This world-famous baseball stadium has been a staple of the Boston entertainment scene since its opening in 1912. The diamond is flanked on its left side by the Green Monster, an iconic 37-foot (11.28-meter) field wall featuring a manually operated scoreboard. A unique piece of civic history, Fenway Park is one of the oldest Major League Baseball stadiums currently in use, and it proudly hosts the Boston Red Sox. With a seating capacity of over 37,000 spectators, the stadium ripples with excited energy on game days when steadfast local fans cheer proudly for the home team.
Established in the 1870s, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is one of the largest and finest art museums in the United States. This museum's collection is impressive and showcases the work of such masters as Monet and John Singer Sargent. Also, the museum is prominent for its outstanding collections of Impressionist art, early American art and artifacts, and Asian and Egyptian art. Additionally, this place is a favorite of many for regularly hosting lectures, musical performances, and films. Thus, come here for a fantastic time and end your visit with a refreshing coffee or a meal at one of the cafes and restaurants inside the museum.
With a planetarium, an IMAX movie theater, and a two-story Van de Graaf generator capable of producing 2.5 million volts of electricity, the Museum of Science is truly impressive. Children love the interactive discovery center, live animal exhibit and the dinosaur exhibit with fossils and life-size models. These and the hundreds of other exhibits make this museum one of Boston's top attractions. This educational and entertaining museum is perfect for the whole family.
Boston Common is one of America's oldest parks in the heart of Boston, offering recreation opportunities and a glimpse into history through numerous monuments from the past. Designated as a public space in the 1640s, British soldiers later camped here during the Revolutionary War. Part of the Freedom Trail, the park adjoins the Massachusetts State House and Beacon Hill. A favorite spot is the Frog Pond, which doubles as an ice skating rink. The park is the beginning of the Emerald Necklace, a seven-mile (12-kilometer) string of local parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a popular landscape architect.
Just across Charles Street from the Boston Common, Public Garden is elegantly landscaped with flower beds, lagoons, walking paths and statues, including a notable monument of George Washington on a horse. Admire the natural beauty and watch as couples pose for their wedding photographs on most summer weekends. The children's story 'Make Way for Ducklings' took place here, and there is a popular sculpture of the ducklings in the northeast corner of the park. A ride on their famous Swan Boats is an essential experience for visitors.
If you plan on visiting the USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard, the USS Constitution Museum is a must-see. Come and discover what life was like for the crew that served on Old Ironsides. Take a trip into American history and learn about life on the sea, the Revolution, and the War of 1812. A fun, educational experience for the entire family. Be sure not to miss the gift shop so you can take a piece of history home with you!
The Brewster's Island is a three-acre expanse of land that is a Coast Guard navigational aid. Climb the 76 stairs and the two ladders to reach the top of the Boston Light on the island, which is the oldest running lighthouse in the country. Cruise out to this island for some adventure but make sure you don't take your pets along as they are not permitted here.
The Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) explores three centuries of fascinating medical discovery though interactive exhibits and showcases. The museum is named after a contemporary physician considered a pioneer of transplant surgery. The decision to name the museum for a current innovator is indicative of the project's goal - to inspire the public regarding the future of modern medicine. However, the museum does not fail to provide visitors with a comprehensive look at medicine's past. An operating chair from 1854 gives viewers a taste of the rudimentary nature of early medical procedure, while surgical tools and apothecary kits complete with ether from the 19th Century shows the evolution of a more humane approach to patient care.
Arguably one of the most conspicuous spots on Boston's skyline, the Rainbow Tank or Rainbow Swash, world's largest copyrighted artwork, is located in Dorchester, Boston. The president of Boston Gas Company, Eli Gordon had appointed Corita Kent, an anti-Vietnam protester, to work on the 140-foot tall tank. Since its completion in 1971, it has been deemed as one of the most important landmarks in the city. Kent is said to have installed an image of Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese leader, in the blue stripe of the painting, as an ode to her stand on the war. Although she denied these claims, the artwork remained a controversial topic. Unfortunately, the tank was destroyed in 1992, after which the Rainbow Swash was recreated on the adjacent tank, this time, with a visibly narrower blue stripe. It remains to this day, a symbol and an ode to the vibe of the Walking City and continues to inspire commuters on their way to work.
Calvary Methodist Church, designed by J.H. McNaughton and W.J. Perry, is a historic church built in the early 20th Century. It is an example of Greek Revival style of architecture and its belfry is an iconic landmark in the streetscape. It is featured on the National Register of Historic Places.
Originally called the Charlestown Navy Yard, located in Boston, it is one of the oldest shipbuilding facilities in the United States Navy. Established in 1801, it stopped being on active service in 1974 and was transferred to the Boston National Historic Park. It houses a World War II era destroyer serving as museum ship. It currently also is in service to support the USS Constitution. The shipyard serves to provide interpretation to the art and history of naval shipbuilding.
Norwood Memorial Municipal Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tall square tower, also known as the belfry, holds 51 bell chimes, and is still in use. The chimes are played every summer in a series of concerts. The structure is a Late Gothic Revival building, and the stained-glass windows characterize local patriot Aaron Guild.