What makes boston awesome

Not only is Boston the nexus of franchises that have won countless—countless! Strolling the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway. West Roxbury vs. The usually friendly neighborhood rivalry is the most enduring in the region. Fenway Park. The Beaux Arts-Renaissance Revival hybrid, which was completed in , routinely shows up on lists and in articles of the most beautiful libraries in the U.

The quaint cobblestones and Federal architecture of Acorn Street. The Harborwalk. The string of parkland edges Boston in an almost continuous mile run that includes ample opportunity to amble waterside and to take in any number of spectacular views. Bar none. Deer Island Treatment Plant. The engineering marvel that sorts, cleans, and collates waste for the Boston region—one of the largest urban sewage plants in the nation—sits amid several pastoral acres on a peninsula on the Winthrop—Boston border.

Go for a tour of the oddly fascinating facilities , and stay for a picnic. Squares sometimes denote neighborhoods, though oftentimes they honor an individual or a milestone. The running commentary around Boston City Hall. People either love or hate the year-old Brutalist complex —there is no middle ground. The Harbor Islands. Officially, the Boston Harbor Islands National Park area consists of 34 islands and mainland parks , but the real highlight is the eight islands accessible to the public via seasonal ferries.

Another several are accessible from private boats or charters. There is a ton to do and see on the islands, which are all relatively close to downtown Boston. South Station. Repurposed parking garages. So many one-time hulking carparks are seeing new life as major mixed-use developments that include much-needed housing. Federal architecture. The first architectural style born in the United States is found throughout downtown Boston , particularly in the works of 18th-century starchitect Charles Bulfinch, including the Massachusetts State House.

Henry Hobson Richardson. Start with Trinity Church in Copley Square and go from there. These old houses. The Boston region is home to some of the oldest intact houses in America, including the Fairbanks House in Dedham circa and the James Blake House in Dorchester circa These new buildings.

Pei, Frank Gehry, and more. The U. The triple-decker. The three-story apartment buildings are a staple of Boston-area architecture and more influential than most people realize: They grew from an effort a century or so ago to pivot away from urban tenements. Jamaica Pond. Bunker Hill Monument. It was a technical win for the Brits, but the colonialists had inflicted quite a bit of damage. The T is the oldest subway system in the Western Hemisphere.

Take that, New York! Ogling all nature of wonders at our world-renowned museums. Along with a host of lovable, unusual ones. That includes one of the last surviving anatomy and pathology museum collections in the country—because not every museum has to be world-rattlingly famous to warrant attention. The courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The prime attraction of the beloved Willard T. The Hood Milk Bottle.

Driving through the harp strings of the Zakim Bridge. Richly significant churches. At some point soon, the city and its nonprofit partners will develop a major monument on Boston Common to honor the civil rights leader and his wife, Coretta Scott King, who met while living here. Our leaders in the public and private sectors take climate change seriously. Local governments and private stakeholders, including business leaders, have not been shy about trying to mitigate the effects of climate change, in particular rising sea levels.

Proximity to Portland. The Return of the Swans. Every early spring for three decades now, a pair of swans returns to the Public Garden lagoon from their winter lodgings at the Franklin Park Zoo—and the entire Boston area cracks a smile.

Bike shares. T stops called Maverick and Wonderland. The foot mast of the story Back Bay building gives the weather forecast—and indicates whether Red Sox games have been canceled due to inclement conditions—through changing colors. Every neighborhood is jam packed with stellar dining options.

You can easily find something for every budget and fulfill every desire. You can't go wrong walking Boston's streets and popping into one of the many restaurants you'll pass.

Boston nightlife revolves heavily around bars and clubs frequented by something singles who drink and dance the night away. For those who prefer something a little more low key, there are numerous upscale bars, lounges , and comedy clubs offering that alternative.

And for those seeking a bit of evening culture, check what is playing at one of Boston's theaters or concert halls. Caution: Most bars and clubs frown upon sneakers and hats. Boston is a shopper's paradise consisting of a mix of small boutiques and large scale chains that line Newbury Street, the Prudential Center and Faneuil Hall. Add to that the malls that live in the surrounding suburbs, and you could spend a week doing nothing but shopping. Bargain hunters often make the drive to the Wrentham Premium Outlets while those who want to stroll indoors and find almost every store imaginable will flip over the Natick Mall.

Avoid: Driving during rush hour; traffic can add up to an hour to your trip. Boston is a city rich in history. With Puritanical roots, Boston has always been a little adverse to change. It is no wonder that it was a prime spot for rebellion, because change, wanted or not, does eventually happen. Playing a major role in the American Revolution, Boston sparked the initial fight for freedom from the British.

Cold, snowy winters and hot humid summers are welcome changes for Boston residents. We love our seasons, and for very good reasons.

We are able to use our landscape to enhance what each brings to town. The below freezing winter temperatures allow ponds to freeze solid, providing a place to ice skate; and you do not have to travel far to ski the snow covered slopes.

Its Parisian aesthetic underscores the French-Israeli menu that's enthralled the city. Founder Tzurit Or bakes in the French tradition with Middle Eastern ingredients, and she's turned Boston's dining obsessives on to the joys of halva, za'atar, and halloumi.

Shakshuka is served three different ways—traditional, lamb meatball with labneh, or summer vegetable—and always draws an adoring crowd. Salads pair greens with rich accompaniments like creamy tahini vinaigrette.

All said and done, the MFA is the crown jewel of Boston's art scene. Bostonians may breeze through the Public Garden to get from one side of town to the other, but there's plenty to linger over in this city-center oasis. The lagoon, which wanders almost the entire length of the garden, is where the famed Swan Boats have been peddled for over a century; and the flowers are beyond vivid. In this pleasurable moment, remember that Victorian Bostonians found this park to be offensively bright.

My, how times have changed. Although tourists flock to the 2. It's a narrow paradise along both sides of the Charles River, stretching for several miles between the Longfellow Bridge to the west and the Boston University bridge to the east. More than 1, trees line the walkway or runway, if it's marathon-training season , while playgrounds, ponds, and gardens bring a lyrical quality to this meandering landscape.

It's best viewed in autumn, when the Esplanade shows its true colors. The Hatch Shell is a performance space that serves as home base for all things at the Esplanade including the famous performance by the Boston Pops on the Fourth of July. Tourists turn out in droves to walk the famous Harvard Yard, you should try to stay a while and take a genuine wander. This neighborhood has the kind of charm that'll make you want to move to Boston.

There are so many historic plaques that show off the neighborhood's rich past and an abundance of small, hidden art galleries and design showrooms that will keep you searching for more. Art and design aficionados should definitely come here on Sundays. There are also a number of one-of-a-kind boutiques and design showrooms, which are typically open seven days per week.