Sports Museum of New England

It's impossible to overstate the importance of professional sport in Boston. The exploits of the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins - never mind the New England Revolution, the Boston Marathon and beloved native sons like Rocky Marciano - don't just represent entertainment. Sport is a deep-rooted passion in the region, a near religion that shapes the lives of fans across New England. The century-old traditions in this city of champions - in a state where basketball was invented (and where baseball arguably was too) - receive the tribute they deserve here. Located in the TD Garden, which is home to the Bruins and Celtics in the colder months, the museum offers a sweeping overview of the city's sporting history, via colorful displays of weathered artifacts, antique equipment and uniforms, faded front pages and game programs, and stunning photographs from across the decades. Whether you're interested in Bobby Orr and the Bruins, the Red Sox of Ted Williams or David Ortiz, or the century-spanning Harvard-Yale football rivalry, the SMNE's audio and video collections, interactive exhibits and knowledgeable staff will soon fill you in.