DK Travel : Boston

“The Hub,” “Beantown,” “Baaahstin” – call it what you will, New England’s largest city exists to be explored. Its colonial-era architecture, vibrant seafaring heritage, and irrepressible Yankee character make it one of the country’s most distinctive locales. Yet for all its big-city amenities – world-class restaurants, museums, and shops – Boston remains surprisingly compact and eminently walkable.

Boston Public Library

Although this McKim, Mead, and White-designed building went up in 1895, the Boston Public Library was actually founded in 1848 and is the oldest publiclyfunded library in the country. The interior’s Greco-Roman style cues lavish use of marble, and John Singer Sargent’s powerful “Judaism and Christianity” mural sequence clearly illustrates how highly public education was valued when the library was constructed. Guided tours offer insight into the building’s architecture and history.
Boston Tea Party Ship

The historic occasion (known as the Boston Tea Party) when patriots, dressed as native Americans, threw a consignment of English tea overboard to protest against the Stamp Tax of 1773, proved to be a precipitating event of the American Revolution (see Boston Tea Party (1773)). The Boston Tea Party ship is a replica of the brig Beaver, one of the vessels deprived of its cargo that fateful December night. Aboard the ship, costumed storytellers recount events in rousing detail while visitors sip tea (or dump it over the rail). Over the centuries Boston has expanded into the harbor and the tea party site now lies firmly inland at 470 Atlantic Avenue, where a plaque marks the event.
Boston University

Founded as a Methodist Seminary in 1839, BU was chartered as a university in 1869. Today it enrolls approximately 28,000 students from all 50 states and some 125 countries. The scattered colleges and schools were consolidated at the Charles River Campus in 1966. Both sides of Commonwealth Avenue are lined with distinctive university buildings and sculptures. The Special Collections department of the Mugar Memorial Library is big on the memorabilia of show biz figures, displayed on a rotating basis. Artifacts include Gene Kelly’s Oscar and a number of Bette Davis’s film scripts. It also exhibits selections from its holdings of rare manuscripts and books. The Photographic Resource Center, a focus for Boston’s considerable photographic community, frequently mounts challenging exhibitions of local and international photographers.

Mugar Memorial Library, Boston University
Bova’s Bakery

Fresh bread emerges from the ovens at all hours. When the bars and coffee shops close, night owls head to Bova’s for hot sandwiches and cookies.
Brasserie Jo

Bustling Brasserie Jo captures the savoir faire of 1940s Paris. Hearty French classics like steak roquefort are immensely satisfying.
Brattle Theater

A Harvard Square institution, the Brattle screens cinema greats daily. Rainy afternoon? Take in a 2-for-1 Fellini double feature for a meager $7.
Bravo

This attractive dining room at the Museum of Fine Arts (see Museum of Fine Arts) focuses on light and healthy cuisine like crisp salads and pastas tossed with fresh vegetables.
Brendan Behan Pub

This classic “new” Irish pub, frequented by cheerful neighborhood types with vaguely poetic pretensions, is properly outfitted with Guinness and Murphy’s on tap and live music most nights.
Bricco

This lively, stylish trattoría is a very popular spot for socializing over Abruzzo-style pastas or rabbit casserole.
Brown Sugar Café

Close enough to Fenway Park to grab a tasty pre- or post-game meal, Brown Sugar sets the Boston standard for subtly seasoned Thai food.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes, and extra charges.
- under $30
- $30–$45
- $45–$60
- $60–$75
- over $75