The Old State House, one of Boston's most cherished historical buildings, built in 1713 to replace the original meetinghouse destroyed by fire. (CP PHOTO/AP/Michael Dwyer)

As America's oldest city marks its 375th anniversary this year, there couldn't be a better time to get lost on the streets of Boston.

And lost you will be if you're a typical tourist trying to navigate these many curving, narrow streets that sometimes come to abrupt dead ends or reverse direction -- or even change names en route.

When in Boston heading for the cruise port, I've found myself instead next door at Logan International Airport, doing circuits around Boston Common looking for the "off ramp," or heading back to my hotel via Cambridge across the river -- not on purpose.

It's all part of the fun of visiting this thriving New England seaport metropolis steeped in history where many of the roads date from 17th-century cow paths. Writer-intellectual Ralph Waldo Emerson observed: "We say the cows laid out Boston."

The compact central city, with 600,000 residents (5.5 million in the metropolitan area) packed into 120 square kilometres, is on a peninsula surrounded by the Charles River, Boston Inner Harbor and Fort Point Channel.

For anyone wanting to cruise through this inner-city obstacle path, there's good news: the "Big Dig" has made it easier to get around.

The infamous decade-long construction project replaced the decaying six-lane elevated John F. Fitzgerald Expressway. There's now a multi-lane expressway beneath downtown Boston and the harbour connecting the south and north parts of the city, the airport and I-90.

"I can confirm that it is easier to drive around Boston now that the Big Dig is very nearly complete," said Suzanne Wenz, regional director of public relations for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.

To put it in perspective, the $10.8-billion undertaking was "one of the largest, most complex and technologically challenging transportation projects in American history."

It includes a tunnel under the harbour, 14-lane bridge, eight-to-10-lane underground expressway, 12 kilometres of highway, 47 kilometres of underground utility lines and a new street level park.

This is also a great time to visit because Porsche aficionados can check out a "landmark exhibit" -- Speed, Style and Beauty: Cars from the Ralph Lauren Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts.

And, if you didn't bring your Porsche with you, the lavishly renovated Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel is celebrating the artistry of the automobile with distinctive packages that include the use of a Boxster.

The exhibition is devoted to car design and runs in the Gund Gallery until July 3. It shows off 16 magnificent automobiles including the sporty Porsche 550 Spyder from the collection of the renowned designer and car enthusiast.

"Viewers will be amazed by the wealth of detail to be found in the wheels, grills and even the gas caps," said curator Darcy Kuronen. "Like any art form, car design reflects changes in fashion, technology and societal attitudes," he added.

The two-seater Porsche Boxster is a modern interpretation of the classic roadster sports car. Guests booking the Fairmont packages can put a Boxster to the test by heading out on the highway for fun drives around Boston.

Some nearby places well worth a daytrip are Gloucester, about one hour away; Newport, R.I., to see the mansions, about 75 minutes; Salem/Marblehead, 35 minutes; and Lexington/Concord/Walden Pond, 30 minutes.

Back in town, Boston's 375th theme is the City Where America Began, with special events and partying to celebrate the milestone from the days when the first Puritans arrived by ship seeking freedom to worship.

For a bird's-eye view, head to the 50th-floor observatory atop the Prudential Center, with spectacular views of Boston Harbor, the Atlantic Ocean and 80 kilometres in all directions.

Then head over to Fenway Park, home of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, where year-round tours are offered.

The Freedom Trail is a four-kilometre walking jaunt through downtown, the North End and Charlestown. It passes such historic spots as Boston Common park, Old State House, King's Chapel and Faneuil Hall -- where Bostonians protested British taxation policies of the 1760s that led to the American Revolution -- adjacent to the Quincy Market. There's also the 1680 Paul Revere House, USS Constitution Museum and Bunker Hill Monument.

Speaking of history, the city's 93-year-old Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel, an architectural jewel, has been given a $34-million facelift.

This AAA four-diamond award winner and member of the National Trust Historic Hotels has stood as a landmark and symbol of Boston's rich tradition of culture, history, elegance and hospitality.

Renovations have upgraded each of the 383 guestrooms and suites, as well as the meeting space.

"The Fairmont Copley Plaza is uniquely Boston and whether guests are in the hotel for leisure travel, attending a meeting or for a social event, they will walk away with a real feeling for what Boston truly is," said general manager Jon Crellin.

Added was a Fairmont "gold floor" -- a special hotel-within-a-hotel concierge level. It emulates an elegant century-old Boston Back Bay townhouse with separate check-in and concierge, and public areas including a living room with gas fireplace, library, dining room and butler's pantry.

Upgrades to the 17 one-bedroom suites include eight themed around Boston's history.

The hotel's Oak Room is an elegant, sophisticated restaurant with oak-lined walls and ornate ceilings. It specializes in aged steaks, chops and fresh seafood.

Don't miss Ye Olde Union Oyster House, open since 1826, serving New England favourites including Boston baked beans, and Cheers-Beacon Hill, originally the Bull and Finch Pub and inspiration for the TV series.

There are three new riverfront parks resulting in a greenway connecting the Boston Harbor with the Charles River Esplanade Park, and the 70-kilometre Boston Waterfront Harborwalk from the JFK Library to Winthrop.

Major cultural exhibitions this year include the John F. Kennedy Library Museum's Presents for a President and First Lady and JFK in World War II. The Museum of Science will premiere the Star Wars exhibition, October through December, and the New England Aquarium features the Gulf of Maine.

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If you go . . .

Packages at the Fairmont Copley Plaza until June 26:

-- Speed and Style includes the use of a Porsche Boxster during a two-night stay in the Museum of Fine Arts suite, tickets and private docent tour of the Ralph Lauren car exhibit, and breakfast daily. Starts at $1,450 US for two guests.

-- Room and Zoom comes with the Porsche Boxster and two nights accommodation on the Fairmont "gold floor," and two tickets to the car exhibit. From $859 for two.

For reservations call 1-800-441-1414 or go to www.fairmont.com/copleyplaza.

For more information about the car exhibit: www.mfa.org.

To plan a visit, call the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1-888-SEE BOSTON; www.bostonusa.com.