IT’S the welcoming city where everybody knows your name.

Where sexy legal eagles karaoke their stresses away and genius caretakers can be found brooding at the bar.

The attractive, vibrant American city of Boston feels instantly recognisable and it is no wonder with its famous landmarks as iconic on the silver screen as Hollywood.

Famous sons like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have done their home city proud, creating and filming the likes of Good Will Hunting and The Town here.

But despite shows like Ally McBeal, children’s comedy The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and movies galore including new flick The Fighter and Legally Blond, the Massachusetts city will always be synonymous with one particular series – Cheers.

Facing the red brick frontage with swaying American flag, I almost find myself singing that wondrous theme tune (‘Making your way in the world today, takes everything you’ve got...’) as I become one of the first tourists that day to snatch a quick photo.

This Bull & Finch pub, in Beacon Street, may be where the opening credits to the show were filmed, but the recreation of the interior where you can do your own Cliff and Norm impression is over in the heart of the city at Faneuil Hall, at Quincy Market.

There are movie tours, but Boston is very much a walking city and easy to get around on foot or underground, so make the most of it.

Modernism surrounds the shops from Copley Square up to Back Bay shopping district, where you will find hot new restaurants like Towne Stove and Spirits.

But historic remnants of us Brits still linger from before the Tea Party and revolution. The Union Oyster House building is America’s Oldest Restaurant with a ye olde English pub feel of small ceilings, creaking wooden floors and cosy atmosphere. The food is excellent too.

Delightful Beacon Hill is an immaculate suburb of old red brick houses and independent shops. It is close to Boston Common where swan boats cruise around the lake and children flock to the Ducklings statuettes – a row of ducks based on an enchanting local children’s book, Make Way for the Ducklings.

Hotel-wise there is plenty of choice, old and new. The Back Bay Hotel combines historic (it was the former Boston Police Headquarters) with a fantastic modern interior, while The Langham, a sister hotel to London’s famous venue, is a grand historic affair in an art deco stone 1922 building with glorious rooms.