Hotels in Boston

Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and one of the oldest cities in the United States, founded in 1630 and central to the story of the American Revolution. Compact and walkable, it wears its history openly: the red-brick Freedom Trail links sites like the Old State House, Paul Revere's house and the USS Constitution, while cobbled streets, gas lamps and colonial churches sit beside a modern skyline along the Charles River. For many visitors it feels more European than American, a city of distinct neighbourhoods you can explore largely on foot.

It is also a city of universities and ideas, with Harvard and MIT just across the river in Cambridge giving the area a youthful, intellectual energy. Beacon Hill's elegant townhouses, the Italian heritage of the North End, the boutiques of Back Bay and the bustle of Faneuil Hall each have their own character. Boston takes its sport seriously, from Red Sox games at historic Fenway Park to a passionate following for its other teams, and its harbour setting brings fresh seafood to tables across the city.

Getting around is easy on the 'T', the oldest subway system in the country, complemented by buses and a famously walkable centre, so a car is rarely needed. Boston has four clear seasons, with warm summers, crisp and colourful autumns that draw leaf-peepers across New England, cold and snowy winters, and a fresh spring. Late spring through autumn is the most popular time to visit, though the city's museums, pubs and historic sites make it rewarding year-round.