If you approach Boston, the city on the threshold of the idyllic U.S. state of New England, from the sea, you think you're heading toward the Manhattan skyline. But Boston is not New York, and some think this city is not even American. It is something of a European enclave in the New World. It was shaped by Irish immigrants who, in who knows how many generations, have made themselves at home in the Victorian walls of Beacon Hill on the Charles River. Boston has retained its original character. With its green parks, the world-famous Freedom Trail, an interesting museum landscape and huge shopping centers. This is a city to feel good in.

The Boston of today offers something for everyone - from a rich history to great sports teams and American culture. The city really has a lot of character and you can see it at every turn.

Eric has actually been to Boston twice before. However, that was when he was a teenager... so his Boston knowledge is a little rusty!

So he certainly wouldn't be the best person to give you insider tips for Boston. However, Boston has left a lasting memory with him - and that's why we wanted to write about this beautiful city in the eastern US.

So we asked a local friend, Gwyn, if she would share the details about her city. Eric and Gwyn went to university together and have remained close friends ever since.

With Gwyn's help, Eric was able to reminisce a bit and compile a comprehensive list of the classic, fun, and free sights in Boston!

Quincy Market is located right next to Faneuil Hall, so it's very easy to explore these two attractions together.

This is a market with many stalls selling souvenirs, small trinkets and delicious food. This is the perfect opportunity to try some local goodies.

However, they also have many generic fast food restaurants there that you would find in any mall in North America. So if you have limited time, you don't have to spend much time there.

The Charles River is a relatively short river (only 80 miles total length) that stretches through the eastern part of Massachusetts to its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean.

The river also symbolizes the dividing line between the city of Boston and the city of Cambridge.

One of the best things to do in Boston is to explore the city from the river. Depending on the time of year, you can go rowing, canoeing, or paddling on the river, among other activities.

If you don't want to spend time in/on the water, the Charles River Bike Path that runs along the river is great for biking, jogging, or just walking.

Called the Esplanade, the path is about three miles long and is especially good for a walk if you are traveling with children, as there are many playgrounds along the path.

You can't go to Boston without trying Clam Chowder at least once. It's almost like a rite of passage.

That's why we recommend you try the New England Clam Chowder at Legal Seafood. This chain has been serving fresh seafood in their restaurants since the 1960s!

If you go to the restaurant in Long Wharf, you can try chowder and learn about the seafaring trade history.

In total, there are more than 10 Legal Seafoods locations in Boston alone, so you're sure to find one that fits your daily schedule.

You don't need a car in the city, because Boston is very pedestrian friendly. For longer distances, the public transportation system, affectionately known as "The T", is perfectly suited. In addition to great museums, hip galleries and trendy restaurants, the Freedom Trail, the elite Harvard University and nearby Cape Cod are waiting to be explored. But Boston is also a good starting point for those who want to discover other highlights in New England.

Freedom Trail - On the trail of Boston's past

The city has much to offer visitors interested in history. On the Freedom Trail, for example, you can delve into Boston's and the USA's past. The Freedom Trail is a four-kilometer long route with 16 interesting sites that refer to the War of Independence. The offers and tours that take you on the Freedom Trail are varied. You can join a costumed guided tour or get a map and follow the route on your own.

If you're short on time, focus on the sites in and immediately around the North End. It's nicknamed "little Italy." The area is home to Paul Revere's house, where you'll get a good sense of how people lived in the 1770s. You should also stop by the Old North Church, where the two famous lanterns warned Paul Revere that the British were on their way by sea in 1775. Nearby is also the Old State House Museum and Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

On the other side of the Charles River, Cambridge is home to the oldest university in the United States: Harvard University. In 1636, the university was founded by religious colonialists as a training center for clergymen. Today you can take part in free guided tours of the campus. Especially recommended are the entertaining "Hahvahd Tours," where students not only tell funny anecdotes and about life on campus, but also report on the history of the elite university and prominent alumni such as Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg.

Harvard University in the evening light

If you'd rather stroll around campus on your own, go for it! Visit Memorial Church for a glimpse into the university's history. Or visit one of the small, excellent museums, such as the Peabody Museum of Archaeology or the Sackler Art Museum.

Also of interest: The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston is dedicated to the life and presidency of JFK. Among other things, the original documents and correspondence of the Kennedy administration are kept here.

The Boston Public Library was America's first public library to open its doors. Today, there are 27 branches of the library in the neighborhood; no wonder, the collection now includes over 33 million items. The Boston Public Library offers daily tours that showcase the architecture of the famous Central Library buildings by Charles Follen McKim and Philip Johnson, as well as the art treasures they contain, including works by Daniel Chester French and John Singer Sargent.

Tours are conducted by volunteer guides and last approximately one hour. They begin in the vestibule of the McKim building, use the library's Dartmouth Street entrance for that. The tours are free of charge.

Opened in late 2006, the Institute of Contemporary Art in south Boston is an interesting hotspot for art and especially architecture lovers. Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the museum's glass and sharp angles are eye-catching.

One of the most striking features is the back of the museum: a cantilevered glass surface that hovers dizzyingly over Boston Harbor. Also worth a visit is the nearby Fort Point Channel neighborhood. Many artists have opened galleries here in recent years. Furthermore, the district is home to a number of new stores, restaurants and bars. Of particular note is Sportello, an Italian restaurant owned by celebrity chef Barbara Lynch, which is the perfect place to go after a visit to the museum.

South End - forty years ago, this neighborhood was considered dangerous and remote. In other words: cheap and run-down. But then what happened in many cities around the world happened: artists and gays discovered the neighborhood for themselves and within a few years it was suddenly a place to be. But gentrification also took its course. Today, many young wealthy families and rich snobs live here. Still, it's fun to wander through the neighborhood as a tourist. There are red brick row houses with 19th century arched fronts and some of the best restaurants, design stores and boutiques in the city. While you're here, be sure to visit Flour Bakery & Café - considered by many locals to be the best café in town.

Boston Harbor laid the foundation for the city's growth. It went down in the history books as the site of the Boston Tea Party in 1773. How about a 45-minute harbor tour from the water to learn more?

Finally, in addition to cooling off in midsummer temperatures, a boat tour is an ideal opportunity for a change of perspective while sightseeing. The cruise takes in several American War of Independence sites, including Old North Church, the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown and replicas of Boston Tea Party ships. The highlight of the trip is a tour of the world's oldest seagoing warship, USS Constitution. It was launched in 1797.

Especially recommended are the elegant stores on Newbury Street, the hidden treasures in the stores on Harvard Square and CambridgeSide with its large selection of boutiques and branches of well-known department stores.

You should also visit the legendary Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This is a landmarked market hall that houses over 100 stores, including both individual boutiques and big brand names. The Marketplace's restaurants are a great place to dine and recharge your batteries before continuing your shopping spree.

P-Town, as Provincetown is affectionately called by the people of Massachusetts, is located at the northern tip of the peninsula - the name comes from fishermen who found vast quantities of cod in their nets in the Atlantic Ocean in the early 17th century. For decades, the prettily dressed-up town has been a hotspot for the lesbian and gay scene. So don't be surprised by the many rainbow flags you'll see everywhere in this cute little town.

Savers who don't necessarily want to hit the high season are best off looking up early to mid-May or mid-to-late September, during the week. During these periods, lodging prices are kept in check, and the chances of sunny weather are good. Scenically, P-Town has a lot to offer. About two-thirds of Provincetown's area belongs to the Cape Cod National Seashore. To the north are the Province Lands, an area of dunes and small ponds that stretches from Mount Ararat in the east to Race Point in the west along the coast of Massachusetts Bay.