Boston is the urban heart of New England. With a city population of 617,519 people, it’s nearly four times larger than the next-largest city in the region, Worcester. History runs deep here: it’s been home to the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, numerous Revolutionary War battles, and the oldest college in the country, Harvard. It’s also a city that doesn’t stand still, a worldwide leader in healthcare, education, and a hotbed for tech startups. Throw in its role as headquarters for the Celtics, Bruins and Red Sox, and you can understand why New England rallies behind Boston, bad drivers and all.

Settled in 1630 by English Puritans, the city is a really a conglomeration of small cities and towns (Charlestown, Roxbury, Dorchester and Hyde Park amongst others) annexed throughout its history, as well as filled-in areas of wetlands and parts of the original Boston Harbor. The modern turning point for Boston was the much-maligned but very impressive Big Dig project, which over the course of 15 years reshaped the city by moving its above-ground major arteries underground. In the process, the city became more accessible and attractive and added greenways and parks. Most of Boston is well connected by the MBTA (Boston’s public transportation system); $20 on a Charlie Card (subway pass) will have you well suited to get around the city. Here’s what to see while you’re there.

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