With Puritan roots and a seminal role in the American Revolution, Boston is one of America's most historic cities. Walk the cobblestone streets and you can practically hear Paul Revere's midnight cry and see shadows of the colonists dumping tea into Boston Harbor. The past seeps from every crack and crevice, but nix the idea that a visit is going to be as stuffy as reading your AP US history textbook. Boston isn't defined by yesterday; rather, it retains traditions, blending them into the present in a relevant way. A fresh take on art, architecture, and food keeps New England's biggest city firmly planted in the 21st century.
Beantown mixes highbrow with lowbrow as seamlessly as a well-shaken cocktail. From blue-chip art at world-class museums to bold street murals, from munching on a hot dog at Fenway Park to eating Boston cream pie at the fancy hotel where it was invented, experiences run the gamut and needn't overextend your wallet.
An abundance of youthful energy makes it impossible to forget you're in a college town. For those who want to soak in extra brainpower, Harvard and MIT are just across the river in Cambridge, boosting collegiate moxie.
Get ready to explore Boston's patchwork of distinct neighborhoods, from the arty vibe in the South End to the patrician charms of Beacon Hill.