Boston

One of the United States' oldest cities, Boston was established in 1630 on the Shawmut Peninsula by Puritans from England. It was the staging ground for several pivotal events through the course of the American Revolution like the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Siege of Boston, and continues to be defined as one of the country's most forward-thinking cities. Home to several prestigious colleges and universities, Boston is also a world leader in the fields of education, entrepreneurship and innovation. But to understand the city today, it is important to recognize its past. The Freedom Trail winds its way through the city, linking 16 historic sites including the legendary Faneuil Hall. Today, the city is known for its passion for sports, its thriving arts scene and varied culinary realm. Home to the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins, not to mention several varsity teams, it's common to see people animatedly debate the merits of their favored sportsmen and it's hard not to get swept up. When it comes to food, seafood is king - from oysters on the half shell and clam chowder, to cod and steamed lobster, the best can be had at the Seaport District. For traditional Italian, few can beat the North End while Chinatown is the place to sample pan-Asian cuisine. For the more artistically inclined, a visit to the Fine Arts Museum, the Boston Opera House, the Boston Ballet and the Symphony Hall will not disappoint.