Boston is a city filled with great American history.
With perfect spring weather typically having arrived, April is an excellent time to visit Boston and explore all that the city has to offer. Boston is home to an extensive list of great historical monuments, homes and museums, many of which offer free admission to visitors.
Bunker Hill Monument
The Bunker Hill Monument, standing tall at 221 feet, sits at Breed's Hill, the location of the first major American Revolution war battle. The battle, which occurred on June 17, 1775, is the one during which Colonel William Prescott famously told his men "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." Unfortunately, the colonists ultimately lost this battle, but they put up a strong fight, which enabled them to keep fighting the British invasion. Visitors to the Bunker Hill Monument can climb 294 steps to the top; there are no elevators, so make sure everyone in your group is able to make the climb. The monument is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm; admission is always free.
Bunker Hill Monument
Monument Square
Charleston, MA 02129
617-242-5641
cityofboston.gov
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
The 265-acre Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is North America's oldest public arboretum, having been founded in 1872. Since its founding, the arboretum has acquired and cultivated trees and plants from around the world that had the potential to thrive in the Boston area. In addition to offering the public a beautiful place to explore nature, the arboretum is a highly respected research institution, administered by the Office of the Provost of Harvard University. Open 365 days per year, the arboretum charges no admission fee to visitors, although donations are always appreciated.
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
125 Arborway
Boston, MA 02130
617-524-1718
arboretum.harvard.edu
Coit Observatory
Boston University's Coit Observatory hosts Public Open Night on Wednesday evenings year-round. During these Public Open Nights, visitors are provided with free access to the observatory's telescopes and binoculars. In the spring and summer, Public Open Night begins at 8:30 pm, depending on weather, and lasts approximately one hour. During the fall and winter, free observations begin around 7:30 pm. Public Open Night may be canceled due to bad weather; in order to find out whether observation is canceled for the evening, call the phone number below no earlier than two hours before the scheduled time period. Coit Observatory is located directly above the Boston University astronomy department.
Coit Observatory
Boston University
725 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA
617-353-2630
bu.edu
Tags: Bunker Hill, Bunker Hill Monument, Coit Observatory, Harvard University, Hill Monument, Public Open, Arboretum Harvard