As one of the oldest settlements in the USA and the largest city in New England, Boston has plenty of historic culture. Yet with over 50 colleges and universities situated in the greater Boston area there is a youthful vibrancy that adds a totally different dimension to the historic charm of the city.

Cambridge lies across the Charles River and is the largest college town in the world, synonymous with Harvard University, founded in 1638. The neat ivy-covered brick buildings of the university grounds, as well as the labyrinth of twisting streets in Boston centre and the historical buildings in the old-world neighbourhoods are best explored on foot. Boston refers to itself as the 'Walking City' and is a remarkably compact city that is centred on the country's oldest public park, Boston Common. The Information Centre in Boston Common is the starting point for two of the city's main attractions, which are in fact walking tours. The Freedom Trail explores the city's revolutionary past and the birth of the modern American Republic, while the Black Heritage Trail highlights Boston's place in black American history and its role in anti-slavery.

Boston is an easy blend of historic charm and modern conveniences, with a busy street life and beautiful architecture, green parks and gardens, skyscrapers and modern freeways, museums, galleries and colonial churches. Boston is home to the first public library, the first public school and the first subway system in the US; it is the site of the Boston Tea Party that started the Revolutionary War, and is the location of the Cheers bar, made famous by the popular TV sitcom . Boston is also the city from whence both planes that crashed into the World Trade Centre on 11 September 2001 originated, and many of those who died were local residents, a tragedy that thus hit the city particularly hard.

Freedom Trail

Address: The trail starts from the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common Boston

Admission: Most sites are free except for the Old South Meeting House, Old State House and Paul Revere House that charge a $3 or $5 entrance fee Most sites along the trail are open daily from 9am to 5pm (10am to 4pm in winter)

Telephone: (617) 357 8300

Black Heritage Trail

Address: The trail starts from the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common or at the Museum of Afro-American History at 46 Joy Street, Beacon Hill Boston

Admission: $5 adults, children under 12 are free. Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm; guided tours by appointment year round and 10am, 12pm, and 2pm (summer)

Telephone: (617) 725 0022 (Museum of Afro-American History), or (617) 742 5415 (guided tours)

Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum

Address: Congress Street Bridge Boston

Admission: The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is temporarily closed. The museum is currently undergoing full renovation with plans for reopening summer 2011.

Telephone: (617) 269 7150

Cambridge

Address: Boston

Harvard University

Address: Harvard University Events and Information Center, Holyoke Center, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue Boston

Admission: There are free student-led campus tours available. Museum tickets vary, see website for details. The Information Center is open from Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Art museums: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm. Museum of Natural History: daily 9am to 5pm

Telephone: (617) 495 1000

Boston Public Garden

Address: 87 Mount Vernon Street Boston

Telephone: (617) 723 8144

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Address: 4 South Market Building Boston

Admission: Monday to Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Telephone: (617) 523 1300

Museum of Fine Arts

Address: 465 Huntington Avenue Boston

Admission: $18 (adults), children free. Concessions available Daily from 10am to 4:45 pm. Open till 9.45pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Telephone: (617) 267 9300

Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory

Address: Boston

Admission: $13 (adults); $9 (children). Concessions available. Winter Hours: 10am–8pm (1 November to 28 March). Summer Hours: 10am–10pm (29 March to 31 October) .

Telephone: (617) 859 0648

Shear Madness

Address: Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St Boston

Admission: $50, concessions available. Tuesday to Friday at 8pm; Saturday 6pm and 9pm; Sunday 3pm and 7pm

Puppet Showplace Theater

Address: 32 Station Street, Brookline Boston

Admission: Shows vary, see website for specific performances. Shows run from 10:30am to 3pm daily

Telephone: (617) 731 6400

Codzilla

Address: Boston Harbour Cruises, Long Wharf Boston

Admission: $25 (adults); $21 (children 4 – 12 years). Concessions available. Hours vary according to season, visit the website for current times.

Telephone: (617) 227 4321

New England Aquarium

Address: 1 Central Wharf Boston

Admission: $21.95 (adults); 13.95 (children); Concessions available. Open Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm, weekends 9am - 6pm (8 September to 30 June); Sunday to Thursday from 9am - 6pm, Friday and Saturday 9am – 7pm. (1 July to 7 September).

Telephone: (617) 973-5200

Cheers Bar

Address: 84 Beacon Street Boston

Admission: Free Daily from 11am till late

Fenway Park

Address: 4 Yawkey Way Boston

Admission: Admission varies according to section.

Telephone: (617) 226-6666

St Patrick's Day

Where: South Boston,Boston

When: 17 March 2011

Boston Harborfest

Where: Historic downtown and waterfront districts, and City Hall Plaza,Boston

When: 29 June to 4 July 2011

Boston Marathon

Where: ,Boston

When: 18 April 2011

First Night Boston

Where: Various,Boston

When: 31 December annually

Dragon Boat Festival

Where: Charles River,Boston

When: 11 - 12 June 2011

Pomodoro

Address: 319 Hanover Street Boston

Food Type: Italian

The Capital Grille

Address: 359 Newbury Street Boston

Food Type: American

Max and Dylans

Address: 15 West Street, Downtown Boston

Food Type: American

Hamersley's Bistro

Address: 553 Tremont Street Boston

Food Type: International

Pho 'n Rice

Address: 289 Beacon Street, Somerville Boston

Food Type: Asian

China Pearl

Address: 9 Tyler Street, Chinatown Boston

Food Type: Chinese

Durgin Park

Address: 340 Faneuil Hall Market Place Boston

Food Type: American

Speed's Famous Hot Dog Wagon

Address: 54 Newmarket Sq. Roxebury Boston

Food Type: American

Atlantic Fish Company

Address: 761 Boylston Street Boston

Food Type: Seafood

Mike's Pastry

Address: 300 Hanover Street Boston

Food Type: Bakery

Silvertone Bar and Grill

Address: 69 Bromfield Street Boston

Food Type: American