The roots of modern-day North America don't run much deeper than Boston, Massachusetts. The commonwealth of Massachusetts and this great city was ground zero for British siege of Boston and the Boston Massacre during the American Revolution. Today, Boston represents the development of American culture as a place of influence and independence for more than three centuries.
What is the Capital of Massachusetts?
Boston is the state capital of Massachusetts and the capital city rightly so. The city of Boston is the seat of Suffolk County in the Northeastern United States. Boston lies in the midst of the Charles River to the West and the Massachusetts Bay and Atlantic Ocean to the East. Symbolic for colonial American history, Native American History, and of course events the Boston Tea Party, there is more history in this city than words would fit on the webpage.
Boston is not only the capital of Massachusetts, but also seen as the focal point of the greater New England region. The city sits (geographically and figuratively) above the influence of New York and Connecticut—creating its own unique culture for residents and tourists. Boston receives guests from nearby states like New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maine most frequently. However, the city is well known nationwide resulting in a wide array of tourists.
Relatively speaking, the city is small for the amount of people it houses—but is the largest city and most populous city in the state. In 2019, the population of Boston was nearly 700,000 inside less than 50 square miles. Compare that to New York City's 8.4 million population spread over 300 square miles. The greater Boston area is famous for small towns and areas like Charlestown, Cambridge (where Good Will Hunting was filmed), and Concord. In the state of Massachusetts area, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Salem, and Rockport are all places of interest for travelers.
Individuals, couples, groups of friends, and families can all visit the Boston metropolitan area and find something they'll love. Before traveling, visitors should consider the list below...
5 Reasons to Visit Boston, Massachusetts
1. Boston Harbor Islands State Park
The Boston Harbor Islands are the perfect getaway to nature from the city. As a coastal city, Boston offers the best of both worlds. Start the trip to Boston with a Spring or Summer ferry ride and tour of the 34 islands of the Massachusetts Bay colony. The trip consists of historic sites, hiking trails, beaches, wildlife observation, and more. Tourists enjoy islands like Spectacle, where hiking to the highest hill gives travelers a view of the Boston skyline and Peddocks Island — camping and hiking are popular here. Lovells Island has a big beach and an interesting tidepool-ridden shoreline as the water empties out at low tide. Georges Island offers a great USA history lesson as it is the site of Fort Warren, which the federal government used for patrolling and training troops as well as housing Confederate prisoners during the Civil War, according to US Travel News.
2. Fenway Park
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The famous Fenway Park in Boston was opened in 1912, making this Major League Baseball Park the oldest in the US. Baseball fan or not, it is hard not to respect a stadium and event venue of such significance. Going to a game at Fenway is a bucket list item for any baseball or sports fan. Watch some baseball with friends and family to maximize the fun. Make sure to sample the variety of choices in ballpark fare or just stick with the always-amazing Fenway franks. Go Red Sox!
3. Samuel Adams Brewery
The Samuel Adams Brewery is located on 30 Germania Street outside of the city's center. It is a small operation, but a place that acts as the testing facility for new and specialty brews. This is another bucket list item for beer lovers, groups of friends, and for families too. The Samuel Adams brand is historic due to its namesake as well as for the beer itself. Due to the Samuel Adams industry precedence, the Boston area is a hotspot for more great breweries that serve tasty food, great craft beer or cider, and are family friendly, according to Boston Eater.
4. Faneuil Hall Marketplace
There are four buildings that makeup this historic marketplace: Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market, and South Market. Here, visitors will find history dating back to Faneuil Hall's creation in 1742 as well as a variety of delicious cuisine. Come hungry, but choose a visiting time wisely as the market gets very crowded on the weekends.
5. Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a Boston catch-all. If a visitor is not sure if they've seen Boston sites or learned Boston's history, the Freedom Trail will ensure the experience is complete. This walking tour goes past 16 of the city's most historic sites of the 19th century, including the Paul Revere House, Beacon Hill, State House, and Old North Church. Hitting all of the trail's attractions requires at least half a day (and comfortable walking shoes), but guests can easily plot points of interest before starting the trek from Boston Common, according to US Travel News. Guests can choose to walk the trail on their own or follow a guided tour. Ever seen Scorsese's, The Departed? The movie was filmed at key points along the trail like the Boston Common and Freedom Trail Line.
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