10 Reasons to Have Boston on Your Bucket List
As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston is a city that every patriot should visit at least once. Remnants of the Revolutionary War abound as do opportunities to gain insight into the life of our Founding Fathers. Its historical offerings are really just the beginning though. Meaningful cultural events, delectable seafood, rowdy sports games, and great shopping are all part of the package which makes Boston a win for any traveler.
1) See the Leaves Change Near Fairmont Copley Plaza
Boston is at its best in the fall. The changing leaves blanket the city in a full spectrum of color and the crisp autumn air sends a wave of anticipation throughout the city. Located near the Charles River, Fairmont Copley Plaza is just a few minutes away from many of the city’s best places to leaf peep. From the hotel, you can easily walk to Boston Commons, America’s oldest public park, Boston Public Gardens, the Esplanade, the Back Bay neighborhood or Beacon Hill.
2) Have a Lager With America's Greatest Patriot
Samuel Adams is a name that’s synonymous with both the War for Independence and one of America’s largest craft breweries. Coming from a long line of brewers, founder Jim Koch spent the first years of his career detached from the family profession until he came across an old recipe from his great-great grandfather. He used it to whip up the first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager in his kitchen. Since then Samuel Adams' production and distribution has increased exponentially but the original Lager is still the favorite of many patrons and patriots. Come toss a few back, tour the facility, and learn a little bit more about the company that paved the way for the craft breweries around the nation.
3) Walk the Freedom Trail
This marked 2.5 mile route takes visitors through 16 historical landmarks which tell the story of Boston’s revolution. You'll gander at Paul Revere’s House, the church that warned him the British were coming, the site of the Boston Massacre, and Bunker Hill Monument. Along the way, you'll get a better understanding of the tumultuous political landscape at a time when our nation's independence was at stake.
4) Get Educated at Harvard
The oldest institution of higher education in the U.S. welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors onto its campus every year. Current students or recent alumni will guide you through stately brick buildings and back in time as they relay the history, culture and prestige of the university. As an institution that employs more than 16,000 individuals, Harvard is, in many ways, a town within a town and definitely worth exploring (or at least bringing home a souvenir).
5) Get Spoiled at Fairmont Copley Plaza
Sparkling chandeliers, plush carpets and elegant furniture give Fairmont Copley Plaza an air of old-world refinement. A concierge is available to help with all your trip planning, a canine ambassador is on hand so you don’t miss your pup, and if you're really feeling stressed, there's no need to seek out a spa. Zeel, a five-star massage company and partner, can be ordered on-demand like room service.
6) Stay in Shape
Don’t want to get behind on your workout regimen while you’re away from home? Then you’ve chosen the perfect escape. Massachusetts is consistently ranked one of the most fit states in the country and home to one of the nation’s most prestigious marathons. Joggers are frequently found along the Charles River, circling the ponds, and blazing along city sidewalks. However, if it's rainy or you simply don't want to fight the crowds (or the snow), a stay at Fairmont Copley Plaza includes an incredible complimentary rooftop health club. You'll have access to dozens of workout machines, cardiovascular equipment and free weights. Even better? Its floor to ceiling windows and outdoor deck boast one of the best views of the city.
7) Gorge on Seafood
For more than 100 years, OAK Long Bar + Kitchen has been regaling eager patrons in the most elegant of settings. Coffered ceilings, intricate plaster work, and marble walls hint at the restaurant’s rich past while a recent renovation give more modern touches. OAK focuses on a farm-to-table menu and in a place like Boston, those locally sourced foods usually lead to the sea. Enjoy New England touches in dishes like hearth roasted oysters and their take on the traditional lobster roll: tender lobster rolled into a toasted bun slathered with tarragon aioli.
8) Go Green
As part of the city's “Emerald Necklace,” the Boston Commons and Boston Public Park provide a peaceful respite from city crowds with their inviting green fields, stately trees and accessible waterways. The two parks are adjacent to each other but couldn’t be more different. Boston Commons was built, in part, for a practical purpose: to speed up crosstown travel. Boston Public Garden was the first public botanical garden in the United States and as such was decorative and flowery from its inception. As you meander through the area, be sure stop by the Public Garden's lagoon for a Swan Ride. These cleverly crafted boats have been in operation since 1877 and a ride aboard one is the most scenic way to see the water.
9) Catch Fenway Fever
Fenway Park’s inauguration in April 1912 may have been overshadowed by the sinking of the Titanic, but it has more than lived up to its tagline of “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” since then. The home of the Boston Red Sox is the oldest surviving baseball stadium in the country and has become far much more than just a venue to play ball. People who grew up watching legends like Babe Ruth and Ted Williams share a camaraderie and love of the game with their children or grandchildren. Catch a heavy hitting game or tour the stadium during the off-season to experience what’s become one of baseball’s places of pilgrimage.
10) Shop Your Heart Out
There’s just as much goiback to the 1800s, the marketplaceng on by Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace today as there was in 1742 when the Founding Fathers declared it “the Cradle of Liberty.” Made up of four historic buildings dating pulls together an eclectic mix of local shops, international brands, top restaurants, pubs, and food stalls. Get in your retail therapy on the regal cobblestone steps while enjoying the talents of local street performers.
