Boston, US
Date of Visit: 12 – 14 Sep 2019
Many of us associate Boston with Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which are among the world’s most highly regarded academic institutions. Together with Tufts University, the 3 institutions in Boston are collectively called “Brainpower Triangle”. These 3 institutions and many other Boston colleges and universities make Boston a world leader in higher education. Boston’s more than 350,000 student population contributes significantly to its economy.
Boston Marathon, the oldest annual marathon in the world, also made Boston famous on the world stage. The hugely popular Boston Marathon started in 1897, which was 123 years ago. That was why the Boston Marathon terrorist bombing, which sadly occurred on 15 April 2013, had a profound impact on Boston and the US.
Boston is a very walkable city. The popular neighbourhoods, scenic districts, and landmarks such as Downtown Boston, Chinatown, Back Bay, Charles River, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and Boston Harbour are all within a 1.5km radius circle.
If you have just 1 day in Boston and you are reasonably fit, why not try to visit these attractions on foot?
Below is a recommended walking route that starts at Boston Common and ends at Boston Public Market.
From Boston Public Market, you may either walk back to Boston Common (1-way distance is about 1.3km or 0.8miles) or you may take Boston Subway Green Line from Haymarket Station to Boylston Station. Check out the Boston Subway website for Boston Subway train information.
You may modify the walking route to start at a different location or change some of the attractions to suit your interests.
Boston By Foot
Alternatively, you may sign up and join tours organised by Boston By Foot. Boston By Foot is a not-for-profit organisation that has 200+ volunteer guides who create and conduct tours to connect the public with Boston’s history and architectural heritage. Check out Boston By Foot website for more information.
Freedom Trail
Another alternative is to join one of the “Walk Into History” tours on Boston’s Freedom Trail to experience Boston’s more than 250 years of history. Freedom Trail is a unique collection of 16 nationally significant historic sites including museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution. Check out the Freedom Trail website for more information.
Boston Common
Boston Common was established in 1634, making it the oldest city park in the United States. The very well-located public park is in Downtown Boston, and opens to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
On the Common’s highest point is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, erected in 1877, that is dedicated to the Bostonians who served in the Civil War.
Parkman Plaza in the Boston Common features the statues Industry, Learning, and Religion. Learning shows a seated man using a compass while reading a book. Industry shows a man using a jackhammer. Religion shows a man kneeling with his arms extended. Erected in the 1960s, these statues represent 3 crucial parts of Massachusetts’s culture.
Close-by Parkman Plaza is the Boston Common Visitors Center where you can find all tourist information about Boston. You can also find Frog Pond in Boston Common. The pond is used as a skating ring in the winter. Close by is Tadpole children’s playground.
Boston Public Garden
Next to Boston Common is Boston Public Garden. Boston Common and Boston Public Garden are separated by Charles Street.
Established in 1837, the Public Garden was the first public botanical garden in America.
With a difference of more than 200 years, Boston Public Garden’s design and landscape are distinctly different from that of Boston Common.
The botanic garden was designed in Victorian style with vibrant floral patterns, pathways for strolling and getting close to the colourful floral displays, complete with a lagoon, monuments, and fountains.
Because of the wide variety of plants and its romantic setting, the garden is a popular wedding venue.
Charles River Esplanade
From Boston Public Garden, you will take Arlington Street in the northbound direction, then Arthur Fiedler Footbridge to cross Storrow Drive to get to Charles River Esplanade. Charles River is within your sight.
Charles River Esplanade has well-designed pathways lining along Charles River and Storrow Lagoon. This is a perfect place for a picnic, coffee, walk, jog, cycling, or just chilling out and enjoying a quiet moment by the water.
Across Charles River on the other side of the riverbank is Cambridge city where Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are situated.
It is at Charles River Esplanade that you feel Boston is such a striking contrast to New York, which is a 3-hour train ride from Boston. Boston is very much more laid-back and easy-going.
To get to Back Bay, you can either cross Storrow Street on the overhead footbridges linking Fairfield Street or Dartmouth Street.
Back Bay
Back Bay neighbourhood is well-known for its high-end shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Both Boston locals and visitors like to shop and dine here.
Visit Newbury Street to explore unique and trendy boutiques housed in beautiful Victorian brownstone buildings. Boylston Street is also equally busy.
Walk along Boylston Street to Dartmouth Street and you will find Boston Public Library Dartmouth Street entrance and Copley Square.
Boston Public Library
Established in 1848, Boston Public Library was the first large free-lending municipal library in the United States.
Boston Public Library at Dartmouth Street is the Central Library and is comprised of the McKim and Johnson buildings which are adjacent to each other.
The McKim building was opened in 1895. The Johnson building was opened much later in 1972 to accommodate the ever-increasing collections. Despite being built more than 70 years later, the Johnson building was harmoniously blended with the McKim building, with interconnecting interior passageways so visitors can move freely through these buildings.
In the Central Library, you will find art treasures such as murals, paintings, and sculptures. The courtyard in the Central Library is a nice place to sit and relax. The courtyard has a covered arcade that surrounds a garden with a pool and fountain.
If you want to better understand the building architecture of the McKim and Johnson buildings and the murals, paintings, and sculptures within, join the free daily “Art & Architecture Tours”. Check out the Boston Public Library website for more information.
Copley Square
Copley Square is an open public square situated between Boston Public Library and Trinity Church.
Copley Square is a gathering space and a lively destination used throughout the year for programs such as concerts and farmers markets. The square has been the finishing point of the Boston Marathon since 1986.
Other than Boston Public Library and Trinity Church, there are many historical buildings at Copley Square such as Old South Church and Fairmont Copley Plaza. Because of this, the very modern 60-storey John Hancock Tower situated just next to Trinity Church stands out as being different.
Trinity Church
Trinity Church is an architectural marvel. Visitors from around the world come here to admire the details of its Romanesque Revival architecture, sculptures, stained-glass windows, colourful mosaics, and the huge number of murals inside the church building.
Trinity Church is designated as “one of the 10 most important buildings in America” by the American Institute of Architects.
Today, Trinity Church is still a place for worship and service and is opened daily.
If you are interested to find out more about Trinity Church’s arts and architecture, you may join free tours offered every Sunday. Check out the Trinity Church Website for tour information.
Boston Chinatown
Boston Chinatown is a neighbourhood located in Downtown Boston. Because of its central location, there have been many new modern residential and commercial developments in this neighbourhood over the years and today you see a mix of modern and historical buildings here. Tufts Medical Centre is located in this neighbourhood.
Despite all the new developments, Boston Chinatown is still the cultural heart of the Chinese community and a lively late-night hub where you will find many Asian bakeries and eateries that serve delicious dumplings, dim sum, seafood, and pastries. You also find Asian food markets and Asian-themed gift shops in Chinatown.
Boston Atlantic Wharf Harbourwalk
From Chinatown, Atlantic Wharf is just 800m (0.5miles) in the eastbound direction, just past Boston Subway South Station.
Atlantic Wharf is within the vibrant Waterfront District, where you find Boston’s top five-star hotels, premier waterfront residences, and modern office buildings.
The Waterfront District is also where you find Boston’s top dining, historic, and cultural attractions such as Boston Children’s Museum and Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
Walk by the Harbourwalk where you can enjoy the Boston Harbour views.
From Atlantic Wharf, you take Congress Street and walk in the northbound direction for 1km or 0.62mile past State Street. Faneuil Hall Marketplace is on your right side, where you will find the statue of Samuel Adams in front of Faneuil Hall.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Faneuil Hall Marketplace consists of 4 historic buildings – Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market, and South Market, and the cobblestone promenade around these 4 buildings.
This is Boston’s top urban marketplace and retail destination visited by more than 18 million people annually. Visitors will enjoy the shopping and dining experience with more than 100 of the finest indoor/outdoor shops, specialty pushcarts, restaurants, pubs, and eateries.
Quincy Market Food Colonnade offers wonderfully diverse ethnic foods. The crowd favourites are the classic cuisines such as Clam Chowder, Boston Cream Pie, Boston Baked Beans, and Lobster Rolls.
There are more fun activities. World-class street performers – jugglers, acrobats, dancers, magicians, and musicians perform outdoor on the promenade to entertain the visitors.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston Public Market, and the historic outdoor Haymarket are all part of Boston’s Market District. Haymarket on Blackstone Street and Boston Public Market on Hanover Street offer very different shopping and visiting experiences and they are just a 3-minute walk from Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
Haymarket
Haymarket is a historic outdoor greenmarket specializing in fresh fruits & vegetables. The open-air market opens on Fridays & Saturdays, from 6 am to 7 pm. The market has 40 or so independent vendors and is well-known for selling fruits, vegetables, and seafood at very low prices.
Boston Public Market
Boston Public Market is an indoor, year-round marketplace featuring about 30 New England artisans and food producers housed under one roof offering fresh foods, baked goods, prepared meals, crafts, and specialty items.
The Market opens from Wednesday to Saturday, from 8 am to 6 pm.
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Boston is a very walkable city. The popular neighbourhoods, scenic districts, and landmarks such as Downtown Boston, Chinatown, Back Bay, Charles River, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and Boston Harbour are all within a 1.5km radius circle.