Alison Dayani gets a taste of revolutionary America as she travels to historic Boston on the east coast.
It is exactly 50 years since John F Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States with one of the most memorable speeches in world history.
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”, he declared emphatically.
But to remember the iconic President in all his glory, it is not Washington DC or the site of his violent death in Dallas where you should head, but the state of his birth – Massachusetts.
Boston is currently at the centre of a Kennedy party, with a host of special exhibitions until the end of the summer.
Overlooking the clear blue ocean waves on the edge of the city stands the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
As well as featuring an exhibition about the day JFK took the presidency on January 20, 1961, it also focuses on his legacy, his trials and tribulations through the early space race, the fight for civil rights, the Cuban missile crisis and the Cold War.
Set up by the Kennedy family, it is far from a pompous exploration of political life. It has the sort of excitement that JFK himself breathed into the White House itself.
There is a replica Oval Office, the dresses of Jackie Kennedy and the famous TV debate with Nixon and also looks at the art of rhetoric that became synonymous with JFK’s term and the fever of election night itself, which is brought to life. It’s a must for anyone with an interest in politics.
Allow half a day to see the museum, including the easy underground ride to JFK/UMASS stop and free shuttle bus journey to reach it from Boston centre, which takes 20 minutes.
That leaves plenty of time to enjoy the multitude of attractions in this charming east coast city.
A place of contrasts, Boston is old meets new – or America with an English flavour.
It is very much a walking city and the numerous tourist trails pass many remnants of the British in the old town, the state houses and parks before the Tea Party and fight for independence.
The bustling Quincy Market has a feeling of London’s Covent Garden about it, while the Union Oyster House building is America’s oldest restaurant with a ‘ye olde’ English pub feel of low ceilings, creaking wooden floors and a cosy atmosphere. The food is excellent, too, so well worth a stop off.
Delightful Beacon Hill is an immaculate suburb of old red brick houses and independent shops. It is also close to the wonderful Boston Common and public gardens where swan boats cruise around the lake and children flock to the Ducklings statuettes.
