Whether you're visiting Boston for the first time or you're a frequent visitor, there are certain places you shouldn't miss. While Boston may be the state capital of Massachusetts, it's also a cultural and financial center of New England.
Peddocks Island
Peddocks Island is one of the largest islands in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. The island has 184 acres and is connected to the mainland by four headlands. It features a sandy beach and marsh. The island was once a military training center for the Army. It is best known for its bird-watching opportunities.
The island is a popular destination for camping. There are several campgrounds on the island, as well as six yurts for rent. There is a pier that connects the island to the mainland. There are also a variety of hiking trails that run throughout the island.
The island is open on weekends during the summer and fall. There are also several ferries that travel to the island. Peddocks Island is also a great place to go bird watching. The island is home to several species of colonial nesting birds.
The island has a chapel that is open for public events. Fort Andrews is on the island at the eastern end. It was decommissioned in 1946. It was once one of the Army's earliest radio transmitting stations. It also served as a prison for Italian prisoners during World War II.
There are several other islands in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, including Georges Island, Lovells Island, and Thompson Island. The islands have many historic sites, hiking trails, and wildlife. The islands are also great places to go boating. There are also a number of public mooring sites.
Spectacle Island
Spectacle Island is one of the Boston Harbor Islands and is located near Long Wharf in Boston. This 114-acre island is a National Recreation Area and offers visitors several exciting activities. Some of the things to do include hiking, picnicking, and swimming. The island has a 157-foot hill that offers visitors panoramic views of the city of Boston. There are also five miles of hiking trails.
The history of Spectacle Island dates back to the days when Indigenous people used it for fishing and recreation. The area was used as a smallpox quarantine for early American settlers. In the mid-1800s, two hotels operated on the island.
In 1903, a grease extraction facility opened on the island. The factory burned grease which could be used to make soap and glycerin. After the facility closed, the grease remnants were tossed onto the beach. These were then used as fertilizer.
Spectacle Island also served as a horse rendering plant. In the 1920s, the South Boston Army Base operated on the island. The area was also home to a glue factory for a short time.
During the late 1800s, a candle factory was also operated on the island. A smallpox quarantine center was also located on Spectacle Island. In 1959, the island became the city of Boston's landfill.
The island is accessible to the public by ferry. The trip takes about 20 minutes one way. The ferry service is operated by Boston Harbor Cruises. During the warmer months, there are several daily trips. Tickets cost $15 round trip for adults and $9 for children. The ferry ride also includes a narration by a crew member about the history of the harbor.
Lovells Island
Located within Boston Harbor, Lovells Island is one of the most popular destinations for locals and visitors alike. The island is perfect for a weekend escape from the city and features a beautiful beach. It's also the perfect backdrop for hikers.
Lovells Island is also home to the former Fort Standish. Fort Standish dates back to the 1890s and was once the largest Boston military fortification. Fort Standish offers breathtaking views of the outer harbor and the Atlantic Ocean.
Lovells Island offers great swimming and hiking opportunities. Visitors can explore the dunes and sandy beaches, and take in the pristine Atlantic waters. The island is also home to two deadly shipwrecks. The French ship Magnifique sank in Lovells Island area in 1782.
The island is also home to a variety of plant species. A 2003 survey found 301 different plant species. The island is also home to horseshoe crabs, rays, and other marine life. The island's west drumlin is a prime birdwatching spot.
A ferry service runs from Boston Harbor to Lovells Island. The service is operated by Boston Harbor Cruises and Hingham Shipyard. The ferry services Lovells Island on a daily basis. The service runs from mid-June to Labor Day Weekend. The ferry schedule is available from the National Park Service.
Lovells Island is one of six islands in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. Visitors can explore the island on hiking and biking trails.
Paul Revere House
Located on Boston's Freedom Trail, Paul Revere House is a popular historic site and tourist attraction. The Revere family lived in this home during the Revolution. The home is filled with items from the family, including Paul Revere's silver, pistols, and saddlebags.
Visitors will learn more about the Revolutionary War through displays and information panels. They will also have the opportunity to experience life in Boston in the 17th and 18th centuries. A 900 pound bell in the courtyard was crafted by Paul Revere and Sons.
You can book a tour at the Paul Revere House, or you can visit it on your own. Paul Revere House is open daily, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There are also special events and activities on certain days.
The house is on the Freedom Trail, and visitors can take a free self-guided tour. There are also text panels, and you can download them to read off-site.
Paul Revere House is located at 19 North Square. The building was built in the late 17th century. It has been renovated several times. The ground floor was converted into shops, and the gabled garret was enlarged in the mid-18th century. The front roof line was raised to accommodate the windows.
The house is now a museum, and visitors will learn more about the Revolutionary War through the displays and information panels. You can also visit the new Education and Visitor Center, which is located next to the house. This new center will allow disabled visitors to enter the second floor of the house.
New England Aquarium
Located on the waterfront, New England Aquarium is an attraction not to be missed. This aquarium houses over 8,000 aquatic animals, including whales and penguins. There are also free evening lectures. This aquarium is a great way to learn about marine life.
The Giant Ocean Tank is the center of this attraction. It contains 200,000 gallons of salty water. This tank is 40 feet wide and features a spiral ramp around the windows. It's one of the largest aquatic displays in the world.
You'll find a variety of marine animals at the aquarium, including three species of penguin, California sea lions, and leafy sea dragons. This aquarium also features a touch tank. Visitors can graze on sharks and rays, and even learn how to touch them.
Another attraction is the IMAX Theater. The theater features 3-D films and Whale Watch. You can also buy tickets online. You can save on admission by buying a combo ticket.
You can also take a ride on the Greenway Carousel for some cheap fun. The New England Aquarium is close to the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Getting to the Aquarium is easy by foot or subway. The MBTA has several stops within walking distance of the Aquarium. It is also within easy access of the Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Faneuil Hall.
The Amazon Rainforest exhibit is also a must-see. You'll find electric eels, anacondas, and even poison dart frogs.
Boston Public Library
Among the many places to visit in Boston, the Boston Public Library is certainly one of the more interesting. It is a beautiful, elegant building that has much to offer the visitor. It is also home to a collection of rare books and other works of art. The library's central branch has a Renaissance style facade and courtyard. It is considered a national historic landmark and has a lot to offer the visitor.
The library's main reading room is called Bates Hall. It is 218 feet long and occupies the entire front half of the second floor. The floor is made of Italian and Belgian marble. The ceiling is intricately molded plaster.
The Boston Public Library has a vast collection of books. It also offers many helpful services. Visitors can sign up for volunteer opportunities or participate in educational classes. It is free to visit the library. It is open from 9am until 8pm Monday through Thursday, and 11am until 5pm on weekends and holidays. It also offers computer access and electronic devices. It has a teen center, and offers nightly and daily events.
The Boston Public Library offers free art and architecture tours. These tours highlight important artwork in and around the library. The entrance hall features a large bronze statue, a mural by John Singer Sargent, and ornate bronze doors. It has a courtyard that is modeled after a Renaissance cloister. Its main staircase is designed to resemble a pair of lions.
