Home to the original tea party movement, the city of Boston also happens to contain storied franchises from every major US sport.
First we’ve got the Celtics – the most successful franchise in NBA history. Their 17 championships top any other NBA franchise and statistically makes them the most successful of ANY professional team in the four main US sports. From their home arena of TD Garden, the Celtics are backed by raucous Boston crowds bedecked in the lucky Irish green synonymous with the team.
Then if the NHL is your thing, you could do worse than checking out a Boston Bruins game. Like the Celtics, the Bruins have been in Boston a long time (since 1924) and have enjoyed a lot of success – their six Stanley Cup Championships putting them fourth on the all-time list.
Continuing the theme of teams steeped in history, we cross over the city to Fenway Park – arguably the most well-known baseball park still in use – and the Red Sox. Following a well-publicised World Series drought (86 years, but who’s counting?), the Sox have gone on to win three since the turn of the millennium and between 2003 and 2013 sold out every single game at their famous old ball park.
Finally, around 30 miles south of Boston we have Foxborough, Massachusetts. Home to an NFL team called the New England Patriots. You may have heard of them. Current Super Bowl Champions, Bill Belichick’s team have won a stunning five championships since 2001 and show no signs of letting up – still able to boast arguably the NFL’s greatest-ever head coach/quarterback combo in their ranks as they gear up for another title assault in 2017.
As well as phenomenal sports teams, the city of Boston and state of Massachusetts are steeped in history, character and fun stuff to do.
Eat and drink in the North End
As well as being a quirky neighbourhood with tight, cobblestone streets, old interesting buildings (being Boston’s oldest residential community), the North End is also home to the city’s Little Italy, hosting an incredible number of high quality Italian eateries where you can mangia mangia until your heart’s content.
Walk the Freedom Trail
And after stuffing yourself with pasta, pizza and chianti, what better than to take a leisurely walk while learning a load of history at the same time? The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile long stroll through locations of national American significance that together form a fascinating insight into the birth of a nation. Sights to stop and gawk at include Boston Common and the Paul Revere House.
Visit Boston Harbor
Speaking of history, no trip to Boston is complete without heading to the site of the mutiny that kicked everything off big style as the residents dumped the British tea into the harbour, starting a war that would lead to independence from the empire and the birth of a new, fearless nation. Also at the harbour is the aquarium, which is well worth a visit, along with cruises from which you can view the wonderful Beantown skyline from the water.
Tour Fenway
If you’re into sport and you’re into history, the two don’t come together much better than at Fenway – “America’s most beloved ballpark” (unless you’re a Yankees fan). One hour walking tours of this famous old ground are available year round and offer the chance, amongst other things, to sit atop the Green Monster – which stands at over 37 feet and overlooks leftfield.
Check out the museums
Boston is home to some world class museums. Two of the best, the Museum of Science and the Harvard Museum of Natural History, are included on the Boston CityPASS that we can include in any trip to Beantown.
For more information on a sports holiday to Boston, give us a call on 01904403355 or email info@mvptravel.co.uk
