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.

Akris

Footware by Jimmy Choo and Stuart Wietzman claim the back of the store, while cashmere suits, evening gowns, and luxurious coats rule the racks up front.
Alan Bilzerian

From a $4,000 John Galliano silk dress to a skimpy camouflage Christian Dior bikini, Alan Bilzerian is the place to go for high-end fashion that exudes personality.
Allston Beat

With everything for club hoppers, glam rockers, and hip-hop revivalists, Allston Beat is the place for clothing and accessories that positively ooze swagger.
Alpha Gallery

Founded in 1967 to showcase contemporary artists from Boston, Alpha now covers the country and carries an impressive line of prints by modern masters.
AM's Free Boston Tours

AM's Free Boston Tours offers FREE Guided Walking Tours covering over 40 of Boston's best historical sites and attractions. These tours, which last about 2.5 hours, are supported only by voluntary tips (gratuities). They are a budget-friendly way for everyone to see the sites, and provide for an excellent introduction to the city.
Amrhein’s

The vintage bar at Amrhein’s – a South Boston fixture since 1890 – is reason enough to visit the ’hood. Locals debate the issue of the day over a drink or two.
Anne Bradstreet

Bradstreet (c.1612–72) was America’s first poet, publishing The Tenth Muse , Lately Sprung Up in America in 1650.
Antiques at 80 Charles

Should your predilection be antique jewelry, keep this address in mind. Ornate gold brooches, platinum earrings – plus excellent examples of Wedgwood ceramic work – populate the glass cases here.
Antiques at 99 Charles

Formal pieces of 19th-century Continental furniture and accessories, such as drop-leaf dining tables, wrought iron wall sconces, and beautiful Tiffany-style lamps, are the draw at this elegant shop.
Appalachian Mountain Club Headquarters

The Appalachian Trail, or the A.T. as it is known to hiking cognoscenti, is America’s premier walking path. Snaking through 2,168 miles (3,492 km) of pristine eastern wilderness – including 90 miles (145 km) in Massachusetts – the trail is maintained by members of the club. With a scale model of the trail, informative plaques on the walls, maps, guidebooks, and a knowledgeable staff, this is an essential stop for those planning a hike.