Boston, the scenic city

Boston has been so long and deeply associated with education in the average person’s perception that its tourist attractions are often overlooked. Harvard University and MIT are probably the best-known institutions in this harbour city of USA, located in Massachusetts State.

Boston is one of the most sophisticated cities in the US, with unique museums, and it is a rich mix of ethnic flavours from all corners of the world. One can visit Boston in Spring and Fall because they are gloriously verdant and the Summers are breezy and temperate

However, the city also has more on offer - great music, amazing art, interesting monuments, aquariums and gardens, plenty of heritage trails. We pick out a few of the best. Entry to some of these is ticketed or requires prior permission.

Massachusetts State House- Our hotel was almost next-door to this grand building and we got to see it every time we went out and on our return.

However, we did not find time to enter. It has an impressive facade, and functions as the seat of the Senate and House of Representatives for the state, and is also a kind of museum which showcases the history of the state since colonial times.

Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) - An absolute must-see in Boston for the art-lover. It is considered one of the world's most comprehensive museums, with nearly five lakh works of art in its collection!

These range from the very ancient Egyptian specimens to contemporary creations. Even if you don't get time to enter and see these gems, do stop to have a look at the impressive building which has been awarded for architectural excellence.

Swan Boats and Duck Tours - The Swan Boats are a kind of cultural icon in the city. A fleet of dual-pontooned boats, they operate in the Public Garden's pond. A seasonal attraction, they offer a gentle, calm ride over tranquil waters.

There are the popular Duck Tours which give you the best sights and sounds of Boston taking you over land and water. We missed this one thanks to the snow and windy weather.

Boston Harbour- This takes a little driving out of the city centre to reach but its current and historic importance make it a big draw. The Boston Harbour was the site of the famous Boston Tea Party in 1773, a significant event in American history and their freedom movement.

Even today, the episode is re-enacted for tourists at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum by a group of actors and the audience is invited to take part in the drama. We, as audience members, were not only asked to raise slogans, and participate in animated discussions about the freedom struggle but also throw the lookalike tea sacks overboard!

Harvard University Tour - This tour, by a current student, took us around the campus of the prestigious institution. We were given snippets of the university's history, shown the major buildings including libraries and sports grounds, and also got to know where its most famous alumni stayed and studied. The other landmark institution of Cambridge, Massachussetts Institute of Technology or MIT is close-by.

Boston Symphony Hall and Boston Symphony Orchestra - As a musiclover, this for me, was the highlight of our visit. Even if you are not interested in music, the architecturally impressive hall is a must-visit. It was designated a US National Historic Landmark. The hall is is internationally reputed for its superb acoustics and we got to experience that when we attended a wonderful concert at the venue.

Black Heritage Trail- Massachusetts state, of which Boston is the capital, was the first in USA to declare slavery illegal. This trail takes you through the various sites which are considered significant in American black history.

Other Museums- Boston has other museums worth your time---the Sports Museum, Museum of Science, John F Kennedy Presidential Museum, and the Museum of Bad Art which sounded highly interesting but which I could not visit. Hopefully, there will be another time.

Then there is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum where you get free admission on your birthday and year-round free admission if your name is Isabella!

Gardens, Parks and Aquariums - You can check out the New England Aquarium, Boston Public Garden, Fenway Park, Arnold Arboretum, etc.

By:Aruna Chandaraju