Boston is teeming with American historical sites. They’re simply everywhere in Beantown—and the city’s two main convention centers are within walking distance of many important landmarks and locations that helped create and shape the United States. Regardless of which of Boston’s convention centers you’re at, you can check out some of these sites even if you just have a short break from your Boston trade show.
Sites Near the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
When you exhibit at or attend a trade show at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC), you’re less than a mile away from some of the most important American historical sites. So even if you only have an hourlong break from the show floor, it’s worth a quick walk to pay them a visit and immerse yourself in history.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
What do you think of when you think of Boston? Probably one of its most famous events: the Tea Party of December 16, 1773. And the site lies about half a mile from the BCEC!
The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum provides an immersive experience of this historical rebellious event which helped spark the American Revolution. Trained actors allow you to speak directly with historical figures like Samuel Adams. Or, climb aboard replicas of the ships and attend a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party. The site’s museum also houses the Robinson Tea Chest, a surviving artifact from the 1773 event.
You can also fuel up while you’re there. Pop into Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace for snacks and refreshments, including (you guessed it!) tea.
Boston Common
If you’re up for a bit of a stroll through one of the U.S.’s most walkable cities, head over to Boston Common a little over a mile away from the BCEC. In addition to the entertaining and family-friendly Frog Pond, this gorgeous site is brimming with history. Here’s a quick look at some of the more notable events that have happened in Boston Common, which is known as America’s oldest park:
- 1634: The park is established.
- 1775: The British Redcoats set up camp during their occupation of Boston.
- 1860s: Civil War recruitment events and anti-slavery meetings are held in the park.
- 1965: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks at the Common, an event that’s now memorialized in a sculpture in the park.
As you stroll through the park, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of historical giants like George Washington, John Adams, and General Lafayette. And when you get home from your Boston trade show, you can tell your family and friends that you visited part of Boston’s Freedom Trail!
Sites Near the Hynes Convention Center
Just like the BCEC, exhibitors and attendees at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center are surrounded by history. If you don’t fancy yourself a history buff, there are plenty of modern attractions like View Boston that you can visit. However, with so much cool historical stuff around, why not check at least a few off your sightseeing list?
Fenway Park
Even if you’re not a baseball fan, you might want to check out historic Fenway Park. As the home of Boston’s professional baseball team since 1912, the stadium now offers guided tours and the team’s hall of fame, both of which you can check out even when there’s not a game scheduled. And since it’s a mere half mile from the Hynes Convention Center, you can easily walk, bike, or drive over on your lunch break!
Fenway Park has been an integral part of Boston’s history—and American sports history—for over a century. See where icons like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Cy Young helped solidify baseball as America’s pastime, and where players like Carl Yastrzemski, Roger Clemens, and Manny Ramirez continued the legacy. And it’s no problem if you don’t venture inside the stadium, since you can still get a great view of Fenway from any of the nearby bars and restaurants.
King’s Chapel
Just over a mile from the Hynes Convention Center stands King’s Chapel, a place of worship that was established in 1686 and is still active today. Let yourself be awed by the centuries-old remnants of the stone chapel and the pulpit built in 1717. Then, visit the onsite Memorial to Enslaved Persons, which serves as both somber reminder and an educational experience. As a site on Boston’s Freedom Trail, King’s Chapel and its adjacent Burying Grounds are must-sees for history buffs.
Cheers Boston
Grab a burger and a beer at the location that inspired one of the most beloved television shows of all time at Cheers Boston. Formerly known as the Bull & Finch Pub, this neighborhood bar serves suds and grub. Since it’s just over a mile from the Hynes Convention Center, it’s a great option for a quick lunch or an informal dinner and a nightcap.
While you’re there, check out the bar’s Police & Fire Patch Collection, which displays service patches given to the bar from members of the Coast Guard and multiple police and fire departments. The collection serves as a celebration of and memorial to brave members of the service branches across the United States and has become a popular element of the Cheers Boston experience.
We’ll Handle the Hard Work so You Can Enjoy the Sites Near Boston’s Convention Centers
Boston is chock full of American history, from sites commemorating the shaping of the nation to iconic sports stadiums and bars that are integrated into the U.S.’s culture. And since so many of these places are within walking distance of the BCEC and the Hynes Convention Center, you can easily and conveniently enjoy them all! Let us take care of the details and logistics for your trade show exhibit while you soak up more of this historic city.
Contact us today to find out how we can create a custom rental exhibit for your next trade show in Boston, MA!
