About
Boston is the capital and largest city of Massachusetts, in the northeastern United States. It is a city where American history is easy to find, with historic sites spread across its neighborhoods, and it is also one of the country's great centers of higher education, home to numerous universities.
What a visit offers
- History: The city's role in American history gives many of its sites their significance, and walking through its older districts makes that story tangible.
- Universities: With so many colleges and universities, the city has a lively, studious character that shapes its streets, cafes and cultural life.
- Neighborhoods: Each part of the city has its own feel, so a day spent moving from one area to another shows how varied it is.
Getting a sense of the city
Boston goes by several nicknames, including Beantown, The Hub and The Athens of America. Each reflects a different side of the place: its local character, its role as a hub, and its reputation for learning. Hearing them helps explain why visitors often describe the city as both historic and intellectual.
Whether it suits you depends on what you want from a trip. If you are drawn to history and to a city built around education, Boston rewards a few days of unhurried exploring, with time to wander between its historic sites and its university neighborhoods.