Travel Guide Boston History, money and intellectual giants
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Travel Guide
Boston
History, money and intellectual giants
02 Quick view 05 Top 10 sights 13 Hotels
02 USA 07 Shopping in Boston 14 Outings ...
03 Travel etiquette 07 Restaurants
04 Health 08 Nightlife
04 Phone calls & Internet 09 Calendar of events
© mdbrockmann82 - Fotolia
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Quick view
Boston: History, money and intellectual giants
It’s not just the singular accent – there’s something defiantly unique about Boston.
The city that raised John F. Kennedy is the largest in New England and was home
to some of the USA’s first settlers. As the birthplace of the American Revolution –
witnessing key events such as the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and Battle
of Bunker Hill – it is
steeped in history. Some of its well-preserved architecture dates back to before
almost any other building in the country. Responsible for training some of the
country’s best and brightest, Boston is also one of America’s intellectual and
cultural capitals, as can be felt in many of the lively cafés, bars and restaurants.
USA
General Information
Country overview
From its vast plains, snow-covered mountains, deep forests and strange rock
formations, to soaring skyscrapers and a thunderous cultural scene, the USA is a
collage of extremes. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of Manhattan’s
unforgettable skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, the ubiquitous hamburger
joints, yawning expanses of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz, or the
neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas.
Marvel at the thunderous spectacle of Niagara Falls in northern New York, or seek
an antidote to urban chaos amidst the flat farmland of the Midwest. Then there are
the black hills of South Dakota, the dramatic mountain and ocean landscape of
California’s Pacific Coast Highway and the world-famous Grand Canyon.
Geography
Covering a large part of the North American continent, the USA shares borders
with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The country has coasts on the
Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The
State of Alaska, in the northwest corner of the US, is not part of the continental US;
it is separated from the rest of the USA by Canada. Similarly, Hawaii is not part of
the “lower 48” states; it lies in the central Pacific Ocean.
The country’s dependent territories are offshore and have distinct geographies of
their own; the majority are islands.
The third-largest country in the world (after the Russian Federation and Canada),
the USA has an enormous diversity of geographical features, including mountains,
plains, and coastal zones. Though there are many cities that are densely
populated with more manmade features than natural ones, there are also vast rural
areas that are far more sparsely populated. The climate ranges from subtropical to
arctic, with a corresponding breadth of flora and fauna.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 319 millions (estimate 2018)
Capital: Washington, DC.
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Language
English, with significant Spanish-speaking minorities.
Currency
US Dollar (USD; symbol $) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of $100, 50,
20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, though the $2 bill is rare and is not in high circulation. Coins are
in denominations of $1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Electricity
120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat pins with or without a third round
grounding pin.
Public holidays
Below are listed public holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.
Note: States can recognize other days as state holidays that are not federal
holidays.
2019
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2019
Martin Luther King Day: 21 January 2019
President’s Day: 18 February 2019
Memorial Day: 27 May 2019
Independence Day: 4 July 2019
Labor Day: 2 September 2019
Columbus Day: 14 October 2019
Veterans Day: 11 November 2019
Thanksgiving Day: 28 November 2019
Christmas: 25 December 2019
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Martin Luther King Day: 20 January 2020
President’s Day: 17 February 2020
Memorial Day: 25 May 2020
Independence Day: 3 and 4 July 2020
Labor Day: 7 September 2020
Columbus Day: 12 October 2020
Veterans Day: 11 November 2020
Thanksgiving Day: 26 November 2020
Christmas: 25 December 2020
All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Social Conventions
Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. The wide
variety of national origins and the USA’s relatively short history has resulted in
numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large
cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities.
Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting in formal situations and in business
meetings. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need
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be no fear of offending anyone of any background.
Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home.
As a rule, dress is casual. High-end restaurants, hotels and clubs may require
more formal attire.
Smoking is increasingly unpopular in the US; it is essential to ask permission
before lighting up. Smoking is not allowed on city transport and restricted or
forbidden in public buildings in most states. There will be a posted notice where no
smoking is requested. An increasing number of states (including California and
New York) have banned smoking altogether in bars, restaurants and many public
places.
Health
Health
Main emergency number: 911
Food & Drink
Food in the US is safe to eat, and the conditions under which food is prepared and
served are regulated by city, state, and federal health and hygiene agencies. In
many jurisdictions, it is mandatory for restaurants to have a certificate of health or
hygiene, as well as the current grade they have been assigned, posted visibly.
Although America is famous for its fast food and obesity rates, the local and fresh
food movement is very popular in many areas, especially cities, making it easy to
eat healthy. A variety of options also makes it easy for people with special dietary
needs to find food that suits them, whether their needs are due to health reasons or
to religious requirements.
Tap water is considered safe to drink in the US and is often offered in restaurants
before bottled water. Bottled water is available throughout the country, however,
both in restaurants and shops, for those who prefer not to drink tap water.
Other Risks
The US is generally considered a safe destination for world visitors. Occasional
outbreaks of disease, such as West Nile Virus (a mosquito-borne illness) and
H1N1 have occurred in recent years, however. Frequent hand-washing and
general practices of good hygiene are encouraged to protect oneself against all
types of illness.
Another concern with regard to safety is the possibility of terrorist attacks such as
the one that occurred on September 11, 2001. City, state, and federal agencies
have stringent anti-terrorism practices in place, however, and direct threats are
infrequent.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone/Mobile Telephone
Dialing Code: +1
Telephone
Public telephones have become a rarity, but can still be found here and there.
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They take coins, telephone cards and credit cards. If you are planning to make
regular use of public phones, it’s best to purchase a prepaid calling card from one
of the many U.S. providers.
Mobile Telephone
Not all European cell phones work on the American network, since it requires a tri-
band or quad-band device. Full network coverage is not always assured outside
densely populated areas. Roaming charges are high here, so it is often cheaper to
buy a SIM card from a U.S. provider. Low-cost prepaid SIM cards for making calls
inside the country can be ordered online before you travel.
Internet
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
unencrypted public Wi-Fi networks, it is not advisable to enter passwords, credit
card details or banking credentials. We recommend using VPN app or security
software to check Wi-Fi hotspots.
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Boston
The Freedom Trail
Learn about the history of the city and the American Revolution with this iconic
tour, passing some of the most important public buildings, churches and historical
sites in the USA.
Boston Common to Bunker Hill www.thefreedomtrail.org
Monument
Boston, MA 02108
USA
Tel: +1-617/357 83 00
Fenway Park
Built in 1912, this venerable stadium is the home of the legendary Red Sox.
Sample a key part of US culture by attending a baseball game here.
4 Yawkey Way www.redsox.com
Boston, MA 02215
USA
Tel: +1-877/733 76 99
Museum of Fine Arts
One of the grandest art museums in the USA, the MFA’s collection is also one of
the biggest, covering all the major art movements, but its neoclassical architecture
is worth the ticket price alone.
465 Huntington Avenue Opening times:
Boston, MA 02115 Mon-Tue 1000-1645
USA Wed-Fri 1000-2145
Tel.: +1-617/267 93 00 Sat-Sun 1000-1645
www.mfa.org
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Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum
Constructed in 1903 to look like a Venetian palace, this stunning building houses
Gardner’s private art collection and more. Entry is permitted with MFA tickets –
also, if your name is Isabella.
25 Evans Way Opening times:
Boston, MA 02115 Wed-Mon 1100-1700
USA Thu 1100-2100
Tel.: +1-617/278 51 56
www.gardnermuseum.org
Boston Common
The oldest public park in the USA, these immaculate gardens date back to 1634
and contain numerous important monuments such as the Boston Massacre
Memorial.
Beacon Hill www.cityofboston.gov/Parks/emerald/b
Boston, MA 02108 oston_com...
USA
The North End
Known as Little Italy for its historical links with immigrant Italians, this charming
waterfront neighbourhood boasts countless cafés and restaurants, and a unique
atmosphere.
The North End www.north-end-boston.com
Boston, MA 02113
USA
Cape Cod
For the best beaches in Massachusetts, incredible seafood and wonderful views,
take a day trip by ferry to Cape Cod.
One Long Wharf www.bostonharborcruises.com/provinc
Boston, MA 02110 etown-ferry
USA
Tel: +1-617/227 4321
Harvard Square
At the centre of Harvard University, Harvard Square is rich in history. Millions of
visitors are attracted every year to its bustle of cafés, bookshops – and ideas.
Harvard Square www.harvardsquare.com
02138 Cambridge
USA
Tel.: +1-617/491 3434
Harbor and Charles River
Harbor tours and trips on the Charles River offer interesting views of the Boston
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and Cambridge skylines as well as the main points of interest. But it’s not just the
panorama, but the boat trip itself that’s the attraction thanks to the variety of boats
to choose from: the speedboat Codzilla (bostonharborcruises.com/codzilla), an
amphibious landing vehicle (bostonducktours.com) or a Venetian gondola
(bostongondolas.com), among others.
Boston
Central Wharf / Long Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
USA
Copley Square
In the heart of the affluent and historic Back Bay area, this is one of the most
important squares in Boston, featuring the John Hancock Tower, Trinity Church
and more.
Copley Square, Back Bay www.friendsofcopleysquare.org
02116 Boston
USA
Shopping in Boston
Shopping in Boston
Key Areas
You can find all the big-name designer brands in Boston, but the city has managed
to hold onto many of its old independent outlets too. Bookshops abound,
particularly in Cambridge, while Newbury Street is the main shopping
thoroughfare.
Markets
There are several flea markets around the city, but the best one is Sunday’s SoWa
Market (Harrison Avenue).
The hungry come for the food trucks and fantastic farmers market, but there’s also
an arts section full of handmade items (Thayer Street).
Shopping Centres
Copley Place is an upmarket mall in Back Bay, housing the likes of Jimmy Choo,
Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co. In the suburbs, Natick Mall provides a more down-
to-earth shopping experience (1245 Worcester Street).
Restaurants
Restaurants in Boston
The lifeblood of New England for generations, fresh fish has always defined
Boston’s culinary scene, and visitors shouldn’t miss the red lobster or clam
chowder.But prepare for different thrills too, as this proud city is also home to some
of the most innovative chefs in the USA.
Neptune Oyster
One of the finest seafood restaurants in the city, Neptune lies in the chic North End.
63 Salem Street Price: Expensive
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02113 Boston
USA
No 9 Park
Inspired by Italian and French cuisine, this fine-dining restaurant is set in an old
townhouse.
9 Park Street Price: Expensive
Boston, MA 02108
USA
Zen Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar
This little restaurant is located in Beacon Hill, just steps away from the
Massachusetts State House. Besides sushi and sashimi classics, the menu
includes inventive maki, and there’s also a good selection of vegetarian options.
Diners are welcome to take a seat at the bar if they wish to see their food prepared,
or in the small dining area or on the restaurant’s terrace on Beacon Street. All
meals are also available “to go.”
21 A Beacon Street Price level: moderate
Boston, MA 02108
USA
Union Oyster House
Dating back to 1826, America’s so-called oldest restaurant has the city’s best clam
chowder, with oyster crackers.
41 Union Street Price: Cheap
Boston, MA 02108
USA
Barking Crab
In this lively waterfront eatery, the fresh-caught lobster is delicious and affordable.
88 Sleeper Street Price: Cheap
Boston, MA 02210
USA
Nightlife
Nightlife in Boston
Though Boston can’t claim to be a late-night party beacon, it does offer range with
classy bars in the Back Bay and NorthEnd, ubiquitous Irish-style pubs, and
downtown lounge joints. Cambridge is home to student hangouts and rock clubs.
Eastern Standard
Dine on oysters or ceviche at the bar and soak up the buzzy atmosphere.
528 Commonwealth Ave
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Boston, MA 02215
USA
Doyle’s Cafe
Dating back to 1892, this classic Irish-American pub offers an excellent range of
beers on tap.
3484 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain
Boston, MA 02130
USA
Symphony Hall
For classical music and unmatched acoustics, visit the home of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra.
301 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
USA
Top of the Hub
Fifty floors up, this glamorous lounge bar lets you sip Martini while enjoying
spectacular views.
800 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02199
USA
Lizard Lounge
This is a hip venue and club showcasing local and international bands which tend
towards the alternative.
1667 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
USA
Calendar of events
Calendar of events
Dr Martin Luther King Jr Birthday Weekend
The city of Boston celebrates the anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King Jr's birth on
15 January 1929 with a series of concerts, exhibitions and special events. The
revered civil rights leader was a figurehead of the campaign for equality for African
Americans whose famous I have a dream speech is known throughout the world.
King gained a PhD in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955 and is
enshrined in the city's cultural identity. In 1986, 18 years after his assassination on
4 April 1968, the anniversary of his birth became a public holiday throughout
America. Boston marks the holiday weekend with a series of special events,
church services and exhibitions in various locations across the city.
15 January 2019
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Venue: Various locations in Boston
Boston's Celtic Music Fest
This unique event features 100 musicians and performers representing Irish,
Scottish, Cape Breton, and other Celtic traditions. This is a great opportunity to
sample Celtic culture with lots of concerts, ceilidh and workshops for all ages.
17 - 20 January 2019
www.clubpassim.org/BCMFest
Venue: Various Venues
Boston International Film Festival
The Boston International Film Festival is a must for cinema fans.
11 - 16 April 2019
www.bostoniff.com
Venue: Various venues
Patriot's Day Celebrations
Forever stamped in history as the place where the American Revolution began,
each year the city of Boston marks Patriot’s Day. It was on this day in 1775 that the
first major battle between the British troops and the colonists took place. According
to the history books, Paul Revere rode out to Lexington to warn the colonists that
the British troops had begun to march towards Concord. A bloody battle ensued
and the American Revolution had begun. The day is marked each year with battle
re-enactments, formal ceremonies, exhibitions, historic displays and performances
and the popular Boston Marathon.
15 April 2019
Venue: Streets of Boston
Boston Marathon
The Boston race is the oldest annually contested marathon in the world. Beginning
in the rural New England town of Hopkinton, the course runs the customary 42.2km
(26 miles 385 yards) to the centre of Boston, with Men's Elite, Women's Elite and
amateurs starting in turn. Boston's was the first marathon to introduce a wheelchair
division. The field limit is 20,000 participants and would-be runners are always
advised to get their applications in early. The event enjoys a lively holiday
atmosphere and among the better vantage points are Boston College and Beacon
Street, just before the finish line.
15 April 2019
www.baa.org
Venue: Boston streets
Arts First Cambridge
Arts First presents more than 200 music, theatre, dance, and visual arts events.
The festival celebrates all kinds of creative activity at various indoor and outdoor
venues including Harvard Yard, Sanders Theatre, the Harvard Museums and the
undergraduate houses. It is Harvard's annual four-day celebration of the arts,
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instigated in 1992 at which undergraduates and graduate students present a great
programme of drama, music, dance, film, and literary and visual arts.
2 - 5 May 2019
ofa.fas.harvard.edu/arts/
Venue: Various locations around Boston
Cambridge River Festival
The Cambridge River Festival celebrates all things arts-related with a free outdoor
event, attracting an enthusiastic audience of 200,000 people annually to the banks
of the Charles River. The event starts with a procession from Harvard Square to
the river, with a variety of visual and performing art and food which reflects the
city's diverse neighbourhoods and cultural heritage. Enjoy everything from national
and local jazz, folk and world music to dance, poetry and theatre performances.
June 2019
www.cambridgema.gov/arts/Programs/riverfestival
Venue: Memorial Drive
Boston Harborfest
Ending with a bang to coincide with the US's Fourth of July celebrations, Boston
Harborfest is a seven-day celebration that gets the city in the party spirit with a
packed programme of entertainment. Events show off the city's rich colonial and
maritime heritage through a series of re-enactments, exhibitions, guided city tours
and historic displays. Always popular with families, Children's Day is one of the
main events where younger visitors can enjoy a mix of sports events,
performances, jugglers and face painters. With fun, games and entertainment for
visitors of all ages, the Boston Harborfest is one of the biggest celebrations in the
city.
June 2019
www.bostonharborfest.com
Venue: Boston's downtown and waterfront districts
Independence Day Commemorative Events
As the city inextricably linked with the start of the American Revolution, Boston
takes its independence seriously. The day starts at 0900 with an official flag raising
in City Hall Plaza. Then a parade begins on route from Tremont, Bromfield,
Washington, to Court Street, pausing at the Old Granary Burial Ground to place
wreaths on the graves of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Peter Faneuil, and
Robert Paine, followed by reading of the Declaration of Independence in front of
the Old State House. There are then 4 July celebrations all over the city followed in
the evening by a spectacular fireworks display (10,000 shells and devices are
used each year). The Boston Pops have entertained music fans on the Esplanade
along the banks of the Charles River since 1930 and the tradition continues with
the orchestra providing the soundtrack for the celebration.
4 July 2018
Venue: Various location in Boston
Fisherman's Feast of Boston
This is the oldest continuous Italian festival in the North End of Boston. Since
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1911, this North End Feast has celebrated the devotion of immigrant Sicilian
fishermen to the Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca (Our Lady of Help). Besides a
delicious selection of Italian food and cooking demonstrations, there is also a
variety of entertainment, live music, traditional processions and an assortment of
children's events, contests, giveaways, and games. In the evening, the fishing
waters are blessed, followed by the Cheese Tower building competition, and a
procession with the statue of the Madonna.
August 2019
fishermansfeast.com/
Venue: North End
Saint Anthony's Feast
Saint Anthony's Feast is the largest Italian religious festival in New England. This
authentic Italian street festival has something for people of every age: parades,
strolling singers, live entertainment, contests and daily religious services. Visitors
can stroll the beautifully decorated streets sampling the best Italian foods from
about 100 different pushcarts. Enjoy arancini, sausage peppers and onion,
quahogs, calamari, pizza, pasta and of course zeppole, cannoli and gelato. The
highlight of the Feast is the 10-hour procession of the Statue of Saint Anthony
through the streets of the North End accompanied by devotees, numerous
marching bands and floats.
22 - 25 August 2019
Venue: Streets of Boston
Head of the Charles Regatta
Each fall, rowers and spectators from around the world gather in Cambridge and
Boston, Massachusetts, for the two-day Head of the Charles Regatta. First held in
1965, the race was established by the Cambridge Boat Club members D'Arcy
MacMahon, Howard McIntyre, and Jack Vincent, under the guidance of Harvard
University sculling instructor Ernest Arlett. Each year the event attracts some 7,000
rowers and crowds in excess of 300,000 who turn out to enthusiastically cheer
them on.
20 - 20 October 2019
hocr.org
Venue: Charles River
Boston Tea Party Reenactment
Relive one of the most iconic public protests in American history - the Boston Tea
Party. Gather at Old South Meeting House, the actual historic landmark where the
colonists met in 1773, with Boston's infamous rabblerousers like Samuel Adams
and Paul Revere, to debate the tea tax and demand liberty from the British crown.
It's followed by a procession to Griffin's Wharf accompanied by fife and drums,
before the tea is then dumped unceremoniously into the waters at Boston Harbour.
16 December 2019
www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org
Venue: Old South Meeting House
First Night Arts Festival
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Entitling the bearer entrance to a range of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and
film events, a First Night Button is a passport to a whole raft of activities and
entertainment as part of Boston's First Night New Year's Eve arts festival. The
entertainment programme features over 250 performances, exhibitions and
workshops which are held at some 40 different venues in this exciting city.
Attractions and entertainment, ranging from a city parade to a fireworks display,
begin at around midday and continue through until midnight; the First Night Button
also offers discounts at selected venues well into the New Year.
31 December 2019 –
1 January 2020
www.firstnightboston.org
Venues: Various venues in downtown Boston
Hotels
Hotels in Boston
In recent years, Boston has drastically improved its accommodation options, with
old favourites receiving much-needed makeovers, and boutique hotels
drawingvisitors to developing areas of the city. The question now is – how to
choose?
Boston Harbor Hotel
Leading the way in Boston’s lodging list is this opulent wonder with marble-
lavished interiors.
70 Rowes Wharf Category: Expensive
Boston, MA 02110
USA
Hotel Commonwealth
The elegant home of trendy nightspot Eastern Standard, this hotel is popular with
the rich and famous.
500 Commonwealth Avenue Category: Expensive
Boston, MA 02215
USA
Nine Zero
With yoga sessions, personal shoppers and a celebrity chef, Nine Zero is the best
of Boston’s boutique hotels.
90 Tremont Street Category: Moderate
02108 Boston
USA
Boston Marriott Copley Place
Ideally located, this enormous hotel offers panoramic views of the city.
110 Huntington Avenue Category: Moderate
Boston, MA 02116
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USA
Boston Hotel Buckminster
With a history dating back to 1897, this quaint but handsome hotel is a walk down
memory lane.
645 Beacon Street Category: Cheap
Boston, MA 02215
USA
Outings ...
... a day by the waterside
© iStock
Rockport harbor, some 60 kilometers northeast of Boston, is equally popular with day trippers and photo
enthusiasts
No doubt about it, Boston is a city with more than its fair share of attractions. And
yet in New England even more than in most other regions of the USA, it would be a
crying shame not to turn your back on the city and give your senses a rest or a
change in more rural surroundings. Seemingly endless woodlands, pretty small
towns with their special New England brand of glamour – and above all, lovely
spots and beaches along the coast are the highlights of these day trips around
Boston.
Nahant Beach
© Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Nahant Beach, a public bathing beach and surf spot, is a popular destination for day trips
You don’t have to travel far to enjoy the fresh sea air, the long sandy beaches and
that very special blue of the sky over New England. In fact, public transportation
will bring you to Revere Beach, the oldest public bathing beach in the USA, and a
little further on in the direction of Salem to the Beach Reservation on Nahant
Peninsula. Fine sand and shallow waters make this area a popular destination for
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families. While the little ones can paddle at the water’s edge on guarded beaches,
adults and older brothers and sisters can try their hand at kite surfing. The excellent
infrastructure on the beaches makes outings a pleasant prospect for day trippers
since bathing suit and towel are almost all you need take along: sunbeds, swings
and slides for the kids, snacks and washrooms are all available practically
everywhere. Worked up an appetite from simply staring at the water? Then head for
the Seafood Bar or take a look at the burger menu at the Tides Restaurant & Pub at
the far end of the causeway between the mainland and Nahant.
Info
Boston – Nahant Beach: via Central Square, Lynn, then take the number 439 bus
as far as Nahant Road
Boston – Revere Beach: Blue Line as far as Wonderland
mbta.com
Beach Reservation
mass.gov
Tides Restaurant & Pub
2B Wilson Road
Nahant, MA 01908
USA
Tel.: +1-781/593 75 00
tidesnahant.com
Walden Pond
© mauritius images / Images & Stories / Alamy
This statue depicts the writer Henry David Thoreau; in the background, we see a replica of the log cabin in which
he lived beside Walden Pond
Try a lake instead of the ocean: The author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau
(1817–1862) spent two reclusive years in his lakeside cabin in order to “front the
essential facts of life.” In 1854, he published his daily journal entries under the title
of “Walden,” which would become one of the most important pieces of American
literature. It takes just under an hour to walk around the name-giving lake, originally
the property of poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, and see where the log cabin once
stood. There’s now a replica of the cabin along with a visitor center near the
parking lot. By the way: Come early in the day in summertime and you can also
bathe in Walden Pond, because later on it could be closed due to overcrowding.
Info
Walden Pond
915 Walden Street
Concord, MA 01742
USA
Tel.: +1-978/36 93 254
Open daily 0800-1900
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mass.gov
Boston Harbor Islands
© mauritius images / Lighthouses by Allan Wood
/ Alamy
Boston Light on Little Brewster Island is the oldest lighthouse still in operation in the USA
An outing for everyone who loves boat trips and idyllic islands: There are more
than 30 small and tiny islands in Boston harbor and a little further out, in the Boston
Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. Six of the islands can be reached by
ferryboats, which take roughly 45 minutes from Long Wharf North; to make the
crossing to the others, you need a boat of your own. These islands are perfect if
you like the idea of whiling away a quiet day far from the maddening crowd and all
the traffic. Little Brewster Island is the only island that is usually a little fuller
because it’s the site of the Boston Light. Built in 1716, it is the oldest lighthouse still
in operation in the USA. These days, thanks to modern technology, it casts its
beam more than 40 kilometers out across the waves. Boat trips complete with a
lighthouse tour take roughly 3.5 hours; some leave from Boston Harbor Islands
Welcome Center.
Info
Schedules for ferries to Georges, Spectacle, Peddocks, Lovells, Grape and
Bumpkin Island
bostonharborislands.org
Plimoth Plantation
© mauritius images / Greg Balfour Evans / Alamy
A replica of the Mayflower, which arrived in the US with the first pilgrims in 1620, belongs to the Pilgrim Memorial
State Park near Plymouth
In 1620, The Mayflower arrived in Plymouth, some 70 kilometers south of Boston,
with 102 passengers and a crew of 31 on board. Her stranding on Plymouth Rock
marked the birth of the American nation. Today, a surprisingly small
commemorative stone lies in Pilgrim Memorial State Park, where the Mayflower II,
a replica of the settlers’ ship, is normally moored. Since it requires extensive
restoration in preparation for the 400th anniversary of the pilgrims’ arrival, it is not
available for viewing for the time being. Follow the coast road a little further south
and you come to Plimouth Plantation, a place seemingly caught forever in the year
1620: In the “English Village” of this open-air museum, amateur actors in faithful
costume reproductions depict the life of the pilgrims, regaling visitors with fictitious
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recollections of their life in quaint, antiquated language. The neighboring
Wampanoag Homesite settlement is inhabited by “genuine” Native People who, in
all political correctness, are never called “Indians” here. Hence the express request
for visitors not to come in “Indian” costumes or engage in stereotypical “Indian”
behavior, such as whooping. Here, visitors can take a look at typical Wampanoag
homes and handicrafts.
Info
Plimoth Plantation
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360
USA
plimoth.org
Cape Cod: Nobska Point
Lighthouse
© mauritius images / Henk Meijer / Alamy
Pure relaxation awaits visitors to Cape Cod; at Nobska Point Lighthouse, for example, or on the southwestern tip
of the Cape
Smart, smarter, Cape Cod: This peninsula on the Atlantic coast is a roughly two-
hour drive south of Boston. Cape Cod is where the holiday resorts of the “American
nobility,” personalities from the worlds of culture and politics, are found. The
Kennedy family seat is also on the Cape, and the John F. Kennedy Museum in
Hyannis preserves the legacy of the former president, who was assassinated in
1963. The fine sandy beaches are so extensive that they are never really crowded,
although it can get pretty packed in the harbors: Sailing – and surfing, too – are
both simply a part of life on Cape Cod. Each of the towns here has its own special
charm. Heading to the top of the Cape, you pass through the artists’ village of
Wellfleet; right in the north, there’s Provincetown, bright, colorful and with clear
influences of its self-confident gay-lesbian community. Chatham on the south coast
is considered the height of elegance, with its expensive boutiques and beautifully
turned-out old captain’s houses extending the length of Main Street. Tip: Oysters,
lobster, shellfish and fish are sold all over Cape Cod, but at Chatham Pier Fish
Market they can be had fresh from the boat. If you were already planning to sample
the typical New England clam chowder, this is where you should do it. In the
southeast of the peninsula, there’s Falmouth, where Victorian houses line Main
Street, and also Woods Hole. It’s only a small town, but it is also the site of Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution, the largest research center of its kind in the USA
and also the starting point for trips to Nobska Point Lighthouse, where you can
enjoy the view across the Sound to the island of Martha’s Vineyard.
Info
Cape Flyer and other train services will take you from Boston South Station to
Hyannis (travel time: around 2.5 hours)
capeflyer.com
Catamaran ferry from Boston to Provincetown (travel time: around 90 minutes)
bostonharborcruises.com
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John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
397 Main St
Hyannis, MA 02601-3914
Tel.: +1-508/79 03 077
jfkhyannismuseum.org
Wellfleet Flea Market
51 State Highway, Route 6
Wellfleet, MA 02667
Tel.: +1-508/34 90 541
Open Sat, Sun 0800–1500
wellfleetcinemas.com/flea-market
Chatham Pier Fishmarket
5 Barcliff Avenue
Chatham, MA 02633
USA
Tel.: +1-508/94 53 474
Open May through October
chathampierfishmarket.com
Nantucket
© Oleg Albinsky/iStock
The smart vacation island of Nantucket was once a whaling center, but today the entire island is a National
Historic Landmark
Nantucket, the small island south of Cape Cod, has everything that epitomizes the
charm of New England. Not for nothing does the island in its entirety count among
the National Historic Landmarks of the USA. Nantucket has small, lovingly
preserved wooden houses with magnificent flowering gardens, small harbors and
pretty villages – and great pride in the achievements of its forefathers. The memory
of the whalers is kept alive not least for the tourists, but a key role here is also
played by Herman Melville’s whaling drama Moby Dick (1851), which with the
characters Captain Ahab and his counterpart, First Mate Starbuck, is a literary
monument to the wayward seefarers. The Nantucket Whaling Museum on Broad
Street retraces the history of whaling in the region. Even today, business with the
gigantic marine mammals is still profitable, except that today they are no longer
hunted; instead they are a popular tourist attraction: Whale watching boats sail from
various spots, including Straight Wharf.
Info
Several operators offer ferry services from Hyannis (travel time on the Traditional
Ferry: 135 minutes; on the High Speed Ferry: 60 minutes)
hyannistonantucket.com
Walmuseum Nantucket
13 Broad Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
nha.org/sites/index
Whale watching starts from Straight Wharf, Nantucket, with Shear Water
Excursions, for example
shearwaterexcursions.com
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Martha’s Vineyard
© Gary D'Ercole/Getty Images
The tiny, picture-book towns on Martha‘s Vineyard are just as popular as vacation spots, also with US celebrities
To assert that only exclusive tourism is found on Martha’s Vineyard would almost
be an understatement. The island’s picture-book towns and beach promenades
seem to belong to another age and offer pure relaxation. No wonder many
celebrities enjoy their vacation here; the Obama family also counts among the
regular guests. It’s easy to see what makes this island so attractive: pinewoods,
heathlands, steep cliffs and ancient, picturesque lighthouses. One such, the Gay
Head Light, near Aquinnah at the most westerly tip of the island, made the
headlines in 2015 when coastal erosion threatened to topple it, and it had to be
moved further inland. Elegant Edgartown, a former whaling port in the east of the
island, could look familiar even to first-time visitors: That’s because it was here that
the 1975 movie Jaws was filmed on location. Today, the greater part of the mid-
19th-century town center is a protected National Historic Landmark District. Before
boarding the ferry back to Oak Bluffs, it’s a good idea to drop by one of the seafood
restaurants here; after all, an outing in New England would not be complete without
lobster – best of all, choose an eatery overlooking the harbor and Edgartown
Lighthouse.
Info
Several operators offer ferry services from Hyannis, Falmouth and Woods Hole
(travel time: roughly one hour)
vineyardferries.com
Lighthouse Grill
131 North Water Street
Edgartown, MA 02539
USA
Tel.: +1-508/62 77 000
harbor-view.com
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