Retracing American History In Boston
Learning About Boston’s Past
The French singer-songwriter Laetitia Shériff is exploring the past and culture of music all over the United States. She made a stop in Boston, which was once called “the Athens of America” because it has such a rich culture and intellectual history.
„The city is beautiful and full of American history,” says Laetitia. „Walking around downtown, you can feel the spirit that comes from being the place where the American Revolution began.”
The variety of culture in Boston, Massachusetts, makes it hard for tourists to decide how to spend their time there. There is something for everyone to do in Boston. You can visit the city’s many historical sites, walk the streets in search of real clam chowder, or just enjoy the colors of the trees in Boston Common.
“Amazing historic sites and scenery, great live music, New England food, and a city packed full of important American history.” “I barely touched the surface of what Boston has to offer,” Laetitia said.
The Freedom Trail on foot
Boston is one of the oldest towns in the US. It was also the start of the American Revolution, so it has many sights that are important to the whole country. The famous Boston Freedom Trail is the best way to learn about the city’s many years of history. It’s a four-kilometer red brick path that leads you to 16 important historic sites. Every year, more than four million people walk the path.
In the middle of the city, at Boston Common, the start of your trip. This place has a history that goes back 12,000 years. Then, follow the path to see many of Boston’s landmarks from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, such as museums, meeting houses, cemeteries, parks, and more.
A water-based metropolis
Because of Boston’s stability and old-world beauty, one could easily forget that the city has literally risen out of the sea. When the city was created, more than two thirds of its surface area did not exist. It was made when earth from Boston’s three hills, or the “tri-mountain,” was used to fill in tidal waters.
You must visit Back Bay, a neighbourhood renowned for its well-preserved brownstone buildings that give it an air of timeless opulence, to really understand the scope of the project. However, this area remained a tidal bay until the middle of the 19th century, when there were no dwellings at all.
You can fully appreciate the city’s close ties to the water by taking a Boston Duck Tour; watching the Charles Regatta or going whale-watching.
Don’t miss this list of our top picks for places to visit in Boston, Massachusetts.
Here are a few of Laetitia’s favorite things to do in and around Boston, ranging from art museums to great food.
You can learn a lot about Boston’s history by going on one of the Freedom Trail’s guided tours. These tours are led by enthusiastic, experienced experts who dress up as historical figures. Besides the regular tour of revolutionary history, you can also choose from more specialized tours, such as the “African-American Patriots” tour, the “Revolutionary Women” tour, and even the “Historic Pub Crawl” tour.
2. A traditional crab roll gave Laetitia “the real taste of New England,” which she liked. A famous dish is a lobster meat sandwich on hot bread. It comes from the area and is always on the menu in the summer. There are a lot of great places in the city to get a lobster roll. Laetitia went to The Yankee Lobster Roll Co. on the Boston harbor, which is a successful family business that has been around since 1950.
3. The USS Constitution, a heavy frigate with a wooden hull and three masts, was launched on October 21, 1797. It was one of many battleships built to protect American ships from Barbary pirates. During the 1812 war with Great Britain, she captured many merchant ships and beat five British warships, which is how she got her nickname in the fight with HMS Guerriere. She was used until 1855, after which she was turned into a training ship and then a show ship. The USS Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides,” is one of Boston’s most important historic sites. It is also the oldest operational military ship that is still afloat.
4. Shopping is a great thing to do in Boston, and Newbury Street is a great place to start. It goes on for eight blocks and is full of clothing stores, coffee shops, bars, and different kinds of boutiques. But until the middle of the 1800s, Newbury Street was also underwater. In 1882, it opened as part of the grand living district. Since then, it has been slowly changing into a world-class shopping area.
5. Yes, Martha’s Vineyard isn’t really in Boston, but it’s only a day trip away. This 260-square-kilometer island is a summer settlement. It is south of Cape Cod. You can eat at one of the island’s great restaurants, rent a boat, lay out on one of the beautiful beaches, or just enjoy the holiday vibe.
Soundtrack of a city
We’ve put together a locally inspired soundtrack to accompany your visit to Boston.
- Boston-formed Aerosmith’s “Toy’s in the Attic” (1975)
- Enjoy some disco with Boston-born Donna Summer’s 1979 hit “Bad Girls”
- “Sweet Baby James” (1970) by James Tyler, the first non-British signee to the Beatles’ Apple record label
- New Kids on the Block was formed in Boston, and were an instant hit with “Hangin’ Tough” (1988)
- “It’s a Shame About Ray” was released in 1992 by Boston-formed band, The Lemonheads
- Joan Baez got her start whilst living in Belmont. Try “Joan Baez” (1960).
