Boston brings together history and modern fun

(ARA) - Few cities in the United States pack more attractions into one place than Boston. It's the perfect place to visit, whether you want to get a closer look at the history of our country or put your finger on the pulse that beats from the very modern heart of this great destination.

One of the best parts of going to Boston is that airline deals are readily available. Looking for Boston cheap flights will return lots of results, because of the high volume of traffic that goes through the city. But before you land, check out where you want to go and what you want to see in this multi-faceted city.

Historic character

Freedom Trail
One of the easiest, most fun and most history-packed things to do on a trip to Boston is to walk the Freedom Trail. It's a 2.5 mile brick walking trail that winds through the city, taking in 16 historically significant sites that date back to the time of the American Revolution. You can go on a tour led by a guide in 18th century costume, or you can do a self-guided tour with an MP3 player that gives you the details on all the sites.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Take a step back in time around the turn of the century to an era of elegance at this unique and breathtakingly beautiful art museum centered around a garden courtyard that calls to mind the palazzos of Venice. Isabella Stewart Gardener, who was a friend of her contemporaries John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler and Henry James, amassed the collection housed here over decades of worldwide travel and wanted to share it with the public.

Fenway Park
If the abandonment of the baseball parks of yore makes you feel a little melancholy, a trip to and tour of Fenway Park will perk you right up. As both the underdogs and legend makers, the Red Sox have called Fenway home since 1912. Fans have heard the cracks from the bats of Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and many more right here, which makes it an iconic, must-see site for anyone who loves the great American pastime.

The here and now

Institute of Contemporary Art
This is the place to see 21st century art in Boston. Designed by Diller Scofidio and Renfro, the monumental building juts out toward the waterfront and lets light flood into the interior because of its glass construction. This new home for the ICA allows it to more fully display and develop its collection of fascinating, challenging and innovative works of contemporary artists from around the world.

Harvard University
It might have been established in 1636, but Harvard is always on the leading edge of modern thought and society as the best-known bastion of education in the United States, and one of the the most esteemed universities in the world. You can get a taste for the crimson lifestyle by attending one of the many lectures and symposia, concerts and more that are open to the public (and many of which are free). Check the Harvard Gazette for upcoming events.

Shops galore
It's easy to stay on trend (or ahead of the crowd) shopping in Boston. Areas like Back Bay, which includes "Boston's Fifth Avenue," and Newbury Street, are the epicenters of high-end shopping. But for even more out-of-the-ordinary boutiques and shops, be sure to check around Harvard Square and the South End (which is different than South Boston). If it's character you want, you'll find it in Boston, with shops like Simplemente Blanco, which stocks beautiful goods exclusively in white and neutral shades and Looc Boutique, a fashion haven where the space is as pretty as the clothes.

After you've found your Boston cheap flights, and picked out what you want to do while you're there, fill in the last blank by doing a search for great hotel deals, as they can be found throughout the city. Sites like Travelocity.com offer the best round-up of Boston cheap flights and hotel offers in one place, and www.bostonusa.com has lots of extra ideas to keep you busy on your trip.

Courtesy of ARAcontent