Why Boston

Throughout time, Boston and Massachusetts have played an important part of our country’s history. Founded in 1630, just ten years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Boston grew as a harbor town and has always been strongly linked to the sea. Boston is unique as it is almost completely surrounded by water, with the Atlantic Ocean on two sides and the Charles River which runs along the back of the city. Whale watches, harbor cruises, tours of the Boston Tea Party Ship, island hopping, sailing and rowing on the Charles River, touring the U.S.S. Constitution, jogging, cycling or playing in one of the many parks along the waterways gives visitors plenty to do to discover Boston's nautical history. 

Surrounded by natural beauty, Boston’s 48 square miles are encircled by a bustling harbor, tranquil coastline and a strand of green parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted known as the Emerald Necklace.  Two of the parks, the Boston Common and the Public Garden are back to back between the Back Bay and Downtown neighborhoods in the heart of the city.  The Boston Common, America's first public park, runs alongside the flower-filled Public Garden where Swan Boats, propelled by human power, glide across the pond from April through September. 

While there are a multitude of reasons to choose Boston, here are the ones we hear over and over again:

Demographics:

With a population of approximately 625,000, Boston is the center of a large metropolitan area, home to almost 4.6 million people.  The city is made up of professionals, students, and families who live and work in the city.  As a result, Boston is a vibrant city, day and night, offering something for everyone to enjoy.

Shopping:

Bargain lovers and big spenders alike relish in Boston’s shopping scene. From boutiques to designer brands, discount shops to artisan markets, shopping is always an adventure in Boston. Find sought-after brands and runway-fresh fashions at Copley Place Shopping Galleries and The Shops at Prudential Center.  Browse jewelry, books and souvenirs at Downtown Crossing. Local artisans and vendors showcase more than 100 shops and carts at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. CambridgeSide Galleria offers more than 120 stores & restaurants. Assembly Row offers outlet shops.  Newbury Street offers eight blocks of everything from moderately priced stores to high-end boutiques, all nestled into scenic brownstone buildings. The best part of all is that Boston is America’s Walking City, so getting from store to store is a breeze.

Complimentary Services:

Starting at the beginning, our award winning staff can help you find the perfect venue and other services for your meeting or event. The staff at Meet Boston can save you time and energy and make it easy for you!

Sports:

A town of champions, Bostonian’s are always finding new ways to stay active. A three-mile trail runs along the Charles River offering a scenic route for walking, running, and biking.  Bike lanes hug the street and the Hubway, a bike sharing system, provides more than 1,500 bikes at 155 stations to rent throughout the Greater Boston Area. Canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are all available along the Charles River.

What’s more, Boston is home to a grand tradition of sporting excellence. Numerous collegiate and professional sports teams make their home in the area and storied franchises such as the Red Sox (2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018 World Series Champions), the Celtics (2008 World Champions), the Bruins (2011 Stanley Cup Champions), and the New England Patriots (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2017 and 2018 Super Bowl Champions) all play. Visiting sports fans can’t help getting caught up in the enthusiasm.

But Boston isn’t just home sports teams – it’s also home to several annual events that draw visitors from all over the world. These include, among others, the Boston Marathon, the oldest annual city marathon in the world, which takes place on the third Monday of April every year, with the finish line by the Boston Public Library.  Other annual sporting events include the Head of the Charles Regatta in October, the largest rowing regatta in the world; and the Deutsche Bank Championship PGA Tour that takes place every Labor Day Weekend.

Accessibility:

Traveling by plane, bus, train, or car? Boston offers the largest and most valuable attendee base within a two-hour travel radius of any city in the country. 

Boston’s Logan International Airport features 75 domestic flights daily and international service to 53 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia, with more being added every day!  The airport is just three miles from the city and visitors can easily access the city by subway, taxi, bus or water taxi.   Amtrak Rail services two stations with service running from Washington DC through Philadelphia and New York City. There is also a train, the Amtrak Downeaster, which runs from Boston to Maine via North Station.

Once in Boston, travelers find that Boston has excellent access to air, rail, and bus connections. Its two convention centers feature the fastest airport-to-convention centers in the country. Boston is known as America’s Walking City, but when you can’t get around by foot, the city is easily accessible by the “T”, Boston’s public transportation system.  And what’s more, planners and delegates find that Boston is a very safe city to move around in.

Hotels:

With over 35,000 hotel rooms in the Greater Boston area, and more coming on line every day, it’s simple to find the right accommodations for your meeting. Boston is home to many familiar names including Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt, all of which have multiple properties in Boston and allow attendees the flexibility they deserve when traveling. Properties can be found in all shapes and sizes for those who prefer boutiques or a bed and breakfast. From Kimpton to Intercontinental, Fairmont to Langham, Boston has it all. Luxury accommodations can be found at the five diamond Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, or Ritz Carlton. Properties such as the Liberty Hotel or historic Omni Parker House embrace the historical profile of Boston and are one-of-a-kind, just like the city they belong to.

Meeting Facilities:

Boston is home to two world-class convention centers, each boasting an impressive resume of a variety of meetings. The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC), opened in 2004 is located in the heart of Boston’s newly developed South Boston Waterfront. Less than a mile and just two public transportation stops from the airport, the BCEC is surrounded by quality restaurants and hotels with even more development on the way. Close by, the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center sits right on the Boston Harbor. And in the heart of Boston’s historic Back Bay, the Hynes Convention Center, located near Copley Square, is conveniently connected to the Prudential and Copley malls, as well as three major hotels and the Back Bay train station. Boston’s hotels offer beautiful space and experienced service. Recent renovations have occurred at many properties. 

Many of Boston’s hotels are large enough to hold meetings, and there are a variety of conference centers in the area to choose from as well.

Food/Restaurants:

Year round, the Boston restaurant scene is dynamic, distinctive and delicious. Boston chefs outdo themselves with signature specialties made from local ingredients. New restaurants and old favorites cater to every palate and every pocketbook.  Visitors to Boston will find quaint cafes, James Beard Award Winning chefs, waterfront views and the freshest seafood on the East Coast.

In addition to fresh seafood there are many ethnic restaurants that can be found in the various neighborhoods of Boston and Cambridge.  And visitors can find everything from America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, the Union Oyster House, to the new Boston Public Market, which offers a wide selection of fresh food from local growers and producers. There is also a large food truck scene that can be found throughout the city on a daily basis.

For after-hours entertainment, visitors can pick their pleasure: chic martini lounges, authentic Irish pubs, upscale billiards, comedy clubs, live music, dance or theater.  No matter where the evening takes them, visitors are bound to have an unforgettable night out on the town.

Attractions/Historical Sites/Venues:

For those seeking a unique experience, Boston’s venues have a lot to offer as there are over 350 cultural organizations and programs that are offered within the city of Boston. 

From the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has a special venue that is perfectly suited for every type of group.  Enjoy a clambake under the tent at the Aquarium or on one of Boston’s Harbor Islands.  Relish a private performance from the Boston Ballet, Boston Symphony Orchestra or Boston Pops or perhaps buy out Cheers for a fun night on the town.   Plan a family friendly event at the Museum of Science, LEGOLAND or the Boston Children’s Museum, the second oldest Children’s Museum in the country.  Plan your event at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a 19th century Italian Palazzo located in the historic Fens neighborhood, or on the waterfront at the very 21st century designed Institute of Contemporary Art.  Or check out the majestic reading room at the Boston Public Library (which also serves as the Presidential Library for John Adams, the second president of the United States).   With so many great spaces to choose from, the staff at Meet Boston can help you find the right venue to suit your needs.

As the home of the American Revolution, Boston has been hosting groundbreaking meetings from the beginning of nation’s history. Why not honor that tradition by hosting your meeting in a historical landmark? Boston’s role in shaping American history is unique among all other US cities so it’s not hard to find history in Boston. Simply follow the red brick road of the Freedom Trail, which spans two and a half miles with landmarks significant to the American Revolution.

Universities and Business:

Boston is jam packed with a wide variety of industries.  Known also as the “Athens of America” Boston’s renowned medical and educational institutions have helped to make it an international center of learning and intellectual activity. The metropolitan area has 35 hospitals, including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, among others, all that have reputations in providing groundbreaking research and excellence in care.

The Greater Boston area is also home to more than 70 colleges and universities, including MIT, Harvard, Boston University, Northeastern University and Boston College among others, all of whom consistently raise the bar on innovation and education and help to add an international flair and youthful vibrancy to the city. 

More and more companies are making Boston their home, including most recently, General Electric, who will be located in Boston’s continually developing waterfront area. The growing biotech industry in Boston and Cambridge includes:  Novartis, Pfizer, and Biogen, to name a few. And financial institutions with a large presence include Bank of America, Citizens Bank, and Fidelity Investments.

Learn all about Boston's history including important events dating back to 1621. Read through to find historic sites to you'll want to visit while sightseeing.