Admittedly, history was never my strongest subject in school. That’s why when I planned a stop in Boston as part of a larger trip through some Northeastern states, I was worried I wouldn’t appreciate the city as much as, say, my 10^th grade U.S. history teacher might appreciate it. But while walking along Boston’s renowned Freedom Trail, I found myself standing in front of Paul Revere’s house and the Old South Meeting House, and it was then that I understood the hype. To stand where others stood and see what others saw during the American Revolution is such a unique experience.

Not fully convinced that Boston is the destination for you and don’t quite trust someone who’s only been there once? That’s fair. Allow Macklin Welch, Delta Operations Service Manager and Bostonian, to persuade you.

“Growing up in a suburb of Boston, it was always fun to head into the city for an event,” Welch said. “Whether it was a game, a good meal, a special occasion or a visit to one of the many attractions, Boston always created special lasting memories for myself and my family. The unique culture of the city and its people have always held a special place in my heart.”

If you’re still on the fence about adding Boston to your must-visit list, here are four reasons why you should reconsider.

VISIT FOR THE HISTORY

I know, I know – we’ve already mentioned the history to be found in Boston, but I can’t stress enough how special it was to not only get to learn about the city’s rich history but also to experience these culturally significant landmarks sprinkled among modern day architecture like 18^th-century time capsules.

The best way to explore most of these locations is by hopping on to Boston’s Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile-long red brick path winds you through the city, allowing you to see 16 different locations significant to the history of the United States. Stops include the Granary Burying Ground, where you can see the burial site of Declaration of Independence signers Samuel Adams and John Hancock, as well as the site of the Boston Massacre. Further along the trail, you will find Paul Revere’s house, which is the oldest house in downtown Boston.

VISIT FOR THE FOOD

“When traveling to Boston, you have to try a Fenway Frank while watching the Red Sox, grab a delectable meal at one of the many amazing North End Italian restaurants, and get a famous lobster roll and cup of chowder from Legal Sea Foods,” Welch said.

When looking for a spot to grab a bite in Boston, you really can’t go wrong. But for a true Boston experience, the North End offers some of the best Italian you can have (outside of Italy, of course). This little Italian-American hub situated on Boston’s waterfront is one of the city’s oldest residential neighborhoods and offers a variety of restaurants, bakeries and culture. Set your pasta-loving heart ablaze, and don’t forget to top off your meal with a cannoli (or four).

If hot pot and dim sum are more your speed, pay a visit to Boston’s Chinatown. Here, you can find an array of dishes, like Hong Kong-style Cantonese seafood, malatang (Sichuan skewer pot) and all the wontons you can ever want.

VISIT FOR THE VIEWS

If you think Boston is a sprawling metropolis with buildings after buildings that all look the same, think again.

“Boston has a unique European charm and feel,” Welch said. “Its cobblestone streets and architecture often give visitors the sense of being in a European city but with many unique traits that makes Boston one of a kind.”

One such spot that visitors can spot cobblestone streets is the famed Acorn Street in Beacon Hill. This tiny street lined with brownstones is arguably one of the most photographed streets in Boston. Pro tip: if you want a picture of this street sans people, plan to get there early.

If you’re a people watcher, one of the best places to spend the afternoon is by the Charles River, watching the boats go by, or take things to the next level and climb aboard a duck boat. These car/boat hybrids can take you from the Boston Common to the Charles River, allowing you to catch all the sites in style.

Finally, for book lovers like me, don’t miss the chance to stop by Brattle Book Shop – the country’s oldest antiquarian bookstore with over 200,000 used and out-of-print books, magazines and more. Every morning they set out carts and carts of books outside their store to peruse (and take cute pictures in front of).

VISIT DURING ANY SEASON

Now that we’ve convinced you to add Boston to your travel list, you might be thinking, “but what’s the best time of year to visit?” According to Welch, one of the best things about Boston is that any time of year is a good time to visit! See which activities Welch recommends based on when you decide to go:

• Spring: Watch the famous Boston Marathon, enjoy a walk by the Charles River, and visit the Boston Common or one of Boston’s many museums, such as the Institute of Contemporary Art, Museum of Science and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
• Summer: In the summer, visitors often can opt to have their meals served outside at one of the many outdoor patios that restaurants in Boston have to offer. These restaurants often have views of boats sailing in the harbor. If the weather is nice, take a walk to Castle Island and get a hot dog at Sullivan’s.
• Fall: The fall is a great time of year towalk the Freedom Trail. You can also attend the Head of the Charles Regatta, which is the world’s largest three-day rowing competition. Looking for an easy day trip? Take the train to Gillette Stadium to see the Patriots.
• Winter: For sports fans, attend a Celtics basketball game or Bruins ice hockey game. Look for last-minute Christmas gifts at the SoWa Open Market, which features goods from New England’s independent designers, artists and crafters. You can also visit the Snowport winter markets or take an ice-skating trip to Frog Pond.

GETTING TO BOSTON WITH DELTA

Delta continues to establish itself as Boston’s leading premium global airline, offering more than 150 peak day departures to 56 destinations in July, providing nonstop service to Boston’s 20 most popular domestic markets.

This summer, Delta will provide over 75 weekly departures from BOS to a myriad of international destinations, including Rome, Tel Aviv, Lisbon, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Paris, San Juan and Cancun. Delta is also increasing its existing services to Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in the coming weeks, giving customers more options to discover a variety of popular cities across the U.S. western region.

Furthermore, starting Dec. 21, 2023, Delta will operate daily nonstop flights between Boston and Mexico City on a Boeing 757.

Delta continues to invest in Boston: This August, Delta Sky Club will open a brand-new lounge on the E Concourse, adding nearly 21,000 square feet of premium space and seating for more than 400 guests to Delta’s lounge portfolio.