When it comes to explorable places with heaps of history, few can rival the beautiful city of Boston, Massachusetts. Here you get a feel for early America while seeing for yourself where history was made. If you’re looking for a town where you can expand your knowledge of United States history in style, start planning your visit to Beantown today.
Boston for beginners
Ofttimes referred to as “The Cradle of Liberty” because of its crucial role in the American Revolution, Boston boasts a history that reaches well beyond the long-ago days of the Puritans. When early European settlers arrived, local Indians already lived here on land they called Shawmut. The first deputy governor of Massachusetts dubbed the city Boston after his original English hometown. Today, the city goes by numerous nicknames, including Beantown, The City on the Hill, and America’s Walking City.
Begin your American history exploration at the famed Boston Common. The oldest public park in the United States, the Common was founded in 1634 and has been a public gathering place ever since. Long known as a stage for free speech, the Common was the site where the Colonial Army mustered in preparation to fight the British Redcoats. Here anti-slavery oratories were delivered at the time of the Civil War as were civil rights rallies and anti-war speeches during the Vietnam era. The Common is conveniently situated in the centre of town within walking distance of the Long Wharf Boston Marriott.
Fabled Freedom Trail
At 2 ½ miles, the Freedom Trail offers a historical stroll, whether you go with a tour guide or explore on your own. Follow the red brick route to visit site after authentic site, including colonial meeting places, old-time churches, and historical burial grounds. Be sure to stop by the tiny Granary cemetery to visit the graves of John Hancock, Paul Revere, and other early American heroes. Benjamin Franklin’s mom and dad are buried here, as is the nursery rhyme writer known as Mother Goose, and the parents of Samuel Adams, notes the Freedom Trail Foundation.
Fabulous freebies
One of the nicest things about Boston is the number of things you can see and do for free. The Institute of Contemporary Art is just such a place. Here you can view a range of media for free any Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., says National Geographic magazine. Boston Harbor is another must-see for history buffs. The USS Constitution, affectionately known by Bostonians as “Old Ironsides,” offers no-charge tours every half-hour, six days a week. If you visit Boston on Independence Day, you can watch the massive warship exit and re-enter the historical harbour.
History, as taught in school, can be limited. When you visit the notable American city of Boston, you can learn for yourself about the places and people who shaped the nation. In addition to massive amounts of history, Boston offers tasty east coast cuisine and plentiful nightlife.