波士頓位在美國東北方新英格蘭區的麻州，四季氣候分明。波士頓不但是美國獨立運動和工業革命的發祥地，也是美國文學的源頭，因此被譽為孕育美國文化的搖籃。遊客漫步於波士頓，俯拾即是歷史見證，隨處可見新舊建築並列的獨特景觀。
For those wanting a taste of American history, there is no better place to explore than Boston, the capital of the State of Massachusetts. Founded in 1630 by colonists who sailed from England, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. It also played an important role in the American Revolution. For these reasons, Boston is often referred to as the birthplace of the United States.
One attraction that allows tourists to enjoy Boston’s rich past is the Freedom Trail. The trail, which is four kilometers long, passes by 16 historical sites, including Paul Revere’s house and the USS Constitution, a wooden warship that fought in the War of 1812. Indeed, due to its compact size, Boston boasts a number of popular walking tours. While the city proper has only about 600,000 residents, the greater metropolitan area is much larger, with a population of 4.4 million.
In addition to its interesting history, Boston is home to many cultural sites and activities. The city is well known for its museums, as well as its world-class orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops (an orchestra playing lighter music and show tunes). There is also an excellent theater district, which is home to such famous venues as the Boston Opera House and the Cutler Majestic Theatre. In fact, Boston is considered the cultural capital of New England.
對於那些想體驗美國歷史的人，沒有比麻州首府─波士頓─更值得探索的地方。波士頓於一六三〇年由英格蘭遠渡而來的殖民者所創建，是美國最古老的城市之一。它也在美國革命中扮演了重要角色。基於這些原因，波士頓時常被稱為美國的誕生地。
一個能讓遊客享受波士頓豐富歷史的景點是自由步道。這條步道有四公里長，沿途行經十六個歷史遺跡，其中包括保羅．李維爾的故居和美國憲法號戰艦，這是一艘在一八一二年戰爭中作戰的木製戰艦。的確，由於市區小而美，波士頓擁有許多受歡迎的徒步行程。雖然城區只有大約六十萬居民，大波士頓地區卻更大得多，約有四百四十萬人。
除了有趣的歷史，波士頓還擁有許多文化景點和活動。該市以博物館和世界級的管絃樂團聞名遐邇，包括波士頓交響樂團和波士頓大眾管絃樂團（演奏較輕鬆的音樂和歌劇曲目的樂團）。還有一個出色的劇院區，這裡是波士頓歌劇院和卡特拉莊嚴劇院等著名表演場所的所在地。事實上，波士頓被視為新英格蘭的文化之都。
【單字字彙】
1) colonist (n.) 殖民地開拓者
2) revolution (n.) 革命
3) refer (to) (v.) 稱做，指的是
4) constitution (n.) 憲法
5) compact (a.) 小型的
6) proper (a.) 本身的
7) warship (n.) 軍艦
【波士頓小名—各個角度帶你認識波士頓】
The Hub 中心之城：此名稱出自波士頓詩人 Oliver Wendell Holmes ，他形容波士頓是太陽系中心 (The Hub of the Solar System)。
The Athens of America 美國的雅典：此名稱來自《北美評論月刊》創刊者 William Tudor 讚美波士頓豐富的文化及人文影響力。
The Puritan City 清教徒之都：說明早期波士頓移民的宗教身分及傳教使命。
America’s Walking City 美國步行之都：波士頓市中心的景點相當密集，非常適合徒步觀光，波士頓也是全美排名第七最多徒步通勤者的城市。
The Cradle of Liberty 自由的搖籃：說明波士頓在美國獨立運動扮演的先鋒角色。
Bean Town 豆豆鎮：波士頓傳統點心為蜜糖烤豆子 (baked beans)。
Titletown / City of Champions 冠軍之都：說明波士頓運動隊伍的傑出表現，紅襪棒球隊、塞爾提克籃球隊、新英格蘭愛國者足球隊皆曾贏得多座冠軍獎盃。
【漫遊波士頓，你要聽得懂】
The Hatch Shell at the Charles River Esplanade holds free concerts during the summer months.
查爾斯河廣場的哈奇貝殼劇院會在夏季舉辦免費的音樂會。
Beacon Hill, a historic neighborhood north of Boston Common, is filled with beautiful 19th century brick townhouses.
位於波士頓公園北方的畢肯山是有重大歷史意義的地區，現今仍林立著美麗的十九世紀磚造連棟住宅。
A ticket to the Museum of Fine Arts, the largest in New England, allows you to visit twice within a 10-day period.
波士頓美術館是新英格蘭地區最大的美術館，買一張門票可在十天內入內參觀兩次。
Harvard and MIT are both located in the city of Cambridge, just west of downtown Boston.
哈佛大學和麻省理工學院都位於波士頓市中心西側的劍橋市。
（本文獲EZTALK編輯部授權刊登）
圖片來源：pixabay
