Museums
- Boston Common & Public Gardens
This historic parkland located in the heart of the city was design by Frederick Law Olmsted,
who also designed New York City's Central Park, and is part of the Emerald Necklace, a series of parks that stretch throughout Boston
also designed by Olmsted. - Faneuil Hall Historic market and meeting place where the Boston Tea Party began and still used as a public meeting place.
- Museum of Science The title is pretty self-explanatory.
- Boston Ballet World renowned dance company most famous for their yearly rendition of The Nutcracker.
- The Institute of Contemporary Art Exclusive modern and contemporary art museum.
- The Museum of Fine Arts One of the most comprehensive art museums in the world.
- Gardner Museum The
legendary museum of Isabella Stewart Gardner.
- Harvard Art Museums With three major museums and the third largest art collection in the northeast.
- National Heritage Museum National Masonic museum.
- New England Aquarium Great for kids and lovers of all kind of sea creatures.
- Boston Pops Fun loving classical orchestra, famous for their
Fourth of July riverside performances.
- Freedom Trail Walking tour of
colonial Boston including: Bunker Hill Monument, USS Constitution, Old North Church, Paul Revere’s House, Quincy Market
- The Boston Symphony Orchestra Boston's final destination for classical music.
- Boston Duck Tours Must do tour of
Boston in the famous World War II amphibious craft.
- Arnold Arboretum Large parkland and the southern tip of the Emerald Necklace.
Sports
- Boston Bruins (hockey)
- Boston Celtics (basketball)
- Boston Red Sox (baseball)
- New England Patriots (football)
- New England Revolution (soccer)
Shopping
- Newbury Street An upscale
shopping area in the Back Bay.
- Downtown Crossing Pedestrian friendly shopping near the theater district downtown.
- Copley Place Mall Large shopping mall and part of the
Prudential center residential, retail and commercial complex.
- Harvard Square Popular shopping destination near Harvard in the heart of Cambridge.
- The Harvard Coop Comprehensive bookstore in Harvard Square.
- Cambridgeside Galleria Cambridge mall on the bank of the Charles
River.
Nightlife
What follows is just a short list of some of the many great places in the area to go for a drink, meet up with friends, or dance the night away. Many, many more great things to do at night inhabit the Boston area. For more listings consult the websites in our Online Resources page.
Boston
- Avalon Dance Club A popular dance club.
- Jillian's An enormous entertainment complex.
- The Paradise Boston's legendary rock club.
- Great Scott Great Allston locale for local rock bands.
- The TD Banknorth Garden Boston's premiere sports and entertainment arena.
- The Bank of America Pavilion Waterfront arena featuring national and international acts.
- The Roxy Downtown nightclub.
Cambridge
- The Middle East Possibly the best Boston venue for
independent music, and Middle Eastern food.
- TT the Bear’s Popular Cambridge venue for local music.
- Improv Boston Improv and comedy.
Somerville
- The Burren Famous Irish pub with an excellent bar menu.
- The Sligo A local bar with a relaxed feel.
- The Independant Comfortable and classy lounge.
Out of Town
Still looking for more? Within a two-hour drive of the city, you can find yourself:
- A. Strolling along the sand dunes of
Cape Cod
- B. Skiing the trails of New
Hampshire
- C. Antiquing in Vermont
- D. Eating lobster by the sea in
Maine
- E. Touring the mansions
of Newport, Rhode Island
- F. Exploring the official
submarine museum on Connecticut's seashore
There's plenty to do in New England, and plenty is an understatement. With a population as diverse in their interests as New Englanders, the northeast has a lot to offer its visitors and residents. New England is not only one of the most livable places in the country, it is also one of the most leisurely. From ski to sun the New England rivals anyplace in excursion opportunities.
From The Boston Globe Living/Arts Section