Editing Boston (section)

===History/Culture===
* [http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/ Freedom Trail] - Three mile (4.8km) walking tour of 16 historical sites in Boston. Tours are scheduled in the spring, summer and fall, but you can do this walk on your own as well. The sidewalks are painted with a red line, or with a brick path indicating the route, so you don't even necessarily need a map! Plan at least 3-5 hours for this walk. Park Street Station on the Red and Green Line.
* [http://www.harvardtour.com/ Harvard University] - Located in Cambridge (not Boston - did you read the "[[#Understanding_the_region_of_Greater_Boston|understanding]]" section above?), Harvard is one of the oldest and most well known universities in the world. You should also check out [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hahvahd_tour "unofficial" free walking tour]. The tour guides are students who work for tips, and have good stories and jokes. Be sure to check the tour schedule link, before you head there. No reservations are needed. The [http://www.harvardsquare.com/ Harvard Square] area is also home to boutiques, cafes, and other interesting urban interactions. You can find free Wi-Fi here too, in the open area as well as in every coffee shop. Plan at least 3 hours to the tour plus exploring Harvard Square. Harvard Station on the Red Line. 
*[[:wikipedia:Boston_Common | Boston Common]] and [[:wikipedia:Public_Garden_(Boston) | Public Garden]] - The oldest city park and garden in the United States, the common and garden are a place for gatherings, protests, concerts, ice skating in the winter and general relaxation. The Common is part of the Emerald Necklace, an 1,100 acre chain of parks in Boston and Brookline designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (who also designed Central Park in NYC and Mont Royal Park in Montreal). Be sure to visit the [[:wikipedia:Swan_Boats_(Boston,_Massachusetts)|Swan Boat Ride]] and the [[:wikipedia:Make_Way_for_Ducklings|Make Way For Ducklings]] statues. Plan at most 1 hour to explore the Common and Garden. Boylston Station on the Green Line, and Park Street Station on the Red and Green Line.
*[http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com Faneuil Hall]- A shopping and dining center, Faneuil Hall is also a 15 minute walk to many of Boston’s attractions. Nearby is also the [[:wikipedia:New_England_Holocaust_Memorial | Holocaust Memorial]]. It is bordered by the North End, the financial district, Haymarket and Government Center. In the summertime, there are street performers outside the hall itself. Plan at least 2 hours to explore this area. Haymarket Station on the Orange Line.
*[http://www.mfa.org Museum of Fine Arts] - Fantastic art museum with a top-notch gallery of impressionist paintings by Renoir, Monet, Manet, Picasso, Degas, as well as the rest of the museum with large galleries and more. Great for an all day activity, especially on a bad weather day. Museum of Fine Arts Station on the Green E line.
*[[:wikipedia:Boston_Public_Library,_McKim_Building | Boston Public Library]] - Be sure to see [[:wikipedia:Boston_Public_Library,_McKim_Building#Bates_Hall|Bates Hall]], the reading room, which is simply stunning. Plan at least 30 minutes to explore inside. Copley Square, Green Line. Free.
*[http://www.paulreverehouse.org Paul Revere House]- Visit the home of Paul Revere, the midnight rider who warned of the British advance in the Revolutionary War. His home, built in 1680 is the oldest building in downtown Boston and is now a national historic landmark. The Freedom Trail takes you past this house. See Freedom Trail above.
*[http://www.northendboston.com The North End]- This section of Boston housed the immigrant Italian enclave. Although many Italians have moved on and out, their legacy lives on in the numerous restaurants in this neighborhood's tiny streets. This is a heavily touristed area, but also a residential area where locals visit for excellent old world cuisine. To eat like a local, step off the busy,touristy Hanover St. and onto the smaller streets. With so many restaurants tucked away, you may discover a gem to pass on to your host! Haymarket Station, Orange Line (walk of 5-10 minutes required).
*[http://www.bso.org Boston Symphony Orchestra] - Symphony Hall, the home of the BSO and the Boston Pops, is consistently rated in the top 5 classical halls in the world. Comparable to the Musikverein in Vienna, Symphony Hall was scientifically designed with perfect acoustics in mind. Cheap tickets are available for students, and currently anyone under 40 can purchase tickets for $20. Symphony Station on the Green E Line.
*[http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/ USS Constitution]- "Old Ironsides" is the oldest commissioned warship in the world afloat. This ship was originally launched October 21, 1797. It's now housed at the Charlestown Navy Yard, near the famous Bunker Hill. Charlestown, while not as picturesque as the North and South Ends or Beacon Hill, is distinctly Bostonian, with a mix of Irish and Italian families, newer immigrants, young professionals and transplanted families.
*[http://www.jfklibrary.org John F. Kennedy Library] - The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library and museum of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. The building is the official repository for original papers and correspondence of the Kennedy Administration. JFK Station on the Red Line (may take some time to reach from downtown).
*[http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/index.jsp Fenway Park]- Stadium home of the Red Sox baseball team, this ballpark is almost entirely unchanged  since it opened on April 20, 1912. Take in a game or simply take a tour and see a piece of Boston's history. Note that tickets for the Red Sox can be difficult to find. The team has dramatically increased their online presence in the last few years, making it worthwhile to keep an eye on the site if you think you might want to check out a game. Kenmore Station on the Green Line (any line except "E" line, just look for the Fenway Park signs! Note that the "Fenway" station on the is farther from the stadium than Kenmore Station.)
*[http://www.oldnorth.com/ Old North Church]- The Old North Church is officially known as Christ Church in the City of Boston. Built in 1723, it is the oldest standing church in Boston. On April 18, 1775 church sexton Robert Newman climbed the steeple and held two lanterns signaling that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord by sea and not by land (according to the website).
*[http://www.bostonhistory.org/old_state_hs_hist.php Old State House]- Now dwarfed by the modern buildings surrounding it, the Old State House is the oldest public building in Boston. The Old State House bore witness to the [[:wikipedia:Boston_Massacre|Boston Massacre]], a reading of the [[:wikipedia:United_States_Declaration_of_Independence|Declaration of Independence]], and a visit from President Washington. State Street Station on the Orange Line.
*[http://www.kings-chapel.org/history.html King’s Chapel]- This Unitarian Universalist church was founded in 1686. It was built on a burying ground since no one would sell land for the construction of a non-Puritan church. Today, it is located on the Freedom Trail and the burying grounds still lay adjacent.
*[http://www.nps.gov/boha/ Boston Harbor Island National Park]- Thirty-four islands comprise the BHINP. Within minutes of Boston, you can visit Civil War historical sites, see historic lighthouses, camp, hike, swim, fish, etc. The islands make a great day trip or break from the city.