From its bustling urban centre to its attractive surrounding neighbourhoods, Boston is a destination that truly has it all. The largest city in New England, with its perfect combination of colonial charm and urban sophistication, is a dynamic business travel destination. Boston’s mix of rich history, great dining and nightlife, extraordinary shopping, championship professional and college sports teams, and a vibrant arts and cultural community have drawn in visitors from all over the world for decades.
While there are plenty of places where guests can leave the boardroom behind and have some fun in the city, Boston is also a world centre for education, technology and life sciences. Known by many as the ‘Athens of America’, Boston and Cambridge’s renowned medical and educational institutions have helped make it an international centre of learning and intellectualism.
The metropolitan area’s 35 hospitals and more than 60 colleges and universities are some of the most well-known and respected across the country and can be a vast resource for meetings. Groups that meet in Boston and Cambridge also have access to the ever-expanding number of world-renowned financial and biotech institutions located in the Greater Boston area.
Beyond business
Boston and Cambridge boast a diverse number of hotel products, built to suit the needs of any traveller. From five-star boutique resorts and independently owned properties to many of the world’s major hotel brands, everyone can find their ideal home away from home when staying in Boston.
There are more than 35 new hotel projects planned in Greater Boston, with potential for more than 5,000 further hotel rooms to be added in the next five years. These new projects are a mixture of full service hotels, boutique properties and extended-stay facilities, ranging from new builds to repurposed builds in historic locations throughout Boston and Cambridge.
Boston and Cambridge also offer a refreshing variety of cuisine, including upscale, international and contemporary eateries. Each neighbourhood brings its own unique flavour, and great new restaurants are joining the mix on a regular basis, keeping things fresh and cutting-edge. Looking to treat clients on a night out or just kick back and savour some delicious food on your own? From nationally renowned brands to locally owned and operated restaurants, Boston has it covered.
Before enjoying a great meal in the city, visitors should make time to check out some of Boston’s great pre-dinner cocktail bars. Providing a welcoming spot where guests can enjoy a memorable cocktail, Drink is the perfect upscale hotspot for groups beginning their evening events. This bar is dedicated to the craft of the cocktail. Drink blends the time-honoured techniques and classic cocktails of the Prohibition Era with modern innovation and the very best artisanal ingredients. Drink also offers a large wine, champagne and beer collection.
At the other end of town, in Kenmore Square at the Hotel Commonwealth, the Hawthorne is a chic spot that showcases the finest elements of the craft cocktail movement, paired with a heightened focus on hospitality and comfort. The expansive cocktail menu is filled with nouveau classics, rediscovered gems and new creations that are brought to life daily. The Hawthorne offers several unique spaces and is perfect for intimate and corporate cocktail events alike.
For those looking for something quick and easy, Eataly, the brand new 45,000sq ft food emporium located in Back Bay inside the Prudential Centre, spans three floors and houses groceries, seafood markets and a dozen eateries. Grab a quick, authentically Italian coffee, pastry or sandwich, or enjoy a casual meal at one of the three larger restaurants inside.
Enjoying free time
For those finding themselves with a little free time in between meetings, Boston offers great shopping and attractions to visit, no matter what neighbourhood you find yourself in.
Whether you want to pick up a keepsake (or three), or purchase clothing, electronics or other items, you’re sure to find the perfect store. From the independent boutiques in the North End or South End and Newbury Street with its mix of independent and nationally known shops, to the malls at the Prudential Centre, Copley Place and Cambridgeside, there’s a shopping opportunity to meet all visitors’ needs. There are even designer outlets located just seven minutes away from downtown by subway at Assembly Row in Somerville.
Those looking for something really local – or simply a mid-afternoon snack – should check out Boston Public Market. Opened in 2015 and in close proximity to Faneuil Hall, Boston Public Market features pushcart vendors and a new indoor, year-round 28,000sq ft market, with 45 permanent vendors and an exterior plaza that can accommodate up to 20 additional sellers.
The largest city in New England, with its perfect combination of colonial charm and urban sophistication, is a dynamic business travel destination
With an extra hour or two on hand, visitors can enjoy a variety of other attractions throughout the city, including a behind the scenes tour of Fenway Park, ‘America’s most beloved ballpark’. Visit and experience the home of Red Sox legends and sit atop the world-famous Green Monster, which stands just over 37ft high, overlooking left field.
The Museum of Fine Arts, meanwhile, is one of the largest museums in the US. Containing more than 450,000 works of art, this museum is one of the most comprehensive artistic collections in the Americas. There is also the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, the John F Kennedy Presidential Library, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, and so much more to help guests enrich their visit.
Visitors who find themselves in Cambridge are strongly advised to tour Harvard University. This Ivy League establishment offers private guided tours of the beautiful Harvard area. The one-hour tour comprises an outdoor walk through Harvard Yard, where guests will enjoy hearing about the historic and prestigious Harvard University and all the area has to offer. There are also the newly renovated Harvard Art Museums to enjoy. Those looking for something a little edgier are encouraged to check out the MIT Museum as well.
Getting around Boston
The number of international visitors to Boston is growing, largely driven by the increase in international flights arriving at the city’s newly modernised
international airport.
Boston’s Logan International Airport has non-stop services to 45 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia, with more being added every day. As the largest airport in New England and the 19th busiest airport in the US, Boston welcomes travellers from all over the world. On average, there are seven flights per day arriving from London alone.
To help facilitate this increase in passenger traffic, which is estimated to reach six million international passengers by 2022, the Massachusetts Port Authority will shortly begin work on an expansion of the international terminal, including new gates, an expanded customs area and a covered pedestrian walkway to the Airport MBTA subway station.
Logan International Airport is located just three miles from the city, and visitors can easily access the centre of Boston by subway, taxi, bus or even water taxi. Once in Boston, travellers will find the city has excellent access to air, rail and bus connections. Its two convention centres feature the fastest airport-to-convention-centre transfers in the country.
Boston is known as America’s walking city, but when you can’t get around by foot, it is easily accessible via the city’s comprehensive public transportation system, known as the ‘T’. What’s more, planners and delegates find Boston is a very safe city to move around in.
Boston offers visitors everything they might need for an authentic visit to the East Coast. From seafood and shopping to sports and sightseeing, uncover the city where the cutting-edge and traditional are in constant conversation.
For further information:
bostonusa.com
