Information To Know Before Travel to Boston, Massachusetts

New England Aquarium Admission

New England Aquarium at Night

Population and Location of Boston

Boston, long regarded as New England's most important city, has a metro area of 600,000 people. It is located on a peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean in Massachusetts, about 200 miles north of New York City. Most of the city's places of interest lie within a five square mile area, making a tour of Boston's sights very walkable.

Well-Known Districts in Boston

The North End is Boston's historic section, out on the end of the peninsula. Just south of the North End is Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the Government Center. Continuing south is the Financial District, with Beacon Hill just to the west and Boston Commons and Chinatown to the southwest. Further southward are Back Bay, the South End, and Fenway. It is possible for an average person to walk from the North End to the South End in half a day or less.

Weather in Boston

Boston experiences typical New England weather, enjoying four distinct seasons. Summer days are hot and humid while winters are cold and wet. Fall and spring are milder and bring the most comfortable weather.

Annual Events in Boston

Boston celebrates several fun seasonal events and festivals, so no matter what time of year visitors come, there is likely a special celebration going on.

• In February, Boston celebrates the Chinese New Year.
• March brings south Boston's huge St. Patrick's Day Parade.
• April draws thousands of runners to the city streets to compete in the Boston Marathon.
• During the summer, Harborfest is a week-long celebration for the 4th of July, culminating with a grand finale of a free Boston Pops concert and fireworks display.
• Later in July is the Chowderfest, an extravaganza of fish and clam chowder prepared by Boston's top restaurants.
• In December, Christmas Revels in nearby Cambridge celebrates the season with music, dancing and theater.

Rich History of Boston

Boston has a history dating back to the first settlers from England as it held a place of prominence in establishing the New World. Originally known as Trimountain for its three hills, the city later adopted the name of the English town Boston.

• The first English settlers arrived in 1624 led by Reverend William Blaxton.
• Boston was soon established as the center of Puritanism; as the core of an intellectual religion, education and literacy flourished. 
• Boston had the perfect geographical makings of a sea port, and by the early 1700s was doing big business in sea trade.
• During the Revolutionary War, Boston was the site of many important historical events including The Boston Massacre, The Boston Tea Party and The Battle of Bunker Hill.
• Shipbuilding, sea trade and manufacturing kept the economy thriving after the War and wealthy families soon began to sponsor the arts.
• Today, Boston continues to be a blend of these influences and is still a major port.
• Boston contributes greatly to medical education, treatment and research, and is a center for higher education, with Cambridge's Harvard and MIT nearby.

The Boston Molasses Disaster

One historical happening of note is the Boston Molasses Disaster. On January 15, 1919, a 50-foot tall molasses tank owned by U.S. Industrial Alcohol exploded, killing 21 people and destroying property and neighborhoods, including the elevated train and the fire station. At this time, molasses was the primary sweetener, especially for rum. Boston was the main distillery city in the U.S., and this particular tank was located in Boston's North End, on the site of today's Faneuil Hall and New England Aquarium.

Over 2 million gallons of the sticky brown molasses swept over the area at 20-35 miles per hour, and settled several feet deep. Six months later, most of the molasses had been removed, but it was reported to be found seeping from the cobblestone cracks up to 30 years later. Some still say that on a hot day, you can catch the scent of molasses drifting in the air in this area!