Things to do in Boston

About Boston

Boston is the intellectual and historical anchor of New England, defined by its role in the American Revolution and its dense concentration of prestigious universities. Visitors can explore the nation's oldest public park at Boston Common or wander the meticulously landscaped paths of the adjacent Public Garden. The city’s maritime heritage remains central to its identity, showcased by the naval history preserved at the Boston National Historical Park - Charlestown Navy Yard. Cultural depth is provided by institutions like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which features a world-class collection displayed in a Venetian-style palazzo.

Good to know

1. 1

   Boston is home to the oldest operating subway system in the United States, which opened in 1897.

2. 2

   The city does not use a traditional grid system, with many streets in older neighborhoods following colonial-era cow paths.

3. 3

   Boston hosts the oldest annual marathon in the world, which has been held every year since 1897.

4. 4

   The Great Molasses Flood of 1919 remains one of the most bizarre disasters in American history, involving a massive wave of syrup that flooded the North End.

5. 5

   Before the land reclamation projects of the 19th century, much of the modern Back Bay neighborhood was a literal tidal marsh.