Things to Do in Massachusetts

Located in the North End and built around 1680, the Paul Revere House is the oldest building in downtown Boston. It is famous for being the house Revere left from the night of his famous “midnight ride” to warn his compatriots that the British were coming to arrest them. He lived there with his family from 1770 to 1800.

Through the years it has been lived in by many other families and served various purposes, for example, a bank, grocery store and a cigar factory; however, the building was purchased by Revere’s grandson in 1902 and restored by the  Paul Revere Memorial Association from 1907 to 1908, allowing it to now serve as a house museum along with the adjacent Pierce-Hitchborn House. Walking inside, visitors are able to appreciate the 17th century appearance and original artifacts like historic documents and Paul Revere’s silverware. Knowledgeable staff and information panels are there to help answer any questions you may have.

Keep in mind the site is small and you’ll probably only need about 20 to 30 minutes to explore. That being said, it’s worth it to learn about the interesting history and facts. For instance, did you know Paul Revere had 16 children with two wives? Or that he was a renowned silversmith who also dabbled in dentistry? You can learn this and more from a visit.

If you’d like to continue exploring Boston’s rich history, Paul Revere’s House is one of the 16 stops on the Freedom Trail. Continue on the next stop, Old North Church, or start from the beginning at Boston Common.

The Paul Revere House is open daily April 15 through October 31 from 9:30am to 5:15pm and November 1 to April 14 9:30am to 4:15pm. Admission is $3.50 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and college students and $1 for children aged 5 to 17.

When visiting Cambridge, Massachusetts, one not-to-miss attraction is the well-respected Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This private research university set on 168-acres (68 hectares), is home to five schools and 34 academic departments, research laboratories and innovative programs, and has a strong focus on technology, science and engineering. Although it’s an urban campus, you’ll see a mixture of interesting buildings and peaceful green spaces for an aesthetically-pleasing experience.

One reason many people enjoy touring the MIT campus is to take in the beautiful architecture. The Maclaurin Buildings refer to buildings 3, 4 and 10, which are typically shown in media and postcard shots, forming a U-shape around Killian Court. Building 10 is particularly interesting, with a colonnade facade and massive dome reminiscent of Rome’s Pantheon. The Kresge Auditorium is another building beloved for its architecture, touted along with the nearby Chapel as a prime example of mid-Century modern architecture in the United States. And don’t miss the Stata Center, with its peculiar and striking angular design, and the avant-garde Simmons Hall. Fore sourvenirs and MIT logo gear, stop by the MIT Coop Shop and peruse its wide selection.

Boston’s oldest residential neighborhood, the North End has been inhabited since the 1630s. Here you’ll find a large variety of historical and culturally attractions. There’s the Paul Revere House, the oldest building in downtown Boston built around 1680 and the place from which he left for his famous “midnight ride” in 1775. Some other historic stops in the North End include Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burial Ground, Union Wharf, Ozias Goodwin House and Mariner’s House, allowing you to explore the city’s rich heritage as well as old world architecture.

Walking around the area, you’ll notice the smell of fresh baked bread and biscotti permeates the air. Because it has a large community of Italian Americans, the North End is also known as Boston’s Little Italy. Visitors are transported to Italy as they walk the neighborhood’s narrow streets, full of attached brick buildings housing small shops, delis, butchers, salumerias, bakers, wine bars and appetizing restaurants. Head to Salumeria Italiana for Italian salami, stinky cheeses, salty olives and beautiful sun dried tomatoes. At Mike’s Pasty, you can sample some of the North End’s best cannoli’s, featuring handmade shells and rich ricotta cream filling, as well as sweet almond nut biscotti, pignoli nut macaroons and ricotta pie. And to dine on some of the freshest seafood in Boston, The Daily Catch offers just-caught seafood dishes as well as satisfying pastas.