Why go?

‘Beantown’ has emerged blinking from one of its worst winters on record and the locals are making the most of the sun. Boston is currently undergoing a citywide luxury hotel boom with more than 30 new properties (some 3,000 hotel rooms) just opened or opening soon. The competition means great deals are available, particularly in emerging neighbourhoods such as the Seaport District. Throw in major museums and galleries, a bumper sports scene and competitive airline pricing, and you have a viable – many would say preferable – alternative to New York.

What to do

Boston is a town where clichés are embraced with tongue firmly in cheek, from the ubiquitous, amphibious Boston Duck Tours (taking in downtown Boston, neighbouring Cambridge and the Charles River) to the original Cheers bar, cheersboston. com, located down a set of well-worn steps on Beacon Street, opposite pretty Boston Common. For a more highbrow afternoon, book yourself in for an afternoon with the Kennedy clan. The brand new £50m Edward M Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate (nicknamed the ‘Laboratory of Democracy’) opened in March 2015, emkinstitute.org, next door to the outstanding JFK Library and Museum, jfklibrary.org. Both are fascinating tributes to Boston’s foremost political family and well worth a visit. So too is the spectacular Museum of Fine Arts, mfa.org, particularly the dazzling art of the Americas wing. If you have time, a boat trip – either to see the harbour islands or humpback whales – is an excellent way to get an overview of the city from the water. Meanwhile, chic Newbury Street is one of the best shopping streets in the entire US; and sports fans have plenty to pick from, with the Celtics, Bruins and Patriots all currently excelling in their respective disciplines. But if you have time for just one game, try to catch the Boston Red Sox at the iconic Fenway Park stadium.

Where to stay

As captivating properties go, you’d be hard pressed to top The Liberty, 001 617 224 4000, libertyhotel.com, a luxury hotel in a converted 19th-century prison. Other top spots include The Verb, 001 885 695 6678, theverbhotel.com, a big favourite with Boston’s young crowd, who party around its pool; The Boxer, 001 617 624 0202, theboxerboston.com, a quirky boutique hotel in an unbeatable location at the heart of the historic Bulfinch Triangle; and The Envoy, 001 617 388 3030, autographhotels.marriott.com, a £45m luxury hotel that opened in June and wins top marks for Lookout, its exceptional rooftop restaurant.

Where to eat and drink

If you like seafood, you’re in the right place. the Seaport District is the city’s hottest ticket, offering plentiful al fresco dining options with great views of the harbour. Try 75 on Liberty Wharf, 001 617 227 0754, 75onlibertywharf. com, for a hearty brunch, or the delightful terrace at Tamo, 001 617 385 4304, tamoboston.com, for lunch, justifiably famous for its prosciutto meatballs. The South End district is also resurgent, with standout stars including the cosy B&G Oysters on Tremont Street, 001 617 423 0550, bandgoysters.com, and Mistral Bistro on Columbus Avenue, 001 617 867 9300, mistralbistro. com, specialising in fresh fish with a Provençal twist. For a fine dining treat, Menton on Congress Street, 001 617 737 0099, mentonboston.com, is frequently featured in ‘Best Restaurants in America’ round-ups but is pleasingly affordable. To finish the evening, cocktails at the Revere hotel’s fabulous Emerald Lounge are always fun, reverehotel.com, or go industrial chic at Drink, drinkfortpoint.com, an airy cocktail bar in a former wool factory.

Time running out?

Grab a bowl of delicious fresh clam chowder at the famous Union Oyster House on Union Street, unionoysterhouse.com. A favourite of JFK, it’s been serving some of the tastiest chowder on the East Coast since 1826.

Travel Information

Travel Information

Currency is the US dollar. Time is five hours behind. Flight time is about seven hours from London. The cost to carbon-offset is £11, climatecare.org

Getting There

BA has more than 17 flights from Heathrow every week, ba.com Delta generally has the best-value flights, delta.com

Resources

Bostonusa.com is a prime source of all events and attractions in the city, with a handy navigation app.