Where to Stay Getting Around Activities Art & Culture Dining Suggestions Places of Worship

Boston is a sporting city. We are home to some of the most successful and storied professional sports franchises in North America: the World Champion Boston Red Sox; the three-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots; the Boston Celtics, the most successful franchise in NBA history with 16 World Championships; and the Boston Bruins, one of the six original teams in the National Hockey League. The area is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world and large universities and small colleges have competitive teams. Boston College has a Division 1 football team that was ranked 10th in the nation in 2007. The BC Eagles have home games on Sept. 20 against Central Florida and Sept. 27 against Rhode Island. Harvard University opens its football season September 20th against Holy Cross, at 105-year-old Harvard Stadium.

There are limitless opportunities for individual recreation and athletics in Boston and New England. The Charles River is a magnet for runners, joggers, bicyclists, boaters, and walkers. Here is a link to a running map with distances of the Charles River and the bridges that cross it: www.zingtech.com.  For information on canoe and kayak rentals on the Charles, click here: www.paddleboston.com.

If golf is your thing, swing by the Massachusetts Golf Association. There you will find everything you’ll need to schedule a great round of golf in the Bay State. Click on “Member Clubs” for tee times, rates, directions and course ratings. Massachusetts has over 400 golf courses to choose from, everything from world-class venues like the TPC of Boston and Brookline Country Club (home of Ryder Cup and US Open championships alike) to economical and challenging municipal clubs like the 36-hole Donald Ross-designed Ponkapoag Golf Course just south of Boston. So, whether you are a hacker or low-handicapper Massachusetts has a course to suit your game.

The Minuteman Bike Path traces part of Paul Revere’s midnight ride, starting at the Alewife T Station in Cambridge and heading 10 miles west to Bedford. Bedford is where Massport’s main general aviation airport, L.G. Hanscom Field, is located. For information on bicycle rental, click here: www.cambridgebicycle.com

If you plan to arrive early or stay a few days later, the six-state New England region is known for its spectacular fall foliage. There are many hiking opportunities for the novice and the expert.

Since 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club has been promoting the protection, enjoyment and wise use of the mountains, rivers and trails of the Northeast outdoors. The AMC, located at 5 Joy Street, Boston, is the nation’s oldest outdoor recreation and conservation organization. For more information on hiking and the AMC, click here: www.outdoors.org.

Boston’s premier shopping street is Newbury Street where art galleries, haute couture and chain stores all entice consumers with every size bank account. For the more budget minded, Massachusetts and New England boast large outlet stores in scenic communities. For a listing of additional outlet stores from Freeport, Maine to Lee, Mass. click here: www.new-england-vacations-guide.com.

For additional information on what Boston and Greater Boston  have to offer, visit the Greater  Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau by clicking here.