Destination Information

Boston is a city which offers a wealth of attractions that draw visitors from all over the world.   It is very much at the heart of American history. It was here that the ideas for independence were nurtured and the American Revolution was born.

Visitors to Boston can expect to see some of the best Federal architecture in the United States. In the 19th century Renaissance Revival and Richardsonian Romanesque were influential through World War I. More recently Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have attracted leading architects all of whom have left their mark on the city.

The Freedom Trail is a 2 ½ mile walk into history which brings to life the events that changed the course of history.   Landmarks from the State House, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s house, the Old North Church and the USS Constitution all feature in this adventure which concludes at the Bunker Hill Monument.

Boston is home to many fine museums:

The Museum of Fine Arts is the largest art museum in New England and has a permanent collection ranging from Egyptian artifacts, classical and Asian art to paintings by John Singer Sargent.

Museum of Science
This museum straddles the Charles River Dam.   It is considered particularly interesting for children and has hundreds of interactive exhibits covering natural history, medicine and astronomy.

Included within this complex is the Mugar Omni Theater which has a five-story dome screen with a multi-dimensional sound system which is state of the art.   These features allow the educational films shown to be truly an interactive experience.   In addition the Charles Hayden Planetarium has daily performances featuring stars, planets, comets and galaxies.   Laser shows are offered Thursday through Sunday evenings.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a Venetian palazzo which was built at the turn of the century to house Mrs. Gardner’s art collection.   It is home to a notable collection of old Masters and Italian Renaissance art.   Mrs. Gardner also purchased the first Matisse to be included in an American collection.

The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum is a dramatic black and white modern building which was designed by the renowned architect I. M. Pei.   It is located near the mouth of Boston Harbor and the exhibition chronicles the 1,000 days of the Kennedy Presidency.

New England Aquarium is Boston’s famous museum of the ocean.   The aquarium contains a vast four-story ocean tank with a wide array of marine animals.   The Penguin Pool is another highlight of a visit to this interesting tourist attraction which also includes an IMAX® theatre.

Boston is known for its diverse neighborhoods – Beacon Hill was developed from pastureland in the late 1790s.   It is one of the most picturesque areas in the city with cobbled streets and many fine homes.   Charles Street was one of the birthplaces of the antiques trade in the United States and is now home to many antique shops.

The North End is known as Boston’s Little Italy and many of the city’s finest Italian restaurants can be found in the area. A list of restaurant can be found by clicking this link.

The financial district where many of the banks, insurance companies and high-tech industries are situated is in the old Boston area which used to be part of the Boston Harbor waterfront, a district which was built on mercantile worth.

Harvard is located in nearby Cambridge and is the oldest University in the United States. The university has expanded to more than 400 buildings and Harvard Yard is still at the heart of the old university. In addition Boston is home to Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Boston’s renowned medical and educational institutions have made it a center of learning and intellectual activity.

There are two Boston musical institutions which have a long history of being led by some of America’s most famous conductors,  the Boston Symphony Orchestra and  the Boston Pops.   The latter performs more popular music at the Charles River Esplanade in May and June.

There is also a strong tradition of theatre and dance.

Fenway Park is the oldest baseball stadium in the U.S. and is home to the Boston Red Sox.   Although it is difficult to get tickets for a game, tours are available except on game days.

There is plenty of shopping available which caters to every need.   The Westin Hotel is located at Copley Place and there is a fine shopping mall adjacent to the hotel.   The Prudential Center which can be accessed by a pedestrian overpass houses many more well known stores.

Newbury Street is a short distance from the hotel and is the place for the smaller fashionable boutiques selling the latest fashions of special souvenirs.

Quincy Market was developed from the buildings of the former Faneuil Hall produce and meat market but now has fast food stalls, boutiques, restaurants, pubs, stores, etc.

Day Trips are possible to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

The Boston Duck Tours provide narrated land-water tours on a World War II amphibious vehicle. They drive past several historical sites and the vehicles then splash into the Charles River to provide views of the Boston skyline.

Ships depart regularly from Boston Harbor for whale-watching excursions from May to October. Warm clothing and rubber-soled shoes are essential. There are also lunch cruises and dinner cruises of the harbor to see Boston from a different perspective.

Logistics
Boston Logan is an International airport and has many direct flights from international destinations. It also has excellent connections either by air or train to Washington, New York and Philadelphia.

Taxis are available from Logan Airport to the city and the fare should be between $15 to $18. Boston has a bus service and also subway (The “T”) which provides for local transportation but it is also a good walking city.

The weather can be changeable in May so it is suggested that you bring layers of clothing to cope with the different temperatures. You may need a raincoat and an umbrella.

Passport and visa information can be obtained by visiting the following website: www.unitedstatesvisas.gov.

Electricity
The U.S. standard is AC, 110 volts/60 cycles. Plugs have two flat pins set parallel to each other.

Medical and dental treatment can be expensive in the United States, so it is advisable for those participants traveling from outside the country to take insurance cover for these items.

Restaurants

A list of restaurant can be found by clicking this link.