Massachusetts Travel Guide

Massachusetts, United States — Attractions

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Freedom Trail

The 2.5-mile (4km) Freedom Trail follows a line of red bricks or a painted red line on the pavement linking 16 historic sights associated with the early struggle for freedom from British control and the events leading up to the revolution. Markers identify the stops and provide information from downtown to the North End to Charlestown and Bunker Hill Monument. Sights along the way include the Paul Revere House, Boston's oldest surviving house that was home to the famous revolutionary, and the nearby Old North Church where two lanterns were hung in the belfry to warn the revolutionaries of the British movements while Revere went on his famous horse ride to warn of imminent British attack. The elegant Old State House was the seat of British colonial government and where the Declaration of Independence was read in 1776. There is a museum of Boston history inside. At the Old South Meeting House Samuel Adams addressed the revolutionaries in the significant meeting prior to the Boston Tea Party and a circle of cobblestones marks the site of the Boston Massacre. In Charlestown the USS Constitution, known as 'Old Ironsides' is the oldest warship still afloat and was named after the sinking of the British frigate, HMS Guerriere during the war of 1812. Bunker Hill Monument is the site of the first formal battle of the America Revolution that was fought in 1775. Also along the trail is the beautiful white steeple of Park Street Church, the site of several important anti-slavery speeches, the Old Granary Burying Ground where a number of revolutionaries are buried, and the Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall that once was the meeting place for revolutionaries as well as a bustling marketplace. Although a complete self-guided trail, the National Park Service also conducts free tours with guides in historic costumes that cover some of the trail's highlights.

Region/City Name: Boston
Address: The trail starts from the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common
Phone Number: (617) 357 8300
Email Address: info@thefreedomtrail.org
Website: www.thefreedomtrail.org
Transport: Park Street subway station
Hours: Most sites along the trail are open daily from 9am to 5pm (10am to 4pm in winter)
Admission: Most sites are free except for the Old South Meeting House, Old State House and Paul Revere House that charge a $3 or $5 entrance fee

Black Heritage Trail

Today Beacon Hill brings to mind images of affluence and luxurious living, yet until the end of the 19th century it contained a community of free blacks and escaped slaves from the southern states who owned businesses, built houses and schools, and worshipped together in the churches. Although the black community has since shifted to other parts of Boston, the Black Heritage Trail covers 14 sites that are part of the local black history. Massachusetts was the first state to abolish slavery in 1783 due in part to the black participation in the Revolution. Beginning at the Boston Common there is a memorial to slave abolitionist Robert Shaw who led the first black regiment recruited during the Civil War. Various sites on Beacon Hill include homes of famous citizens, the city's first racially integrated public school with exhibits portraying the struggle for equal school rights, and a house that was part of the famous 'Underground Railroad', sheltering runaway slaves from their pursuers. The African Meeting House, part of the Museum of Afro-American History, is one of the most interesting sights and was the first black church in the United States, known as 'Black Faneuil Hall' during the anti-slavery campaign. It was here that famous abolitionist speeches were made and black people were called to take up arms in the Civil War. There is an informative audiovisual presentation in the gallery. Although this is a complete self-guided trail with brochures and maps provided by the Museum of Afro-American History, park rangers also give free daily two-hour tours, which start at the National Park Service Visitor Center.

Region/City Name: Boston
Address: The trail starts from the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common or at the Museum of Afro-American History at 46 Joy Street, Beacon Hill
Phone Number: (617) 725 0022 (Museum of Afro-American History), or (617) 742 5415 (guided tours)
Email Address: history@afroammuseum.org
Website: www.afroammuseum.org
Transport: Park Street subway station
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm; guided tours by appointment year round and 10am, 12pm, and 2pm (July and August)

Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum

Moored to the bridge is the Beaver II, known as the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum, and one of the three ships stormed by patriots in 1773 as an act of rebellion against British rule and in particular against the new tax laws imposed on tea. A group of revolutionaries disguised as Mohawk Indians burst from the South Meeting House and boarded the ships that were loaded with tea. They emptied the crate contents into the harbor, an event that became known as the Boston Tea Party. The Beaver II is an exact replica of the original Beaver I and visitors can learn about the event on board the ship. ** Note: The Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum is currently closed for renovations and plans to open again in summer 2011.**

Region/City Name: Boston
Address: Congress Street Bridge
Phone Number: (617) 269 7150
Email Address: teapartyship@historictours.com
Website: www.bostonteapartyship.com
Transport: South Station subway
Hours: The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is temporarily closed. The museum is currently undergoing full renovation with plans for reopening summer 2011.

Cambridge

Just across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge is actually a city in its own right although the two cities are so closely associated that many people believe them to be one and the same. Cambridge is home to two of the most prestigious centers for education in the country, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has a young and vibrant atmosphere due to the 30,000 university students from around the world that reside and study here. The city is centered on Harvard Square and is a gathering spot that reflects the international culture of its learning community as well as the influence of its students, residents and business owners. Surrounding the square and lining the streets that spread out from Harvard Square are dozens of bookstores and music shops, cafes and coffee houses and restaurants. Harvard Square is a lively mixture of students and professors, buskers, the homeless, evangelists and political campaigners, and is a great place to have a cup of coffee, watch the activity and soak up the atmosphere. Harvard University occupies one side of the square.

Region/City Name: Boston
Website: www.harvardsquare.com
Transport: The subway Red Line to Harvard Square from Boston Common's Park Street Station

Harvard University

Established in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest in the country and one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the USA. It is famous for its brilliant faculties that have produced economists, biologists, prize-winning poets, and famous graduates like former president JF Kennedy. It is also as well known for its famous dropouts such as actor Matt Damon who left in second year to write the Oscar-winning film 'Good Will Hunting', and businessman Bill Gates who left to start up a small software business, also dropping out in his second year. The focal point of the university is Harvard Yard, a courtyard surrounded by ivy-covered colonial buildings from the 18th century until the present that was named for John Harvard, a graduate of Cambridge University in Britain, who died leaving the college half his estate and his entire library. The shoe of his statue is rubbed for good luck. Harvard also has four outstanding museums that include the Harvard Art Museums and the Museum of Natural History. The Fogg Art Museum is the most famous art museum with a huge collection covering works from the European Renaissance period to the modern day, including works by Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh and Klee. The Bush-Reisinger and Arthur Sackler Museums are included in the same ticket. The Natural History Museum is renowned for its display of hand-blown glass flowers.

Region/City Name: Boston
Address: Harvard University Events and Information Center, Holyoke Center, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue
Phone Number: (617) 495 1000
Email Address: icenter@camail1.harvard.edu
Website: www.harvard.edu
Transport: The subway Red Line to Harvard Square from Boston Common's Park Street Station
Hours: The Information Center is open from Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Art museums: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm. Museum of Natural History: daily 9am to 5pm
Admission: There are free student-led campus tours available. Museum tickets vary, see website for details.

Boston Public Garden

The first botanical garden in the United States, the Boston Public Garden provides a tranquil escape from the fast pace of the city center. Maintained by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of the Public Garden, the botanical garden is a must-see on any exploration of Boston. With over 600 varieties of trees and colorful displays of well-ordered decorative flowers, visitors can go for a relaxing swan boat ride on the three acre lagoon, enjoy the attractive vista of the city's sardined skyscrapers through the trees or take pleasure in the numerous public works of art that border the meandering paths.

Region/City Name: Boston
Address: Charles Street
Phone Number: (617) 723 8144
Website: www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org

Martha's Vineyard

Believed to have been named by mariner Bartholomew Gosnold for his daughter Martha, with the 'vineyard' referring to the abundance of wild grapes growing on the island, Martha's Vineyard is a favorite summer destination for the area's wealthy elite. Tourism is the main economy, boosted by celebrity regulars like actress Sharon Stone and the Clinton family, but they are usually tucked away in their private houses and on their private beaches. It is far less developed than Cape Cod, but more sophisticated than neighboring Nantucket Island and simple pleasures such as the weekly farmers' market, miles of coastal pathways to explore and an agricultural fair blend with the concerts, outdoor theaters, galleries and nightlife that keeps the towns buzzing throughout the summer. The six towns have distinct characters, from the upmarket Vineyard Haven that is the island's main port, receiving ferries as well as private yachts, to the fun center of Oak Bluffs where the old Flying Horses Carousel, pizza take-aways and ice-cream parlours cater to the young and carefree. The graceful Edgartown has quaint inns, historic whaling captains' homes and stylish boutiques lining the narrow streets, and is the island's oldest settlement. The pace is decidedly laid-back although the hassles of summer crowds, traffic and high prices have led to more visitors discovering the appeal of the off-season, with peaceful roads, friendly folk and private beaches that are opened to the public.

Region/City Name: Cape Cod
Website: www.mvy.com
Transport: Ferries from various locations on Cape Cod either arrive at Oak Bluffs, Edgartown or Vineyard Haven and there is a regular bus service between the three main communities on the island. Bringing a car across in summer is expensive and unnecessary as the roads are congested and a bike is an easier and more pleasant alternative. Ferries from Falmouth Harbour to all three are passenger services only. Car ferries depart from the main ferry terminal at Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs. There is also a passenger ferry from Hyannis to Oak Bluffs.

Nantucket

Thirty miles (48km) off the coast of Cape Cod, the island of Nantucket is smaller and more remote than Martha's Vineyard, and is an escape from city stress and the chaos of everyday life. Miles of unspoiled beaches, rolling wind-swept moors, solitary windmills and lighthouses, church steeples, quaint cottages and peaceful lanes are the attractions on the island. Its only town, Nantucket Town, was once the whaling capital of the world and has retained much of its 17th to 19th century character with historic mansions, old fashioned street lamps and cosy inns lining the cobblestone streets. The rest of the island is mainly residential except for a few villages, and there is not a billboard, fast-food franchise or flashing neon light to be seen anywhere. Nantucket has long appealed to wealthy visitors and has grown to a summer vacation retreat for nearly 50,000 tourists, and despite the increasing amount of luxury houses going up, over 36 percent of the land is protected from development, and the island still feels like a romantic paradise. The excellent Whaling Museum is an added attraction to the beaches, strolling and biking, and window-shopping at the exclusive boutiques. July and August are the most popular months and the busiest times, and although off-season has its charms the island is often covered in thick fog at this time.

Region/City Name: Cape Cod
Website: www.nantucketchamber.org
Transport: Car ferries leave from Hyannis on Cape Cod and once on the island there are plenty of bikes for rent or shuttle buses to get around. A ferry also links Nantucket to Hyannis via Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard and a passenger ferry operates in season between Harwich Port and Nantucket

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

A great Boston daytrip and shopping destination, Faneuil Hill Marketplace offers superb shopping with all your familiar designer stores as well as great restaurants and sidewalk cafés. Four places in one, Faneuil Hall Market place encompasses Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market. Set around a cobblestone promenade, the market is a haven for the performing arts with jugglers, mimes, musicians and magicians entertaining passers-by. Centrally located and operating for over 250 years, the Faneuil Hill Marketplace is the hub of Boston city life. Drawing large crowds excited by the electric energy, visitors can shop, stroll, eat and wonder.

Region/City Name: Boston
Address: 4 South Market Building
Phone Number: (617) 523 1300
Website: www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com
Transport: Blue line to Aquarium/Faneuil Hall, green line to Government Center, or orange line to State Street
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday from 12pm to 6pm

Museum of Fine Arts

An artwork in itself the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston houses some of the most famous European paintings, including Gauguin's Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?Boston's oldest, largest and best-known art institution, the MFA also houses one of the world's most comprehensive art collections, with 22,000 artworks including masterpieces by some of the finest artists in history. With a striking collection of Impressionist paintings, including the works of Monet, Egyptian sculpture and a moving exhibition of Japanese and other Asian artworks, visitors should make sure they have ample time to explore the exhibition rooms of the MFA. Have a break and enjoy a coffee or lunch at one the three gallery restaurants or browse the outstanding museum bookstore and shop.

Region/City Name: Boston
Address: 465 Huntington Avenue
Phone Number: (617) 267 9300
Website: www.mfa.org
Transport: Green Line 'E' train to the Museum of Fine Arts or orange line to Ruggles
Hours: Daily from 10am to 4.45 pm. Open till 9.45pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Admission: $17 (adults), $6.50 (children). Concessions available

Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory

Located in the Prudential Tower, the Skywalk Observatory is a must for children of all ages. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic views over the city and beyond. Visitors can also enjoy an exclusive state-of-the-art Antenna Audio Tour, which touches on points of interest in Boston.

Region/City Name: Boston
Phone Number: (617) 859 0648
Website: www.prudentialcenter.com/shop/shop_detail.php?id=64
Hours: Winter Hours: 10am 8pm (1 November - 28 February). Summer Hours: 10am 10pm (1 March 31 October)
Admission: $12 (adults); $8 (children). Concessions available

Shear Madness

Come to see one of the longest running non-musical plays in the United States. The plot revolves around the characters at a unisex hair salon where the landlady gets murdered and the audience gets involved in questioning the actors in an attempt to find out 'whodunnit'. Shear Madness is a great experience for families and children of all ages.

Region/City Name: Boston
Address: Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St
Website: www.shearmadness.com
Hours: Tuesday Friday at 8pm; Saturday 6pm 9pm; Sunday 3pm and 7pm
Admission: $42

Puppet Showplace Theater

Take the kids to one of the oldest continuously operating puppet theaters in the United States to watch one of their favorite stories, such as Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk or Little Red Riding Hood, told through the medium of puppetry. These award-winning shows captivate the audience and it's not long before even the adults forget they are watching puppets. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Region/City Name: Boston
Address: 32 Station Street, Brookline
Phone Number: (617) 731 6400
Email Address: boxoffice@puppetshowplace.org
Website: www.puppetshowplace.org
Hours: Shows run from 10.30am to 3pm daily
Admission: $10 depending on the show

Codzilla

Codzilla takes passengers on a high-speed cruise around Boston's harbor. People on board will scream in pure delight as the boat curves, spins and rips through the harbor for 40 minutes, with music such as Bobby Darin and ACDC blaring, you'll be traveling at around 40 miles (70km) per hour. Reservations are recommended.

Region/City Name: Boston
Phone Number: (617) 227 4321
Email Address: contact@bostonharborcruises.com
Website: www.bostonharborcruises.com/codzilla
Hours: Open daily from 10 4pm
Admission: $25 (adults); $21 (children 4 12 years). Concessions available

New England Aquarium

Home to Simons IMAX Theater the New England Aquarium Whale Watch, which runs from April through October, the New England Aquarium features a plethora of some of the world's most amazing marine species, such as the impressive giant Pacific octopus, Sand Tiger shark, green sea turtles and North Atlantic Right whales, and is an absolute must for children of all ages.

Region/City Name: Boston
Address: 1 Central Wharf
Phone Number: (617) 522 1966
Website: www.newenglandaquarium.org
Hours: Open Monday to Friday from 9am 5pm, weekends 9am - 6pm (8 September to 30 June); Sunday to Thursday from 9am - 6pm, Friday and Saturday 9am 7pm. (1 July to 7 September).
Admission: $20.95 (adults); 12.95 (children); Concessions available