Boston / Cambridge Massachusetts Travel Information
Boston, the capital and largest city in Massachusetts, is one of
the oldest and wealthiest cities in the nation. Founded by Puritans
and having played a major role in the American Revolution, Boston is a
city steeped in American history. Dozens of old churches and
townhouses line the streets of Boston; and Faneuil Hall, the USS
Constitution and the ship that hosted the Boston Tea Party are all a
part of America’s past found in Boston. Boston has a population
of around 570,000, and is a haven for university life, with over sixty
colleges calling the greater Boston area home. Harvard University, in
neighboring Cambridge, is the oldest college in the country, and is
consistently recognized as the most prestigious Ivy League institution
in the United States. Boston College and Boston University are two
other notables in the area adding to the young vibe of the
city. Boston is home to a number of business headquarters from
finance to publishing and packaged goods. It is known as an
intellectual and political hub and offers a wealth of economic
opportunity. The high cost of living in the area reflects both its
prominence as the capital of New England and the high standards of old
money neighborhoods like Beacon Hill and Back Bay. Boston is a
popular shopping destination with exclusive Newbury Street offering up
designer stores and boutiques, while Copley Place has an opulent
variety of stylish European stores as well as upscale department
chains. Quincy Market at Faneuil Hall has an unparallel line-up of
eateries and food stalls, while the North and South markets feature
additional restaurants as well as chain stores and specialty
shops. Fenway Park, one of the most notable baseball stadiums in
the country, hosts the Boston Red Sox. The Fenway, a stretch of area
housing Symphony Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts, is a popular
destination for visitors. Neighboring Cambridge lies just across
the Charles River from Boston. Home to Harvard and MIT (Massachusetts
Institute of Technology), Cambridge is drenched in intellectual
stimulation, from its museums and bookstores to the student activity
in Harvard Yard. Logan International Airport serves the city,
and public transportation is available via the “T,” Boston’s subway
system. Buses, commuter trains and water ferries make Boston a very
efficient and accessible city. Boston is in eastern central
Massachusetts, and is in the center of the Greater Boston area,
composed of outer cities Brookline, Newton, Cambridge and Quincy. The
Charles River separates Boston from Cambridge, and Boston Harbor lies
east of the city.
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