Beantown, The Cradle of Liberty – whatever you choose to call it, there’s no doubt that Boston played an important role in early American history and is an excellent city to visit. Most of the excellent attractions have accommodations for people living with hearing loss so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Freedom Trail
While you’re here, you’ll want to take a walk to see and tour some of the sites on the Freedom Trail, including Revolutionary War hero Paul Revere’s home and the Old North Church, where he is said to have sent his signal in the tower: “One if by land, two if by sea.” The home is elegantly preserved and the Old North Church, built in the early 1700s, is still used as an Episcopal church today.
Another must-see on the Freedom Trail is Faneuil Hall, which was a meeting place for revolutionaries including Samuel Adams, and has been a marketplace ever since. Today, walk inside to this traditional East Coast market for fresh seafood, pastries and everything in between. There’s plenty of shopping to be done nearby. Here’s a map of the Freedom Trail so you can take your own self-guided tour on the cobblestone streets.
Other excellent places to visit are the Public Gardens, Arnold Arboretum and the North End – the Italian neighborhood where you can get authentic cannoli at the world-famous Mike’s Pastry.
Here are some other must-see spots while you are visiting Boston, all of which offer assistive listening and other hearing loss solutions to make your trip enjoyable if you are living with hearing loss:
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
This estate-like international art museum is a true original. According to a message from the director on its website, guests are “greeted by the visual splendor of the courtyard garden and surrounding galleries – a feast for the senses. The Museum was designed as a work of art in totality.” Not only does it feature paintings and sculptures, but it also hosts furniture, tapestries and lighting from the period of each room. Check out the Dutch Room for a few Rembrandts, head to the large, beautiful tapestry room and check out rooms devoted to works by Titian and Raphael.
For visitors who are hard of hearing, there are neckloops and printed guides of the tours available.
New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is one of the best. Their exhibits are well-designed and they offer opportunities to touch tidepool sea life and to learn about conservation efforts. The enclosed penguin structure is a must-see, as is the central tank with massive fish. You can walk up a spiral ramp to the top and look in – pretty cool. The aquarium has assistive listening devices at their IMAX theatre for those who are hard of hearing, as well as descriptive plaques and panels throughout the aquarium that give detailed information about species and conservation efforts.
If you have time, don’t miss the Museum of Fine Arts and the Institute of Contemporary Art – both excellent and accessible for those with hearing loss.
