| Boston's
Best Attractions Museum
of Fine Arts
The museum has a comprehensive collection of artworks from
every period. Of particular interest are the departments of European painting
(with works by leading masters from El Greco to Monet and Max Beckmann), Asian
art, and the representation collection of American art, which ranges from the
18th century Boston painter John Singleton Copley to such modern masters as Edward
Hopper and Jackson Pollock. There is also an interesting exhibition of American
decorative arts. Boston
Common
The Boston Common is known to be one of the oldest public parks
in the country. The park is almost 50 acres in size. Today, Boston Common is the
anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through
many of Boston's neighborhoods. The "Common" has been used for many
different purposes throughout its long history. Until 1830, cattle grazed the
Common, and until 1817, public hangings took place here. British troops camped
on Boston Common prior to the Revolution and left from here to face colonial resistance
at Lexington and Concord in April, 1775. State
House
Built in 1798, the "new" State House is located across
from the Boston Common on the top of Beacon Hill. The land was once owned by Massachusetts
first elected governor, John Hancock. Charles Bullfinch, the leading architect
of the day, designed the building. The dome, originally made out of wood shingles,
is now sheathed in copper and covered by 23 karat gold. In the House of Representatives
chambers hangs a wooden codfish that signifies the importance of the fishing industry
to the Commonwealth. Newbury
Street
Boston's "Rodeo" drive, where hundreds of enchanting
shops, restaurants, outdoor cafes, art galleries, and salons are embraced in Boston's
old world grandeur. Boston's Newbury Street celebrates eight blocks of international
fashion, fine dining, jewelry, and antiques. From couture to classic, eclectic
to enduring, a world of shopping and people watching awaits you. Discover a world
of elegance, excitement, style, romance, glamour, and adventure on Newbury Street,
Boston. Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall has served as a marketplace and a meeting hall since 1742.
Funding was provided by a wealthy merchant, Peter Faneuil, for the construction
and local artisan to create the grasshopper wheathervane that still perches on
the building's cupola. Inspiring speeches by Samuel Adams and other patriots were
given that eventually lead to independence from the British. Faneuil Hall was
expanded in 1806 by Charles Bulfinch. When Boston became a city the use of Faneuil
Hall as a government meeting place came to an end, but it was still regularly
used. Today, the first floor is still used as a lively marketplace and the second
floor is a meeting hall where many Boston City debates are held. The fourth floor
is maintained by the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Quincy
Market
Near Faneuil Hall, it has served as a retail and wholesale distribution
center for meat and produce for 150 years. It houses a slew of popular apparel
stores (Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor), restaurants, and
offices. Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is the most English of Boston's neighborhoods. Greek Revival
and Federal style homes dominate the neighborhood. Beacon Hill is divided
into three parts: the front of the hill, the back of the hill, and the flat of
the hill.
Historically, the front of the hill was home to many of Boston's
wealthiest
families and the back of the hill housed former slaves and working
class people.
The flat of the hill is the newest section of the neighborhood,
part of the
landfill that created Back Bay. Charles Street, the main venue,
is lined
with charming restaurants and unique gift and antique shops. Hancock
Tower
The tallest building in Boston, the John Hancock Tower often appears
to be a giant mirror, reflecting the brilliant blue sky around it. The John Hancock
tower was built in 1976 and at 241 meters (790ft), it is still the tallest building
in Boston. It has an observatory with a great panoramic view on Boston, but it
is now (temporarily) closed.
New England Aquarium
On Central
Wharf is the very interesting New England Aquarium. Its main attraction is the
four-story high Giant ocean tank. The 200,000 gallon tank is the centerpiece of
the New England Aquarium, and it is one of the region's most popular underwater
exhibits. The reef accommodates not only sharks, sea turtles, barracuda and moray,
but also hundreds of smaller exotic tropical fishes, and it is one of the most
detailed and scientifically accurate recreations of its kind.
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