Awash with colonial history, America’s oldest city is most famous for its revolutionary Tea Party. But it’s still breaking the mould today as a sophisticated business centre, and Harvard University makes it an intellectual hub for the entire country, writes Sasha Wood.

Sleeping

This smart bay-side city has no shortage of appealing hotels. Housed in a historic building in the Back Bay neighbourhood, Loews Boston Hotel is a well-located luxury option. Design-led and affordable, the new CitizenM Boston North Station offers business travellers modern accommodation infused with local charm a baseball’s throw from the TD Garden Stadium.

Eating

Cod is the official symbol of Massachusetts, with Cape Cod just to the south and the Sacred Codfish hanging in Massachusetts’ State House, so it comes as little surprise that the city is renowned for its succulent seafood. Cod, lobster and seafood chowder is at its best down by the harbour in the Seaport District. Head to the North End for pasta and Chinatown for Asian.

After hours

For a host of bustling bars head off to Faneuil Hall – try the Green Dragon Tavern for live music or the Vanderbilt Kitchen and Bar for craft cocktails. As well as live performances, the Theater District is home to lots of lively clubs for those who want to stay out late. For something a bit different, visit the Skywalk Observatory to take in the city’s pretty skyline by night.

Getting downtown

Boston’s Logan International Airport occupies a fragment of land encircled by the bay and close to the city centre, which can be reached via a quick train ride or taxi. The subway, known as the T, offers simple connections into the city. There’s also a free Silver Line bus from the airport to South train station in downtown Boston.

Must-see sights

Boston’s smart cobblestone streets are rich in history. Follow the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail from Boston Common to hit the main sites, including the Revolutionary War battleground. Once described as the Athens of America, the city is awash with the arts, while Harvard University – a hop across the Charles River – qualifies the city as America’s intellectual hub.

Getting there

Joint venture partners Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines operate daily flights from London Heathrow to Boston, as does British Airways. Norwegian flies daily between Boston and Gatwick, while Virgin/Delta will commence Gatwick-Boston flights in 2020. US carrier JetBlue has also announced plans to connect London and Boston from 2021.

Further information

For more details on planning a trip to Boston visit: bostonusa.com