Built and donated to the city of Boston in 1742 by the merchant Peter Faneuil (pronounced FAN-yul), this revered landmark was enlarged by preeminent Boston architect Charles Bulfinch in 1806. It was called "the cradle of liberty" because of..

The popular 2.5mi walk, beginning at the 50-acre park, Boston Common, and ending at Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown, includes most of the urban sites related to Boston's 18C and 19C history, particularly those that played major roles in the Revol..

Built in 1723, "Old North" earned its place in history during the Revolution. Here, on the evening of April 18, 1775, the sexton displayed two lanterns in the steeple to signal the departure of the British from Boston to Lexington by boat, ..

When you step inside this treasure trove of art, you'll see a wealth of furnishings, textiles, paintings and sculpture collected by a woman who truly relished beauty, creativity and life. Isabella Stewart Gardner built Fenway Court, which resembles a..

One of the country's leading museums, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) contains a comprehensive collection of more than 350,000 artworks organized in eight departments-Art of the Americas; Art of Europe; Contemporary Art; Art of Asia, Oceania an..

Behind Faneuil Hall stands a trio of long, two-story buildings. Officially called Faneuil Hall Marketplace, it is often referred to as Quincy Market, the name of its 1826 Greek Revival centerpiece. This complex of restaurants, outdoor cafes and shops..

This top-heavy concrete structure with a brick base has been one of Boston's controversial architectural statements since its completion in 1968. The building recalls the works of architect Le Corbusier and helped to bring the so-called Brutalist sty..

In this colossal aquarium, interpretive panels, demonstrations and special exhibits foster understanding of some 600 species of fish, invertebrates, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Fronted by a shimmering stainless-steel entry, the original ..

Conceived exclusively for children, the museum is a wonderland of learning and play, recently upgraded and expanded to include exhibit areas with a multicultural twist, such as the Japanese House, where visitors can kick off their shoes and visitt a ..

The square was named in honor of the victorious siege of the French fortress at Louisbourg (Nova Scotia, Canada) led by the Massachusetts militia in 1745, this enclave epitomizes Beacon Hill's refined lifestyle. The appearance of the elegant Greek Re..

Beacon Hill started off as the province of Boston's high society, known as the Boston Brahmins, as well as the first community of African Americans. Virtually undisturbed by the passage of nearly two centuries, the "Hill" today remains one ..

This stunning 24-acre rectangular park, bounded by a handsome cast-iron fence, was reclaimed from the swampy Back Bay in the 1830s to create a botanical garden. Today it's a popular retreat, charming visitors with lush plantings, footpaths, statuary ..

It's easy to imagine yourself in late-19C Paris when you see this 200-foot-wide thoroughfare. "Comm Ave.," as the locals call it, recalls the grand boulevards laid out during Napoleon III's reign; it remains a coveted address today. Lined w..

A kaleidoscopic array of exhibits in this mammoth structure overlooking the Charles River features cutting-edge, interactive displays that encourage kids and adults to think through thorny scientific problems. More than 600 interactive exhibits inclu..

Recognized as the masterpiece of architect Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-86), this imposing granite and sandstone pile (1877) initiated the popular style known as Richardsonian Romanesque. A massive central tower dominates the church, but it is the w..

Since its completion in 1975, the Hancock Tower has reigned as New England's tallest skyscraper. Its unusual rhomboid shape creates a variety of profiles, depending on your vantage point. From the opposite side of Boylston Street, the tower, covered ..

Named for painter John Singleton Copley, this is Back Bay's main public square; it shows off some of Boston's most celebrated architectural treasures, like Trinity Church, the John Hancock Tower and the Public Library.

Founded in 1848, the Boston Public Library (BPL) was the first in the country to lend books. The handsome Renaissance Revival-style building became the BPL's home in 1895. Before you enter, admire the granite facade's wrought-iron lanterns, relief pa..

This stunning ensemble of three bold concrete structures, surrounding an enormous reflecting pool (670 feet by 100 feet), houses the world headquarters of the Christian Science church. The grand Mother Church Extension (1906), facing Massachusetts Av..

Built entirely on landfill, the Back Bay neighborhood offers everything from central Copley Square, which showcases some of the city's most celebrated architecture, to the tony thoroughfare of Commonwealth Avenue and the sprawling indoor shopping mal..