill
Monument Square
Charlestown, MA
617-242-5641
cityofboston.gov/FreedomTrail/bunkerhill.asp
Fenway Park
More collective tears of sorrow and joy have been shed in Fenway Park there since its opening in 1912 than any other place in the city making it the de facto heart of the city. With its record busting sold out crowds, tickets can be hard to come by cheaply if not costing an arm and a leg.
Fenway Park
4 Yawkey Way
Boston, MA 02215
877-RED SOX9
redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark
Samuel Adams Brewery
To beer lovers, Jim Koch's brainchild, Samuel Adams beer, saved America's brewing reputation after nearly 70 years of prohibition and industry monopolization had all but killed it. Today, the command center can be visited in the Jamaica Plain. Guests tour the brewery learning the history of the company and the fundamentals of the beer making process. Best of all, you sample the goods for free.
Samuel Adams Brewery
30 Germania St.
Boston, MA 02130
617-522-9080
samueladams.com
John F. Kennedy Library and Museum
Located on oceanfront property behind the University of Massachusetts in Dorchester, the JFK Library acts as more than just a tribute to one of our most beloved presidents. The extremely well-assembled exhibition takes you on a fascinating audio visual trip through his life, highlighting his character, achievements and ideals spurring both personal and national reflection on each visitor.
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
866-JFK-1960
jfklibrary.org
Harvard Yard
You don't need to be a student to pass through the pearly gates of Harvard Yard. Beyond you'll find the charming brick colonial buildings and landscaped green of the country's most esteemed center of academia. Free 60-minute guided tours led by students are available from the information center in the Holyoke Center Arcade every day but Sunday.
Harvard Yard
1350 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-1573
news.harvard.edu
About the Author:
Vermonter, Peace Corps Volunteer, Turkish and Estonian speaker, and World Traveler, Mike Dunphy is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City. His articles focus on arts, culture, and tourism and have appeared in publications like USA Today, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, PBS, Time Out and Beer Advocate.
Photo Credits:
Boston image by Alessandro Lai from
Fotolia.com
