Founded in 1872, the Arnold Arboretum was the first public arboretum in North America, and is the second-biggest part of the Emerald Necklace after Franklin Park.

 Between the Green Monster at Fenway Park, Paul Revere’s house in the North End, and the winding Freedom Trail, Boston boasts a seemingly unlimited supply of attractions. Whether you live in the city or you're just visiting for a few days, a tour will help you get the lay of the land — and there are plenty to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites.

 The Boston Marathon began its trek through the streets of the city in 1897, making it the oldest annual marathon in the world. Though the race originally started in Ashland, in 1925, it was moved to the corner of Ash Street and East Main Street in Hopkinton in order to conform to new Olympic standards set by Queen Alexandria and King Edward VII.

 We're going to tempt fate and declare it officially spring in Boston. Restaurant patios are reopening, buds are sprouting and — best of all — the Red Sox have returned to town. Here are a handful of events you should check out this weekend.

How much are the Red Sox worth? When was the park built? How much is David Ortiz's salary? Find out here.

 Fenway Park is one of the oldest and smallest baseball stadiums in America—and also one of its most beloved. Situated in the middle of a dense city block, the park has endured a lot over the years, including multiple fires, threats of demolition, and a near-century-long losing streak from its home team. Nevertheless, Red Sox fans consider it sacred—some even going so far as to spread family members’ ashes on its grounds—and with a 100th anniversary under its belt and no end date in sight, Fenway seems poised to play on for generations to come.

Between the Celtic music, the authentic décor, and the accented staff, M.J. O’Connor’s in the Park Plaza Hotel corners the market on Irish pubs in downtown Boston. The bartenders are welcoming, friendly, and according to their manager, “convincing” — a helpful trait when their GM concocts a new drink recipe to test on trusting and loyal customers.

With public interest in classical music dwindling, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project aims to step outside the Beethoven box. Founder and conductor Gil Rose chatted with us about the goals of the BMOP, the challenges the organization faces within the Boston music scene, and the recent release of two new self-published recordings: Milton Babbitt’s All Set and George Antheil’s Ballet Mecanique. See the BMOC in action on March 28 at the Boston Connection concert.