1. The Freedom Trail: This 2.5 mile-long, brick trail navigates visitors through the city to 16 different historical sites.  A few of the sites charge admission fees but most can be toured for no charge.  You can opt for the self-guided tour or book a tour along the trail at the Boston Common Visitors Center.  The Freedom Trail takes you along a stroll through the beautiful city of Boston, present and past.
2. Audio iPod tours: The city of Boston provides downloadable audio files that serve as tour guides through various areas of the city.  There is a tour for the Boston Harborwalk, Fort Point Channel and Public Garden.  Each tour is an hour long audio file that covers one mile.  All you need is an iPod.
3. State House Tours: For a better understanding of the politics and history behind the city of Boston, book a tour at the State House.  Tours are given on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and last about 45 minutes.
4. Climb Bunker Hill Monument: This 221-foot-tall obelisk was built in memory of the first major battle of the Revolutionary War.  This Pyrrhic victory for the colonists is perhaps best remembered for the phrase that was coined by Colonol Prescott before the battle: “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” You can make the journey up the 294 stairs to the top of the monument daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
5. Street Performers outside Quincy Market: Daily acts can be seen outside of this dining and shopping center.  Performances range from jugglers and magicians to dancers and contortionists.  These unique entertainers will amuse and amaze you, absolutely free.

The Citi Performing Arts Center is comprised of two theaters, The Wang Theatre and The Shubert Theater, both of which opened in the early 1900s.  These theaters host a range of performances from comedians to a cappella groups.   The center was recently renamed after signing a 15-year deal with Citigroup.  Upcoming acts include Jerry Seinfeld, Sheryl Crow, Ron White and Celtic Thunder.

Considered to be one of the “big five,” the Boston Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1881 and holds concerts at Symphony Hall and Tanglewood Music Center in Boston.  This world renowned orchestra is directed by James Levine and has featured many well known and respected conductors and instrumentalists.  These two theaters also host a number of other performances throughout the year.  Crosby, Stills and Nash will be performing at Tanglewood on September 1 and Symphony Hall will host the Squash Showdown, a game of squash between four of the best squash players in the world, on September 22, just to name a few.

For an extremely unique experience check out show listings at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.), located in Harvard University’s drama center.  Works performed at the A.R.T. often use artistic interpretation to portray classic works in an original way, exposing new ideas that haven’t previously been explored.  Currently at the A.R.T., The Donkey Show is receiving widespread critical acclaim.  This disco musical is a fun and lively modern twist off of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The Paul Revere House is a popular stop along this trail, located in the North End of the city, and was owned by Revolutionary War hero, Paul Revere, from 1770-1800.  The trail also runs through King’s Chapel Burying Ground.  This cemetery has been the final resting place for a number of famous people since 1630, including John Winthrop, William Dawes, Elizabeth Pain and Mary Chilton.  The Unitarian church, The King’s Chapel, which was the first Anglican Church in New England, is located in this burial ground.

The Bunker Hill Monument, built to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill that took place during the Revolutionary War, considered to be a Pyrrhic victory for the colonists, is another stop along the freedom trail.  This 221 foot granite monument was completed in 1843, and has since seen a number of additions and renovations.  In front of the obelisk stands a statue of Col. William Prescott who is famous for telling his troops, “don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes,” as he led his men into the Battle of Bunker Hill.

A number of other sites are located along the trail such as the USS Constitution, Old North Church, Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House.  This trail is the perfect way to get a little exercise while brushing up on your American history.

One of its best-known teams, the Red Sox have been calling Boston home since they were founded in 1901.  The Red Sox have one of the largest fan bases in professional baseball, and recently broke the “Curse of the Bambino,” ending their 86 year championship drought as they took the World Series title in 2004. Residents and visitors of Boston head out to the world-famous Fenway Park every spring and summer for some of the best baseball there is.

Another national favorite in the Boston area, The New England Patriots are one of the most successful teams in the NFL, having won the super bowl three times in the last decade.  The Patriots play their home games in the Gillette Stadium, located just outside of Boston.

Boston’s prestigious sports reputation continues into the NBA with the Celtics.  The Celtics hold the record for the most World Championships with 17 titles, narrowly missing an 18^th with their 2^nd place finish in this year’s NBA finals.  The Celtics have been playing their home games in the TD Garden since 1995.

As if three hugely successful professional sports teams weren’t enough, Boston still has more.  The New England Revolution is the city’s Major League soccer team, which was founded in 1995.  Revolution shares Gillette Stadium with the Patriots.  The Boston Bruins have brought professional hockey to the area since the 1920s.  The Bruins also call TD Garden home, and are five-time winners of the Stanley Cup Championship.  In addition to the plethora of teams that can be found in this city, Boston hosts a number of annual sporting events such as the Boston Marathon and the Head of the Charles, a regatta held every October.

Quincy Market is located near Faneuil Hall and is a hot spot for dining in the area.  A replica of the famous Cheers restaurant can be found in Quincy Market.  The Comedy Connection, a well-known comedy club in the city, also calls this building home.  This market was built in the 1820s and is named after Josiah Quincy, the mayor who organized the construction project.

Faneuil Hall has many mainstream retail stores such as Nine West, Victoria’s Secret, and Harley Davidson.  There are also a few galleries, notably the Museum of Fine Arts, which is located in the South Market Building.  The museum opened on America’s 100^th birthday, July 4 1876, and now contains around 450,000 pieces in exhibits that range from the Americas, to the Ancient World, to Textile and Fashion Arts.

Faneuil Hall is also a site of impressive entertainment, including the memorable street performers.  An array of traditional acts such as balloon artists, clowns and jugglers can regularly be seen performing outside of the market.  However, more unique performers can be seen from time to time such as Alakazam.  This duo with an Australian contortionist and a circus stuntman will blow you away with their breathtaking act.  Ten31 presents another fascinating performance with their living statues.  A combination of creative well-made costumes, body paint and talented actors will have you taking another look to see if these statues are real or not.