No trip to New England is complete without a visit to Boston, the region's creative and historical hub. Founded in 1630, Boston prides itself on being one of the country's most historic cities, sometimes to an almost ridiculous degree - with park rangers dressed in period costumes and the like.

Really though, a lot of very cool historic events did take place here: much of the rumblings of the Revolutionary War (including the Boston Tea Party) centered on Boston and the city is also considered the birthplace of abolitionism.

To get yourself oriented, it's smart to walk at least a portion of the Freedom Trail, which traces the town's historical hotspots and gives you a good sense of the city. Be sure to stroll through the North End, Boston's Italian-American neighborhood, full of Italian groceries, cafes and some of the world's best cannoli. In swanky Back Bay, upscale Newbury Street is the place to go for designer threads, and it's a convenient walk to the atmospheric Boston Public Garden, home to flower beds and swan boats.

Across the river, the town of Cambridge (home to Harvard and MIT) makes a lovely day trip, with the Harvard Square area a great spot for cheap eats and hipster hangouts.