Boston holidays

Boston prides itself as a city of firsts – the public park (Boston Common, 1634), public school (Boston Latin, 1635) and subway (1897) all appeared in Boston before anywhere else in the States. Plenty of its historic buildings still stand, like North Bennet Street School – the country’s first vocational industry skills school, which was built in 1881. And as the city was at the centre of the Revolutionary War, the sites of the Boston Tea Party and the Liberty tree are well worth a visit.

The Freedom Trail is a must-do on your Boston holiday. The path winds past 16 of Boston’s most historically significant landmarks, like Faneuil Hall and the Bunker Hill Monument. It’s just under four kilometers long but, if you prefer, you can also visit the sites individually. If you want the full experience, though, it’s best to join a walking tour that’s hosted by an 18^th-century Freedom Trail Player. Or, learn more about the city’s African-American history along the Black Heritage Trail, which celebrates its trail-blazing abolitionist past.

The historical sites are probably top of your list, but there’s plenty more things to do in Boston. It’s notoriously hard to catch a Boston Red Sox game, as Fenway Park has just 38,000 seats – despite being home to one of baseball’s most famous teams. You can still join a public tour any time of year, though, if you fancy seeing inside this historic stadium.

Art-lovers should head to the Museum of Fine Arts, which boasts more than 500,000 objects, including a huge Japanese collection and one of the largest Monet collections outside of Paris. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is also a must-see, as the Venetian palace-style building houses the art collector’s stash.

As you stroll along the waterfront, visit the New England Aquarium to see penguins, sharks and loggerhead sea turtles. And, if you’re feeling brainy, the Mapparium, Boston Public Library – the second-largest in the USA – and Harvard’s three art museums are all worth a visit. 

There are plenty of green spaces in Boston. If you’re staying in the city centre, the Greenway is a lovely place for a wander, as it’s dotted with fountains and tasty food trucks. The Public Garden was America’s first botanical garden, and it’s even prettier 183 years on. If you’re visiting when it’s cold, you’ll usually be able to ice-skate on Frog Pond, too, just over the road on Boston Common. Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum is a family-friendly place to get closer to nature, as kids will love scampering between the thousands of trees and flowers, which are filled with birdlife.

Looking for a bit of a challenge? The sprawling Blue Hills Reservation, just 15 minutes outside of the city, has more than 200 kilometres of trails to explore. Hike to the top of Great Blue Hill for breath-taking views across Boston’s cityscape.

Holidays to Boston are most popular in summer, as city temperatures hover in the mid-twenties. It’s the busiest time to visit, but it’s easy to see why – the pleasant weather means there’s a lot of sports fixtures, outdoor concerts and festivals to keep you entertained. If you’re not keen on crowds, though, consider visiting autumn. Temperatures generally stay in the high-teens until late October, and you’ll find that there are several food-focused events at this time of year. This is also the best time to go if you want to see America’s famous fall colours. 

Spring is a beautiful time to visit Boston, as flowers emerge from the frosts, but it’s still pretty chilly. Temperatures can still be as low as freezing in March, although they rise to the mid-teens by May. It’s a much more affordable time to visit so you’ll score a great deal, if you don’t mind popping on layers. Winter is the quietest time, as the city gets very cold and snowy, but you’ll have the streets virtually to yourself.