Boston is a city of firsts brimming with historic charms and a vibrant culture. Its compact size, stately architecture and plentiful green spaces make for easy exploration. Historic buildings appear on every corner, from the Old South Meeting House where Samuel Adams started the Boston Tea Party to the Old North Church where two lit lanterns signaled the British approach. Boston’s parks system also exudes a rich sense of history. The Boston Common, dating to 1634, is the country’s oldest city park and the adjacent Public Garden was the first public botanical garden.