One of the best things to do in Boston, after you’ve explored the glitzy Back Bay area, is to head down to the path which lines either bank of the Charles River. This beautiful trail is a spectacular way to enjoy the city. Breathe in the fresh air, watch Harvard rowers glide downstream, and get a glimpse at some of the nation’s finest university campuses set beside the river. It’s New England at its finest.

Defined by a rich colonial history, immigrant community, and proximity to the sea, Boston’s food is far more than just clam ‘chowdah’. Head to Union Oyster House, America’s oldest continually operating restaurant, for Boston baked beans, oysters – and, yes, clam chowder. Get extraordinarily good, over-stuffed lobster rolls at Pauli’s; and top it off with a slice of Boston cream pie at the historic Omni Parker House hotel, where this cream cake was invented.

Just a little over an hour from Boston and made up of quaint towns, seafood shacks, sail boats and white-sand beaches, it’s easy to see why Cape Cod is one of the East Coast’s most popular holiday destinations. From April through to October, the Cape plays host to a variety of whales, including pilot, humpback and sometimes even blue whales. Marvel at these majestic mammals on one of the many boat tours that leave from Provincetown.

Follow this charming, red-brick trail through some of Boston’s most historic areas. Starting at Boston Common, this 2.5-mile Boston sightseeing path tells the story of the American Revolution. Highlights include Paul Revere’s house and Old North Church, made famous by his ‘midnight ride’ – as well as the Old South Meeting House, where revolutionaries began the Boston Tea Party.

The historic Faneuil Hall hosted so many meetings of the Founding Fathers that it became known as the ‘Cradle of Liberty’, making it one of the top places to visit in Boston. Nestled among the cobbled streets of the waterfront area, this historic building now houses one of the city’s most charming markets, where street food vendors sell New England delicacies and artisans showcase unique handcrafted trinkets.

No Boston holiday is complete without a trip to the century-old Fenway Park. Stop by the Cask ’n Flagon for a pre-game beer and grab an Italian sausage from one of the street vendors outside, before you make your way through the stands to catch a Red Sox game. Sip on a cold Samuel Adams beer and join the crowds singing Sweet Caroline as the Friday night lights beam down on the baseball field below: this is a true Bostonian experience.

This small, cobblestoned district known as ‘Little Italy’ has almost 100 restaurants offering up some of the best Italian food in America. Perhaps the most famous spot of all is Mike’s Pastry: a North End institution that’s been serving their cannoli, gelato and biscotti to Bostonians for more than three-quarters of a century. Queues often snake down the street as tourists and locals alike wait to pick up their pastries after a meal nearby.

Boston’s impressively varied collection of museums holds something for everyone. Step on board the USS Constitution: “Old Ironsides” is the world's oldest-commissioned still-floating warship. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library commemorates the president’s legacy, while the Harvard Art Museums showcase some of the university's most impressive works and the Museum of African American History documents the abolitionist and civil rights movements. Don’t miss the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which showcases the eclectic collection of its bohemian founder, all set around a Venetian-style courtyard.

As you cross the bridge from Downtown into Seaport there’s a noticeable shift in energy. Things get a little more vibrant, contemporary and unexpected in this former industrial area. Browse modern art at the striking Institute of Contemporary Art, hang out by the waterfront, shop in hip boutiques and then enjoy sundowners at the various rooftop bars in the district – all superb Boston tourist attractions.

Defined by a rich colonial history, immigrant community, and proximity to the sea, Boston’s food is far more than just clam ‘chowdah’. Head to Union Oyster House, America’s oldest continually operating restaurant, for Boston baked beans, oysters – and, yes, clam chowder. Get extraordinarily good, over-stuffed lobster rolls at Pauli’s; and top it off with a slice of Boston cream pie at the historic Omni Parker House hotel, where this cream cake was invented.

Just a little over an hour from Boston and made up of quaint towns, seafood shacks, sail boats and white-sand beaches, it’s easy to see why Cape Cod is one of the East Coast’s most popular holiday destinations. From April through to October, the Cape plays host to a variety of whales, including pilot, humpback and sometimes even blue whales. Marvel at these majestic mammals on one of the many boat tours that leave from Provincetown.

Just an hour and a half from Boston, Newport’s picturesque cliff walks, Gilded Age mansions and sailing scene make it the perfect escape. As you cross the famous Newport Bridge, you’re immersed into the quaint, quiet charm of the city. Travel along the winding coastal Ocean Drive, feast on al fresco lobster rolls and oysters, explore Newport’s mansions (the opulent The Breakers, built by the Vanderbilt family, is a favourite) and sip on a refreshing Del’s frozen lemonade.