Boston

One of the country's oldest cities, Boston remains also one of the most charming and inviting for visitors with its characteristic European feel. Boston is the largest city and the capitol of the state of Massachusetts. The jewel of New England, Boston proper has over 600,000 residents, while the greater Boston metropolitan area is home to nearly 5 million people, and hosts over 12 million visitors each year. The city is considered a cultural epicenter with its significant history, leading educational institutions, and popular sport teams and events.

Situated on the Massachusetts Bay, the city is quite compact in its design with many of the main attractions easily within reach by foot or by the easy-to-use public transportation system, known as the T. A great way to trace the city's history is by following the pedestrian path and self-guided tour of the Freedom Trail, which carves through historic neighborhoods and offers many cultural landmarks such as Faneuil Hall and Bunker Hill Monument. Notable Boston neighborhoods include Newbury Street with its upscale shopping and dining that runs through the Back Bay and the Public Garden, the North End with its characteristic cobble-stone streets and famous Italian eateries, Beacon Hill with its elite residences, the South End's art galleries, and of course the picturesque Waterfront home to Faneuil Hall and the Quincy Marketplace that is always buzzing with tourists and is a great spot for photo ops and grabbing a bite of Boston's famous fare such as clam chowder, lobster rolls and even a decadent cannoli. This family-friendly city is known for its vast history dating back to the founding of the country and offers many important landmarks, interesting attractions and a rich culture making for an inviting city to discover.