ChickSpeak

Welcome to Boston! Known as the unofficial capital of New England, Boston blends the historic and the hip, and the sophisticated and the casual.  If you want it, Boston has it. From historical sites to live music to city parks to harbor views to delicious food to great shopping, you’ll find it and much more here. Visit the places where Samuel Adams and Paul Revere planned the American Revolution, go to bars where Aerosmith may have played before hitting it big, and eat at restaurants where Matt Damon and Ben Affleck may have discussed their script for Goodwill Hunting. Read on to learn everything you need to know to plan your next trip to Beantown.

History

Founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The city gained fame during the American Revolution in the 1770s. Several major events happened in or around the city, including the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Lexington, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. And of course, one of Boston’s most famous residents, Paul Revere, started his midnight ride in the city. After the revolution, Boston experienced growth from the wealth from the trading ports and the flush of European immigrants. Many nationalities are represented in Boston, including Irish, German, Canadian, Russian, Polish, and more.

Boston is the home of many firsts, including the first public school, Boston Latin School, the first subway system, and the first public library. The city continues to lead the way in change and innovation thanks to the city’s many colleges and universities. Boston has been touted as America’s college town with more than 100 colleges and universities residing in the region. From the elite (Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to the private (Boston University, Northeastern University, Boston College) to the public (University of Massachusetts) to community colleges (Roxbury Community College, Bunker Hill Community College), students from all over the world come to study in Boston.

Boston is now the largest city in New England, boasting 609,023 residents living in the city, and 4.8 million people in the greater area. Boston is a popular tourist destination with about 12 million visitors each year. The city is made up of 21 neighborhoods, each with its own culture and uniqueness. Beacon Hill, home to the city’s elite, features gas-lit streets, brick sidewalks, and expensive real estate. Back Bay, a mix of residential and commercial properties, houses many of the city’s tourist attractions, including Trinity Church, Newbury Street, and the Prudential Center. Downtown is a hub of economic activity with several headquarters of major companies in the area, including Fidelity Investments and State Street Bank. In addition to the famed Fenway Park, Kenmore houses many of the Boston’s educational institutions, including the Art Institute of Boston, Berklee College of Music, and the New England School of Photography. The South End is known for being both artist and gay friendly, Chinatown is the only historically Chinese area in New England, and South Boston, or “Southie” to residents, was originally inhabited by many of the city’s working class Irish immigrants.

Travel, Accommodations and How to Navigate

Located in East Boston, Logan International Airport is the primary airport serving Boston. There are several small airports in the vicinity, Beverly Municipal Airport, Manchester-Boston Airport, and Norwood Memorial Airport. Travelers can also get to the city by Amtrak train or bus, as the “Chinatown buses” from New York City remain a popular, cheap, and efficient option. Due to the city’s compact size, walking is a popular method for getting around. Around 13 percent residents commute to work by foot, giving Boston the highest percentage of pedestrian commuters in the country.

Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the United States, so finding reasonably priced accommodations is difficult, but not impossible. Do a little research and book your place early in advance will help you save money. There are plenty of options, from hotels to bed and breakfasts. If you’re looking to splurge, the Boston Harbor Hotel is known for its decadence. Guest rooms have great views of the harbor or the city, private terraces, mahogany furniture, and marble bathrooms. The hotel boasts a restaurant, bar, gym, and spa. A stay here will set you back at least $300 a night.

If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, Chandler Inn is a great choice in an even better location. The hotel is just two blocks from the popular Back Bay area. The facilities received a renovation in 2007 that adding plasma TVs and new bedding to guest rooms. There are many moderately priced options available, from the chains like Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn to local establishments like  John Hancock Hotel, and Buckminster Hotel.

Also, don’t rule out hostels. I stayed at the Berkeley Residence during my trip. Run by the YWCA, this hostel offers a fully-furnished private room with clean, shared bathrooms, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi for about $60 a night. For the price, its location in South End can’t be beat. I easily walked to shopping mecca, Newbury Street, and to an Orange Line subway stop just a few blocks away. There are several other options for hostels in the city, including Beantown Boston International Hostel and Hostelling International Hostel.

There’s no need for a car in Boston with a wealth of public transportation options. For being the oldest subway system in the United States, the MBTA or “T” for short, is efficient, convenient, and easy to use. It has four main lines organized by color: Red, Blue, Green, and Orange. The Green Line splits off into several branches organized by the letters B, C, D, and E. Wary about being able to figure out the subway? Before coming to Boston, I had never navigated a subway system by myself, but I didn’t get lost or get on the wrong train once during my stay. The “T” really is easy to use, I promise. One caveat?  Unlike New York City’s 24-hour subway service, the cars stop running late at night. The city also has a bus service, but it too stops running after about 1 a.m. Make sure to program numbers of some local cab companies into your phone if you plan to stay out late.

Places Every Tourist Must See

Get ready to brush up your American history! Being the city where the American Revolution began, there is no shortage of historical sites to see while you’re here. Hit the Freedom Trail to see 16 of them and get great views of downtown Boston while you’re at it. Starting at the Boston Common, this 2.5 mile walk takes you to many of the revolution’s significant sites, including the Granary Burial Ground, the final resting place of a few signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Old South Meeting House where 5,000 Bostonians met to debate British taxation in 1773, and the Old North Church, the place where the now infamous two lanterns were hung to warn the Charlestown Patriots of the movement of the British militia.

The Boston Public Garden is a welcoming oasis from hectic city life. Here, you can browse through beautiful gardens filled with flowers, fountains, and monuments. Several landmarks are located in the garden. The famous Swan Boats take you on a ride around the pond and the March of the Ducklings statue can be found here too. It’s the perfect place to sit back, relax, and watch the kids play. Another great place for an outdoor walk is the Charles River Esplanade, home to the Hatch Shell, where many of the city’s outdoor concerts take place.

Though you’ll probably be in Boston on a vacation, I recommend a stop at the Boston Public Library located just off of Copley Square. As America’s first public library, not only is the building historic, but with its stunning interior of marble fireplaces, painted ceilings and grand staircases, a selection of museum quality exhibits, and a gorgeous outdoor courtyard, add up to one spectacular experience. You can’t say that for many public libraries. During my visit, a child walked in and exclaimed, “It’s like a palace for reading!” I couldn’t agree more. And as long as you’re in the area, check out Trinity Church, a grand 19^th century Romanesque style church revered for its stunning architecture, murals, and stained glass windows.

If you’re a shopaholic, Newbury Street is not to be missed. This quaint street of brownstone buildings has something for everyone, from high end designers like Chanel and Burberry, to smaller local boutiques like Riccardi and Pink Yotto and to chain retailers like Urban Outfitters and H&M. The street also has salons, spas, restaurants, and art galleries. Because of its popularity, Newbury has become a great place to people watch and soak in the atmosphere.

Boston has some of the best museums in the country, and choosing just a few to visit will be a challenge. Some notable ones are Museum of Fine Arts at 485 Huntington Avenue with its vast collection of impressionist painting, Asian scrolls, and Egyptian mummies, the Harvard Museum of Natural History at 26 Oxford Street in Cambridge has more than 12,000 specimens of the natural world, including animal skeletons and rare rocks, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum features a beautiful courtyard garden with fauna that changes with the seasons, and the Museum of Science located at Science Park boasts over 600 interactive exhibits to excite children and adults alike.

Even if you’re not a Red Sox fan, you should go to a baseball game at Fenway Park. You can’t come back from Boston without saying you’ve seen the famous Green Monster. The experience of squeezing into a seat with diehard Red Sox fans watching America’s favorite pastime while drinking beer, eating pizza or clam chowder (Yes, Fenway serves clam chowder!) in one of baseball’s oldest stadiums should not be missed. If sports games aren’t your thing or the Sox aren’t playing during your visit, consider taking the tour. At $12, it’s practically a steal when compared to the price of a game ticket.

There are a lot of great tours in and around the city. Head over the nearby Cambridge to take a tour of Harvard University, one of America’s most prestigious universities. The school gives free student-led tours detailing the history of the school and the town throughout the year. The tour meets at the Harvard University Events & Information Center in the Holyoke Center Arcade at 1350 Massachusetts Avenue. Make room in your itinerary for a tour of the Sam Adams Brewery. Located just off the Stony Brook stop on the Orange Line, the tour shows you the entire brewing process, and lets you sample the finished product at the end. The Boston Duck Tours remain a popular tourist attraction. A World War II style amphibious landing vehicle takes you on a tour of some of the city’s landmarks and then out into the Charles River for a view of the city skyline.

Unique Places for Fabulous Chicks

My hostel was located in the South End, one of the most diverse areas of the city. I decided to spend the first evening I arrived in the city exploring the nearby surroundings. I stumbled on Francesca’s Café, a coffee shop on 564 Tremont Street. Fresh off the Amtrak train, the casual, cozy atmosphere beckoned me to enjoy their drinks and food. For a small café, Francesca’s offers a wide selection of coffee drinks, sandwiches, soups, salads, and baked goods.  I splurged and got one of their delicious chocolate chip cookies smothered in vanilla frosting.  The South End turned out to be great area to explore. From the architecture of mid-nineteenth century bowfront houses to the cute shops on Tremont Street to the plethora of clean and beautiful city parks, I enjoyed the time I spent in this area of town.

Newbury Street is known for its high-end boutiques, but this area has several hidden gems in the name of consignment and vintage clothing shops. The Closet, located at 175 Newbury Street, has a great collection of preworn designer clothing. From Chanel handbags to Alexander Wang sweaters to Jimmy Choo heels, you can find it here and at a significant markdown. Second Time Around, another consignment shop located at 176 Newbury Street, also offers designer duds for cheap prices. Poor Little Rich Girl at 166 Newbury St specializes in chic vintage clothing. While the space is tiny, the shop is full of unique finds for fashionistas on a budget. I scored the perfect party dress for less than $60 at this cute, little shop.

After an afternoon of shopping, I needed a break. None of the nearby cafes and restaurants appealed to me until I stumbled on Daisy Buchanan’s, a dive bar at 240 Newbury Street. Being a lifelong bookworm, I couldn’t resist having a drink at a place named after Gatsby’s love interest. Not only were the drinks good, but the food was delicious and inexpensive. I’ve heard the scene at night can get rowdy, but I enjoyed spending the rest of my afternoon chatting with the bartender, people watching, and relaxing.

If you’re riding the Red Line from Boston to Cambridge, hop off at Central Square. Located just a short walk from the subway station at 567 Massachusetts Avenue, next to Central Kitchen restaurant, is an 80-foot wall of graffiti painted by artists from around the country. The installation is ever-evolving with the artists painting and repainting over each other’s work. Just so you know, this isn’t your momma’s graffiti. The street art really is art. The wall is colorful, unique, and well-done. The artists are professionals and often provide interesting political or social commentary with their work.  If you’re visiting in the summer, you’re just a few steps away from the Central Square Farmers Market, where fresh produce, meat, and bread are for sale.

Why This Chick Fell in Love with Boston

After spending some time with a friend in New York, I decided to make Boston the first city I had ever visited alone. When I first arrived, I was nervous about finding my hostel and my way around the city. But Boston lived up to and exceeded my expectations in every way. My hostel was a great find for the price, and the subway was incredibly easy to use.  All the people I met were friendly and all the food I ate was delicious. Walking around the city, I never felt unsafe, and instead got to take in all the sights, do some shopping, see a few museum exhibits, and just relax after a grueling year of graduate school. For those reasons and many more, Boston will always hold a special place in my heart. Cheers to Beantown!

Laura Bond is a graduate student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. When she’s not working to complete her studies for a master’s in English, you can find her with her head in the clouds thinking about her dreams, or hitting the pavement trying to make them come true. She has much love for Boston-the sights, the sounds, the people, and especially the cream pie.