Boston

Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the USA — founded in 1630, site of the Boston Tea Party and cradle of American independence. But Boston is far more than an open-air museum: The city pulses with students from over 50 universities (including Harvard and MIT), a top-notch restaurant scene, and the fanatical sports enthusiasm that has made the Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins icons.

Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is Boston's masterpiece of history education: A 4 km long red line, embedded in the sidewalk, that leads you to 16 historic sites — from the Boston Common (the oldest public park in the USA, 1634) to the Old State House (where the Declaration of Independence was read in 1776) to the Old North Church (from whose tower the famous lantern signal for Paul Revere's midnight ride was given). The trail ends in Charlestown at the USS Constitution, the oldest still floating warship in the world (1797). Free on your own, guided tours with costumed guides from the Freedom Trail Foundation cost $18 for adults.

Fenway Park

Fenway Park is the oldest still-used baseball stadium in the USA (since 1912) and a pilgrimage site for sports fans. The famous Green Monster wall in the left field (11.3 m high) is a landmark. Attending a Boston Red Sox game is part of the Boston experience — even if you don't understand baseball, the atmosphere is electrifying. Tickets from $30 (bleachers) to $150+ (near the field), best booked weeks in advance via the official website. Stadium tours also possible without a game: $25, daily.

Harvard & MIT in Cambridge

Directly across the Charles River lies Cambridge, home to the two most famous universities in the world. The Harvard Yard is open to the public — stroll through the venerable brick buildings, touch the toe of the John Harvard statue (supposedly brings luck, but it's actually not Harvard) and visit the excellent Harvard Art Museums ($20, free on Saturdays 10–12 a.m.). The MIT impresses with futuristic architecture (Stata Center by Frank Gehry) and the free MIT Museum. The Harvard Square around it is full of bookstores, cafes, and the legendary record store Newbury Comics.

North End — Little Italy

Boston's North End is the oldest residential neighborhood in the city and America's most authentic Italian quarter. The Hanover Street smells of fresh espresso and cannoli — the eternal rivalry between Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry (both cannoli: $5–6) divides the city. In between: trattorias with homemade pasta ($15–25 per main course), the Paul Revere House (the oldest surviving building in Boston, 1680, admission $6) and the Old North Church. On weekends, the neighborhood is packed — come during the week.

Boston Common & Back Bay

The Boston Common (1634) and the adjacent Public Garden (with the famous Swan Boats, $4.50 per ride, April–September) form the green heart of the city. The Commonwealth Avenue Mall leads from here through Back Bay, Boston's most elegant neighborhood with Victorian brownstone row houses, the Newbury Street (Boston's answer to Fifth Avenue — boutiques, galleries, restaurants) and the Trinity Church at Copley Square, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. The Boston Public Library next door is the oldest public library in the USA — the magnificent reading room is free to access and breathtaking.