Travel Guide to Boston, USA

The capital of Massachusetts every year attracts thousands of tourists. And it's not a surprise: Boston gave birth to the American Revolution, it's the very place, from which the War for Independence from Britain started. Besides the places that are connected with the history of the USA, Boston can boast of very interesting works of art, wonderful parks, good shopping and splendid restaurants.

Freedom Trail. Freedom Trail is a 4-kilometer way that intersects the center of Boston and connects the 16 most important sights of the city. The trail is marked by the red line. Freedom Trail starts at the Boston Common Park, the oldest public park in the USA; on its territory during 1775-1776 the British used to camp. In the documentation center one can get a brochure and a map of the itinerary 'Freedom Trail'. From the park the trail goes to The State House, which was built, when America got independence; nowadays the government of Massachusetts takes place there.

The Park Street Church. Then the trail passes by the Park Street Church. From its pulpit in 1829 William Lloyd Harrison had the first public speech condemning the society for such phenomenon as slavery. Near the church the Old Granary Burial Ground is located, there revolutionists are buried, among them are those, who signed the Declaration of Independence: John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Robert Treat Paine. There are also buried 5 victims of the event of 1770, called the Boston Massacre. A little bit further one can notice the First Public School in United States that was opened in 1635. There Benjamin Franklin used to study. The monument in his favor is situated not far from this place, in front of the Old City Hall. Then the trail goes to Washington Street, where the Old South Meeting House is located. It used to be the place, where the meetings of the protest against the British rule were organized. At this very building the idea of Famous Boston Tea Party was suggested. Boston Tea Party was a boycott for the cancellation of the British food import tax.

The Old State House. The building of The Old State House used to be the place, where the British colonial government took place. At the square that is in front of it took place such historical event as the Boston Massacre. Then the way goes to the Faneuil Hall. On its ground floor a market used to be located and on the 1st floor revolutionists had their meetings. In front of this building there is a monument in favor of Samuel Adams, one of the revolutionists. Near the North Square Park the oldest building in Boston is situated. It was home for Paul Revere, who on the 18th of 1775 rode through the whole Boston so as to warn of the movement of the British Army. Hid did it after he had seen the lamps lightened by the sexton. That sexton Mr. Robert Newman is buried at the Copp's Hill Burying Ground. The trail ends at the Bunker Hill Monument. It's a granitic obelisk that was placed in memory of the battle of July 17th 1775. Though the British won this battle, in 9 months time they were defeated by the forces of George Washington.

Quincy Market. The official name of Quincy Market is the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, though Boston citizenry mainly call it Quincy Market according the name of burgomaster Josh Quincy, who built it in the 19th century. The market recommenced its work in 1976 and became one of the most popular sights of the city. Before that the condition of the complex leaved much to be desired and it even was under the danger of demolition.

Nowadays it's the place, where one can have a good time at cafe or restaurant or do some shopping. Quincy Market consists of 5 buildings: 3 of them are central and the other 2 are located to the south and to the north of them. The central gallery is called the Food Court. There one can find restaurants of various national cuisines: there you can try almost everything starting with Greece gardies, Italian pasta and ending with yogurt ice-cream and fried sausages. At the both sides of the gallery there are souvenir shops, where one can buy T-Shirts, photos with the image of Boston and some other trifles.

In the north and south buildings shops of world-known networks take place, but you can also find there some of original brands. Besides, a typical New English restaurant is located there; it has simply interior and grumbling servants. On the north side there is a colorful flower-market.

John F. Kennedy. In a small distance from Boston there is Brooklyn, the motherland of John F. Kennedy. In Boston one can visit John F. Kennedy Museum that is devoted to the life and heritage of the 35th president of the USA. The excursion there starts with a 15-minute video, in which Mr. Kennedy himself tells about his childhood, school years, the war and his political career. The exposition opens with the narration about the president election of 1960, during which votes for Kennedy prevailed with a minimal advantage.

More than that, there one can see Kennedy during the debates with Nixson (he was his main opponent) and also listen to his inaugural speech. Well-known phrase 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country' comes from this very speech. In the museum you can learn about the crises that took place while Kennedy was president: the Cuban Missile Crisis, the African American Civil Rights Movement and the Kennedy's visit to Berlin to the place, where the Berlin Wall had been just built. The exhibition ends with the dark room, where one can hear the sounds of shots that killed the president.

Read more about Boston:
Restaurants and cuisine in Boston
Local traditions and lifestyle
'Must visit' places in Boston
Nightlife and attractions in Boston
Boston photogallery