Port Review: Boston, USA

Hailed as the "Cradle of American Independence," few cities juxtapose old and new like Boston does, with modern skyscrapers jostling with cobbled streets and 18th and 19th century townhouses, churches and other historic buildings.

Overview

Boston was America’s first great city and these days it’s the centre of excellence in education, finance, culture, and medicine. The capital of Massachusetts is a little reserved, maybe even a little conservative, but offers so much for those willing to explore its slightly confusing maze of streets which connect some of the USA’s most important historical sites.

The Facts

Location: Northeastern USA.

Currency: US dollar.

Docking/Anchoring: Most cruise ships dock at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal on the South Boston waterfront which is about a 30 minute walk or 10 minute taxi ride to Downtown.

Transport: Most cruise lines will put on a shuttle bus to the city, and there should be plenty of taxis when a cruise ship is docked. 

Don’t Miss

The Freedom Trail is a four kilometre walk through America’s colonial past, from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown and the Old North Church in the Italian North End. In all there are 16 of Boston’s most historical sites from the American Revolution on the Freedom Trail.

Faneuil Hall and Quincy Marketplace is a Georgian building and marketplace which has played an integral role in the life of Boston residents for over 250 years and is considered one of America's most famous shopping and dining experiences.

The Public Garden is the first botanical gardens in the country and is right in the heart of the city. It’s also home to  a majestic monument of George Washington and the famous swan boats which grace the waters of the lagoon. 

The Museum of Fine Arts on 465 Huntington Avenue has a permanent collection that encompasses Hopper, Renoir, Cassatt, Turner, and Monet, along with a large collection of Asian art.

Best Photo Op 

The Massachusetts State House, which is on the Freedom Trail, was built after the revolution and is now the seat of government and this grand old building captures the essence of Boston’s history.   

Shopping 

There are sales on nearly all the time in Boston. Faneuil Hall Marketplace is one of the best places to start if you’re in need of retail therapy, but arguable the city's best shopping is down tree-lined Charles Street (which separates the Common from the Garden), for boutique clothing stores and a long line of antique shops. On the west side of the Public Garden is Newbury Street, which has an eclectic mix of shops and boutiques along with chain stores like the Gap to higher-end shops such as Burberry, but the art galleries along this strip are one-of-a-kind.

Food And Drink 

Eating out in Boston is a ritual and this is where you can find contemporary cuisine, traditional New England fare with a twist and an eclectic mix of international and ethnic dishes. Teatro, a cavernous spot located in the Theater District on 177 Tremont Street is a kitchen which does "modern-rustic Italian" including antipasti and grilled pizza for starters, and main courses such as spinach and mascarpone ravioli with crème fraîche and parsley. And for a bit of traditional Bostonian cuisine there’s the Union Oyster House at 41 Union Street which is billed as America's oldest restaurant. Situated on the Freedom Trail near Faneuil Hall, it's a local landmark that's been selling New England seafood since 1826 and reportedly was a favourite haunt of JFK. 

Pick of the Excursions 

The most popular excursions offer several of the main tourist attractions on a coach tour and usually include the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Marketplace, the Massachusetts State House and Boston Common. Some also stop at the Bull and Finch Pub, which was the original inspiration for the hit TV series Cheers. 

Other tours also include a visit to Salem, which is a quaint town outside of Boston made famous for its witch hunts in the 17th century. The Salem Witch Museum documents the gruesome part of New England’s early history.