best places to visit in downtown boston

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15 Best Things to Do in Downtown Boston

Downtown Boston is one of the oldest settlements in North America and has a history dating back to the arrival of the Puritans in the early 1600s. Throughout the centuries, Boston has played an important role in major historical moments including the American revolution and those notable events are celebrated throughout the downtown district.

Explore the Downtown district to discover seventeenth-century buildings between modern-day skyscrapers, eat oysters in a restaurant open since the early 1800s or live the moment which changed America’s history in a re-enactment aboard a floating tall ship museum.

Don’t think Downtown Boston is just for history fans; it’s not. There’s much more to see and do there than visit museums. Don’t miss out on any of these fifteen of the best things to do in Downtown Boston to make sure you have a great stay without getting an overload of the past.

1. Codzilla Boat Cruise

Downtown Boston has a strong attachment to maritime history, but forget all about that when it comes to the Codzilla Boat Cruise.

Board the seventy-foot-long speedboat at its moorings on Long Wharf and get ready for a full-on thrill ride. The boat hits speeds of up to forty miles per hour as it zooms across the water and spins through a full three-hundred and sixty degrees. Yes, it’s wet and wild, so take a change of clothes.

If Codzilla is too much, scroll down to read about more sedate, stay dry, Boston harbor cruises further on.

Book online : Boston Harbor Codzilla High Speed Thrill Boat

2. Freedom Trail

Explore Downtown Boston’s past by walking the Freedom Trail. Put on some comfortable shoes and join the trail in Downtown at the Old South Meeting House on Milk Street or by the Old Corner Bookstore on Washington Street.

The two and a half mile trail is clearly marked by a double line of red bricks in the pavement and runs through the district, as well as outside its boundaries, and past sixteen of Boston’s most notable historical landmarks.

For a fully immersive and informative experience, join a tour narrated by a costumed guide at the ArtsBoston booth in Faneuil Hall Marketplace. They do a fantastic job of bringing Downtown Boston’s history to life.

Recommended tour : Freedom Trail History and Architecture Walking Tour

3. Downtown Crossing

Head to the Downtown Crossing for some traffic-free retail therapy. The Crossing, located at the junction of Winter, Summer and Washington Street, is a pedestrianized shopping zone and the best place in Downtown Boston to pick up a bargain.

Downtown Boston is well known for having more jewelers shops than restaurants, and there are plenty on the streets of the Crossing. There are also numerous other retail outlets ranging from street food vendors to large department stores like Macy’s, theaters and more than a handful of coffee shops and eateries.

Related tour : Downtown Harbor Sailing Cruise

4. Dreamland Wax Museum

Snap a souvenir photo with some of the wax effigies in the Dreamland Wax Museum in Downtown Boston’s Washington Mall. The wax figures of top stars and politicians are so realistic, convincing friends you met the real person won’t be a big deal.

The museum has twelve differently themed galleries covering a total floor space of over nineteen-thousand square feet. Get up close to Snoop Dogg, Cher, Clint Eastwood, the Queen of England and all forty-four presidents of the US.

Available online : Dreamland Wax Museum Entry Ticket

5. Union Oyster House

It’s not often a restaurant is designated as a historical landmark, but it’s one honor which has been bestowed on the Union Oyster House on Union Street in Downtown Boston which has been serving oysters to its customers for over two-hundred years.

With a facade more in keeping with a medieval street than a modern US city, the Union Oyster House looks every bit as historic as it is. The interior of bare wood flooring and beamed ceiling continues the time-warp impression, and there are still plenty of oysters on the menu.

Watch the oysters being shucked while sitting at the bar or take a table and fill up on oysters Rockefeller or go all out with a Ye Olde Seafood Platter. The taste and quality of the seafood won’t disappoint.

6. Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

Visit the 18th-century replica tall ship at its moorings just of Congress Street in Downtown Boston and be immersed in a live reenactment of a moment which changed the history of North America.

At the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, costumed guides portray the roles of the characters involved in the historic event. Join them at the meeting house as rebellion flares before heading onto the decks of the ship to throw tea chests overboard the head below decks to explore the crew’s quarters and the hold.

Don’t miss viewing the 1773 original Tea Party tea chest housed in the museum or taking tea and scones in Abigail’s Tea Room served by waitresses in colonial dress.

Highly recommended : Boston Tea Party: Ships & Museum Interactive Tour

7. Trolley of the Doomed

Forget conventional sightseeing and go spook spotting in Downtown Boston instead. Get on the fright night special Old Town Trolley at the stop on Atlantic Avenue and be ready for some serious goosebumps raising.

The ghost tour is narrated by a 17th-century gravedigger who regales listeners with tales of the Boston Strangler while visiting ancient haunted burial grounds, Boston’s most haunted hotel and other locations in DT where spooks are reputed to wander.

The Old Town Trolleys also operate a daytime, spook-free, hop-on-hop-off service throughout Downtown Boston.

Book online : 1.5-Hour Ghosts and Gravestones Tour

8. Mr. Dooley’s Boston

There has been an Irish influence in Boston since the mid-1800s and there’s no shortage of Irish-themed bars, but for a good pint and a dash of authenticity, drop into Mr. Dooley’s Boston on Downtown Boston’s Broad Street.

Dooley’s have been serving Guinness alongside their Irish breakfast in the district for almost three decades. At night, be ready for some proper Irish shenanigans with regular live music and the occasional impromptu fiddle session.

9. Rose Kennedy Greenway

Head along to the Downtown Boston waterfront for a stroll through the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The Greenway is seventeen acres of parklands which stretch for over a mile through the district and into adjacent neighborhoods.

The Greenway is comprised of seven individual parks connected by broad promenades, plazas with interactive fountains, landscaped gardens and multiple public artworks plus a fun carousel with figures depicting animals native to Massachusetts.

Not only is the Greenway a great place to get a breath of fresh air, it’s also the perfect spot for seeing some great views of the Downtown skyline. If the exercise brings on an appetite, don’t worry, there are over thirty food trucks on the Greenway from where to purchase a snack.

10. The Wilbur

For an unforgettable night of comedy or music from top American and international stars, there’s nowhere better to go in Downtown Boston than the Wilbur Theater on Tremont Street.

The one-thousand-one-hundred seat theater first opened in 1914 and is one of the city of Boston’s historic landmarks. Externally plain, the theater is Renaissance-style ornate internally and has mezzanine, balcony, and orchestra levels each with full bar service.

11. Sunset Cruise

Sail out from Long Wharf in Downtown Boston at dusk aboard a Boston Harbor Cruise Boat to view the sensational DT skyline and an impressive Massachusetts sunset.

Choose from a ninety-minute narrated sailing which coordinates with the end of the day cannon firing on the USS Constitution or a one and a half hour trip across the harbor waters with music, light snacks, and sundowners included.

Ninety-minute daytime cruises around the harbor are also available and include a professional narration on the history of Boston harbor.

Related tour: Boston Sunset Cruise

12. Durgin-Park Restaurant

For historic eats in Downtown Boston stop off at the Durgin-Park Restaurant on North Market Street. Established in 1827, this vintage-style eatery has been serving traditional Boston dishes to its clientele since before the American Civil War.

Don’t visit Downtown Boston without trying the Durgin-Park’s infamous Boston Baked Beans, Clam Chowder or heart-warming Baked Indian Pudding.

The street-level floor of the restaurant houses the Gaslight Pub which, as well as serving the full menu, has a special happy hour food offering and an outside patio.

13. Chinatown Gate

Walk along Beach Street in Downtown Boston and be surprised by the sight of an elaborate, green-roofed pagoda-style structure with Chinese lettering straddling a street up ahead.

Pass through the Chinatown Gate and discover a completely different culture. The Chinatown in Boston is the third largest in North America and dates back to the 1840s.

Colorful and vibrant, Chinatown is full of restaurants, shops, and hosts many street celebrations throughout the year including the August Moon Festival and Chinese New Year.

Available tour : Chinatown Culture and Cuisine Walking Tour

14. Down Boston

For a mega-party night out, then Down Boston on Downtown Boston’s High Street is a great choice of venue.

The slick nightclub, located in a basement, has a good-sized dance floor surrounded by plush booth seating and positively glows with a neon rainbow of LED lighting.

Top Boston DJ’s man the decks spinning all the latest dance music, so be prepared to rave until at least two in the morning or later.

15. Make Way For Ducklings

While not strictly in Downtown Boston, the Make Way For Ducklings statues are just a stroll away over Boston Common in the adjacent Boston Gardens and a must-see when visiting the district.

The statues commemorate a children’s storybook about a duck family which was based in the city and have become almost as iconic as some of the district’s historical landmarks.

The proud mother mallard and her eight ducklings make for a great, and very Instagramable, souvenir photo of Downtown Boston. Don’t miss out on seeing them.

15 Best Things to Do in Downtown Boston:

• Codzilla Boat Cruise
• Freedom Trail
• Downtown Crossing
• Dreamland Wax Museum
• Union Oyster House
• Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
• Trolley of the Doomed
• Mr. Dooley's Boston
• Rose Kennedy Greenway
• Sunset Cruise
• Durgin-Park Restaurant
• Chinatown Gate
• Down Boston
• Make Way For Ducklings

Boston   Travel Guide

30 Top-Rated Things to Do in Boston

As Massachusetts' capital and the birthplace of the American Revolution, there's no shortage of historical sites for travelers to explore within Boston's city limits (and beyond). There's even a Boston Tea Party Museum on the harbor

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 2-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

Freedom Trail Freedom Trail free

Stretching 2½ miles, the Freedom Trail weaves past 16 of the city's most historic sites, including Faneuil Hall Marketplace , the Paul Revere House and Old North Church . Taking in all of the trail's attractions requires at least half a day (and some comfortable walking shoes), but you can easily plot points of interest before you begin your jaunt from Boston Common .

Though most visitors agree the trail is easy to navigate on your own, some recommend a guided tour or downloading an app to tell you about the sites. (You'll find a handful of apps available for Apple and Android devices.) If you have a Go Boston Card, standard guided tours given by the Freedom Trail Foundation are covered by your pass.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Every Friday and Saturday, Haymarket (one America's oldest open-air markets) pops up adjacent to Faneuil Hall. In order to navigate this often-chaotic scene successfully make sure to bring small bills, leave bulky bags at the hotel and keep it moving on the sidewalk. - Jill LeGrow

Four buildings – Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market – constitute Faneuil Hall Marketplace, with the oldest being Faneuil Hall. Built in 1742 and now a stop on the Freedom Trail , Faneuil Hall has had a long and important history in Massachusetts politics. Samuel Adams once stood here to push for resistance against the British, and abolitionists and suffragists have stood on their soapboxes here. In fact, this is where colonists famously challenged the Stamp Act of 1764 by proclaiming, "no taxation without representation." From those illustrious days, the marketplace has expanded to include more than 100 shops and restaurants.

Boston Public Garden Boston Public Garden free

Though the Boston Public Garden sits right next to Boston Common , the two are quite different. The public garden is newer (established in 1837) and holds the distinction of being America's first public botanical garden. Flowers and trees are beautifully organized and kept in quality condition throughout. You can see the colorful arrangements and exotic trees from the 6-acre pond as you glide along the water in a Swan Boat. Additionally, the park houses two of Boston's most iconic statues: Make Way for Ducklings (a bronze sculpture of a duck and her eight ducklings) and a sculpture of George Washington (which shows America's first president riding on a horse).

Visitors looking to relax after sightseeing will enjoy the Boston Public Garden. Parkgoers say you'll find plenty of shade beneath the park's trees, which comes in handy on hot summer days. Plus, you'll likely spot some ducks and geese swimming around the lagoon. And if you have a few dollars, visitors recommend taking a 15-minute ride on a Swan Boat. The large paddle boats cost $4.50 to ride (or $3 for kids ages 2 to 15 and $4 for seniors); travelers with Go Boston Cards ride for free. Swan Boats are usually available between mid-April and Labor Day.

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North End North End free

Chances are you'll end up in the North End at least once during your visit to Boston. It's steeped in the city's rich history as it holds the title of Boston's oldest neighborhood and houses three attractions on the Freedom Trail . What makes this neighborhood a top point of interest, however, is its Italian culture: The North End is considered Boston's Little Italy.

While Italians weren't the first to settle in this area (English settlers arrived first then European Jews, African Americans and Irish immigrants), their cultural influence on the North End withstood the test of time. Today, you'll find all kinds of Italian food from classic pizza pies served at the popular Regina Pizzeria to Sicilian-style seafood, such as black linguine (made with squid ink) and calamari meatballs at The Daily Catch . For dinner, try Mamma Maria for fine dining, Giacomo's for its affordable, made-in-house pasta or Bricco , which sources its meats and bread from its own meat and bread shop, located right next door. If you’re only interested in pizza, hit up Galleria Umberto for delectable solo slices or Antico Forno for its full-size, wood-fired pies. Prezza is known for its extensive wine list, boasting hundreds of wine labels to choose from. For dessert, make sure to pick up a cannoli at Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry , or tiramisu at the 24-hour Bova's Bakery .

Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Fine Arts

If you want to make the most out of the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the most comprehensive art institutions in the country, then you'll need to spend a good chunk of your day here. The museum is home to one of the best art collections in the world, including the celebrated Art of the Americas wing. Inside this sprawling collection, you'll encounter galleries showcasing iconic pieces from indigenous cultures in North, South and Central America to works by contemporary artists like Edward Hopper.

You'll also find an impressive collection of Asian art here, plus works from Monet, Renoir, Manet and Rembrandt on display. And in special temporary exhibits, you can admire masterpieces from Black artists like Diedrick Brackens and Picasso, among others.

Boston Common Boston Common free

The grounds of Boston Common started as a cow pasture in the mid-1600s. It was also used for Puritan punishments, like whipping, and even for hangings. In 1768, the area was transformed into a British camp. After the Revolutionary War, the park became a popular locale for public speeches and rallies. Now, the Common is best known because of its status as the oldest public park in the country. You'll also find a variety of activities and events – including theater and musical performances and free fitness classes – hosted here throughout the year. If you plan to traverse the Freedom Trail , you'll start the walk here at Boston Common.

Though some visitors say you won't find much to do in this park, Boston Common is great for picnics or a leisurely stroll. Travelers also mention that this site is a wonderful spot to take young children. In addition to ample running room on the park's green space, kids can play at the Tadpole Playground or Frog Pond. Frog Pond offers a spray pool during the warmer months and an ice skating rink in the winter. Some visitors do note that the park tends to draw Boston's homeless population, particularly at night.

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Fenway Park Fenway Park

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you want to watch a Sox game without a ticket, head to the Bleacher Bar on Lansdowne Street. Located beneath the bleachers of Fenway, the best tables are positioned directly in front of the huge garage window that overlook centerfield. – Jill LeGrow

Fans of America's favorite pastime won't want to miss a game at Fenway Park. Home to the Boston Red Sox, this stadium has been the site of home runs, stolen bases and grounders since 1912. Regardless of whether or not you're a diehard Red Sox fan, you should try to catch a game and admire the ballpark's original architecture. Must-see features of the park include Pesky's Pole – the right field foul pole named after former Red Sox player Johnny Pesky – and the 37-foot-tall "Green Monster" wall in left field.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

After Isabella Stewart Gardner's husband died in 1898, the art enthusiast carried out their plan to buy land in Boston's Fenway area and open a museum to display her impressive collection of Italian art. The museum, which was fashioned after the Palazzo Barbaro in Venice , was completed in 1901, at which point Gardner moved in to the fourth floor and began installing her collection. Today, you can visit this Boston museum to get your fill of the Italian masters, such as Raphael and Titian. The building also showcases a cache of beautiful furniture, photographs, sculpture and rare books straight from Europe. The museum's New Wing, designed by Renzo Piano, includes a glass atrium, greenhouses and landscaped gardens.

The art isn't the only interesting thing here: the museum is also the site of the single largest property theft on Earth. In the wee hours of March 18, 1990, two thieves made their way into the museum disguised as police. The duo stole 13 works, including pieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas and Manet. Today, the museum has empty frames on the walls as placeholders until the art returns to the museum. As you may have guessed, the crime has not been solved and the works haven't been recovered. The museum is even offering a sizable reward ($10 million) for information leading to the art. 

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Boston Public Library Boston Public Library free

A library isn't always all about books. The main branch of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, which opened in 1895, is so much more, according to recent visitors who call the architecture "beautiful" and a “must-see.” Walking into the Renaissance Revival building is akin to visiting a museum. On Dartmouth Street, two immense stone lions sculpted by Louis Saint-Gaudens stand guard by the main entrance. Inside, Bates Hall, the library's main reference reading room, is a 218-foot-long room with a barrel-arch ceiling soaring 50 feet high.

Visitors can take a free tour and learn all about the murals found throughout the library, including John Singer Sargent's series on the "Triumph of Religion." Other murals include works by French artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, who depicted eight library-centric disciplines in "The Muses of Inspiration," and Edwin Austin Abbey's "The Quest and Achievement of the Holy Grail."

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

A must for any history buffs or fans of our nation's 35th president, this excellent library and museum details the life of President John F. Kennedy. Exhibits include his presidential papers; masses of Kennedy memorabilia, including re-creations of his desk in the Oval Office and of the television studio in which he debated Richard M. Nixon in the 1960 election; and artifacts from the U.S. space program. There's permanent display on the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis plus plenty of other artifacts and information about Kennedy's life and presidency. The building itself is quite striking and was designed by architect I. M. Pei.

Museumgoers say that while the museum is off the beaten path (it sits about 5 miles south of downtown on Columbia Point), it is well worth the trek thanks to the exhibits and staff. However, some wish the exhibits had a more detailed explanation of Kennedy and events during his life. The views from the museum are amazing, add some visitors.

Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park

If you want to get outdoors in the greater Boston area, consider hopping a ferry (which operates from mid-May through mid-October) to the Boston Harbor Islands. This collection of 34 islands located in the Massachusetts Bay boasts plenty of things to do and see including historic sites, hiking trails, beaches, wildlife and much more. Popular islands include Spectacle, Georges and Peddocks, though ferries also go to Lovells, Grape, Bumpkin and Thompson.

The 114-acre Spectacle Island is a great option for those looking to hike. Here, you'll find 5 miles of trails, including one which leads to the harbor's highest hill, offering incredible views of Boston's skyline. If you’re looking for a place where you can sink your toes into the sand, head to Lovells Island. Here, you’ll find secluded shorelines as well as tide pools (when it's low tide, a whopping 71 acres are added to the island's land mass). Meanwhile, history lovers will enjoy a trip to Georges Island. Georges Island is home to Fort Warren, which the U.S. government used for patrolling and training Union troops as well as housing Confederate prisoners during Civil War times. Peddocks Island, one of the largest of the Boston Harbor Islands, offers a little bit of everything. This island is considered a prime camping spot and features scenic hiking trails that pass through coastal forests, headlands connected by tombolos and the biggest beach of any island. You'll also find a little bit of history thanks to Fort Andrews and a restored chapel from World War II.

Newbury Street Newbury Street free

Located in the Back Bay along eight blocks between Massachusetts Avenue and Arlington Street, Newbury Street is home to gorgeous 19th century brownstones. It's also Boston's premiere destination for dining and shopping. Newbury Street has been called one of the most expensive streets in the world, thanks in large part to the significant cluster of expensive shops on the lower end (by numbered address) nearest Arlington Street.

Starting at the higher end, by Massachusetts Avenue, you'll find more budget-friendly retailers like TJ Maxx and Forever 21, as well longtime local favorites Newbury Comics and Trident Booksellers. In fact, Newbury Comics' opening in 1978 was the catalyst that began the transformation of Newbury Street from a heavily upper-class retail destination to a hipper, trendier spot for everyone.

Samuel Adams Brewery Samuel Adams Brewery

Despite its location outside of city center, visiting the Samuel Adams Brewery is a popular stop for beer lovers. This brewery location acts as Samuel Adams' testing facility for new and specialty brews, which patrons can try. You can also take a guided tour of the facility to learn more about the brewing process.

Whether you're a local or a tourist, odds are you'll enjoy a visit to this brewery. Visitors say the staff is knowledgeable, but note there can be long entry lines.

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Cambridge Cambridge free

Cambridge, which sits about 3 miles northwest of Boston's city center, is home to both Harvard University and MIT , but there's more to see in Cambridge than just the schools themselves. The city features an impressive array of cultural institutions that feature collections and exhibitions ranging from fine art to technological innovations.

The Harvard Art Museums , which include the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum and Arthur M. Sackler Museum, house a wide range of periods, styles and mediums within its walls. Here, you’ll find a mix of modern photography, 13th century sculpture, paintings from legends like Georgia O’Keeffe, Picasso and Jackson Pollock, and much more. If you prefer history, head to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology , which boasts exhibits exploring everything from ancient Latin American cultures to the evolution of American eating habits and tableware to the lives of Native Americans. If science is more your speed, head to the Harvard Museum of Natural History to view dinosaur fossils, rare minerals and animal specimens from New England to Asia.

Beacon Hill Beacon Hill free

Beacon Hill is arguably Boston's most beautiful neighborhood. Located north of Boston Common , Beacon Hill is awash with quaint, cobblestone-lined alleyways, corners dotted with gas street lamps, stately townhouses affixed with bay view windows and vibrant, flower-filled window boxes. It's Beacon Hill's incredible style, a stunning mix of Federal and Greek revival architecture, that make this neighborhood an attraction in and of itself. And recent visitors couldn't agree more.

Travelers who venture to Beacon Hill are charmed by its beauty and say that it's the perfect place to take a long stroll and wander around. While here, make sure to make your way to noteworthy spots including the picturesque Louisburg Square and Acorn Street, the latter of which is one of the most photographed places in Boston. After, head down Charles Street, where you'll find restaurants, shops and bars. Fans of the TV show "Cheers" will want to walk down Beacon Street to find the bar that inspired the program.

Old North Church Old North Church

Most people who know anything about American history have heard of Paul Revere's famous midnight ride, when he rode through town to warn people about the arrival of British troops. Before heading off to Lexington, Revere gave orders at Old North Church. Robert Newman – the church's sexton – and Captain John Pulling Jr. – the church's vestryman – then climbed the steeple and held two lanterns as a signal that the British were indeed coming, but by sea.

The church itself, which is officially named Christ Church, is filled with beautiful relics from the past, including North America's oldest set of change ringing bells and chandeliers brought in from England in the early 1700s. The pews have a long history as well; Pew No. 54 was reserved for Paul Revere's son.

Boston Children's Museum Boston Children's Museum

With a giant milk bottle structure at the front of the building, it's hard to miss the Boston Children's Museum. Here, hands-on exhibits present a fun and engaging way for kids to learn about various sciences, culture, art and health and wellness, among other subjects. Among the museum's standout exhibits are "Construction Zone," where little ones can learn about and play with kid-sized construction equipment, "The Common," where kids play with color, games and music, and "Japanese House" – a 100-year-old authentic Japanese house reconstructed in Boston by Japanese carpenters.

Museumgoers praise the variety of engaging exhibits tailored to kids within different age groups and can't recommend it enough. Others warn the museum gets crowded, especially in the summer.

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway free

Boston is packed with cool outdoor spaces, but this nearly 1½-mile-long series of parks and gardens offers more than most. The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway was established to link Boston's diverse neighborhoods through a series of lawns, parks and walkways that occupy a former highway tunnel. Since opening in 2008, visitors have flocked to this sprawling green space to enjoy temporary public art displays, bubbling fountains, numerous food vendors and a carousel. Plus, the park offers free weekly events, including food and art festivals, summer concert performances and seasonal fitness classes.

Many previous visitors said the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway not only offers a much-needed respite from the city, but also an easy way to explore Boston with kids during the warmer months. And, in many sections of the Greenway, you're never more than a few steps away from the Freedom Trail .

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Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

This hands-on museum offers an entertaining look at one of Boston's pivotal moments. You can toss (fake) tea overboard, climb around replica ships and converse with period actors about Colonial issues. Exhibits at the museum, which is located on Griffin's Wharf (close to where the actual Tea Party occurred on Dec. 16, 1773) include 3D holograms, talking portraits and the Robinson Tea Chest, an authentic tea chest from the Boston Tea Party. Two of the three ships have been recreated, the Beaver and the Eleanor, which are fun to explore. The film "Let It Begin Here" depicts the events that immediately preceded the American Revolution. You can also grab a cup of tea or a snack in Abigail's Tea Room, which has one of the best views of the harbor around.

Visitors love the interactive nature of the museum and tossing tea overboard, saying their time there was entertaining for all ages. They also add that the guides are informative and stay in character.

Museum of Science Museum of Science

If you're traveling with young ones in tow, be sure to swing by the Museum of Science. Here, kids can learn about astronomy, earth sciences and anatomy, not to mention participate in some fun interactive exhibits. Budding scientists can examine the Arctic in "Arctic Adventure: Exploring with Technology" exhibit or play on swings to learn about physics in "Science in the Park." The museum also features the Charles Hayden Planetarium, where you can indulge your inner astronaut during shows. Meanwhile, at the Mugar Omni Theater, you'll feel like you're actually in the IMAX film thanks to its cutting-edge sound technology and five-story-high projection screen.

Although the museum is very kid-focused, past visitors said that young-at-heart adults and even teens will get a kick out of the museum's engaging displays and shows. Though most travelers spend about half a day exploring the museum, you could easily allocate an entire day to this attraction. Also, remember that separate tickets (which cost extra) are needed for some museum features, such as IMAX films, planetarium shows and the Garden Walk and Insect Zoo.

Boston Duck Tours Boston Duck Tours

Wander Boston for a couple of hours and you're sure to see a Duck Tour quacking its way through the streets (and waterways). These "Truck Duck" vehicles recreate the look of a DUKW truck used by the U.S. military during World War II and transport tourists all over the city by land and water. The tours drive past a number of landmark sites including the Old State House, Newbury Street , Prudential Tower, Public Garden and the Swan Boats, and Copley Square (home to the Boston Public Library ). Once launched into the water, you'll cruise down the Charles River checking out MIT, the Longfellow Bridge, as well as the Esplanade and the Hatch Shell. 

Besides giving tours around the city, Boston Duck Tour boats have been used in all of the victory parades since 2002 for the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins (the city's major teams for football, baseball, basketball and hockey, respectively). What started off simply as a way to roll the Patriots through downtown Boston for a Superbowl celebration has turned into a much-loved tradition that continues today.

Boston Symphony Orchestra Boston Symphony Orchestra

Even if you're not a classical music aficionado, you can't miss attending one of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's world-renowned performances at Symphony Hall. The BSO began performing in 1881. Today, the symphony performs everything from family shows to traditional concerts and Boston Pops – a lively performance filled with singing and a variety of music. The BSO performs at Symphony Hall from September through April, then heads to Tanglewood (which is about 130 miles west of Boston) in the summer.

Past spectators not only praised the world-class talent, but also noted the impressive acoustics of Symphony Hall as a main selling point for attending future concerts. If you can't score tickets to an orchestra performance, consider taking a free tour of Symphony Hall. Tours, which are offered in the fall, winter and spring, provide information about the property, as well as insight into the orchestra's musicians and conductors.

New England Holocaust Memorial New England Holocaust Memorial free

Gaze up at the six 54-foot glass towers that comprise the New England Holocaust Memorial, and you're bound to be awestruck. Dedicated in 1995, each haunting tower is etched with numbers. The 6 million numbers represent the Holocaust's victims, while the towers represent the six major death camps. There is also a granite path covered in quotes from survivors that leads visitors inside the towers.

Recent visitors described walking through the columns as an emotionally charged and unforgettable experience. The monument's location next to Faneuil Hall Marketplace makes it very accessible while walking the Freedom Trail .

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Paul Revere House Paul Revere House

For a glimpse of what life was like in the late 1700s, head to Paul Revere's former residence in the North End . The house, which is situated on the Freedom Trail , offers insight into how homes looked in Revere's time (it's even filled with period pieces, including fine silver). Inside, history fans can admire the building's sweeping beams, spacious fireplaces and some original furnishings owned by the Revere family.

If you like American history, travelers say you'll enjoy seeing the Paul Revere House. This house is small, though, so don't allot more than an hour to tour the property. Docents are friendly and knowledgeable.

Massachusetts State House Massachusetts State House free

The golden-domed Massachusetts State House is an important building for many reasons and is one of the stops on the Freedom Trail . The land it sits on was originally used as John Hancock’s cow pasture. It was designed by Charles Bulfinch and completed in 1798 and the cornerstone was laid by Samuel Adams in 1795. A copper dome was installed by Paul Revere in 1802 (later covered in gold). Nowadays, senators, state representatives and the governor conduct the Commonwealth's business here.

Free tours are offered by docents who explain the building's history and discuss the important art and architecture within. Make sure to look for the Sacred Cod in the House of Representatives Chamber. The almost 5-foot wooden cod symbolizes the importance of the salt cod industry to the area.

New England Aquarium New England Aquarium

Your kids will find plenty to love at the New England Aquarium, starting with the Atlantic harbor seals that hang out just beyond the ticket booth. Inside, you'll find thousands of marine critters to study, and at the center: the Giant Ocean Tank. This four-story tank includes a coral reef habitat that houses more than 1,000 underwater creatures including green sea turtles, eels and barracuda. In other parts of the aquarium, you'll find exhibits dedicated to penguins, sea jellies and seadragons, plus a six-story high projection movie screen with digital surround sound, where you can watch films about sea creatures and more. And don't forget to check out the Shark and Ray Touch Tank, which allows visitors to graze sharks and rays as they swim by.

While some visitors bemoan the aquarium's compact size (which, in turn, made for thick crowds), many appreciate the attraction's variety of animals. Several travelers also recommend watching a penguin or seal feeding.

USS Constitution USS Constitution free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Every July 4th, the USS Constitution takes her annual "turnaround" sail in Boston Harbor. The particular sail is the only one open to the public and the US Navy holds a lottery with the lucky winners getting to board "Old Ironsides." – Jill LeGrow

History lovers, boat enthusiasts and military aficionados alike can't miss the chance to board the USS Constitution. Docked at the Boston National Historical Park in Charlestown, this historic vessel is the world's oldest commissioned warship still operational today. It is helmed by United States Navy sailors, who also serve as the ship's guides. The ship's accompanying museums displays nearly 2,000 artifacts related to the ship's history.

Bunker Hill Monument Bunker Hill Monument free

Bunker Hill Monument is part of the Boston National Historical Park and a stop on the Freedom Trail . The first major battle of the American Revolution took place on Breed's Hill in June 1775, though originally it was supposed to take place on nearby Bunker Hill. Names aside, the British won the battle but fared worse than their American foes. The British sacrificed about nearly half of their 2,400 men; American casualties were between 300 and 500 out of an army of 1,400 to 1,800 soldiers. Construction of the monument started in 1827 and was completed in 1842. The 221-foot granite obelisk offers fabulous views from its observatory, though you have to work for it by climbing 294 steps to the top.

Start your visit at the Bunker Hill Museum, located across the street. Exhibits explain the Battle of Bunker Hill, the construction of the monument, and the history of Charlestown. Free tickets are required to climb the monument and you can also pick them up at the museum. Visitors enjoy the museum and say the monument is awe-inspiring and the grounds beautiful.

Guided Freedom Trail Walking Tour

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from $ 26.00

View Boston Observation Deck Admission Tickets

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Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour

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View Boston View Boston

U.S. News Insider Tip: To save some cash on your sightseeing, pick up a Boston CityPass which allows you to visit up to four attractions (such as the Museum of Science , New England Aquarium , Boston Harbor City Cruise and View Boston) for one discounted price. – Jill LeGrow

Replacing the iconic Top of the Hub restaurant and Skywalk Observatory that closed in 2020, View Boston opened in June 2023 to offer 360 panoramic views of Boston from atop the 52nd floor of the Prudential Center. Taking over the top three floors of the Prudential Center, View Boston includes an observatory, a wraparound roof deck and indoor/outdoor cocktail bar called Stratus, and a floor with interactive exhibits such as a projection-mapped 3D model of Boston. There's also Beacon, a bistro offering seasonal beverages and food.

The Mapparium The Mapparium

Located at the Mary Baker Eddy Library, this three-story, stained glass globe never fails to elicit wonder. Designed by the architect of the Christian Science Publishing Society building, Chester Lindsay Churchill, the globe depicts the world as it was in 1935.

The "How Do You See the World" experience includes the globe; the "Our World: Mapping Progress," which highlights humanity's achievements since 1935; and "Points of Progress," where you can learn about significant events in human rights, scientific advances, exploration, and other fields. A 10-minute audio narration features clips from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jane Goodall, Wangari Maathai (a Kenyan Nobel laureate) and others. One of the coolest features of the globe is that it is a "whispering gallery." Stand at one end of the gallery while a friend stands at the other. Whisper something to them and they will be the only one to hear it.

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23 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Boston

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Mar 19, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Perhaps no other city in America holds as much history of the colonial and Revolutionary War era as Boston. It's not surprising then that its main sites have become a pilgrimage trail for Americans and for others who hope to get a sense of that history.

But more than that, the Freedom Trail is a good introduction to today's city, connecting or passing close to some of its best loved tourist attractions. Boston is easy to navigate on foot, as its major sights are relatively close, and America's first subway system, the T, connects its important neighborhoods.

Across the Charles River, a watery summer recreation area whose Boston shore is reserved as the Esplanade park, is Cambridge. Although a separate and independent city, for tourist purposes, Cambridge is part of Boston and connected by the same transit system.

Here, you'll find two of America's most prestigious and important universities, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) . These and the many other universities and colleges in the area help keep Boston a youthful and vibrant place to be, with a lively cultural scene. With all the music, theater, and entertainment options, plus its abundance of restaurants, you'll never be at a loss for things to do in Boston at night.

Maybe because I've lived there and know its sometimes puzzling web of downtown streets, I find Boston a thoroughly comfortable city to visit; despite its tall buildings, its compact neighborhoods make it seem more like a cluster of small towns. Join me in a tour of my favorite city, and discover the best things to do, with this handy guide to the top attractions in Boston.

1. Walk the Freedom Trail

2. see a game or take a tour of fenway park, 3. faneuil hall, 4. boston common and public garden: ride the swan boats, 5. museum of fine arts boston, 6. isabella stewart gardner museum, 7. uss constitution and bunker hill (boston national historic park), 8. museum of science, 9. harvard square and harvard art museums, 10. old north church and boston's north end, 11. boston tea party ships & museum, 12. new england aquarium, 13. harvard museums and the glass flowers, 14. newbury street & back bay, 15. boston public library and copley square, 16. boston harbor and whale watching cruises, 17. john f. kennedy presidential library and museum, 18. beacon hill and the black heritage trail, 19. boston harborwalk and christopher columbus waterfront park, 20. rose fitzgerald kennedy greenway, 21. boston pops and boston symphony orchestra, 22. arnold arboretum, 23. massachusetts institute of technology, where to stay in boston for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to boston, best time to visit boston, ma.

The three-mile Freedom Trail leads you past – and into – 16 of the city's principal historic monuments and sites. It's easy to follow, by the line of red bricks in the sidewalk and by footprints at street crossings. Begin by picking up brochures on the attractions at the Visitor Center in the Boston Common before heading to the State House .

The trail will take you to Old Granary Burying Ground (where Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock are buried), King's Chapel Burying Ground (Boston's oldest cemetery with the graves of Governor John Winthrop and two Mayflower passengers), Old South Meeting House (where the ringing speeches of patriots spawned the Boston Tea Party), and the Old State House . This is Boston's oldest public building and the site of the Boston Massacre .

The Freedom Trail continues through Boston's North End, past the Paul Revere House and Old North Church , and ends across the bridge in Charlestown with the 54-gun frigate USS Constitution and the 220-foot granite Bunker Hill Monument. With all these attractions and places to see, it's no wonder the Freedom Trail is one of the best walking trails around Boston .

Known as "America's Most Beloved Ballpark," Fenway Park is one of the most fabled sports complexes in the country, and even if, like me, you're not a sports fan, a tour of it is both fun and interesting. And sitting inside, surrounded by cheering fans and singing "Sweet Caroline" is a quintessential Boston experience.

The home of the Boston Red Sox looks much the same as it did when it opened on April 20, 1912. One of its most recognizable features is the Green Monster , the 37-foot green wall in left field, and the park still maintains some of the remnants of "old time" baseball such as the hand-operated scoreboard.

Fenway Park also has the lowest seating capacity in the Major Leagues holding only 33,871 spectators (a fact that makes tickets exceedingly scarce).

Author's Tip: If you manage to get tickets, don't even think about driving to a game. Park outside the center and take any MBTA Green Line train (except one labeled Heath St.) to Kenmore Square and follow the crowd on the short walk to the stadium.

Address: 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, Massachusetts

Known as the "cradle of liberty," Faneuil Hall was built in 1740-42 by Huguenot merchant Peter Faneuil as a market hall and presented to the city on condition that it should always be open to the public.

The ground floor is still occupied by market stalls; on the upper floor is a council chamber, which in the 18th and 19th centuries was the meeting place of revolutionaries and later, of abolitionists. On its fourth floor is the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Museum , with weaponry, uniforms, and paintings of significant battles.

The adjoining Faneuil Hall Marketplace includes three long halls (Quincy Market, North Market, and South Market), dating from the early 19th century, now occupied by a lively assortment of shops, restaurants, and exhibitions.

In good weather, I love the block-party atmosphere here, with street performers and buskers putting on shows in the square around the market, and in any weather I never tire of browsing through the shops selling jewelry, clothing, gifts, and souvenirs. You can never have too many Red Sox caps, or you can get a coffee mug inscribed with a Boston/English dictionary. It might come in wicked handy talking with locals.

The food stalls in Quincy Market are some of the most popular places to eat lunch in Boston. My favorites are Fisherman's Net and the family-run Boston Chowdah for seafood, and West End Srollers for panini sandwiches I can walk around with as I browse. Ethnicities from Hispanic to Asian Fusion are represented, and Boston Halal is opening in 2023.

Address: Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, Massachusetts

In the heart of the city is Boston Common, America's oldest park and the start of the Freedom Trail . In this large green space, which is much used by locals year-round, are various monuments and the Central Burying Ground of 1756.

You can rent skates to use on the Frog Pond from November through mid-March, enjoy the spring blossoms and fall foliage colors reflecting in its surface, and in summer, watch youngsters splash about in the wading pool.

Adjoining it on the west side of Charles Street, is the 24-acre Public Garden, America's oldest botanical garden. Along with the Victorian-style monuments and statues, including an equestrian statue of George Washington, are the popular modern bronzes of a family of ducks immortalized in Robert McCloskey's children's book Make Way for the Ducklings .

Joining the ducklings to give the Public Garden its whimsical air is one of Boston's most iconic experiences for all ages: riding around the lake in the garden's center on the famous Swan Boats , first launched in the 1870s.

Generations of children have ridden these and returned with their own children and grandchildren (I know this because I'm in one of those families). If you're in Boston with kids, take them for a ride here, and start your own multi-generational tradition.

Address: Public Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

One of the leading art museums in the country, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts excels in its collections of Impressionist paintings, ancient Egyptian treasures, Asian and Persian fine arts, and works from ancient Greece and the Middle East.

Its crowning achievement is the construction of an entire American Wing to house, integrated in chronological order, outstanding collections of American paintings, furniture, decorative arts, folk art, silver, glassware, and design dating from pre-Columbian arts to the Art Deco and Modernist eras. To see all these works of art shown in context with other creative accomplishments of their time is an exciting journey through the world of American creativity, one I never tire of taking.

Highlights elsewhere include a 12th-century lacquered-wood sculpture of a Buddhist Bodhisattva and Korean painted screens, the ivory and gold statue of the Minoan Snake Goddess from 1500 BC, and a statue of the Egyptian pharaoh Mycerinus and his queen from 2548-2530 BC.

For me, in addition to the American Wing, the museum's highlight is the group of 35 paintings by Claude Monet , one of the largest collections outside of France. These are exhibited in good company, alongside works of Gaugin, Renoir, and Degas.

To see and appreciate all the museum's galleries and collections could take a full day, but the mind can only absorb as much as the feet can endure. So unless you are a devoted art enthusiast, plan from two hours to half a day here and concentrate on those sections that interest you most.

The museum is about a 1½-mile walk from Copley Square and other neighborhoods for sightseeing; an easier way to get there is on the MBTA Green Line. Take a car marked Heath St. from Copley or Park St. stations.

Address: 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts

Set in a building its eccentric creator modeled after a 15th-century Venetian palace, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum displays its collections in rooms surrounding a four-story central courtyard filled with flowering plants and fountains.

The priceless 2,500-piece collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, tapestries, decorative arts, books, and manuscripts reflect the personal tastes and considerable expertise of Mrs. Gardner herself, whose own flamboyance further adds to the charm of the museum.

Behind the palazzo, a 70,000-square-foot glass-clad building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano creates new viewpoints for the original palazzo and stunning spaces for music and visual arts, allowing the museum to showcase exceptional contemporary works and artists. Rather than clash or compete with the original building, Piano's wing simply provides a new glass through which to view Mrs. Gardner's palazzo.

From almost anywhere in the new building are uninterrupted prospects of the palace and gardens through transparent walls. After you tour the museum, stroll through the Fens , a long green space, where you'll find a beautiful rose garden in bloom from June through October.

Author's Tip: The Gardner is only a few steps from the Museum of Fine Arts, making it tempting to combine them in one day. But unless art is your passion, it's best to see them on different days, so you can appreciate each. Visiting the Gardner is to immerse yourself not just in art, but in the 15th- and 16th-century artistic world of Renaissance Italy.

Address: 280 The Fenway, Boston, Massachusetts

Nicknamed Old Ironsides , USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in the United States Navy, and is still commanded and crewed by Navy personnel. The ship is open to visitors, who can go below desks and hear about the ship's construction and action at sea.

Across the pier, the USS Constitution Museum provides historical context through interactive exhibits that illustrate life aboard a naval vessel two centuries ago. Another ship you can tour here is the Cassin Young , a World War II destroyer.

Charlestown Navy Yard is part of the Boston National Historical Park, and it's a short walk to the Bunker Hill Monument and Museum, also in the park. The 221-foot-tall granite monument marks the hilltop site of the earthen fort built by New England soldiers prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first pitched battle of the American Revolution.

Address: Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts

Exhibits in the extensive Museum of Science encourage learning through hands-on exploration of science and technology, but the museum is not just for children. Physics, biology, chemistry, ecology, zoology, astronomy, computers, and more are explored in more than 700 permanent, hands-on exhibits that are enhanced by stage presentations and interpreters. I find it every bit as engaging as my children do, and can easily spend a whole day here.

Highlights are a 65-million-year-old fossil discovered in the Dakota Badlands, an electricity dome with continuing programs, the Butterfly Garden where you can walk among free-flying butterflies in a conservatory filled with exotic plants, a live animal center, a chance to join local meteorologists to learn weather forecasting, and ComputerPlace , where you can operate a robot and explore how your computer stores information. The planetarium presents daily laser and star shows, and the Mugar Omni Theater has a five-story domed screen.

Author's Tip: Save money on a family day at the museum by bringing your own lunch. You are welcome to enjoy it in the Atrium, on the front plaza, or at picnic tables behind the museum. No snacking in the exhibit areas, though.

Address: Science Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Harvard University , founded in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and is widely considered one of the world's leading academic centers. Go to the Harvard Information Center to take a spirited and entertaining free walking tour of the campus guided by a student who will share history, Harvard lore, and personal perspective. Or you can download a tour from their website.

Harvard Yard sits right in Harvard Square , a lively hub for students, "townies," and visitors, filled with shops, bookstores, and allegedly more places to buy ice cream than any other U.S. city.

Adjoining Harvard Yard is the Renzo Piano-designed home of the Harvard Art Museums , including three formerly separate collections, each of which ranked high as major U.S. art museums. Few universities have such enviable collections. Fogg Art Museum concentrates on Italian early-Renaissance art, the Busch-Reisinger on Expressionist art of central and northern Europe, with Bauhaus objects and paintings by Kandinsky and Klee.

Another important feature of the museums is one of the world's best collections of Chinese jade, as well as Chinese bronzes, Japanese prints, Indian art, and Greco-Roman antiquities, especially vases and sculptures.

If you're as bookish as I am, don't miss browsing in The Harvard Bookstore , just across Massachusetts Ave. from The Yard. Not associated with the University, this indy store has been a fixture in this same spot since 1932.

If you're looking for Harvard insignia souvenirs, the place to go is the Harvard Coop , across the square.

Address: 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Boston's lively Italian neighborhood, known as the North End, is one of Boston's oldest, where the silversmith and activist leader Paul Revere lived at the time of the American Revolution. The Paul Revere House, which he bought in 1770 and lived in when he made his famous ride, is the only patriot's home on the Freedom Trail, and is open to tour.

You can climb to the tower of Old North Church , where lanterns were hung in April 1775 to alert Paul Revere that British troops were headed to Lexington to arrest the patriot leaders and confiscate the munitions supplies. The beautiful white interior of the church still retains its historic box pews.

The North End is a favorite spot for tourists for reasons that go well beyond its important historic sights. Although it has changed a bit over the years since it was filled with newly arrived immigrants from Italy, it retains its Italian character and lively flair.

You'll find Italian restaurants; cafes; bakeries; and shops fragrant with aromas of cured olives, fresh-roasted coffee, and Italian cheeses. For my family, Modern Pastry on Hanover St. is a required stop, for cannoli and pignoli cookies.

You'll also find the North Bennet Street School , where skills such as bookbinding, cabinet and furniture making, carpentry, silver and gold work, and violin making are taught. Their gallery shop is like a museum of fine craftsmanship and a good place to shop for one-of-a-kind gifts.

On the night of December 16, 1773, more than a year before the first battle of the American Revolution, angry Bostonians protesting a tax on goods shipped to the colonies, stormed ships from England and threw the tea into the harbor at this site. With full-scale replicas of the original ships from which the Sons of Liberty dumped tea overboard, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum offers tours with a participatory reenactment of that event.

Costumed historical interpreters lead visitors through that historic night, through interactive exhibits, films, and multi-sensory experiences. Of course, everyone gets to dump tea into the harbor. In the museum, you'll see the only known tea chest from that ill-fated cargo.

This is more a history-as-entertainment attraction than a living history museum. But kids are drawn into the fun as they learn about shipboard life and American history, so it's no wonder this is one of the favorite things to do for families in Boston.

Address: 306 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts

Overlooking the waterfront, the New England Aquarium features more than 20,000 fish and aquatic animals representing over 550 species. A man-made Caribbean coral reef houses a large variety of tropical fish and underwater life including sharks, turtles, and moray eels. The Edge of the Sea touch tank allows visitors to handle small invertebrates like crabs, starfish, and urchins.

Outside the aquarium, visitors can watch harbor seals play, perform, and live in their enclosed habitat. The New England Aquarium also sponsors educational programs and whale-watching tours outside of Boston Harbor, and the adjacent IMAX Theater shows 40-minute films on nature subjects.

To be sure of admission at this popular family attraction, reserve timed entry tickets in advance. Nearby parking is expensive, but it's easy to get here by public transit; the aquarium has its own stop on the MBTA's Blue Line.

Address: Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts

Although the four Harvard Museums that make up this complex contain treasures such as the artifacts brought back by Lewis and Clark, for most people, the highlight is the more than 3,000 models of 830 species of flowers and plants, some with insects, and all so realistic that you will have trouble believing they are made of glass. I marvel at these anew, each time I see them.

Created between 1887 and 1936 by German artisans Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, the flowers are unique in the world, and their secret process has never been replicated. These are part of Harvard's massive research collections, shown under one roof in the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology , the Mineralogical Museum , the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Botanical Museum .

Particularly strong in Native American exhibits , the Peabody shows artifacts and art interpreted as part of a living culture, even when that culture has vanished. You can admire some of the finest examples of Native American arts from many periods and tribes, and also see how these changed as Europeans provided a new market for their goods.

Those who like the Victorian "Cabinet of Curiosities" feel of old traditional museums will love the Pacific Islands balcony - it's like stepping back a century. The Museum of Comparative Zoology , founded by Louis Agassiz in 1859, contains an extensive collection of fossils, including a 25,000-year-old mastodon . The mineralogy collections include a dazzling display of rough and cut gemstones , a world-renowned meteorite collection, rocks, ores, and minerals from around the world.

Address: 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Both atmospheric and fashionable, Boston's Back Bay (it was once under water, before a hill was leveled to fill it in) is the heart of the 19 th -century city, home of the "Proper Bostonian" of legend. Streets of sedate Brownstone and brick townhouses line the grid of streets between the Public Garden and the Fenway, bounded on the north by Storrow Drive and the Charles River Esplanade.

Stroll its tree-lined streets, especially Newbury Street, to find an almost European atmosphere of small (mostly trendy) shops and boutiques, art galleries, and cafés and restaurants that spill out into sidewalk terraces. Architecture throughout the neighborhood is eclectic, with some fine examples of ornamental terra-cotta and brickwork.

I love walking through Back Bay residential streets at any time of year – in the spring when Magnolias bloom in the tiny front yards, in the winter when the wrought-iron fences sketch patterns against the snow, and in the fall when fallen leaves crunch underfoot.

The main square of the Back Bay area is surrounded by both old and ultra-modern buildings. One side is formed by the Boston Public Library , founded in 1848 as the first publicly funded lending library in the country. Architect Charles Follen McKim designed the present building in 1895.

Go inside to see the library's Renaissance Revival architecture and murals by John Singer Sargent and Edwin Abbey. Granite medallions over the entrance arches are the work of the pre-eminent American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The three sets of bronze doors in the vestibule were created by Daniel Chester French. Regular Art and Architecture Tours are among the several free things to do in Boston.

Author's Tip: Boston's best-kept secret may be the elegant afternoon teas served in the tearoom overlooking the beautiful Italianate Courtyard of the Boston Public Library. Crisp white linens and silver-edged crystal set the stage for proper tea sandwiches, scones, and trays of dainty sweets.

Facing the library, across a grassy lawn, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch with neighborhood office workers, is Trinity Church , a red sandstone building designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson in his distinctive style, known as Richardson Romanesque. Trinity is widely considered to be his finest work. The murals, frescoes, and painted decorations inside are by John La Farge and much of the fine stained glass is by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.

On a third side of the square is the venerable Boston institution, the Fairmont Copley Plaza ; these three buildings, backed by the sheer glass wall of a skyscraper, create a stunning cityscape. A block down Boylston Street, look for the finish line of the Boston Marathon , run each April on Patriot's Day.

Just beyond is the Prudential Center , a 32-acre complex of apartments, shops, restaurants, and a 52-story tower. On its 50th floor, you can visit the Skywalk observation deck for 360-degree views of Boston and its surroundings.

Address: 700 Boylston Street, At Copley Square, Boston, Massachusetts

At Rowes Wharf, you can board the Odyssey to cruise through Boston Harbor, from Castle Island to George's Island, then east to the Boston Light on Little Brewster Island, and back north to Charlestown Naval Yard before returning to the wharf.

You can enjoy lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch as you savor the views of the Boston skyline from the water. The skyline is especially beautiful at night when you can take a starlight or full moon cruise.

You can travel outside the confines of Boston Harbor on Boston Whale Watching Cruises , for a chance to see humpback and fin whales, as well as dolphins and porpoises, in the wild. This three-hour, naturalist-led tours are very popular and claim to have whale sightings on every trip.

Dedicated to the memory of the 35th U.S. President, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the official national memorial to JFK, designed by noted architect I.M. Pei and opened in 1979. The museum, which stands on the shore south of the city, features three theaters, personal memorabilia, photographs, and historical exhibits that document the life of JFK and his presidency.

Exhibits cover the presidential campaign trail, the Oval Office, First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, and the Kennedy family. Interactive experiences here include the free and family-friendly Highlights tours and the Hands-on Cart programs, which include the PT-109 story and a closer look at the Race for Space.

Address: Columbia Point, Boston

One of Boston's most beautiful neighborhoods and right in the center of the city, the south side of Beacon Hill has traditionally been the home of Boston's "old money" families, known locally as "Brahmins." Well-kept brick homes in Federal and Greek Revival styles line its tree-shaded streets, and at its heart is Louisburg Square, where homes face onto a leafy private park. Author Louisa May Alcott lived here from 1880 to 1888.

The Nichols House Museum , a Federal-style home by Boston architect Charles Bulfinch, shows how Beacon Hill's upper-class residents lived and is filled with collections of 16th- to 19th-century furnishings and decorative arts. At the western foot of Beacon Hill, Charles Street is lined with boutiques and shops that have traditionally catered to the neighborhood and are popular with visitors as well. Beyond Charles Street, facing the Public Garden, The Bull and Finch , established in 1969, inspired the popular television program, Cheers .

Restaurants and cafes come and go quickly along classy Charles St, but one that has maintained its elegant ambiance and traditional Tuscan country menu is Toscano , where you can dine on melt-in-the-mouth veal scaloppini or a simple four-cheese pizza.

The north side of Beacon Hill is far more modest and has been home to immigrants, including a sizable African American community, since the early 19th century. National Park Service Rangers offer free guided tours of the Black Heritage Trail from April through November and you can follow the trail on a self-guided tour year-round.

The Boston African American National Historic Site includes 15 pre-Civil War homes, businesses, schools, and churches that give a picture of Boston's 19th-century African American community. The Museum of Afro-American History operates the African Meeting House , the country's oldest (1806) church built by and for Black Americans and now restored to its 1854 appearance.

The 1834 Abiel Smith School was the first public grammar school for African American children. Displays at both include artifacts, films, art, and sculpture related to the black experience in Boston and New England.

The Boston waterfront has seen many changes since its early beginnings as a colonial shipping port. After a period of decline for much of the 20th century, new life was breathed into the area in the mid-1970s with an ambitious redevelopment plan.

Today, this interesting mix of residential and commercial space is connected by HarborWalk , an attractive walkway along the waterfront, with parks, public art, benches, cafés, interpretive signs, and access to several means of exploring the harbor by cruise boat, ferry, or water taxi. A shuttle boat also runs to the Charlestown Navy Yard .

Although it extends from Charlestown to South Boston – and will expand considerably farther – the part you won't want to miss goes from the North End through the wisteria-draped pergola of Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park , past Commercial Wharf, India Wharf, and Long Wharf , and by Rowes Wharf before curving along the harbor into the vibrant Seaport District to the Institute of Contemporary Art , an art museum dramatically cantilevered above the water.

One of the newest of Boston's many public parks and green spaces, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway fills the swath of downtown Boston left bare by the removal of the elevated Central Artery.

Nearly 1.5 miles of parks and gardens connect several diverse neighborhoods, including the financial district, the North End, Chinatown and Faneuil Hall Market, all just a few steps from the linear park.

Public art, gardens, benches, a farmers' market, food trucks, and playgrounds enliven the park, along with a fanciful carousel of whimsical animals, where children can ride on rabbits, a butterfly, turtle, lobster, or a grasshopper. All 36 creatures on the Greenway Carousel were inspired by drawings made by Boston school children. The carousel is specially designed to be accessible to adults and youth with disabilities.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra gave its inaugural concert in 1881, and its first at Symphony Hall , one of the world's most acoustically perfect concert halls, when it opened in 1900. Over more than a century of history, its conductors have included greats such as Pierre Monteux, Serge Koussevitzky, Charles Munch, Seiji Ozawa, and James Levine.

In addition to its regular symphony season, the hall is home to the Boston Pops Orchestra , which sets an international standard for performances of lighter music. For many visitors, the highlight of a trip is a Pops concert, either in Symphony Hall or at the Hatch Memorial Shell , an Art Deco outdoor music shell on the riverside Esplanade that has become a Boston landmark.

The shell hosts a regular program of concerts and other special events, and is especially famous for the Boston Pop's yearly performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture on July 4th. Audiences sit on the lawn in front of the shell with views of Cambridge, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill, and the Pops orchestra is accompanied by real cannon fire and ringing Boston church bells.

Following the concert is a spectacular fireworks display over the river; both are televised all over New England. When I lived on River St, a block from the Esplanade, I took my lawn chair and a book to a grassy spot near the Shell at 10 am to get the best spot; now you'll have to wait until noon to stake your claim.

You can go behind the scenes on a tour of Symphony Hall where you'll hear the history and traditions of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, its musicians and conductors.

Address: 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts

A "museum of trees," the Arnold Arboretum is especially colorful in the fall, when the maples are ablaze in reds and yellows, and in the spring, when cherry trees, lilacs, or magnolias are in full bloom. But the Arnold Arboretum is beautiful all 12 months of the year. When the trails through its 281 acres are covered in snow, they are popular places to snowshoe and cross-country ski.

A National Historic Landmark , designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, the Arboretum is maintained by Harvard University , which uses it as a teaching laboratory. Along with a wide variety of trees, shrubs, vines, and perennial flowering plants, are exceptional collections of lilacs, azaleas, and rhododendrons; the Bonsai & Penjing Collection is also a highlight.

The Explorers Garden , occupying a small microclimate within the grounds, is home to two of the world's largest Franklin trees, a species now extinct in the wild. Docent-led tours range from quarter-mile introductions suitable for all abilities to a 90-minute Keeper's Tour.

Address: 125 Arborway, Boston, Massachusetts

The 150-acre MIT campus is of special interest to fans of modern and postmodern architecture , a living museum of works by noted architects including Alvar Aalto, Eduardo Catalano, I. M. Pei, Frank Gehry, and Eero Saarinen.

In addition, the campus displays hundreds of sculptures and art installations that you can see with the help of a self-guided walking tour map, by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Jacques Lipchitz, and Auguste Rodin. In the Hart Nautical Gallery are ship models, and the Compton Gallery shows contemporary art.

Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Official site: www.mit.edu

Most of Boston's major tourist attractions are relatively close to the downtown area and Boston Common, where the Freedom Trail begins. Beacon Hill, Copley Square, and the Waterfront/North End are all within easy reach of these highly-rated hotels in Boston.

Luxury Hotels :

• These hotels are in Boston's most prestigious - and convenient - locations: Copley Square and Beacon Hill. Fairmont Copley Plaza is the Grand Dame of Boston hotels, an elegant and gracious landmark property overlooking Copley Square and minutes from the Public Garden's Swan Boats.
• The intimate Lenox Hotel is known for personal attention in the heart of Back Bay, adjacent to Prudential Center and Copley Square, close to museums and Newbury Street shopping.
• XV Beacon crowns historic and fashionable Beacon Hill, next to the State House and overlooking Boston Common.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Boston's waterfront extends from the North End Italian neighborhood to the newly blossoming Seaport area, handy to harbor cruises, seafood dining, museums, and historic sites. Boston Marriott Long Wharf overlooks Boston Harbor, close to the New England Aquarium and North End attractions.
• Seaport Boston Hotel guests enjoy sweeping views across Boston Harbor and the downtown skyline, excellent service, and a no-tipping policy in the hotel and its restaurants.
• In a skillfully repurposed brick factory building, Residence Inn Boston Downtown Seaport is steps from the Boston Children's Museum and downtown attractions.

Budget Hotels:

• Even Boston's budget-friendly options are conveniently close to the center. The Revolution Hotel , in the chic South End restaurant and arts neighborhood, has double, triple, and quad rooms, some with shared dorm-style bathrooms.
• Especially handy to sports and entertainment events at TD Garden, Hotel Indigo Boston Garden is an easy walk to the North End and Quincy Market.
• Across the street from the TD Boston Garden, and within walking distance of the North End, citizenM Boston North Station has tech-savvy, soundproof rooms.

Sightseeing:

• For first-time visitors to Boston, the best way to see the attractions and get acquainted with the city layout is to take a Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour . This tour stops at all the major tourist attractions and gives you the freedom to stop where you want and see the city at your own pace.

Day Trip to Martha's Vineyard:

• Explore more of the Bay State with a 12-hour Day Trip to Martha's Vineyard , traveling by bus through Cape Cod to Falmouth, before boarding the scenic cruise to the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. Here, you'll have six hours to explore the island on your own, or you can add a guided bus tour to see Gay Head Light and the historic village of Edgartown.

Day Trip to Newport:

• See the famous summer palaces of Belle Epoch society on the Boston to Newport Small-Group Day Trip with Breakers & Marble House Admission . On an 11-hour small group tour of "America's First Resort" you'll visit the two most famous mansions, as well as Cliff Walk, Ocean Drive, and St. Mary's Church, where Jack and Jacky Kennedy were married.

If you're looking for a seamless vacation packed with fun adventures and ideal weather conditions, the best time of year to go to Boston is during the late spring and early fall . This is technically Boston's high season.

From May through the end of June , things are starting to warm up nicely. You're looking at highs in the upper 60s to high 70s and more comfortable lows in the 50s. Not too hot nor too cold, these temps are perfect for wandering the streets all day. Still, you'll want to pack layers to be sure you're prepared for the fluctuating temperatures.

The months of September and October also present visitors with optimal highs in the mid-60s (October) to high 70s (September). Lows range between high 40s to high 50s. Again, you'll likely need layers. At this time, you'll witness an impressive sight: vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues envelop the city in the form of fall foliage, especially towards the end of October, rewarding photographers with picture-perfect backdrops.

Boston hotels will be more expensive during this time, and you can expect to see larger crowds of tourists, but overall, late spring and early fall are the best times to visit Boston . Since many of the city's best attractions are outside (i.e. the Freedom Trail and Fenway Park ), you're guaranteed an enjoyable visit that allows you to visit the city's most popular points of interest with ease. Plus, you'll be able to ride a Swan Boat in Boston Common . This "ride" is closed during the cold winter months.

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The 17 Best Things to Do in Boston

By Todd Plummer and Paul Rubio

Built on almost 400 years of history, Boston's character is as layered and distinct as a Kennedy accent. The city has reinvented itself countless times over, serving at different times and to different communities as the birthplace of the American Revolution, as an international academic capital, and as a biotech hub. Boston’s wharves whisper of tea parties, its libraries of literary greats, and its ballpark of curses broken. Each year, its famed universities keep this old city young with an ebb and flow of some 150,000 students from around the world—and these smarties keep the city lively round the clock.

All that, plus some of the finest  food and  drink make Boston one of America’s greatest and most enduring cities. Across its patchwork of squares, corners, and crossings, here are the best things to do in  Boston —including the occasional jaunt across the Charles River to neighboring  Cambridge —whether you're in town for Marathon Monday (better known as Patriot's Day around here), making a summer stop on your way to the Cape and islands , or on a fall foliage journey .

Read our complete Boston travel guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Arrow

This is one of  our favorite museums in Boston —and the country. At once intimate and unparalleled in its grandeur, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum draws on the vast art collection of its eponymous (and eccentric) founder, who had a thirst for travel, a bohemian lifestyle, and the fine luxuries of ancient cultures. Set within a Venetian-style palazzo, surrounding an elegant courtyard, masterpieces by the likes of Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, and John Singer Sargent share space with impressive architectural elements. Stewart Gardner herself delicately arranged the collection of more than 7,500 fine and decorative art objects, 2,700 books and manuscripts, and over 8,000 historic objects from around the world, including sculptures, furniture, textiles, metalworks, and ceramics, that she collected during her lifetime. A Renzo Piano–designed wing opened in 2012, and provides interdisciplinary, multipurpose space for contemporary artists, musicians and scholars.

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It all starts with the penguins—when you first enter, you're greeted by African Penguin and Rockhopper colonies that are by any measure an absolute delight to watch. Just past, the main attraction is the 40-foot wide, floor-to-ceiling, 200,000 gallon salt water Ocean Tank, home to about 1000 marine animals, including turtles, eels, and tropical fish. A cylindrical walkway makes it possible for guests to experience the tank from every depth and angle, and a number of smaller satellite rooms contain informational displays and touch tanks that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This is a popular field trip spot, so you're likely to be surrounded by schools of rambunctious kids on any given day, especially from the lunch hour onwards. The museum implemented timed ticketing during the pandemic and is likely to keep it moving forward, which acts as a good form of crowd control, but the quietest times to visit are still weekdays first thing in the morning.

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Food halls are complicated. Make them too pedestrian and they quickly fall into the “food court” category, recalling the sad shopping mall eateries of our youth. But throw in a James Beard finalist, and an eclectic mix of some of Boston’s most discerning foodie favorites from across the city, and you’ve got a worthwhile detour for locals and visitors alike. Highlights include: bagels and pastrami from Brookline favorite Mamaleh’s; artisanal doughnuts from Blackbird; and Bubble Bath, a Champagne bar complete with Moët & Chandon vending machine. There’s tons of seating, a sleek LED entertainment system playing multiple sports games at once, and an airy, atrium-type feel that never feels overly crowded or cramped. There are a number of excellent food halls serving downtown Boston’s office-dwelling population, but this one feels less like a corporate convenience stop and more like a proper microcosm of the city’s food scene.

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Bostonians may breeze through the Public Garden to get from one side of town to the other, but there's plenty to linger over in this city-center oasis. The lagoon, which wanders almost the entire length of the garden, is where the famed Swan Boats have been peddled for over a century; and the flowers are beyond vivid. The Commonwealth Avenue entrance serves as the park’s most enchanting introduction, where a statue of George Washington comes flanked by flowers at the gate. In this pleasurable moment, remember that Victorian Bostonians found this park to be offensively bright. My, how times have changed.

Arati Menon

Hannah Towey

Maya Silver

Boston Public Library Arrow

There’s a lot to love about the Boston Public Library: It’s the oldest municipally-funded lending library in the country, its McKim Building is considered the masterwork of iconic Gilded Age architect Charles Follen McKim, and an ongoing calendar of free events all year-round means there is quite literally always a tour to go on, lecture to attend, or exhibit to peruse. Architecture nuts should reserve a spot on one of the thrice-weekly Art & Architecture Tours, which unlocks some of the premises’ lesser-known gems, including tile arches by famed Spanish builder Rafael Guastavino, and the first mural commission from John Singer Sargeant. The museum is home to all sorts of treasures beyond just books–including the lesser-known but entirely worthwhile Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, which houses over 250,000 geographic objects.

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Arrow

A gorgeous 281-acre green space within Boston, Arnold Arboretum of  Harvard University is the oldest public arboretum in North America (c. 1872) and the highlight of Frederick Law Olmsted's famed  Emerald Necklace series of green space in the city. Prolific biking and walking trails zigzag past more than 16,000 accessioned plants, many meticulously marked with signs. The natural splendor is a feast for the eyes, which are able to spot the sheer diversity of trees and plants at every turn. QR-coded signs and the arboretum’s easy-to-use  Expeditions app make it possible to dig deep into the environment.

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The Freedom Trail starts at the  Boston Common , the oldest public park in the United States, following a red brick path lined with 16 historic landmarks, which paint a picture of Boston’s revolutionary history. Although tourists flock to the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, this pedestrian path also coincides with day-to-day rush of downtown Boston. You’ll see revolutionary sites in a modern setting and walk alongside commuters and after-school kids. If you’re short on time, prioritize the North End section of the trail, home to landmarks like the  Paul Revere House , Old North Church, and Copp’s Hill Burial Ground, in a historic neighborhood that’s known as Boston’s Little Italy. If you want to go deeper, find all the hidden Freedom Trail spots locals love to visit here.

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Beacon Hill, one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods, is home to some of the finest examples of Federal-style brick row houses in the country, and Charles Street is the perfect launching point from which to explore it all. Tiny sidewalks, gaslit corners, and Instagrammable charm await on this busy thoroughfare, which starts by the Massachusetts General Hospital campus and concludes on the Boston Common. Charles Street has an independent bent that locals love to support. Come here for contemporary accessories at December Thieves, mouthwatering truffles at Beacon Hill Chocolates, custom stationery at Gus + Ruby Letterpress, and “this might have belonged to a Kennedy” antiques at Upstairs Downstairs Home. And if you’re a book lover (or bookstore lover), don’t leave town without visiting Beacon Hill Books & Cafe , a stunning townhome-turned-bookshop that’s restoring this city’s faith in the importance of independent booksellers.

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With a deserved reputation as Boston's premiere rooftop bar, Lookout often reaches capacity with the city's work-hard, play-hard young professional crowd (Reservations are required these days; no walk-ins). For most, Lookout isn't a novelty—it's a mainstay—though you may find the occasional bridge-and-tunnel-type folks later on weekends. The crowd definitely likes a solid cocktail but they're here for the views and highly social atmosphere. In a city that skews historic and can feel sometimes like a  college town, The Lookout Rooftop provides big-city appeal with a cool crowd, awesome skyline views, and strong drinks. It's a place to hang out with friends and just have some boozy fun.

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What’s Boston without Fenway Park? America’s “Most Beloved Ballpark” isn’t just a stadium–it’s a piece of living history. It’s the home of the Red Sox, who play there each year from late March through October, but it’s also known for its popular summer concert series, and its fascinating behind-the-scenes tours offered in the off-season. Sure, there are parts of Fenway’s history that aren’t exactly worth celebrating–the Red Sox remained segregated longer than any other MLB team, and it wasn’t until Lady Gaga’s Joanne World Tour came in 2017 that a woman headlined a concert there–but at the end of the day, it’s one of the most enjoyable places to visit in Boston. When you’re in the cheap seats, having paid way too much for a beer and a hot dog and the crowd starts singing “Sweet Caroline,” it’s clear there’s a sense of history here that even non-sports lovers can get excited about.

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If you’re exploring Boston for the day, take a walk up through Back Bay from Massachusetts Avenue and loop back down along the Esplanade or head over the Harvard Bridge to Cambridge (Ironically, the Harvard Bridge ends at M.I.T.). It's a narrow paradise along both sides of the Charles River, stretching for several miles between the Longfellow Bridge to the west and the Boston University bridge to the east. More than 1,500 trees line the walkway (or runway, if it's marathon-training season), while playgrounds, ponds, and gardens bring a lyrical quality to this meandering landscape. It's best viewed in autumn, when the Esplanade shows its true colors. The Hatch Shell is a performance space that serves as home base for all things at the Esplanade including the famous performance by the  Boston Pops on the Fourth of July.

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This neighborhood has the kind of charm that'll make you move to Boston. There are so many historic plaques that show off the neighborhood's rich past and an abundance of hidden art galleries and boutiques that will keep you searching for more. Design aficionados should definitely come here on Sundays, when you can visit SoWa Open Market (short for South of Washington Street) for food trucks and entertainment as well as SoWa Vintage Market and the SoWa Farmer's Market, and a number of one-of-a-kind boutiques and design showrooms. Plus, a foodie's trip to Boston isn't complete without a stop here casual bistros and oyster-slinging wine bars: Don't miss Black Lamb , an elevated American brasserie that impresses with a sensational raw options and sublime lobster rolls. Late night, stop by Beehive or Wally's Cafe for lively local jazz sets in casual bar settings. And for one of Boston's best dive bars (and best burgers) where everybody knows your name, hit cozy wood-paneled DeLux Cafe on cobblestoned Chandler Street.

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The MFA’s vast collection of art and artifacts is exceptional by any standard. The museum houses one of the best collections of Korean art outside the Korean peninsula, the only permanent exhibition space for ancient coins in the United States, one of the world’s largest holdings of ancient Egyptian treasures, and a comprehensive collection of work by John Singer Sargent. The museum’s claims to fame are so varied, in fact, you could spend weeks documenting its exceptionality. Whatever you take in during your visit, don’t miss the Claude Monet gallery in the European Wing, with one of the greatest caches of the Impressionist’s work outside of France, or the impressive Arts of Islamic Cultures Gallery, whose 2019 reinstallation was developed in collaboration with local Muslim groups. All said and done, the MFA is the crown jewel of  Boston's art scene .

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Boston Seaport is one of the city's most talked-about neighborhoods—and for good reason. The former no-man's land, just over the bridge from Downtown, has quickly evolved into a center of innovation, mixed-use development, and modern culture, attracting prominent companies like Amazon, big names in biotech, and major developers competing to erect Boston’s priciest, sky-scraping condos. A young, ambitious work force has followed, as have some great businesses—including the  Institute of Contemporary Art ,  Legal Harborside 's rooftop bar, Wood Hills Pier 4 for farm-to-table cuisine, darts bar Flight Club, the Lookout Rooftop, and Mediterranean hotspot  Committee.

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The last vestige of the old Seaport—a once rough-around-the edges neighborhood that’s now filled with glass skyscrapers, corporate types, and Lululemon stores—this indoor-outdoor seafood institution fills with diners and happy hour revelers of all stripes, from construction workers to management consultants. The waterfront destination feels like a coastal summer clam shack with its tented roof and picnic tables, and, indeed, it got its start as a seasonal restaurant back in 1994. Now, it includes a more permanent wing with an old time-y tavern feel, but the seaside, atmosphere persists throughout. That vibe pairs perfectly with the menu of seafood platters; raw bar favorites; fried scallops, shrimp, and clams; fish sandwiches; entrees; and lobster in all forms, including boiled, grilled, roasted, and rolled.

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In the heart of Boston’s downtown, carts and shelves of $1, $3, and $5 books fill an alley off of West Street. The seller: Brattle Bookshop, a store that encompasses three floors of used books, the top one filled with rare collectibles. Its purveyor, Ken Gloss, is a regular appraiser on the PBS’ Antiques Roadshow and has gained modest fame among antiquers and public-television addicts.  Independent bookshops attract an eclectic mix of characters, and that’s as much a part of the experience as the books themselves. Curmudgeonly regulars, bespectacled students, and travelers who value a good read all make Brattle Bookshop an institution. Even the famously reclusive J.D. Salinger stopped here once.

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Take an afternoon and evening to sink into this corner of Cambridge, and you’ll have discovered a city unto itself. You certainly don’t have to be a student to savor this neighborhood. There are  art and  natural history museums on Harvard’s campus, quirky boutiques for souvenirs like Black Ink, Grolier Poetry Book Shop (the oldest in the country, c. 1927), and local-loved, world-class restaurants like  Alden & Harlow . Tourists turn out in droves to walk the famous Harvard Yard, and despite the crowds it's worth taking a genuine wander.

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These Are the 30 Best Things to See and Do in Boston

With historic sights, beloved hometown sports teams, a thriving arts scene, and local brews and bites, you'll never be bored in Boston.

Boston is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 most-visited cities in the United States — and for good reason. Home to a thriving food and drink scene, historic landmarks, and activities for all types of travelers, the city offers plenty to keep visitors occupied. So, whether you're on a solo adventure or traveling with the whole family, here are 30 of the best things to do in Boston.

Walk the Freedom Trail.

The two-and-a-half-mile, self-guided Freedom Trail tour takes visitors through the city, telling the story of the American Revolution with stops at museums, churches, meeting houses, and other historical markers along the way. Do it alone, or find tour options here .

Step back in time at the Paul Revere House.

Want even more Boston history? Head to the Paul Revere House . The home, which was once owned by Revere and sold in 1800, served as everything from a boarding house to a local shop to tenement apartments. Now, it's a museum offering guided tours of the restored home that will transport you back in time.

Stroll through the Boston Common.

The Boston Common is the very heart and soul of the city. First built in 1634, it is the oldest public park in the United States. On the park's 50 acres of land, guests will find the Frog Pond, a softball field, and monuments galore. Take your time strolling through the landscaped gardens and enjoying the sights.

See the animals at the New England Aquarium.

For more than 50 years, the New England Aquarium has invited guests to come and meet a few of the coolest sea creatures on Earth. From penguins to sharks, stingrays to seals, and everything in between, the aquarium has all kinds of animals for curious visitors. It's also a working research aquarium, meaning visits and donation dollars partially go toward ocean conservation and preserving these species for generations to come.

Take the kids to the Franklin Park Zoo.

For even more animal adventures, pay a visit to the Franklin Park Zoo . The 72-acre zoo is the place to be for a red panda, tiger, or zebra sighting right in the middle of the city. There are also plenty of expert-led chats to attend, as well as children's events, making it a place the entire family will love.

Or, see animals in their natural habitat with a whale-watching tour.

Take to the waters outside of Boston for a high-seas adventure like a whale-watching excursion . Hop aboard a tour with the New England Aquarium and Boston Harbor City Cruises to see whales, dolphins, and sea birds on their migration routes — all from a safe distance, of course.

Go for a walk around the Esplanade.

Another worthy place for a stroll is the Esplanade, a three-mile path that hugs the Charles River. It's an excellent spot for a walk or bike ride along the lovely green spaces on the banks of the river, where you can watch boaters. And if you're so inclined, you can donate to the Esplanade Association , a nonprofit working to preserve the space for more than two decades.

Violet Smirnova/Travel + Leisure

Take to the Charles River.

You may feel inclined to get on the water yourself — and you can do just that by joining Community Boating Boston on a sail. The organization offers sailboat, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals for those feeling adventurous.

Watch a midnight movie at Coolidge.

The Coolidge Corner Theater, which first opened its doors during the golden age of cinema in 1933, is already one of the most incredible places to see a movie in the city. But to up the ante, try and visit for one of its After Midnite showings. The late-night programming includes horror films and off-beat flicks, making it great for an after-dark fright.

Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Isabella Stewart Gardner was a woman who knew what she liked. She was a millionaire, a bohemian, and an intellectual, and the museum bearing her name is a gem of Boston's thriving art scene, with luxurious landscaped grounds. Perhaps some of the museum's most famous works aren't hanging on the walls, though, as eagle-eyed visitors can spot empty frames that once held priceless pieces, stolen from the space in a famed art heist in 1990.

Spend a day at the Institute of Contemporary Art.

The iconic Institute of Contemporary Art is housed in 65,000-square-feet of space, making it a spot where you can easily spend an entire day. The institute includes gallery exhibits, a theater, and a cafe, along with a gorgeous outdoor deck so you can get a breath of fresh air and reflect on all the works you've just seen. Plus, admission to the institute is free on Thursdays after 5 p.m., but make sure to snag your timed ticket in advance.

See the Arnold Arboretum.

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is a living museum of trees and plant life, with a particular focus on flora and fauna from eastern North America and Asia. This National Historic Landmark is open every day and always free for visitors.

Scope out the treasures at The Museum of Fine Arts.

The Museum of Fine Arts is a crown jewel in Boston's museum scene. It includes American works of art and artifacts from around the globe, including pieces from across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The museum also holds collections in photography, musical instruments, textiles, and more.

Swing by Encore Boston Harbor.

Encore Boston Harbor is the place to go if you're looking for some good old-fashioned fun. The entertainment venue, which opened in 2019, includes a hotel, five-star dining options, shopping, and even a casino for those wanting to roll the dice and test their luck. Head out for a meal, stay for a game, and perhaps book an overnight stay so you can do it all again tomorrow.

Shop on Newbury Street.

Visitors to Boston could make an entire vacation out of just strolling down Newbury Street. The famed street is chock-full of boutique shops, restaurants, galleries, and more, so you may have to visit more than once to ensure you've seen and done it all. Keep track of pop-up events on the street's website here .

"Travel" the world at the Mapparium.

The Mapparium may just be the best way to "see" the world without ever leaving Boston. The three-story site is actually the world's largest walk-in globe. Guests can walk through the globe via a bridge dissecting its equator before leaving to check out "Our World: Mapping Progress," an exhibit highlighting "humanity's advancement since 1935."

Root for the Red Sox at Fenway.

There is arguably nothing more iconic in Boston than Fenway Park . If you visit during the regular baseball season, try to get tickets to a game. While inside, cheer for home runs over the Green Monster and get ready to sing "Sweet Caroline" at least once.

And cheer on the Celtics and the Bruins at TD Garden.

Visitors to Boston can continue to root for the hometown team by getting tickets to a Celtics or Bruins game, depending on the season. Luckily, both teams play under one roof at TD Garden , which also hosts plenty of concerts, so check the calendar to see what shows or games you can take part in next.

Grab a good book at the Boston Public Library.

When constructed in 1848, the Boston Public Library became the first large free public library in the nation. It remains a place where visitors can check out a good book or read in the public spaces. The library hosts both tours and regular events, so check its calendar and see what piques your interest.

Grab a bite at Boston Public Market.

The Boston Public Market , a year-round indoor marketplace, hosts nearly 30 New England-based food purveyors and artisans. It's also a place you can feel good about visiting, as it's a registered nonprofit with public impact goals to support "economic development, New England food system resilience, public health and education, affordability, and access."

Drink a local brew at Samuel Adams Boston Brewery.

Boston is home to a thriving craft beer scene, though the best-known spot for brews is popular brand Sam Adams. The company now sells its brews just about everywhere and even allows guests to come and taste its latest creations on a brewery tour. See all tour options here .

Devour dessert with a cannoli from Mike's Pastry.

There are plenty of excellent places to grab a cannoli in Boston's Italian mecca, the North End. Walk into any bakery in the neighborhood and you'll surely be delighted. But if you need a little guidance, we suggest heading to Mike's Pastry . It's the largest bakery in the neighborhood and wildly popular, but for good reason. Just be prepared to wait in line for your sweet treat.

Explore more city history on a walking tour of Chinatown.

In the 1880s, Chinese immigrants to Boston founded their own community, now known as Chinatown. The neighborhood has always played a significant role in the city's history and is a place where visitors can come to both learn and dine to their heart's delight. Hop on a Boston by Foot tour to ensure you see and dig in at all the right spots.

Watch a show at the Boston Ballet.

The Boston Ballet has delighted audiences since the 1960s, with performances ranging from classics like George Balanchine's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and Mikko Nissinen's "Swan Lake," as well as modern pieces by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Wayne McGregor, and more.

Waddle around on a Boston Duck Tour.

The Duck Tour may not have started in Boston, but the city has certainly perfected it. We'd be remiss not to mention this as a perfect Boston attraction for out-of-town visitors, as it goes to all the best city locations and even right onto the Charles River thanks to the amphibious vehicles. See all tour options here .

Shop and dine at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

Want to pack as much Boston as you can into a single place? Simply head to Faneuil Hall . The famed marketplace is home to more than 70 retailers across its 200,000-square-foot space, including food, apparel, and specialty gift shops. It's a place to see and do it all, and it's especially magical if you can visit during the holiday season.

Learn something new at the Museum of Science.

Boston's Museum of Science may be one of the most fun spots in the city. It's filled with interactive exhibits that will surprise, delight, and leave you in awe. Head there to learn about the evolution of dinosaurs, see its exhibit on how vaccines work, and much more.

Stop by Trinity Church.

If you love architecture, design, and history, Trinity Church should be high on your list of things to see in Boston. A National Historic Landmark, the church is also considered by the American Institute of Architects to be one the country's top 10 buildings thanks to its Richardsonian Romanesque design and stained-glass windows. The church is open for both worship and tours throughout the week.

Get medieval at Castle Island.

Castle Island is a hidden gem that even locals tend to overlook. We're not quite sure how considering there is an entire castle-like fort hiding in plain sight. The 22-acre "island" isn't actually an island anymore after a small strip of land was added to connect it to shore, but that doesn't make it any less special. Visitors can come to tour the fort, walk the grounds, or head to its trails for a bit of rollerblading or biking.

Pick up new art at the SoWa studios.

Stroll through the SoWa studios and get a glimpse of the fantastic work from the city's artistic community. Visitors can swing by the first Friday of every month for open gallery tours or make an appointment with an artist to get up close to the works before buying.

38 Things To Do in Boston

Consider this the ultimate guide to the de-facto capital of New England.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Boston’s history runs deep, but the city hardly lives in the past, especially these days. Yes, there are still the Revolutionary War sites, the classical art and neoclassical buildings, the generations-deep Boston brahmin hauteur, and all that New England clam chowder. Today, though, this gateway to New England—the frequent launching pad for jaunts to Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and beyond—impresses with contemporary art, haute shopping, cutting-edge cuisine, newly updated top hotels, and a surprising playful side, too.

Here, the top things to do in Boston.

Get Lost at the Encyclopedia Museum of Fine Arts

Tour the Personal, Particular Old Masters Collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner

Just around the corner from the MFA, this wide-ranging collection of Old Master European paintings and sculpture and ancient Greek, Roman, and Asian artifacts (plus much, much more) remains as idiosyncratic as the iconoclassic Gilded Age heiress who amassed it—and then imagined this museum as a Venetian-style palazzo to house it all. As captivating as the art itself? The still-unsolved whodunit surrounding the 1990 theft of 13 practically priceless works. Be sure to linger over the glass-enclosed courtyard garden, a truly transportive place to warm up on one of Boston’s many cold winter days.

Grab a Haul at the Food Halls

Stave off museum fatigue with a stop at the Time Out Market , a contemporary food hall that brings to the Fenway neighborhood loads of enticing bites from a variety of top local chefs, restaurants, and food trucks. Enjoy your haul in the soaring industrial indoor space or take it outside to the patio and grassy lawn. Across town, near North Station and TD Garden, Hub Hall sports nearly 20 outlets including Roman- and New Haven-style pizza from Mida chef Douglass Williams, fried seafood from old-school South Boston favorite Sullivan’s , and pastry from North End cannoli king Mike’s . The nonprofit Boston Public Market —at the edge of the North End—has more of an indoor farmer’s market/gourmet shop feel. Coming soon is High Street Place , slated to open in March 2022.

Take Yourself Out to a Ball (or Puck) Game

Speaking of the Fenway, you’ve got to go to the ballpark named for the neighborhood. Sure, you can grab a ticket to see the Red Sox, but even when no one’s playing, the small, century-old park is worth a tour . Also: In case you haven’t heard, Boston is kind of a sports town. For basketball’s Celtics and hockey’s Bruins, head to TD Garden , near North Station. For football’s Patriots, you’re looking at a trip south to Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, near the Rhode Island border. If that’s too far, don’t worry. We’re a city of sports bars—and bars (and even restaurants) with TVs in them—so, if a game is happening, you’d be hard-pressed not to be able to find a place to watch it.

See the Best of the Back Bay Along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall

The divided boulevard of Commonwealth Avenue extends from the edge of the Fenway neighborhood all the way to the Public Garden, which borders Beacon Hill. Wandering its central greenway, lined by towering shade trees, you can’t help but wonder at the grandeur of the Victorian and Gilded Age townhouses and mansions on either side—and wonder about all that has transpired behind their heavy doors and tall windows since the Back Bay neighborhood was built in the late 1800s. Decorated with white lights during the winter, the boulevard shines year round, from spring’s colorful flowers, to summer’s spectacular greens, to fall’s foliage.

Meander Through the Public Garden

On its easternmost end, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall finishes at this grandest jewel at the heart of in the Emerald Necklace—a series of interconnected public green spaces laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted more than 150 years ago. Spring brings overflowing beds of brightly hued tulips and flowering shrubs; summer sees rolling lawns and bubbling fountains; autumn abundant fall color. As for winter, it offers ice skating on the frozen-over duck pond, a spot made famous by the children’s book Make Way for Ducklings .

Pack Up a Picnic

Pick up fixings for a posh park picnic at one of the several outlets of the Paris-meets-Eastern-Mediterranean Tatte , a Boston mini-chain of chic bakery-cafes; or try Flour , James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Joanne Chang’s celebrated sandwich, salad, and baked-goods mecca.

Keep Cozy at The Newbury Hotel

Some of the best Public Garden views can be had from The Newbury Boston —which opened in 2021 after a two-year renovation of the 1927 neoclassical building that housed the city’s original Ritz-Carlton. Of the 280-plus rooms, all designed by Alexandra Champalimaud, you’ll want to book a corner suite, or, in winter, one with a working fireplace. Do indulge in a meal at the glass-enclosed, rooftop restaurant Contessa , where the Northern Italian–skewing menu is by NYC’s Major Food Group (of Carbone fame), and the Lake Como–channeling decor is by Ken Fulk .

Browse Newbury Street’s Luxe “A” Block

Step out of The Newbury and you’re on the first block (between Arlington and Berkeley streets) of its eponymous address. And this block just happens to be Boston’s ground zero for luxury fashion. You’ll find outposts of everything from Armani to Zegna (with Cucinelli, Burberry, Chanel, Rolex, Tiffany, and Valentino in between) plus local high jewelers Shreve Crump & Low and the expertly curated Boston-only men’s and women’s boutique Alan Bilzerian .

Check Out Tiffany’s New Concept Store

Speaking of Tiffany— the LVMH-owned brand unveiled the very first of its reimagined concept shops at Copley Place in the fall of 2021. The most notable new features of the ultra-luxe, jewel-toned 5,000-square-foot store? Murals by contemporary artists, custom crystal and glass chandeliers, and a glittering feature wall inspired by the 57 facets of a brilliant-cut Tiffany diamond . Ready access to the high jewelry in the Blue Book Collection ain’t bad either.

Marvel at the Wonders of Copley Square

On the doorstep of Copley Place is the storied plaza from which the luxury Back Bay mall takes its name. Bounded by McKim, Mead and White’s Renaissance Revival Central Branch of the Boston Public Library (1895), H.H. Richardson’s Romanesque Trinity Church (1877), and the Beaux-Arts Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel (1912), Copley Square proves why the excesses of the Gilded Age—or at least of its architecture—were so enticing. Step inside the buildings to revel in the library's John Singer Sargent murals, the church’s soaring hand-painted ceilings, and the craft cocktails at the Copley Plaza’s Oak Long Bar.

Treat Yourself to a Treatment at the Mandarin’s Spa

One of the Back Bay’s top hotels, the Mandarin Oriental —recently renovated by Alexandra Champalimaud—houses one of the city’s best, and most locally loved, spas. If massages and facials aren’t your thing, consider coming here for the food and drink instead. A new Gordon Ramsay restaurant made its debut in January 2022. The concept? Several of the British chef’s signature dishes, such as beef Wellington, plus a nod to New England and its abundant seafood.

Go on a Lobster Roll and Oyster Crawl

In Boston, it’s always time for seafood. Some of the best can be found not far from Copley Square at the Back Bay’s Mediterranean-inflected Select Oyster Bar, whose chef, Michael Serpa, garnered international fame during his time at Neptune Oyster . Row 34, in the Seaport, rolls out one of the most coveted lobster rolls in town, pulling bi-valves from a nearby oyster farm that belongs to one of the restaurant’s owners. Set where the Fort Point Channel opens to Boston Harbor, the no-frills, indoor-outdoor, kitchtastic Barking Crab , meanwhile, feels like a Cape Cod fish shack in the middle of town, and the sunken back patio at star chef Barbara Lynch’s B&G Oysters is the place to be for seafood in the South End.

Savor the City’s Best Sushi

The lobstah rolls, raw oystahs, and clam chowdah are great, but if you’re talking about seafood in Boston—with or without the accent—and you skip the sushi, you’re missing out. Hands-down favorites here are the 20-course omakase at O Ya , in the Leather District, and the pure-and-simple styling at Cafe Sushi , a relative hole-in-the-wall with a cult following in a quasi-strip mall in Cambridge. In the Back Bay, at the grandly scaled, raucous Uni , meanwhile—from James Beard Award winner Ken Oringer—sushi and sashimi pair with small plates from around Asia.

Shop Small in the South End

The South End offers one of the best collections of small, local boutiques—many women- or minority-owned, or both—in town. Try Viola Lovely and Michele Mercaldo for contemporary women’s wear and handmade jewelry, respectively; Olives & Grace for handcrafted giftable items, artisanal gourmet treats, and cute cards; Sault for urban updates to classic lumberjack/fisherman New England men’s style; Urban Grape and Brix for wine (the latter also has a small trove of vintage barware); and Hudson , Modern Relik , and Lekker Home for furnishings. Finally, the Open Market in the gallery-lined SOWA (South of Washington) district pops up under tents on Sundays from spring through much of fall, tempting shoppers with an array of maker-made goods, from baby clothes to candles.

Browse the City's Best Bookstores

The South End’s More Than Words is not only a teen-employment nonprofit, but also one of the best bookstores in the city. It expanded not long ago into a high-ceilinged brick-and-beam warehouse-style space that displays an ever-changing mix of used books in pristine condition, plus some brand-new ones. Black-owned Frugal Bookstore hosts readings and other author events at its space in the Roxbury neighborhood, and the 200-year-old Brattle Book Shop , near Boston Common, houses three stories of used books, including rare first editions on the top level.

Catch a Top-Shelf Performance

Bookish though it may be, Boston is no slouch when it comes to the performing arts. Right on Boston Common, the recently restored Emerson Colonial Theater hosts major spectacles (not least the out-of-town pre-Broadway run of Moulin Rouge ) and smaller speaker tours, concerts and comedy shows, too. At the nexus of the South End, Roxbury, Fenway, and Back Bay neighborhoods, there’s Symphony Hall—HQ of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops —as well as the nearby base of the Tony Award–winning Huntington Theatre Company . Further east is the Boston Ballet , and over in Cambridge, you’ve got the American Repertory Theater . Led by artistic director Diane Paulus, it originated Tony Award–winning revivals of Pippin , Porgy & Bess, and, more recently, the lauded new musical Jagged Little Pill .

Pick a Favorite Four Seasons

In 2019, Boston became the rare city to play host to two Four Seasons hotels. The newer, Four Seasons One Dalton , occupies the first 21 floors of New England’s tallest residential tower. Designed by I.M. Pei partner Henry Cobb, the blue-glass structure occupies a triangular plot on the edge of Pei’s Christian Science Center —a Brutalist masterpiece if ever there was one. Here, the major draws are the window-lined, 64-foot-long indoor pool and an outpost of the sceney London Japanese restaurant Zuma. Still, Boston’s old guard may prefer the original Four Seasons —with its hard-to-beat views of the Public Garden and the Common—even if its beloved restaurant, the Bristol, has closed.

Follow the Run-Up to the Revolution Along the Freedom Trail

Boston Common serves as an excellent spot to start making your way along the Freedom Trail . This curated path—marked by a red-brick line on sidewalks—connects major Revolutionary War locations from Downtown’s Old State House (site of the Boston Massacre) to Charlestown’s Bunker Hill (famed for the eponymous Battle) to the Old North Church (where the lanterns were hung for Paul Revere).

Take the Cannoli (and the Pizza) in the North End

Not since the Capulets and the Montagues has there been an Italian rivalry like the one you’ll find here, in the city’s oldest residential neighborhood and its de facto Little Italy. Bostonians love to pit the North End's top pastry spots here against each other: Mike’s vs. Modern . As for pizza, here you can sample plenty, but we especially love the contrasting styles of Galleria Umberto (thick-crusted rectangles of saucy stuff) and the original location of Regina’s (more like a New York slice). If chicken parm is your thing, locals report the best is at La Summa .

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Top 20 Places to Visit in Boston: An Insider's Guide

If you're searching for a city that's both rich in history and bursting with modern energy, then Boston should be at the top of your list. This cosmopolitan metropolis is a true melting pot, blending old-world charm with cutting-edge innovation to create a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors. From the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill to the bustling waterfront of the Seaport District, Boston is a city that rewards exploration at every turn.

In this insider's guide, we'll take you on a journey through the top places to visit in Boston. From iconic landmarks like Fenway Park and the USS Constitution Museum to lesser-known gems like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Arnold Arboretum, here is the best that Boston has to offer. So buckle up and get ready for an adventure - with this insider's guide, you're sure to discover a side of Boston you never knew existed!

Top 20 Places To Visit in Boston 

1. freedom trail.

If you're a history buff, you won't want to miss the Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile-long trail takes you through 16 historical sites in Boston , including the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere's House, and the site of the Boston Massacre. As you walk along the trail, you'll learn about the rich history of Boston and the role it played in the American Revolution.

2. Fenway Park

Home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park is a must-see for any sports fan. Even if you're not a fan of baseball, the park's unique architecture and rich history make it a must-visit destination. Take a tour of the park, visit the Red Sox Hall of Fame, or catch a game and experience the energy of one of the oldest and most iconic ballparks in America.

3. Boston Common

Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States and a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Take a stroll through the park's 50 acres, enjoy a picnic on the lawn, or take a ride on the famous Swan Boats. In the winter, the park transforms into a winter wonderland with ice skating and holiday lights.

4. Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is one of Boston's most picturesque neighborhoods, with cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and historic brownstones. Take a walk through the neighborhood and admire the architecture, or stop in one of the many boutique shops or restaurants. Don't miss the famous Acorn Street, one of the most photographed streets in America.

5. New England Aquarium

Located on the waterfront, the New England Aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic animals, including sea turtles, penguins, and sharks. Don't miss the Giant Ocean Tank, a four-story tank that's home to Myrtle the Turtle, a 90-year-old sea turtle who's been living at the aquarium since 1970.

6. Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest art museums in the United States, with a collection that spans over 5,000 years of art from around the world. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary paintings, the museum has something for everyone. Don't miss the Art of the Americas Wing, which showcases art and artifacts from the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

7. Harvard University

Located just across the Charles River in Cambridge, Harvard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Take a tour of the campus and visit historic buildings like Memorial Hall and Harvard Yard. Don't miss the Harvard Art Museums, which house a collection of over 250,000 objects, including works by Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh.

8. Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

Relive one of the most iconic moments in American history at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. Take a tour of the museum and learn about the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party, then climb aboard a replica of one of the tea ships and toss a crate of tea overboard, just like the colonists did in 1773.

9. Quincy Market

Located in the heart of downtown Boston, Quincy Market is a bustling marketplace filled with shops, restaurants, and street performers. Sample some of Boston's famous seafood, browse the souvenir shops, or just soak up the lively atmosphere.

10. The North End

No trip to Boston is complete without a visit to the North End, Boston's oldest neighborhood. Known as Boston's "Little Italy," the North End is home to some of the city's best Italian restaurants, pastry shops, and bakeries. Take a stroll down Hanover Street, the main thoroughfare, and admire the historic buildings and charming alleyways. Don't miss a chance to sample some of the famous cannoli at Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry.

11. Visit the Museum of Science 

The Museum of Science in Boston is a world-renowned institution dedicated to exploring the wonders of science and technology. With over 700 interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and planetarium shows, the museum offers visitors of all ages a fun and educational experience. In addition to the exhibits and shows, the Museum of Science hosts a variety of special events throughout the year. These events include science-themed festivals, lectures by scientists and researchers, and interactive workshops where visitors can learn new skills. 

12. USS Constitution Museum

This Museum is a must-visit for history buffs and anyone interested in naval history. The museum is dedicated to the USS Constitution, a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. The ship, also known as "Old Ironsides," is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.

13. The Paul Revere House

It is the oldest building in downtown Boston and a National Historic Landmark. It was the home of Paul Revere, the American patriot who famously rode through the countryside to warn the colonial militia of the approaching British troops. The house is open to the public and offers guided tours.

14. The Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum is a 281-acre botanical garden located in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. It is part of Harvard University and is one of the oldest and most comprehensive arboretums in the world. The arboretum is open year-round and admission is free.

15. Forest Hill Cemetry

Forest Hills Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. The cemetery was established in 1848 and covers over 275 acres, making it one of the largest green spaces in Boston. One of the most notable features of Forest Hills Cemetery is its collection of public art and sculptures. The cemetery is home to over 5,000 pieces of art, including several sculptures by famous artists such as Daniel Chester French and Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The cemetery also hosts a variety of art exhibits and events throughout the year.

Forest Hills Cemetery is also the final resting place of many notable individuals, including poets E.E. Cummings and Anne Sexton, as well as abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and civil rights leader Malcolm X. Visitors, can take a self-guided tour of the cemetery to visit these and other gravesites of historical significance.

16. The New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium is a world-class aquarium located on Boston's waterfront. It features thousands of marine animals, including sea turtles, sharks, and penguins. Don't miss the chance to see the giant ocean tank, which is home to Myrtle, a 90-year-old sea turtle.

17. The Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art is a cutting-edge museum located on Boston's waterfront. It features contemporary art in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, and video. The museum also offers stunning views of Boston Harbor.

18. The Boston Public Garden

The Boston Public Garden is a 24-acre park located in the heart of Boston. It is home to over 80 species of plants and trees, including the famous swan boats. Don't miss a chance to see the beautiful floral displays, including the tulips in the spring and the mums in the fall.

19. The Boston Symphony Orchestra

This Orchestra is one of the most renowned orchestras in the world and is based in Boston Symphony Hall. The hall itself is a masterpiece of acoustical engineering and is considered one of the best concert halls in the world. Don't miss a chance to see a performance by this world-class orchestra.

20. The Boston Harbor Islands

They are a collection of islands located in Boston Harbor. They offer a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, swimming, and camping. Don't miss a chance to take a ferry to one of the islands and explore the natural beauty of Boston's harbor.

Boston is a city that truly has it all. From its rich history to its thriving arts and culture scene, this city has something to offer everyone. Whether you're interested in exploring the city's colonial past, catching a game at Fenway Park, or simply enjoying the vibrant street life and diverse neighborhoods, Boston is the perfect destination.

The top 20 places to visit in Boston that we've highlighted in this article are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many more amazing attractions, museums, parks, and neighborhoods to discover in this dynamic city. Boston truly is a city that rewards the curious and adventurous traveler. So if you're looking for a destination that's both exciting and enriching, look no further than Boston. Pack your bags, book your tickets, and get ready to experience all that this amazing city has to offer. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Boston is sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

How many days are enough to spend in Boston?

While it's certainly possible to see some of Boston's top attractions in just two-three days, we recommend spending at least 5-7 days itinerary in the city to fully explore everything it has to offer. This will give you plenty of time to visit the top historical sites, explore the various neighborhoods, and sample the city's famous food and drink scene.

What is the best time to visit Boston?

The best time to visit Boston is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. Spring (April - June) is a particularly lovely time to visit, as the city's many parks and gardens come alive with colorful blooms. Fall (September - November) is also a great time to visit, as the leaves change colors and the city is filled with seasonal festivities.

What are the best places to visit in Boston during winter?

Boston is a great destination year-round, but it's particularly enchanting during the winter months. Some of the best places to visit during this time include the Boston Common, which is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with ice skating and holiday lights, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which offers a cozy and intimate atmosphere for art lovers. Other popular winter activities include visiting the city's many cozy cafes and restaurants and taking in a performance at the Boston Ballet or the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Are there any free activities to do in Boston?

Yes, there are plenty of free activities to do in Boston! Here are a few options:

• Walk the Freedom Trail : The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile trail that takes you through some of Boston's most historic sites, including the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere's House, and the USS Constitution Museum.
• Visit the Boston Public Library : The Boston Public Library is a beautiful building filled with art and architecture. You can take a free tour, attend a lecture or workshop, or just relax and read a book.
• Explore the Boston Common : The Boston Common is a large park in the heart of the city. You can stroll through the park, have a picnic, or watch street performers.
• Visit the Museum of Fine Arts : The Museum of Fine Arts is free on Wednesdays after 4 pm. You can explore the museum's extensive collection of art and artifacts.
• Walk along the Charles River : The Charles River Esplanade is a beautiful place to take a walk or bike ride. You can enjoy views of the city skyline and watch sailboats on the river.
• Attend a free concert : Boston has many free concerts throughout the year, especially during the summer. Check out the Boston Parks Summer Concert Series or the Boston Harbor Hotel Summer in the City concert series.

How can I get around Boston?

Boston is a very walkable city, with many of its top attractions located within easy walking distance of each other. However, if you need to travel farther afield, there are plenty of transportation options available, including the subway (known locally as the "T"), buses, and taxis. Many visitors also enjoy renting bikes or taking a water taxi to explore the city from a different perspective.

What are the must to do things in Boston?

There are many things to do in Boston . Here are some that are must-dos when traveling to this amazing city:

• Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a Venetian-style palace filled with art and artifacts from around the world.
• Take a ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands, where you can explore beaches, hiking trails, and historic sites.
• Attend a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, one of the oldest and most iconic ballparks in the country.
• Explore the North End, Boston's Little Italy, and sample some of the best Italian food in the city.
• Visit the New England Aquarium, which features over 800 species of marine animals and interactive exhibits.
• Take a scenic drive along the Charles River and enjoy the views of Boston's skyline.
• Check out the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, which tells the story of the famous 1773 protest that sparked the American Revolution.
• Attend a free concert or event at the Hatch Memorial Shell, an outdoor amphitheater located on the Charles River Esplanade.

Our private tours typically range from $500 - $1000 per person/per night depending on chosen hotels and room categories, vehicles used, types of tours, flight cost, time of year and other factors. Make an inquiry for a customized trip quote.

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27 Places to Visit in Boston

Top tourist attractions.

This post lists the top Boston attractions, including historic sites, museums, neighborhoods, parks, bus tours, boat tours, and our pay-what-you-like guided walking tours .

For more places to visit, see our post about the Best Things to Do in Boston .

We are local tour guides who lead hundreds of visitors and locals each week through the streets of Boston.

On every tour, there are always a few guests who ask us what other places in Boston they should visit.

We recommend the places on our list below because we’ve all been to them and have enjoyed them a lot!

We also considered the opinions of the roughly 16,000 members of our popular Boston Travel Tips Facebook group.

Our group consists of locals, expats, regular visitors, and newbies to Boston.

You don't need to join the group to read the posts, comments, and suggestions. You can even post a question yourself!

So check the group out once you are finished reading this post. 

TIP : Many of the items below are included for free or at a reduced rate on one or more of the Boston money-saving tourist attraction passes . 

1. Freedom Trail 

Boston is the birthplace of the American Revolution (1776-1783). The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walking route that passes 16 sites that played a major role in the war.

Walking the Freedom Trail is an interactive way to learn about the Revolution, its key figures, and events.

The trail begins in downtown Boston and ends near the USS Constitution.

Just a few of the historic sites along the trail you’ll pass are Paul Revere’s House, the site of the Boston Massacre, Granary Burying Ground, the Old State House, and Faneuil Hall. 

If you’re interested in taking the trek, consider taking our pay-what-you-wish Freedom Trail walking tour or our Freedom Trail Self-Guided Tour .

If you're planning to enjoy this activity while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Downtown area .

2. Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market

Faneuil Hall is known as"the home of free speech" and America’s first town hall meeting was held here.

Built in 1743 originally for vendors to sell their goods, the building became a center of debates and demonstrations that led up to the Revolutionary War.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace includes four historic buildings: Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market, and South Market.

The 200,000-square-foot marketplace is visited by both locals and tourists alike. There are over 70 vendors and retailers selling food, clothing, and more. 

During the holiday season, the marketplace is magical! See more about Christmas in Boston .

If you're planning to visit these places while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Downtown area .

3. Boston Common

Established in 1634, Boston Common is America’s oldest public park.

Starting in 1768, the British Redcoats encamped here for eight years. The Common is a stop along the Freedom Trail. 

The common is spread over 50 acres and has plenty of activities to enjoy. If you visit Boston in the winter months, you can go ice skating on Frog Pond . 

There is also a playground, a sports facility, baseball, tennis, and a stage/amphitheater for performance.

If you're planning to visit Boston Common while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Back Bay area.

Read more about Boston Common .

4. Boston Public Garden

Just across Charles Street from Boston Common is America’s first botanical garden established in 1837.

It was designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted who, together with Calvert Vaux, designed Central Park in NYC.

The gardens are filled with unusual plants, monuments, fountains, and the Swan Boats (see below).

If you're planning to visit the garden while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Beacon Hill area.

Find out more about the Boston Public Gardens .

5. Boston Harbor Boat Tours

Boston is perfect to see from the harbor which is why there are lots of great boat tours to choose from.

There are historic Boston sightseeing cruises , New England Harbor Cruises , whale-watching trips , dinner cruises , and even tall ship excursions !

Find the best tour for you by reading our post, Boston Harbor Boat Tours .

If you wish to take a boat tour while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Waterfront/Seaport area.

6. Swan Boat Rides

Perhaps not as exciting as a cruise, a ride on a Swan Boat in Boston Public Gardens is a tradition that dates back to 1877!

After strolling the gardens, a 15-minute ride on a Swan Boat Tour is just the thing to rest your legs and cool off.

It’s one of Boston’s best activities for visitors with kids .

If you wish to take a boat tour while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the North End area.

7. Baseball At Fenway Park

Opened in 1912, Fenway Park is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. It’s home to the Boston Red Sox.

If you go see a game at this historic stadium, grab a seat on the stadium’s famous 37-foot-high green wall in left field known as the Green Monster. It’s the highest wall in the MLB.

Public tours are offered year-round, so baseball history fans can get a detailed look at Fenway’s past and present. Read more about Fenway Park Tours .

See what dates the home team is in town here and grab some tickets to a game!

If you're planning to enjoy a game or take a tour at Fenway Park, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Back Bay area.

8. Boston Bus Tours and Trolley Tours

Boston Duck Tours is the most popular bus tour and for good reason. Using World War II-style amphibious landing vehicles, these tours are part on land and part on the water!

Another tour option is to take a hop-on, hop-off tour that allows you to get off the bus at sites of interest and get back on when you like.

Read about the several companies that offer Hop-on-Hop-off Trolley Tours .

Note that many bus tours are included free with the purchase of a  Boston tourist attraction pass .

There are also night bus tours, TV and Movie bus tours, ghost bus tours, and many more. 

Find out about all the tours that are out there from our post, Boston Bus Tours: Which Are the Best?

If you are looking for a place to stay in Boston, you might consider watching our post on Where to Stay in Boston .

9. Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the very best Boston art museums.

With a collection of over 450,000 works of art, it is one of the largest art museums in the United States.

It was founded in 1870 and is one of the most visited art museums in the world.

Among its best exhibitions are its Egyptian Mummy collection, its ancient Greece works, and its Impressionist paintings.

There is also an impressive American Wing with paintings, decorative arts, furniture, and silver -- including silverwork from the great patriot Paul Revere.

If you're planning to visit the museum while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Back Bay area.

Read more about the Museum of Fine Arts .

10. USS Constitution Museum

The USS Constitution is one of six ships constructed as part of the Naval Act 1794. 

Nicknamed “Old Ironsides” after its heroic feats during the War of 1812, the ship is permanently docked in the Charlestown Navy Yard. 

You can tour the ship for free, though you must purchase a ticket to visit the museum. Learn how to visit the USS Constitution and Museum .

If you're planning to visit the museum while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the West End area.

11. The North End 

The North End is Boston’s oldest residential neighborhood. It has Colonial-era sites speckled throughout its streets. 

But the North End isn't only about colonial history. It’s also about the history of Italian-Americans

The first Italian immigrants settled in the neighborhood in the 1860s and the Italian population grew for over a century.

Today the neighborhood is less authentic and more about tourists, but there are still great places to eat and sites to see in the North End.

Our pay-what-you-wish North End and Little Italy tour takes you to the best sites while you hear stories about the colonial era, gangster times, and Italian pastry!

We also offer a self-guided tour .

If you're planning to visit this neighborhood while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the North End area.

12. Old State House

A stop along the Freedom Trail, the Old State House is the oldest surviving public building in Boston. 

When it was built in 1713 and called the Towne House, it was the hub of Boston’s civic life.

After the British were defeated and America was born, Towne House became the State House for Massachusetts until 1798, at which time the current State House was erected on Beacon Street.

The Old State House Museum’s exhibits offer insight into the years leading up to the American Revolution, the Boston Massacre, and the writing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. 

Read more about the Old State House Museum .

If you're planning to visit the house while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Beacon Hill area.

13. Paul Revere House

Paul Revere was a silversmith and, more importantly, a colonial patriot who took a midnight ride to warn the colonists of a British attack. 

This house where Revere lived is the oldest remaining building in Downtown Boston and you can take a tour of it as it is now a museum. 

Amazingly, 90% of the building's structure is original and the two upstairs rooms contain furniture that is believed to have belonged to the Revere family.

Buy tickets to tour the Paul Revere House . Note that the tour is included free with the Go City Boston All-Inclusive Pass.

If you're planning to visit the house while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the North End area.

14. Beacon Hill

This is one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods and has been the site of those active in fighting against slavery, and for religious freedom and equal rights. 

Its cobblestone lanes are lined with elegant Federal-period mansions and gas lamps. It’s also where you will find posh boutiques and excellent restaurants.

Our pay-what-you-wish Beacon Hill Crime Stories walking tour takes you beyond the pretty facade to tell you the tale of the Boston Strangler, the city's most notorious serial killer.

Explore the neighborhood with our Self-Guided Beacon Hill Walking Tour . This tour is also available as an audio tour!

If you're planning to visit this neighborhood while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Beacon Hill area.

15. Massachusetts State House

The current seat of the state’s government, the Massachusetts State House, was built in 1798.

Samuel Adams laid a cornerstone in 1795 and Paul Revere coppered the dome in 1802.

This National Historic Landmark is an architectural gem with marble-floored corridors and ceremonial rooms filled with paintings depicting Massachusetts’s history.

Free guided tours of the building and collections are led by volunteers. Read more here .

16. Granary Burying Ground

This is Boston's third oldest burial ground, opened in 1660 and named in 1737 for the Old Town Granary which once stood on the site of its neighbor, the Park Street Church.

Many of America’s patriots buried there include Paul Revere and three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Robert Treat Paine.

The Granary Burying Ground is a stop on our daily, pay-what-you-like guided tour of the Freedom Trail . We also have a self-guided tour of Granary Burying Ground .

If you're planning to visit the place while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Beacon Hill area.

17. Harvard University

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest college in the United States. It’s located in the City of Cambridge, just across the Charles River from Boston.

The campus houses both Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, two of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world.

This list of notable alumni is truly amazing. 

There are several ways to tour the campus.

We offer a pay-what-you-wish Harvard and Cambridge Walking Tour and we also have a self-guided Harvard University Walking Tour .

You may want to visit one of the excellent museums on campus like the MIT Museum and the Harvard Museum of Natural History .

If you're planning to visit the university while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Cambridge area.

18. Boston Public Library

Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is not just a place to grab a good book, it’s a place of firsts.

It was the first large, free municipal library in the US. It was also the first public library to lend books.

Also, the library was the first major Beaux-Arts building in the United States completed in 1895 and was designed by renowned architect Chares McKim.

Not only is the building itself an architectural gem, but the interior is as well.

The Boston Public Library offers free art and architecture tours of the building a few times a week. Check the schedule here .

If you're planning to visit the library while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the South End area.

19. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Climb aboard an 18th-century replica ship for an immersive experience recreating that fateful December night in 1773 when the Sons of Liberty sparked the American Revolution by dumping their tea into Boston Harbor.

On a 1-hour tour, costumed actors take you back in time to learn about the history and impact of the Boston Tea Party.

In the end, you’ll start your own revolution by dumping tea into the Charles River!

If you're planning to enjoy the museum while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Waterfront/Seaport area.

20. Bunker Hill Monument & Museum

The Battle of Bunker Hill fought on June 17, 1775, was one of the first major battles of the American Revolutionary War. 

The monument is 221 feet tall and you can climb to the top for an excellent view of the city.

In addition to the landmark itself, there is also a free museum you can visit which provides access to the monument.

Read our post on the Bunker Hill Monument & Museum .

If you're planning to visit the monument while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Charlestown/Bunker area.

21. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Established in 1903, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a prized Boston institution. 

Its collection is expansive and includes works from Ancient Rome, Medieval Europe, the Islamic World, Renaissance Italy, and 19th-century France and America. 

If the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum sounds familiar, it's because in 1990 it was the scene of the single largest art heist in the world. 

The crime has never been solved. Fortunately, there are plenty of other pieces of art to see! 

Read more about the museum here .

If you're planning to enjoy the museum while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the South End area.

22. The Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library

The Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library is the only place in the world where one can walk through a 3-story stained-glass globe!

Because the Mapparium was created in 1935, the globe shows country borders and names as they were back then.

Visitors walk across a thirty-foot glass bridge passing through the center of the globe while a presentation using audio recordings, music, and LED lights illustrates how the world has changed since the 1930s.

Find out about visiting The Mapparium .

If you're planning to enjoy this attraction while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Back Bay area.

23. Newbury Street

Newbury Street between Arlington Street and Massachusetts Avenue is the place to go for shopaholics and foodies.

This 8-block stretch is filled with high-end boutiques like Burberry and Channel as well as international apparel chain stores.

The street itself is lined with historic brownstone buildings making it a lovely location for the many cafes and restaurants to enjoy.

See the Newbury Street website for a directory of shops and eateries.

If you're planning to visit the street while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Back Bay area.

24. New England Aquarium

Opened in 1969, the New England Aquarium is home to a multitude of sea life that includes species like northern fur seals, exotic jellyfish, giant Pacific octopuses, and thousands of saltwater and freshwater fish.

The highlight of the aquarium is its 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank that replicates a coral reef environment.

As they pass through a spiral walkway around the tank, visitors get a close-up view of sharks, sea turtles, and schools of fish.

There is also an IMAX theater that shows films with aquatic themes. The aquarium offers whale-watching tours that can be combined with the cost of admission. 

Find out about getting tickets here .

If you're planning to enjoy this activity while in Boston, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the Downtown area.

25. Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, a botanical research center,  is like a living museum of tree and plant life. 

The Arboretum’s 281 acres which include forests, meadows, and ponds are open free to the public.

Established in 1872, this is North America’s first public arboretum. It’s also a National Historic Landmark.

Read more about the Arnold Arboretum .

If you're planning to enjoy this botanical research center, consider finding a place to stay in the Back Bay area.

26. The Cheers Bar

The bar which inspired the hit television series Cheers opened in 1969 as the low-key Bull and Finch.

It was discovered by Hollywood producers in 1981 and premiered in 1982 as Cheers, which ran for 11 years. 

Exposure from the TV show made Cheers the most famous bar in Boston. Why not go and grab a beer there? See our post on the Original Cheers Bar .

The bar is a stop on our self-guided Beacon Hill Tour and is just a 10-minute walk from our guided Beacon Hill Crime Tour .  

If you're planning to visit this bar, you might want to consider finding a place to stay in the West End area.

27. Back Bay

Just west of Boston Common, the Back Bay area is located along the Charles River.

This is one of the more well-liked places to stay while traveling to Boston because of its convenient location.

As a result, the region has many excellent hotels, and you can read more about them in our whole piece about where to stay in Back Bay.

A trip to the Boston Public Library and a baseball game at Fenway Park are just a few of the very popular outings in this area.

You can be confident that you'll be able to have a satisfying lunch while you're in Back Bay because there are so many excellent eateries around.

Consider watching our post on Where to Stay in Boston to get an idea of the best places to visit in Back Bay area.

ATTRACTIONS INCLUDED IN TOURIST PASSES

Many of the attractions in this post are included for free with a Boston tourist pass .

Below is a list of those attractions.

Go City Boston All-Inclusive Pass

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• Beacon Hill True Crime Tour
• Fenway Park Tour
• The Mapparium
• Franklin Park Zoo
• Swan Boat Tours
• New England Aquarium
• Boston Children’s Museum
• View Boston Observation Deck
• Museum of Science
• Paul Revere House
• Buckman Tavern
• Concord Museum
• Cape Cod Cruise
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Boston Harbor Cruise
• House of Seven Gables
• Harvard Walking Tour
• USS Constitution Cruise
• Old South Meeting House
• Old State House
• Liberty Ride Trolley Tours
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• Harvard Museum of Natural History
• JFK Presidential Library & Museum
• Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology
• Peabody Essex Museum
• Freedom Trail Tour
• TD Garden Guided Tour
• Cape Cod Maritime Museum
• Sam Signature Experience
• Real Pirates Salem
• Bike Rental by Urban AdvenTours
• Boch Center Wang Theatre Tours
• Haunted Boston Walking Tour
• Historic Pub Crawl
• Historic Sightseeing Cruise
• Plimoth Patuxet and Mayflower II Combination Ticket
• Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour
• North End 'Little Italy' Food Tour
• Louisa May Alcott House
• Hop-on-Hop-off Trolley Tours

CityPASS Boston

Plus two of these attractions of your choice:

• Boston Harbor City Cruises
• View Boston Observatory

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jason Watkins (@jaystigram)

For more details and an explanation of these passes, visit our post about Boston tourist passes .

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

We hope this post provided you with more than enough Boston activities and attractions for you to have a great trip.

Below we share the suggestions and tips for a visit to Boston from members of our Boston Travel Tips Facebook group.

These comments are from locals and travelers who love to share their experiences with others.

So many other group members feel the same and encourage visitors to walk the entire trail. At the end of the trail is the famous USS Constitution, another site in this post. 

Not only is it historic, it’s free to visit.

Besides walking the Freedom Trail, one of the most highly recommended activities by group members was taking a Duck Tour.

You might want to consider doing one at the beginning of your trip to get an overview of the city.

Then you can decide where you would like to return to and see more.

Note that the above group member advises you to book in advance to make sure it isn't sold out when you plan to take it.

There were also plenty of thumbs up for the Old Town Trolley tours.

If you are wondering how the Duck tour and Trolley tour stack up against each other, this group member explains the differences.

Harvard is synonymous with Boston. While a visit there doesn't come up at the top of everyone’s list, that has more to do with the fact that Boston has so much to do, and not that a trip there isn't nice.

As these group members suggest, you might want to combine a walk around the area with some shopping and dining.

Among the other top places to visit are the Swan boats at Boston Common, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. 

As you can see, the street performers and musicians are one of the top attractions.

If you are in town between April and October and a half half a day to spend on one activity, make it whale-watching. 

These group members were deeply moved by the experience.

If you are looking for things to see that are not about history, Newbury Street is a place to check out.

After you explore the neighborhood, you can continue to some other sites like two of Boston’s best green spaces.

Charming Beacon Hill is worth a visit too and you can add it to teh tail end of a visit to Newbury Street.

This group member suggests a nice mini-itinerary!

Boston has a wonderful array of museums for people of all ages. The one that gets high marks from just about everyone is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

If you are in town with kids, there are plenty of activities including museums, historical sites and shopping.

For ages five and under, the top places to visit are the Children’s Museum and the Aquarium, while the Science Museum was not recommended for very young children.

For the teens and tweens museums were often recommended.

Depending on what your kids are interested in, going to a museum might be the best choice, though for others, Fenway Park was suggested.

Seeing the Red Sox at Fenway isn't just for the kids though.

This group member rates Fenway up there with Duck Tours and we know how popular they are, so seeing a Red Sox game has got to be great!

If you have any more questions about the best places to visit in Boston -- or anything else about the city -- check out our Boston Travel Tips Facebook group!

Related Posts

• Free Things To Do in Boston
• Things to Do in Boston at Night
• Family-Friendly Activities in Boston

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17 best secret spots in Boston

Just when you thought you knew everything Boston had to offer…

We all fall into the same old routine of visiting just our favorite bars  and  restaurants . However, this can get boring after a while. Whether you are looking for something to spice up your weekend or an extra special date night idea , we have got you covered. But sometimes finding a new hidden gem is the best way to switch things up. From special, off-menu items to a half-million-dollar outdoor art gallery and more—this list will make you rethink just how well you know the best of what Boston has to offer.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

An email you’ll actually love

Hidden gems in Boston

1.  Visit the most beautiful building in Boston you never knew existed

The Boston Athenæum is one of the country’s oldest independent libraries, with a circulating collection of over half a million books, including everything from books from the 1800s to the newest releases. While the Athenæum is actually a private library that requires a membership to access, Day Passes are available for $40. Guests on a Day Pass can enjoy all parts of the Boston Athenæum that are open to members. Whether you are just looking to explore a piece of old Boston or have some serious work to get down, the Athenæum is a great choice.

2.  Gawk at the city skyline for free: Observation Deck at Independence Wharf

• Things to do

The Observation Deck at Independence Wharf is a semi-hidden, 14th-floor deck that grants you terrific views of the harbor and the surrounding buildings. Bring your binoculars and your ID (you can’t go up without it), and get ready to check out the Harbor Islands and watch planes land at Logan Airport. When you’re finished taking in your surroundings, ground yourself at one of the seaport neighborhood’s noteworthy restaurants .

3.  Find street art under an overpass: Underground at Ink Block

The Underground at Ink Block is the city’s latest triumphant effort to repurpose a forgotten space, this one tucked underneath a knotty snarl of South End/South Boston overpasses. The eight-acre park includes bike paths, boardwalks, a dog park and more than 150,000 square feet of mural work by artists from Boston, Los Angeles, New York and Puerto Rico. With a full events calendar, there’s no bad time to visit this unique space, from a graffiti festival to fitness classes and a rotating night market with a pop-up bar.

4.  Spend an afternoon with the cooks of yesteryear: Schlesinger Library

For the home chef, entering the Radcliffe College Schlesinger Library is like stumbling upon a thousand kitchen secrets. About one-fifth of the library’s collection is culinary related: ancient cookbooks, historical food journals and amusing commercial food pamphlets. Among the rare finds are the very first cookbook written by a woman back in 1679 and Julia Child’s private papers. This is the perfect snow day activity, as you can keep warm in the Library and learn something new—perhaps even a new favorite recipe that you can replicate that same evening.

5.  Eat a steak behind a red curtain: Bogie’s Place

• Restaurants

A steakhouse speakeasy? Such a magical thing does exist, tucked inside a back room inside cocktail bar JM Curley. Only the tiniest of signs points you to the doorway in back, but beyond is a Lilliputian chophouse, known as Bogie’s Place, doling out classics: caviar tray service, a wedge salad and surprisingly affordable steak cuts, adorned with the likes of bone marrow and foie gras butter. Equal love is given to the sides (sauteed spinach, bone marrow) as well as classic cocktails like the French 75 and the Ward Eight. Don’t think about making this a family affair, Bogie’s Place is adults only.

6.  Reserve a counter-side omakase experience behind Shore Leave

• Cocktail bars
• price 2 of 4

At the rear of the tropical-tiki-inspired bar that is Shore Leave, the team behind Bar Mezzana and Black Lamb launched a nine-seat, secret sushi restaurant, where Chef Colin Lynch leads a counterside omakase tasting menu. Arrive hungry as Chef Lynch brings you on a culinary journey of some 14 courses during one of two seatings each evening. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

7.  Play video games in the backroom at Kings Seaport

• Sports Bars
• Seaport District

If you’re a gamer, you don’t need to travel far to play some of the hottest video games out there. At Kings Seaport, the Level Up BarKade presents both the newest and acclaimed retro games in its own private area away from all the commotion of the bowling lanes. The space is open to any age, so it’s also a wonderful option for families.

8.  Buy sneakers hidden in the back of a convenience store: Bodega

• Fenway/Kenmore

Tucked into a side street off the heavily trafficked Mass Ave, at first glance, it looks like any other convenience store with windows lined with faded bleach bottles and paper towels. Something's odd though—it might be the too-stylish kid behind the counter or the fact that the bottles of detergent look more like decor than retail items. Step in front of the faux Snapple vending machine to activate the hidden sliding door and reveal the secret store within a store. Inside is the ultra-modern interior of Boston's flyest sneaker shop—carrying rare kicks from Air Jordan, DSPTCH and some 100 other brands—as well as deluxe streetwear and books on art and design.

9.  Pitch a tent inside the city limits: Long Wharf North

If you’re the adventurous type but perhaps don’t have access to a car to journey further a field, get your camping fix on one of the four Boston Harbor Islands that allow overnight stays. Bumpkin, Grape, Lovells, and Peddocks provide an unexpected spot to pitch your tent, with all of the islands offering grills, picnic tables, hiking trails and at least one group camping site. Lovells has a private swimming beach, and Peddocks even has six yurts for glamping types. If this is something you’re even thinking about, be sure to reserve early, because these spots book up quicker than Cape rentals.

10.  Sip in secrecy: The best Boston speakeasies

Some of Boston’s oldest bars may have operated illegally as speakeasies during the Prohibition era, but many new establishments replicate the atmosphere, discreetly tucked away in the back of a restaurant or down an alley. You aren’t likely to stumble upon these locations on a night out, but you also don’t have to be an elite to garner access to them—check out our list of best speakeasies around town , where a low-key, well-made cocktail menu is the focus.

11.  Meander through a half-million-dollar statue garden at Encore

If you’re visiting Encore Boston Harbor for a little gambling, you likely have a vested interest in the finer things in life, like the five statues on The South Lawn of the resort that are valued at half a million dollars. Wander through the international attractions, including three ethereal head sculptures part of the ‘Secret Garden’ series by Spanish artist and sculptor, Jaume Plensa, and admire the views of the harbor before rushing into the more recognized attraction at Encore Boston—its casino.

12.  Scope out the Fenway field at Bleacher Bar

Even if you aren’t a sports fan, you’ll adore this intimate bar that is tucked into the back wall of Fenway Park (82A Lansdowne Street) with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the nation’s oldest baseball field. Pop in for a pint during a Sox game—no reservation necessary—and experience the contagious aura of Boston sports fans.

13.  Catch your dinner right in town: Jamaica Pond

No, you still can’t fish the Charles River, and while Boston Harbor is now a safe place to cast out, those are world-weary city fish circling underneath—they’re not easily hooked by a line. Luckily, Jamaica Pond gets restocked with newbie trout and salmon every season, raising the odds of catching lunch or dinner. For those who obtain a permit, you can cast a line from shore or rent a rowboat to head out to the middle of the pond.

14.  Enjoy a throwback steam bath: Dillons Russian Steam Bath

Dillon's Russian Steam Bath lets you dip a toe in the grand Russian tradition of schvitzing. (Don’t say we didn’t warn you: Dillons is not for the luxury-obsessed spa-goer.) For $26, you’ll sweat out the toxins in the wet sauna and steam bath; an extra 13 bucks will earn you the privilege of a thorough branch beating (aka the platza massage) and $30 gets you a 30-minute oil massage. Oh, and ladies? You’re only allowed to come on Mondays from 2—9pm for ladies’ night.

15.  Shoot 18 holes minutes from downtown: William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park

City-dwelling golfers usually drive miles to hit the links, but they’re the foolish ones. The William J. Devine Course is an 18-hole course located smack dab in the middle of Franklin Park—and is also the second oldest public course in the country (Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx holds the number-one spot). The par-70 acre course features well-maintained greens, picturesque ponds, pretension-free staff members and a clubhouse complete with restaurant, bar and outdoor seating (keep an eye out for the grill sometimes set up at the end of the 6th hole). We know we said pretension free, but just note that when you play at Franklin Park, you’re on an Olympic-worthy course!

16.  Take a nature hike…before it goes back underwater: Squantum to Thompson Island Walk

This activity may require a little planning and keeping an eye on the seasonal tides, but we’d bet even most longtime residents know nothing about this ephemeral beach walk, so the bragging rights are worth it. When the tide is low, a wide, flat sandbar appears in the Boston Harbor that allows you to walk right from Quincy’s Squaw Rock to Thompson Island, a largely private island that’s open to the public on weekends (you can also walk the perimeter at other times of the week) or you can choose to join a guided walk. The city and harbor views are second to none.

17.  Drink inside a distillery: GrandTen Distilling

• South Boston

GrandTen Distillery is one of our local success stories, cousins Matthew Nuernberger and Spencer McMinn converting an iron foundry into an incubator for small-batch spirits. The bar is an extension of the distillery’s can-do attitude, a crowdfunded space in the front room that’s open Thursday through Sunday. Walk through a garage door into the in-the-know space, where the creative cocktail menu—creative in part because our draconian liquor laws only allow usage of spirits distilled onsite—is written on a chalkboard-painted concrete column. Shuffleboard, foosball and throwback board games invite you to make a night of it as you choose from their list of small batch spirits, including rum, vodka, brandy and gin as well as their specialty creations like Craneberry, white rum infused with Cape Cod cranberries.

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Best Things To Do in Boston for First Time Visitors

Boston is such an exciting city to visit, full of history, cultural experiences and stunning architecture. No matter how many times I visit, I always seem to find something new to love about it. Making your way around a new city can be a bit challenging. That’s why I created this awesome Guide to Boston!

If you’re wondering how to best spend your time in Boston…keep on reading!  This Ultimate Guide to Boston will give you insight into the very best places to visit, eat and stay to make your visit to Boston amazing. 

Whether it’s your first time visiting Boston or you want to explore a new area, we have you covered. 

One of the things I find fascinating about Boston is how the historic buildings are intermingled with all the modern day skyscrapers , blending the new with the old. It always brings a feeling of pride at how far we’ve come as a country.

No where else in the United States can you experience such breadth of colonial history and remnants of our country’s beginnings.

Boston is truly a special place with rich history, beautiful parks, and some of America’s best museums.

Get an Overview of the City

When I visit a new city, I love to take one of the bus tours when I first get there. It’s the perfect way to orient yourself and get an idea of what areas you want to explore more.

There are plenty of options for touring around Boston. All of them will take you on a narrated tour around the city and point out all the historic sites but each one is a little different. 

Old Town Trolley Tour

Old Town Trolley Tour is the longest running tour of the city and one of the most popular. With 18 stops along the route, you’ll drive through the most popular areas of the city and hit all the important landmarks and attractions. Hop on and off at any stop along the way or stay on for the full loop (about 90 minutes). What’s great about this tour is the viewing platform on this bus is raised, giving you a great view, and you get unlimited re-boarding all day!  

A day pass is about $50 and includes discount tickets on a Harbor Cruise, Ghosts and Gravestones tour and the Tea Party Museum. You can purchase tickets in the booth near Long Wharf.

Boarding : Pickup in front of Marriott Long Wharf, Aquarium or Boston Common at Park Street.

Boston Duck Boat Tour

When you take a Duck Boat Tour , you’ll tour the city streets and then take a splash into the Charles River . You won’t be able to miss these colorful WWII style amphibious landing vehicles roaming around the city. Each one is uniquely named so ask your “ConDucktor” which one you’re on. You may even get lucky and get a chance to drive one in the water.

A Duck Boat tour runs a continuous 90 minute loop and does not allow you to hop on or off. Before you hit the road be sure to practice your “quacking”.

Boarding : Pickup your Duck Boat at the Museum of Science, the Prudential Center or the New England Aquarium.  

City View 

CityView Trolley Tours is another Hop On/Hop Off option. While this tour has only 9 stops, they are all at the most popular destinations. A CityView Trolley Hop On/Hop Off ticket is valid for one complete loop . There is also an option for a non–stop 60 minute tour.  

Tickets can be purchased online or by phone. Just print your ticket or show your e– ticket on your phone. CityView Tours offers discounted Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise with the purchase of any trolley tour. 

Boarding: Pickup your CityView Trolley Tour at Stop#1 at Atlantic Avenue side of the 255 State Street Building. 

Ultimate Guide to Getting Around Boston

Best Areas to Visit in Boston

While Boston is the capital of Massachusetts, the city is relatively small, making it possible to see the city’s highlights in just a few days. The city is made up of different neighborhoods, each with their own unique personality, history, attractions, and vibe.

The city’s most prominent tourist area is around Boston Common , Faneuil Hall and the Waterfront . This is where you will find some of the most popular historic sights and waterfront attractions. That said, there are lots of historic sites, museums and attractions all across the city.  

What are the Most Popular Areas of Boston?

Let’s explore the most popular areas of Boston so you can plan a visit that is best for you.    

• Downtown & Waterfront – Best for History and Sightseeing
• Back Bay – Best for Shopping and Architecture
• Beacon Hill – Best for a Relaxed Upscale Vibe
• North End – Best for Italian Cuisine and Summer Street Festivals
• Charlestown – Best for Maritime and Colonial History
• Seaport District – Best for Modern City Experience
• Fenway – Best for Visiting Fenway Park and Nightlife

Downtown & Waterfront

Best area for History and Sightseeing

Downtown is the heart of Boston’s historic center and one of the most popular areas. The Waterfront area offers stunning views of Boston Harbor and lots of possibilities for getting out on the water. These areas contain the city’s biggest concentration of historic sites and attractions, making it ideal for first time visitors . 

From the Downtown/Waterfront area, you can easily access its surrounding neighborhoods, including North End’s restaurants, Beacon Hill, Back Bay and the newly revitalized Seaport District. 

Things to Do in Boston’s Downtown & Waterfront Area

Faneuil Hall is where you will find cobblestone walkways, historic restaurants, street performers and a bustling marketplace filled with shops and novelty push carts. While Faneuil Hall may be a bit touristy, it is certainly an area first time visitors should explore and experience. Check out Top 10 Must–Do Activities When You Visit Faneuil Hall for the best things to do while you are there. 

Boston Harbor Walk – This 43 mile walkway runs along Boston’s waterfront communities. Look for the signs to pick it up near the Marriott Long Wharf to enjoy some panoramic views. 

Stop by the Boston Harbor Hotel to see the iconic American flag hanging in the atrium. 

Check out the Arctic Harbor seals swimming in front of the New England Aquarium and go inside for a visit if you have time. 

Book a Boston Harbor Cruise tour (Discounted if you take an Old Town Trolley Tour) or another boat tour. There is something that is sure to fit your mood whether it’s a sunset cruise,  an exhilarating ride on Codzilla or a cruise on a historic Schooner . Visit the booths along the Waterfront and the Long Wharf to find out what types of boat rides and cruises are available.

Rose Kennedy Greenway – Walk along this green-space in the center of the road between Faneuil Hall and the waterfront to see fountains, a vintage carousel, food trucks, popup beer and wine gardens and ever–changing public art .

Christopher Columbus Park – Have a picnic at this spacious green-space overlooking Boston Harbor or stroll under the wisteria trellis. 

Holocaust Memorial – Spend a moment at this beautiful and moving memorial dedicated to the Holocaust victims. (Union Street) 

Eateries near Boston’s Downtown & Waterfront Area

There are loads of restaurants around the Downtown & Waterfront areas.  Some popular ones include:

The Chart House – Upscale seafood and steakhouse on the water (60 Long Wharf)

Tia’s – Waterfront dining adjacent to Marriott Long Wharf (200 Atlantic Ave.)

Central Wharf Co. – Located close to the waterfront, this sophisticated restaurant sits in a 200-year old building with exposed brick and serves great seafood and drinks. (160 Milk St.)

Mariel’s – An elegant restaurant with Cuban inspired menu and decor set in the historic Atlantic National Bank. (10 Post Office Sq.)

For more dining ideas around Faneuil Hall, including the historic restaurants nearby check out our Top 10 Must–Do Activities When You Visit Faneuil Hall   

Where to Stay near Boston’s Downtown & Waterfront Area

Staying in the Downtown and Waterfront area will be most convenient to visit all the popular historic attractions.

The historic Omni Parker House is a great choice as it is situated on the Freedom Trail in between the Boston Common and Faneuil Hall.

Other options include:

• The Bostonian (Fanieul Hall area)
• Boston Harbor Hotel (Waterfront)
• Marriott Long Wharf (Waterfront)

Best for Shopping and Architecture

Boston’s Back Bay area is an upscale neighborhood known for its Victorian–era brownstone houses and beautiful architecture .

This bustling area maintains a bit of an urban feel with a sophisticated side and offers upscale shopping, incredible dining options and a vibrant nightlife. 

The Back Bay is located alongside the Charles River, and behind the Boston Public Garden. 

Things to Do in Boston’s Bay Bay Area

Copley Square in Boston’s Back Bay has some of Boston’s best historical places, art and architecture . The square is named after famed American artist John Singleton Copley, who is memorialized with a bronze statue in the square near Boylston Street. This is where you will find Trinity Church , Old South Church and the Boston Public Library .

Boylston Street –  the Boston Marathon Finish line is located on Boylston Street in front of the Old South Church. The Boston Marathon Memorial is a little further down on Boylston Street in front of Marathon Sports near Dartmouth Street. While wandering around Copley Square, don’t miss the Tortoise and the Hare statue , created by artist Nancy Schon, to recognize the many Boston Marathon race participants. 

Boston Public Library (700 Boylston St.) – The Boston Public Library’s McKim Building is an architectural masterpiece and should not be missed. Pop in to see the incredible architecture and paintings inside including the famous Bates Reading Room. The library is Free to visit . Closed on Sundays.

Trinity Church (206 Clarendon St.) – Founded in 1733, Boston’s Trinity Church is a National Historic Landmark. Each year over 70,000 people come to visit the church to see its elaborate exterior and ornate interior with beautiful stained glass windows . While visitors are welcome Thursday–Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, it is an active Episcopal church where parishioners gather daily to worship. Tickets for tours, concerts and music events can be purchased online. In springtime, hundreds of beautiful tulips will be in bloom in Copley Square, which is a site to see.  

Old South Church (645 Boylston St.)  The Old South Church is a magnificent work of Gothic Revival architecture which is open to the public to visit for Free . 

Commonwealth Ave – Wander down Commonwealth Avenue Mall to explore the statues and stately brownstone mansions along the way. This tree–lined green-space begins at the Arlington Street side of the Public Garden and offers a nice relaxing break from the action of Boylston Street.

Shopping – For some high–end luxury shopping, stop by Copley Place or the Prudential Center . Newbury Street is famed for its local boutiques and high–end shopping. On the eastern end, closest to the Public Garden you will find big–name designers like Gucci, Valentino, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, and Ralph Lauren. As you make your way down the street a few blocks, you’ll find more contemporary, affordable brands, including H&M. 

View Boston Observatory at the Prudential – The new observatory at the Prudential just opened in June 2023. Explore the 360 observation deck which offers a breathtaking view of Boston. 

Eateries near the Back Bay

The Oak Long Bar at Fairmont Copley Hotel has a stately atmosphere with dark wood which offers an elegant setting to enjoy drinks, raw bar and live entertainment. (138 St James Ave.)

Eataly – An Italian emporium filled with authentic Italian pasta, cheese, meats and pastries with an onsite restaurant and plenty of to–go options. (Prudential Center 800 Boylston Street)

Fire and Ice – An “all you can eat” experience where you choose the ingredients and it is cooked in front of you. (205 Berkeley Street)  

Sonsie is a very popular American bistro and wine bar on Newbury Street that has been around for over 25 years. (327 Newbury Street)

Where to Stay near Boston’s Back Bay Area

• Lenox Hotel
• Charlesmark Hotel
• Fairmont Copley Plaza
• Courtyard by Marriott Boston Copley Square

Beacon Hill 

Best for a Relaxed Upscale Vibe

The iconic Beacon Hill is Boston’s most prestigious neighborhood . Dating back to the early 19th century, this neighborhood was once home to Boston’s elite, including politicians, intellectuals, and prominent figures. As you wander through the picturesque streets lined with antique gas lamps and Victorian and Federal–style brick row houses , you will be transported to a bygone era. 

Beacon Hill gets its name from the beacon that once stood atop the hill, guiding sailors into Boston Harbor. The neighborhood is located off of Boston Common and borders the Downtown, Back Bay and Financial district. Staying in this area offers a quieter experience with attractions still nearby. Everything about this area emits romance. 

Things to Do in Boston’s Beacon Hill

Charles Street – Take a stroll down this quaint street where you’ll find vintage boutiques, art galleries, eateries and charming antique shops.

Acorn Street –  Stroll down the most photographed street in Boston.  This quaint, cobblestone street is just a few blocks from the Public Gardens off Charles Street. 

Louisburg Square – This historic square, with its gas street lamps and cobblestone streets, is the most affluent section of Beacon Hill. Look for #19 which is the home to former Secretary of State John Kerry and #10, where author Louisa May Alcott lived until her death in 1888. 

Boston Public Garden –  The Boston Public Garden was established in 1837 and is America’s first botanical garden. This Victorian–style garden, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted , is a tranquil green-space and the perfect place to relax.  

• Meander around the sprawling tree-lined walkways and enjoy the beautiful flowers, weeping willows and other interesting trees throughout the park and surrounding the lagoon.
• Take a walk over the Victorian Foot–Bridge .
• Ride the famous Swan Boats around the lagoon (Mid– April through September).
• See the famous George Washington statue (Arlington Street side).
• Don’t miss the Make way for Ducklings statues (Charles Street side). You may even see them dressed up.

Boston Common –  The Boston Common is considered to be the oldest public park in the United States . Originally, it was used for cattle grazing and even held public hangings. Today, the Boston Common is a popular green-space enjoyed year round by visitors and locals alike. 

The Boston Common is also the official start of the Freedom Trail . To learn more about the Boston Common and the Freedom Trail, see my Ultimate Guide to Boston’s Freedom Trail from a Local .

Charles River Esplanade – The Charles River Esplanade is a three–mile, 64–acre park that runs along the Charles River . To get there from the Public Garden you can take David G. Mugar Way (from the corner of Arlington/Beacon Street) and go over the Arthur Fiddler Bridge to the Esplanade. This is a great place to watch the sunset.

Events are held at the Hatch Shell, including the Fourth of July celebration with the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. 

Eateries near Beacon Hill

Cheers Restaurant and Pub is the bar that inspired the hit TV comedy “Cheers”, starring Ted Danson (86 Beacon Street). Today, it is a popular tourist spot which serves up character inspired menu items and sells “Cheers” merchandise. Everybody may not know your name here (like the show), but it will be fun to visit. 

Alibai – Enjoy a cocktail or listen to some music at this trendy cocktail lounge, located in the old Charles Street Jail at the Liberty Hotel (215 Charles St.).

21st Amendment is a pub located next to the State House which serves up traditional pub food (150 Bowdoin St.). This eatery, named after the constitutional amendment, is still popular with politicos, lobbyists, and local media, but it also attracts tourists and Beacon Hill residents.

Carrie Nation Restaurant and Cocktail Club is a 1920 style speakeasy, located a few blocks behind the State House (11 Beacon St.). Dine in the main space or sneak back to the swanky lounge with plush leather seating, dark polished wood and billiards. 

Where to Stay near Beacon Hill

• The Liberty Hotel
• Beacon Hill Hotel
• The Whitney Hotel

Best for Italian Cuisine and Summer Street Festivals

The North End is a maze of narrow streets with some of the city’s oldest buildings and a few famous historic sites. Known as Boston’s “Little Italy” because of its large Italian population, the North End definitely lives up to its reputation.

There are amazing Italian restaurants, cafes and bakeries everywhere you turn and it is a very popular destination for Bostonian’s and visitors alike. 

The North End is an easy walk from Boston’s Waterfront. You can either follow the Freedom Trail markers or pick up Richmond St. at the end of the trellis structure in Christopher Columbus Park near Joe’s Bar and Grille. Just head straight down Richmond St. to Hanover St. which is the main street with the most restaurants.

Things to Do in Boston’s North End

The main draw of the North End is its famous Italian cuisine. This area is definitely a must-experience part of Boston . While you will find amazing cafes, bars, and restaurants throughout the neighborhood, the main concentration of eateries is on Hanover and Salem Streets.  

The Freedom Trail also winds through the North End where you can see the Paul Revere House (Site 12), Old North Church (Site 13) and the Copp’s Burying Ground (Site 14).  

Ultimate Guide to Boston’s Freedom Trail from a Local

Eateries in the North End

There are SO many great restaurants in the North End so you won’t go hungry but they do get very crowded. Making reservations is highly recommended , especially during the high season.

Some of the most historic and popular restaurants include:  

Cantina Italiana is the oldest restaurant in the North End serving classic Italian dishes since 1931.

Mamma Maria is a popular restaurant with rave reviews in the middle of North Square next to the Paul Revere House.

Ristorante Limoncello – Family owned with southern Italian recipes. 

Trattoria il Panino – Boston’s first original Trattoria offering fresh pasta with a late night menu. 

La Famiglia Giorgio’s – Family sized portions of all the classics.

Vinoteca di Monica Ristorante and Pasta Shop – A great selection of traditional favorites and home made pasta. Visit their Pasta Shop next door to get some to bring home. 

After Dinner Delights

Stop in Caffè Vittoria to enjoy a cappuccino, macchiato, latte or signature cocktail after dinner. This is Boston’s first traditional Italian café which opened in 1929.

Save room to treat yourself to a cannoli or other treat at Mike’s Pastry or Modern Pastry –  either place is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings but be sure to bring CASH and be prepared to wait in line which at times is around the corner – but it goes fast and worth the wait.

Where to Stay near the North End

• Bricco Suites
• Battery Wharf Hotel
• Boston Yacht Haven Inn
• Canopy By Hilton Boston Downtown

Charlestown

Best for Maritime and Colonial History 

Charlestown is a quaint waterfront town with Irish–American roots and a rich maritime history. 

The neighborhood features charming historical buildings and narrow streets that offer a glimpse into Boston’s colonial past. Most visitors come to Charlestown to finish off the last two stops of the Freedom Trail, but this area has much more to explore. 

Charlestown is on the northern side of the city and about a 30 minute walk from the North End. If you’re not up for walking, you can pick up a ferry from Long Wharf at the Waterfront that will bring you over to the Charlestown Navy Yard. 

Things to do in Charlestown

Charlestown Navy Yard: Take a stroll along the waterfront and explore the Charlestown Navy Yard and see the dry docks. Stop to admire the statues and sculpture art that is scattered around the Navy Yard. 

USS Constitution (Freedom Trail site #15) –  Tour “Old Ironsides”, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Admission is Free. 

USS Cassin Young –  Explore a historic navy destroyer which served in World War II. Admission is Free.  

USS Constitution Museum: Stop in the museum to learn about the history of “Old Ironsides” and the United States Navy through interactive exhibits, artifacts, and engaging displays. 

Bunker Hill Monument (Freedom Trail site #16) –  Head over to Bunker Hill to climb the 294 steps to the top of the iconic Bunker Hill Monument to get panoramic views of Boston. 

Eateries near Charlestown

The Anchor is a fun wine and beer garden next to the Navy Yard. Enjoy free comedy on Sunday nights starting in May. (1 Shipyard Park)

The Warren Tavern is one of the most historic taverns in America. Step into this cozy restaurant for a cold one or for some great chowder or lobster mac & cheese. (2 Pleasant St,)

Pier 6 – An upscale restaurant that offers fresh seafood and other New England favorites with waterfront views. (1 8th St)

Where to Stay near Charlestown

Charlestown is a little off–the–beaten–path from the main sightseeing attractions with limited options for accommodations. 

Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Harbor on Tudor Wharf

Looking for a unique and more affordable place to stay while you’re in Boston? Consider staying on a yacht or houseboat where you get lulled to sleep by the gentle waves and wake up to incredible views of Boston Harbor. Check out Bed and Breakfast Afloat at Constitution Marina and Green Turtle to see if this is for you. 

Seaport District

Best for a Modern City Experience 

Boston’s Seaport district has undergone a huge rejuvenation over the last couple years and has been transformed into a bustling area with a cosmopolitan vibe .

Take a ride down Seaport Boulevard and you will feel the energy with the high rise hotels, restaurants and colorful art sculptures scattered along the roadways. For anyone who has not been to this section of Boston for a few years, you will be amazed at the difference. I know I was!

The Seaport is shiny and new so you won’t get the real feel of historic Boston staying in this area. It is also a little removed from the main sightseeing attractions. If you have time, definitely venture over to experience this new area once you explore the historic areas of Boston. 

Things to do in Boston’s Seaport District

Seaport Boulevard: Stroll along the glitzy Seaport Boulevard to explore the sleek restaurants, bars and colorful public art scattered about. This newly revitalized area evokes a sense of energy with its high rise hotels and countless options for fun.  

  The Lawn on D – Stop by Boston’s “Back Yard” for some outdoor fun with lawn games, illuminated swings, bocce ball and new Pickleball court. (420 D St,)  

The Pavillion – An outdoor amphitheater that hosts live performances and events from May through October. (290 Northern Ave,)

Institute of Contemporary Art – Visit the ICA to see some interesting exhibits. (25 Harbor Shore Drive)

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum – Step back in time and enjoy a dramatic and interactive reenactment of Boston’s famous Tea Party. (306 Congress St.)

Open Air Market –  If you will be visiting during the holiday season, be sure to visit the SnowPort Holiday Market. This outdoor market is host to over 200 local artisans and vendors where you can pick up some unique gifts. SnowPort was such a success, there is also a Summer Market as well.

Eateries near Boston’s Seaport District

James Hook & Co. – This little shack on the edge of Seaport Boulevard has been serving the freshest lobster and New England favorites since 1925 and is said to have the best lobster roll in town.  (440 Atlantic Ave,) 

Lookout Rooftop and Bar – This Seaport restaurant atop of the Envoy Hotel offers killer panoramic views of the city as well as delicious options for small bites. Head downstairs to The Outlook which offers a full menu. (70 Sleeper St)

Row 34 is a hot spot with exceptional seafood, specializing in locally sourced oysters with its shucking station.   (383 Congress St.)   

Lucky’s Lounge – A speak–easy style underground bar which serves up an assortment of casual eats and comfort food in a lively atmosphere. While there is an address, there is no sign out front. (355 Congress St.)

The Barking Crab – The Barking Crab is a landmark Boston restaurant. This casual waterfront eatery offers fresh, local seafood and is a popular place for boaters to dock and eat. (88 Sleeper St.)

Where to Stay in Boston’s Seaport District

Stay in the Seaport District if you are looking for more of a modern city experience and not planning on exploring many of Boston’s historic sites. There is plenty to do in this area but you will have to travel to get to the main tourist areas.

• Yotel Boston
• The Envoy Hotel
• Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Downtown Seaport
• Seaport Hotel Boston

Fenway– Kenmore Area

Best for Visiting Fenway Park and Nightlife

The Fenway– Kenmore area is home to Fenway Park , the home ballpark for the Red Sox, and the iconic Citgo sign which lights up Kenmore Square. While Fenway Park draws large crowds to this area, it is also where you will find some of the best museums.

With its large concentration of universities and lively restaurants, music venues and nightlife, this urban area of Boston is high energy and has a younger population. 

Things to do in Boston’s Fenway–Kenmore Area

Fenway Park (4 Jersey St,) – Fenway Park is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and has been home to the Red Sox since 1912.

If the Red Sox are in town and you love baseball, try to get tickets to watch a game at this historic ballpark. You can also take the Fenway Park Tour to get up close and learn all about the history and legendary players. 

Boston Citgo Sign – This iconic landmark that overlooks Kenmore Square can be seen all around the city and has become a treasured beacon in the city since 1940. The sign changed to its current logo in 1965, lighting up the sky with neon lights. In 1983, it almost had its demise, but us Bostonians were outraged and protested. Thankfully, the sign was saved with a long–term commitment to protect it for decades to come. 

The MGM Music Hall is Boston’s newest live music venue in the Fenway area which hosts top pop artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars and James Taylor. (2 Lansdowne St.) 

Museum of Fine Arts – The MFA is a world–class museum and one of the largest art museums in the country. The collection encompasses nearly 500,000 works of art, including art from ancient Egyptian to contemporary. It also hosts works by renowned artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt. (465 Huntington Ave.)

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – This unique museum showcases the personal art collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner with a gorgeous courtyard garden. It is also famous for the 1990 Art Heist where 13 paintings were stolen and never recovered. Today, empty frames still hang as a reminder of the loss of these precious works of art. (25 Evans Way) 

Symphony Hall – Experience world–class performances at Symphony Hall, the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. (301 Massachusetts Ave) 

Landsdowne Street – One of Boston’s most lively night time destinations where you will find lots of restaurants, clubs, bars and gaming rooms making it popular with the college crowd. 

Back Bay Fens – Stroll through this sprawling green-space which is part of the Emerald Necklace, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. 

Christian Science Center Plaza – This impressive plaza with its reflective pool is the world headquarters of the Christian Science Church. Stop in the Mary Baker Eddy Library to see its world–famous Mapparium , an amazing 3D illuminated perspective of the globe. (Intersection of Massachusetts Ave, Clearway St, Belvidere St, and Huntington Ave.)

Eateries in Fenway–Kenmore Area

Cask ‘n Flagon – A legendary Fenway hangout since 1969 which is usually packed with Sox fans before and after games. (62 Brookline Ave.) 

Bleacher Bar – This upscale sports bar located inside Fenway Park overlooks the outfield. Plan it right and you can enjoy some great food while you get to watch the game for free!  (82A Lansdowne St,)

Loretta’s Last Call –  Get your country fix here with live music, weekly line–dancing, and other fun events. Loretta’s serves up country classics with a late night donut shop until 2:00am. (1 Lansdowne St.)

TimeOut Market –  Not sure what you want to eat? Time Out Market has you covered. This eatery offers selections from around the world including Italian, Mediterranean, Asian, and American influences. (401 Park St.) 

Where to Stay near Fenway–Kenmore Area

Staying in this area is not really recommended for First Time visitors since it is so far away from the heart of the city and historic sites and attractions. If you plan to take in a baseball game or visit one of the museums in the area, make it a day trip.

That said, here are a few suggestions just in case this is the spot for you. For all you Rock n’ Roll music lovers, check out the Verb.  

• The Eliot  
• Residence by Marriott Back Bay/Fenway

Best Time to Visit Boston

Boston is an amazing city to visit no matter what time of year. While Summer is the most popular time, the city awakens with beautiful flowers in the Spring and transforms into vibrant fall colors in the autumn. Winter can be cold and snowy but it can be magical as well with all the holiday glitter.

Bottom Line

A visit to Boston is an absolute must! It is truly amazing to learn about its history and admire the incredible architecture all around the city. As you explore the city, you’ll find each neighborhood is unique and offers a very different experience.

For First Time Visitors, the Downtown Waterfront area is where you will likely want to spend much of your time since that is where the majority of the historic sites are located.

The other must-see areas for a first timer would be Copley Square and the Beacon Hill area, including the tranquil Boston Public Garden and Boston Common . Of course, you will also need to experience at least one authentic Italian dinner in the North End while you are in town. Just be sure to make reservations and bring cash for a famous cannoli.

We can’t wait for you to come visit…Happy travels.

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How to Spend One Perfect Day in Boston, MA (Itinerary + Tips!)

Boston is one of our absolute favorite cities in the USA, and luckily, even one day in Boston, MA is enough to get an overview of what makes the city so special!

We once spent a delightful summer living in Boston, and return visits have continued to leave us increasingly enchanted with the city.

With its gorgeous architecture, deep ties to American history, and impressive walkability, Boston is incredibly fun to explore, whether you have a mere 24 hours in Boston or months to uncover Beantown’s best attractions.

We designed this one day Boston itinerary to help you discover as many of the city’s highlights as possible in a single day–all of which are found along a walkable route!

The famous Freedom Trail, the charming North End (also known as Boston’s Little Italy), stately Beacon Hill, and the bustling Market District are all touched on here, and our hope is that you say goodbye to Boston already excited to plan your next visit.

Here’s how to see the best of Boston in a day!

Table of Contents

The Perfect One Day in Boston Itinerary

What about the freedom trail, where to stay in boston, ma, more than 24 hours in boston, getting around during one day in boston, quick tips for seeing boston in a day, read more about visiting boston (and new england), your one day boston itinerary map.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Start your morning in the Boston Public Garden.

The Boston Public Garden is one of our favorite places in the city and the perfect place to kick off your day in Boston.

The garden is quiet and beautiful, and it’s a great place to relax, take a walk, and enjoy a bit of peace in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city.

With only 24 hours in Boston (or less, if you’re planning a day trip to Boston) you don’t need to spend long here, but it’s worth stopping by and makes a convenient starting point.

Be sure to check out the Make Way for Ducklings Statue, put in place for the famous children’s book that features Boston, while you’re there! If you’d like to enjoy views of the Public Garden from the water, the swan paddle boats in the garden’s pond are famously inexpensive at $3.00/ride.

Stroll through the Boston Common and enjoy views of the Massachusetts State House.

Located right next door to the Public Garden, the Boston Common is the heart and soul of the city.

Established in 1634, it’s the oldest public park in the USA–though the surroundings are quite a bit different than they were back in the 17th century!

Today, the Common is extremely centrally located, and within a few minutes walk from here you can be in Beacon Hill, in Back Bay, at the Massachusetts State House, in the Theater District, shopping at Downtown Crossing (where you’ll find all the standard chain stores), or exploring a piece of American history (which, of course, the Boston Common itself also is).

The park is gorgeous to walk through–be sure to take in plenty of views of the gold-domed Massachusetts State House while you’re there!

Meander through Beacon Hill, one of the prettiest places to visit in Boston.

Located directly north of the Boston Common (more or less behind the state house), Beacon Hill is widely considered one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Boston and is my personal favorite to explore.

This is where you’ll find the Boston that you see on postcards: redbrick mansions, black shutters, a cobblestone path or two, tree-lined streets.

We recommend walking from Boston Common up to Louisburg Square, which boasts some of the most prestigious addresses in Boston (former Secretary of State John Kerry lives here).

From there, take a quick stroll to Acorn Street to take advantage of one of Boston’s most photogenic spots.

Just be sure to be cognizant of the residents as you snap photos!

Beacon Hill is a very residential neighborhood, and while photos and admirers are generally welcome, blocking doorways and climbing stoops is not.

Stop by Park Street Church and the Granary Hill Burying Ground.

After enjoying a bit of time in Beacon Hill, head back down to Boston Common and pay a visit to the Park Street Church and Granary Burying Ground, which are located right next door to the Common.

While you can see the bulk of the cemetery from the street, it’s a shady, peaceful spot, and worth a quick peek inside (only a quick one, though: this one day Boston itinerary features a somewhat outsized number of burying grounds).

As you step inside, you’ll notice a large monument with a very familiar name in Granary Burying Ground!

Benjamin Franklin’s parents are buried here, and a monument to the family is erected toward the center of the cemetery.

Visit King’s Chapel and Burying Ground.

The King’s Chapel is my favorite church in Boston to go inside–not because it is ornate, but because it is so unusual among US churches.

Built originally as an Anglican Church in the 18th century, the church has enclosed “boxes” instead of rows of pews.

Originally, prominent families who were members of the church would have a box of their own that they would sit in each Sunday.

The King’s Chapel still has an active congregation–but these days, instead of Anglicans, Unitarians call the chapel home.

Sample the original Boston Creme Pie at the Omni Parker House.

Think you need to make a reservation and sit down to a meal to eat the original Boston Creme Pie?

You definitely don’t!

The Omni Parker House has a small shop on the first floor selling the delicious cakes, and stopping to pick one up is a great way to sample the flavor without eating up too much of your one day in Boston (pun intended).

If you want to also try the original Parker House rolls (which are, in fact, delicious), then consider following in the footsteps of Ulysses S. Grant, John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and many more by planning a meal ( or even an overnight stay ) at the Omni Parker House as well.

Stop to admire the Old Corner Bookstore.

The former home of Anne Hutchinson has acted as a bookstore, an apothecary, a private home, a Boston Globe souvenir shop, a diamond store, and now a Chipotle: talk about evolution!

The building is still worth a nod as you go by, though (and is officially part of the Freedom Trail, despite its concurrent status as a place to grab a burrito).

The Old Corner Bookstore also happens to be set right across from the Irish Famine Memorial–a striking statue worth taking a look at during your day visiting Boston.

Pay a visit to the Old State House and the site of the Boston Massacre.

As the oldest surviving public building in Boston, the Old State House has seen more than its fair share of American history!

This building was once the seat of the colonial government, then became the seat of the Massachusetts state government, and eventually Boston City Hall.

And, of course, it was the site of an important moment in the American Revolution: the Boston Massacre, which is commemorated with a plaque in the exact location of the altercation.

The Old State House has been a museum since the 19th century, after more than 100 years in public service and a brief stint as a commercial building.

As you wander your way through Boston on your way to the Old State House, be sure to note the Old South Meeting House along the way!

Head to the Boston Market District to browse (and snack).

The Market District is easily one of the most iconic places to visit in Boston, and a must-see when sampling Boston in a day!

Made up of several markets that are found in very close proximity to each other, there have been markets operating in this area since at least 1743.

Starting with the most famous (though not necessarily the best place to shop), keep an eye out for:

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Made up of closely located Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, South Market, and North Market, this is the heart of Boston’s historic market district.

It’s also one of the most touristy places in the USA, comparably with places like Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco or Navy Pier in Chicago .

It’s definitely worth stopping by this historic spot during your day in Boston, but we wouldn’t recommend spending long here (and based on the usual levels of crowds, you probably won’t want to).

Boston Public Market

Looking to purchase some New England specialties, whether to devour immediately or to take home as souvenirs?

Boston Public Market is the perfect spot for that: featuring exclusively New England-based products and companies, you can pick up anything from produce to donuts to crafts here.

This is one of my favorite spots in Boston–and not just because of how good the ice cream is!

If you’re lucky enough to have your 24 hours in Boston overlap with a Friday or Saturday, be sure to swing by Haymarket (located right in front of the Boston Public Market) to check out a fabulous farmer’s market!

Pause at the New England Holocaust Memorial.

Right in between the Boston Public Market/Haymarket area and the Faneuil Hall Marketplace sits the sobering New England Holocaust Memorial.

It takes very little time to walk through–no line, no entrance fee–but is absolutely worth taking a moment to slow down and appreciate.

Make your way into the North End for some sightseeing.

Boston’s North End (also known as “Little Italy”, though you won’t catch a local calling it that) is the oldest neighborhood in Boston and a fascinating sort of place.

Once a neighborhood popular with Italian immigrants, today it is more popular with tourists thanks to its beautiful architecture, many historic sights, dozens of restaurants, and famous pastry shops.

Here are a few things to be sure to check out when visiting the North End!

Paul Revere House

The oldest remaining building in downtown Boston once belonged to none other than Paul Revere!

Whether you head inside for a tour as part of your one day Boston itinerary, or simply admire the facade as you stroll by, be sure to note this piece of American history sitting in the North End.

Old North Church

And speaking of Paul Revere…

The whole “one if by land, two if by sea” story?

That lantern was said to have been hung here, at the Old North Church (which also happens to be the oldest church in Boston that is still standing today).

You’ll find a statue of Paul Revere on his horse nearby as well.

Copp’s Hill Burying Ground + The Spite House

Boston’s second-oldest cemetery holds more than 1200 marked graves that include plenty of notable burials from the colonial era… but that’s not the only reason to visit.

Right across the street from Copp’s Hill Burying Ground sits the Spite House (also known as the Skinny House), which is home to one of my favorite Boston stories.

As the story goes, two brothers inherited land from their father.

While one was away serving in the American Civil War, the other brother built a large home, taking over part of the soldier’s inheritance.

When the soldier returned home, he built the “Spite House”–incredibly skinny, and yet incredibly effective at blocking his brother’s view.

The legitimacy of the story is somewhat questionable, but it’s a classic Boston tale.

Enjoy an Italian-American dinner in the North End.

While the North End is indisputably touristy today, it still serves up incredible Italian-American food… if you know where to look.

Like many iconic neighborhoods around the world, you’ll find a mix of mediocre-to-terrible tourist traps and delicious restaurants here, so it’s imperative to check reviews before sitting down!

We have loved our experiences at both Ristorante Euno and Tresca (pictured below: everything was delicious, but their house special of chicken parm made with vodka sauce was a standout!).

Not in the mood for Italian-American food?

I can’t say I understand, but you do have options!

The Bell in Hand Tavern (the burger is one of my favorites) and the Union Oyster House are both Boston classics that you can find nearby, and Neptune Oyster is another excellent option (I’m not an oyster fan and found plenty of tasty options when visiting).

More into ambiance than anything and not ready to hang up your sightseeing hat?

A scenic dinner cruise on the Boston Harbor might be right for you!

Book your dinner cruise on the Boston Harbor today!

… and some classic pastries for dessert!

If you’ve heard one thing about eating dessert (and specifically cannoli) in the North End, it’s probably about how delicious Mike’s Pastry is.

If you’ve heard two things, it’s probably that Modern Pastry is better and more “unknown”.

Here’s what we can tell you firsthand: Modern Pastry is tasty (though it’s no longer unknown and getting more popular every day), and the line at Mike’s Pastry is always too long for us to bother with (though we’ve heard from others it dies down sometimes–if you visit in the winter, you might get lucky!).

Looking for something slightly further off the beaten path?

We found the beautiful Caffé Vittoria thanks to my stepmom (a Boston local of 30 years) and it’s now our go-to pastry spot in the North End, with great prices, a beautiful interior, and delicious desserts.

If you know of one attraction in Boston, it’s probably the Freedom Trail.

This famous 2.5-mile sightseeing trail covers 16 historical sights related to American history in Boston and it is easily (and deservedly!) one of the most popular things to do in the city.

So don’t worry–it’s definitely on the list!

In fact, the vast majority of the  16 sights on the Freedom Trail  are covered as part of this one day Boston itinerary, including the Boston Common, Park Street Church, King’s Chapel, Faneuil Hall, every historical sight I discuss in the North End, and more.

By following this Boston itinerary, you’ll spend quite a bit of time walking the Freedom Trail, and you’ll have tons of opportunities to check out the brick markings that denote where it leads!

Rather than simply list something so vague and malleable as part of the itinerary, though, we wanted to be sure to give specific suggestions.

After all, the trail can be seen in any order and doesn’t need to be seen all at once!

With only 24 hours in Boston, you likely won’t be able to tour the interior of each building, but you’ll see them from the outside and can pick and choose which ones to enter.

With only 24 hours in Boston, we recommend staying somewhere close to a Boston T (metro) stop that is near the center of the action.

The North End is a tempting option, but it is fairly difficult to get in and out of.

Back Bay or the Historic Downtown area along the Freedom Trail are both ideal places to stay.

The Theatre District (near Downtown Crossing and Chinatown) is another solid option with a great central location.

If budget is an issue, you may need to go a bit further out. That’s not a problem–just make sure you’re within walking distance of a T stop!

For budget travelers not willing to sacrifice on location, the HI Boston Hostel is a great option.

Mid-range travelers will love the location (and breakfast) at the Boston Park Plaza .

Want access to a kitchenette in your room? Copley House features some studios and apartments!

For travelers looking to splurge, the Boston Omni Parker House Hotel has it all: history, a prime location on the Freedom Trail, plenty of ambiance, and of course, the original Parker House rolls and Boston cream pie served right on-site.

Check rates & book your stay in Boston today!

If you’re lucky enough to have more than 24 hours in Boston, it’s safe to say that you absolutely will not run out of things to do!

With a full weekend in Boston or more, the first things we’d recommend adding on would be plenty of time exploring the neighborhood of Back Bay, getting out on the water with a whale-watching cruise or harbor cruise , and visiting at least one museum.

Boston is chock full of world-class museums, but you can’t go wrong with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (the Venetian-style building alone is worth a visit, and the museum is famously the victim of a heist ), the Museum of Science, or the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum (especially if you’re visiting Boston with kids, but it’s fun for all ages).

Other fun things to do in Boston include visiting Fenway (or even attending a Red Sox game), saying hello to the penguins at the New England Aquarium, or digging into some of Boston’s hidden gems and visiting quirky attractions like the Mapparium (one of the most memorable maps we’ve ever laid eyes on!).

If you’d like to complete the Freedom Trail, the USS Constitution, and the Bunker Hill Memorial are both a bit further from the city center than the attractions covered in this one day Boston itinerary, but they’re well worth a visit!

And, while it doesn’t make sense with only 24 hours in Boston, if you are staying longer and checking out some of the above attractions, be sure to price out a Boston Go Card to see if it can save you money on your trip!

Here’s our full guide to 55 cool things to do in Boston.

Thanks in large part to the fact that Boston’s historic core was built long before horseless carriages took over the roadways, the best things to do with a day in Boston are found surprisingly close together!

This entire one day in Boston itinerary is found along a walkable route that takes about an hour in total to cover, though that depends highly on how much you meander in places like the Boston Common and Beacon Hill (and meandering is truly one of the best parts of visiting Boston).

Walking doesn’t appeal?

If so, the wildly popular Boston Duck Tour or a Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Tour might be right for you.

If you want to trim just some walking, or need an efficient way to get back to your hotel at the end of the night, Boston’s subway system (the T) has several stops near this route that you can take advantage of.

If you’re driving into the city for the day, there’s a very convenient parking garage right under the Boston Common that will deliver you more or less right to the starting point of this Boston itinerary.

Alternatively, you could park in a garage outside the city center and take one of the commuter rails into the city (less convenient, but generally less expensive and allows you to avoid driving into the city center).

Pick and choose your indoor attractions (weather permitting).

This itinerary for Boston mentions several buildings-turned-small-museums that don’t take long to step inside individually, but add up to eat up a decent chunk of your day (and in the case of some, your wallet).

For places like the King’s Chapel, Old South Meeting House, Paul Revere’s House, etc., we’re assuming that you’ll see each from the outside as you walk the Freedom Trail, and pick and choose which to enter based on your personal sightseeing style.

And, you may be more inclined to spend more time inside museums on a winter day than a summer one!

Tickets generally run between $5 and $15 per adult for each attraction.

Some Freedom Trail attractions, like Faneuil Hall , the Boston Common, and the burying grounds, are free to visit.

Don’t want to walk? Consider a Duck Tour.

Cheesy? Yes.

Entertaining? Absolutely.

Boston’s Duck Tours are famous for the unmistakable truck-slash-boat contraptions that they cart tourists around in by both land and sea, and they’re very popular with visitors of all ages.

Corniness aside, if you’re looking for an excellent way to get an overview of Boston’s most famous sights and history without too much walking, a Duck Tour might be the right choice for you!

The tours do sell out, especially in the summer, so be sure to book in advance if you want to make a Duck Tour part of your 24 hour Boston itinerary!

Book your duck tour in Boston today!

… but wandering is at least half the fun.

I truly can’t overstate this enough: Boston is one of the absolute best cities in the US to explore on foot (personally, I’d say Savannah is the other city closest to its level, with places like New York , Charleston , and New Orleans also ranking extremely close).

If you arrive in Boston with dry weather and no mobility issues, wear your most comfortable shoes and spend the day hitting the pavement!

You’ll see and experience much more on foot in Boston than you would any other way, and hopefully have a lot of fun as you do.

Keep the season in mind.

Boston is an extremely seasonal destination, with sightseeing crowds peaking in the summer and fall (when the fall foliage is at its best in New England, the crowds are plentiful in Boston).

… but Boston can be enjoyed year-round.

Summer and fall may be most popular, but there are benefits to visiting Boston year-round… as long as you’re willing to bundle up!

Winter, while cold and dark, is a much less crowded time to spend a day in Boston (and it’s much easier on the wallet).

Spring brings temperamental weather, but increasingly longer days and the fun of watching the city wake up.

With a big enough coat and thick enough boots, we’d be happy to visit Boston year-round.

Make your dinner reservations in advance.

This itinerary for Boston in a day suggests having dinner in Boston’s famous North End… and while the experience is absolutely worth it, you don’t want to show up without a reservation!

The neighborhood’s restaurant scene is incredibly popular, and without planning ahead, you may end up finding yourself without a table–or worse, at a tourist trap restaurant rather than a delicious one.

Same-day or next-day reservations are generally all that’s needed on weekdays and/or if you’re willing to eat on the early or late side, but ideally, it’s best to plan at least a couple of days in advance (or longer if you’re heading out on a summer Saturday night and are hoping to nab a table at a trendy new place).

Planning a trip to Boston soon, and want to keep reading?

You can browse all of our 100+ USA blog posts here , or check out these guides:

• 55 Best Things to Do in Boston (+ Travel Tips!)
• 21 Best Places to Visit in New England
• 17 Fun Weekend Getaways from Boston
• 15 Amazing Things to Do in Acadia National Park
• 15 Wicked Fun Quotes About Boston

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

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The 10 Best Restaurants in Downtown Boston

By: Author Amar Hussain

Posted on Last updated: July 6, 2023

While there are tons of great restaurants all around the city of Boston, here are the spots you won’t want to miss out on in the downtown area. 

Bostonia Public House 

Emmets irish pub + restaurant , haley.henry, high street place , james hook + co , mariel , no. 9 park , sam lagrassa’s , villa mexico cafe , yvonne’s , final thoughts, the best restaurants in downtown boston.

This Boston restaurant contains 2 floors of bars and fare set in a historic building.

Bostonia Public House is a classic meeting space that’s focused on celebrating the history, traditions, and people of Boston.

Here you’ll find an impressive menu of refined-rustic in a space that’s elegant yet unpretentious. A welcoming space that creates the perfect backdrop for any occasion, from casual to celebration.

The fare is crafted from local ingredients and imaginative, paired with thoughtfully selected wine and live entertainment. Bostonia Public House is the perfect go-to for dinner in downtown Boston. 

• Location: 131 State St, Boston, MA 02109

One of the most authentic Irish pubs you’ll find in the city of Boston, you’ll find a menu of completely traditional options, including Guinness on tap and Irish fare.

Emmets Irish Pub + Restaurant brings just a little bit of Ireland to Beacon Hill, right in the heart of downtown Boston.

No matter the occasion, it makes a fun backdrop for sharing a meal or a pint with friends, family, or even coworkers.

The menu contains a combination of classic American pub fare and traditional Irish eats, so you can make the experience as Irish as you’d like.

Plus, the live music and pub atmosphere make any night just a little bit more fun. Emmets Irish Pub Restaurant is a staple in downtown Boston. 

• Location: 6 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108 

While their menu isn’t as diverse as others on this list, it’s a wonderful location in downtown Boston for indulging in a quick bite and a drink.

Haley.henry is an intimate wine bar that focuses on small-production wine and serves up tinned fish and charcuterie to pair.

In a very scarce wine bar scene, they stand out as an immaculate place to taste wine and snack while enjoying time with friends.

Everything on their menu is a small production, natural, or sustainable, including the imported tinned fish and other small bites.

Meant to educate and inspire, no matter your experience with wine haley.henry is a fantastic option for a meal and a drink on the weekend. 

• Location: 45 Province St, Boston, MA 02108 

When it comes to dining in Boston, this is a central hub for dining on all your favorite meals.

High Street Place is a modern food hall featuring a collection of trendy eateries, cocktail spots, and dessert shops, plus live entertainment.

This massive space is an incredible destination for grabbing a meal with friends or taste-testing to find your favorite.

Concepts here include places owned by James Beard-nominated chefs, cocktail experts, and well-known pastry chefs, meaning that nearly everything you try will impress.

Try fresh seafood, local craft beer, baked daily doughnuts, and so much more. High Street Place is the ultimate location for grabbing a meal. 

• Location: 100 High St, Boston, MA 02110 

When fresh seafood is what you’re after, look no further than this local Boston joint.

James Hook + Co has been a family-owned staple to Boston since 1925, offering live lobsters and lobster dinners plus a variety of other seafood options.

You’ll find this spot seaside where you can indulge in New England lobster delivered daily from Maine.

Some of your favorites are found on their menu, including a traditional lobster roll, lobster bisque, lobster mac n cheese, and so much more.

Don’t forget about this shanty by the sea; James Hook + Co is serving some of the best lobsters in the city. 

• Location: 440 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110 

This upscale modern restaurant and cocktail bar brings the charisma and culture of Havana nightlife to the city of Boston.

Mariel is inspired by Cuban specialties and creates an environment of a dreamy nature.

Open for brunch, lunch, dinner, or even just stop in for dessert, you’ll be impressed by the ambiance and fare offered.

Everything on the menu here is slightly elevated with a touch of Cuban inspiration and flare, and you’ll find a wide range of dining options to cater to guests’ needs. Indulge in the experience that is Mariel. 

• Location: 10 Post Office Sq #120, Boston, MA 02109 

You’ll find this local favorite situated in an elegant townhouse in the historical setting of Beacon Hill.

No. 9 Park is an intimate and European-inspired setting with a menu prepared by the acclaimed Chef Barbara Lynch.

The dishes here are inspired by a combination of French and Italian cuisines, bringing them together into refined plates that are simple and focus on flavor.

Along with the delectable menu, you’ll find an exquisite wine list thoughtfully selected, and everything served with warm hospitality. No. 9 Park is the perfect place for celebrating a special occasion. 

• Location: 9 Park St Pl, Boston, MA 02108 

Calling themselves the World’s Number 1 Sandwich, they definitely will make an impression with the mouthwatering specialty handhelds they whip up each day.

Sam LaGrassa’s is a long-standing family-owned and operated sandwich shop that’s been in business for over 38 years now.

They have been named the Number 1 sandwich in Boston, and it’s easy to see why. Only opening for lunch on the weekdays makes for the perfect mid-day break to get away from the office.

Order from their menu of daily specials or create your own masterpiece. Either way, you’ll be back for more at Sam LaGrassa’s. 

• Location: 44 Province St, Boston, MA 02018 

Serving authentic and homemade Mexican food in the heart of Boston.

Villa Mexico Cafe is well known to be home to the best burritos in the city, but anything on their menu is well worth a visit.

Any time of day, you can join them for delicious made-from-scratch meals made from only the freshest ingredients and family recipes.

They can even cater your next party or big event with a menu filled with all the Mexican favorites. You’ll taste the difference between local products, and everything made fresh daily.

Choose from mild to extra spicy and add all the toppings you want, or if a burrito isn’t your thing, check out their tamales, flautas, tostadas, tacos, quesadillas, and more. Villa Mexico Cafe is a great choice in downtown Boston. 

• Location: 121 Water St, Boston, MA 02109 

Here you’ll find an unforgettable venue that creates the perfect backdrop for any occasion.

Yvonne’s Restaurant and Supper Club redefines the classic dining experience with an exquisite rotating menu of seasonal fare.

Place a reservation and prepare to join them for an unparalleled meal handcrafted from scratch ingredients.

You’ll be in awe of the dark and intimate ornate decor and cocktails that match the extravagance. Indulge in the Supper Club in a new way at Yvonne’s. 

• Location: 2 Winter Pl, Boston, MA 02018 

You won’t need to go much further than downtown Boston for some of the best food this city has to offer. 

Boston Historical Sites: 21 Must-See Stops for History Buffs

Teeming with history around every corner, Boston boasts an abundance of significant sites for history buffs.

From walking the Freedom Trail to strolling through historic cemeteries, visitors are bound to learn something new about our nation’s roots. Discover the must-see Boston historical sites so you can get the most out of your trip.

Historical Boston Sites: The Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail connects many of the most significant sites of our nation’s history, all within the city of Boston. Featuring a trail of museums, churches, meeting houses, parks, a ship, burying grounds, and historic places in Boston, each site tells its own history in Boston regarding the American Revolution and beyond.

Related Post: One Day in Boston: How to Make the Most of 24 Hours

This 2.5-mile trail features sixteen historic Boston sites from the Boston Common to Paul Revere’s house in the North End. Of course, you don’t need a tour to follow the markers, although tours are available during business hours.

Historical Things in Boston: Charles River Esplanade

Stroll down the scenic Charles River Esplanade in the Back Bay Area for beautiful views, sun, and exercise. Stretching for 17 miles, visitors can walk, bike, canoe, kayak, rollerblade, and more. There’s even a playground for kids to explore.

In addition, visitors can catch free summertime concerts as well as free moving showings at the Hatch Shell. Furthermore, the Hatch Shell features the iconic free Boston Pops concert each July 4th.

Historical Sites: Boston Common

Founded in 1634, the  Boston Common serves as an incredibly historic site with ties to the Revolutionary War, anti-Vietnam War rallies, civil rights rallies, and much more.

Related Post: Current Events and Festivals in Boston

Now owned by a nonprofit organization, the park contains beautiful walkways, fountains, statues, and play areas. Further, many families go ice-skating in the Frog Pond each year.

In addition, the Boston Common encompasses several Boston historic sites and monuments including:

• The Great Elm
• Brewer Fountain
• John Paul II Placard
• Central Burying Ground
• Soldiers and sailors Monument
• Boston Foundation Monument

Historic Sites in Boston: Faneuil Hall Marketplace

One of the most significant sites along the Freedom Trail , Faneuil Hall has served as a meeting place since the 1740s.

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Once a hotspot for hearing speeches during the Revolutionary War, it’s now home to Quincy Market where visitors can wander through food stalls and dine at numerous eateries. One of the top Boston historical sites, this is a perfect stop once you get hungry.

Historical Places in Boston: Battle of Bunker Hill Monument & Museum

The Bunker Hill Monument and Museum commemorates one of the first important battles of the Revolutionary War.

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Standing 221 feet, visitors can obtain a climbing pass from the museum to climb to the top for incredible views. Across the street from the monument, the museum showcases exhibits on the battle, construction of the monument, and the history of Charlestown.

One of the most important historical sites in Boston, you don’t want to skip out.

Historic Sites: Boston Massacre Site

Along the Freedom Trail lies a marker indicating the site of the Boston Massacre . Located at the intersection of State and Congress Streets outside of the Old State House downtown, the marker lies a few yards away from where the massacre took place on March 5, 1770.

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Each year, the Bostonian Society hosts reenactments of this significant historical event that led to the rallying of Bostonians against the British Crown and the expulsion of occupying troops.

Historic Things to Do in Boston: The Paul Revere House

Built in 1680, this iconic Bostonian residence houses three generations of fascinating history. First built and owned by a wealthy merchant, Paul Revere then bought the two-story home in 1770, where he lived with his wife, his children, and his mother.

After he sold the home in 1800, the house operated as a boarding house for sailors, immigrant tenement, and various businesses throughout the years. In 1908, the house opened to the public as one of the earliest house museums in the nation after restoration.

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Today, the house stands as the oldest building in Downtown Boston and one of the few 17th-century buildings in our nation’s inner cities.

Visitors are welcome to self-tour the period-furnished home of Revere’s family and learn about their lives and the real story of the historic Midnight Ride.

Boston Tea Party Ships Museum

With seven distinct sections highlighting the Boston Tea Party of 1773, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum enables guests to travel back in time through interactive exhibits.

Guests can experience reenactments of the historic event with full-scale replica 18th-century sailing vessels, historic artifacts, live actors, a multi-sensory award-winning film, and much more. Note that you need to purchase a ticket to tour sections 1-5 of the museum.

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Old North Church

Visit the site that launched the American Revolution and the phrase, “One if by land, two if by sea.” Made famous due to Paul Revere’s midnight ride to signal the arrival of British troops, the Old North Church lies along the Freedom Trail.

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Founded in 1723, the church is the oldest standing church in Boston. Visitors are welcome to take a seat in one of the box pews and listen to an eight-minute talk on the history of the church and the midnight ride.

Furthermore, guests can relax in out of the church’s five gardens, visit the gift shop, or learn about 18th-century chocolate through the colonial chocolate program. In addition, visitors can see the Patriots Corner Gallery in the historic Clough House. For a more exclusive, detailed peek into the past, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour.

Old State House Museum

Built in 1713, the Old State House once served as a seat of British power before transforming to a meeting hall for crucial debates that sparked the American Revolution.

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Today, visitors can connect to our nation’s roots through interactive, hands-on exhibits suitable for all ages. Explore the Revolutionary story of Massachusetts, experience the Council Chamber as it once appeared in the 18th century. Also, learn about the Boston Massacre, and much more.

The Black Heritage Trail & Museum of African American History

The Black Heritage Trail  walking tour in Beacon Hill guides visitors through 14 significant ships that played a role in shaping African American history. You can stop by the Abiel Smith School for a helpful, free map.

Moreover, the Museum of African American History , located in the former Abiel Smith School, takes visitors on a journey through Boston’s Black history. The Boston African American National Historic Site is the largest museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans in New England with one site in Boston and another on the Island of Nantucket.

USS Constitution

Fun fact: The USS Constitution is the oldest ship in the world still afloat. Better yet, the public is welcome to visit this historic ship, which is permanently locked in the Charleston Navy Yard.

Explore what life at sea was like over 200 years ago with a free tour. Note that tours are available every 30 minutes days from 10 am – 4 pm (extended hours offered during summer).

Old South Meeting House

The Old South Meeting House has served as an active center for free speech and civic dialogue since the 18th century.

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Built in 1729 as a Puritan congregational church, the meeting house eventually served as the organizing point for the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Since 1877, Old South has operated as museum, historic site, education institution, and center for public forums and performances.

JFK Presidential Library & Museum

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum commemorates the 35th president’s life, leadership, and legacy. Located on a ten-acre park, the library features an extensive collection of historic materials that detail President Kennedy’s administration and the politics of his time.

Irish Heritage Trail

Did you know that the largest ethnic group in Boston is Irish (almost 16% of the population)?

You can walk the free Irish Heritage Trail to learn about some of the most noteworthy contributions made by the Irish community. Overall, visitors can see 16 sites along the 3-mile trail.

Boston Public Library

A beautiful work of architecture, The Boston Public Library contains more than 1.7 million rare books and manuscripts as well as a major art collection. Further, because of its vast collection of works, the Boston Public Library is considered one of the five most important libraries in the nation. Guests are welcome to take a free tour to learn more about the library’s history and collections, which is offered multiple times a day.

Historical Things to See in Boston: Burial Grounds

Because Boston is almost 400 years old, the city’s graveyards boast fascinating characters and historical significance around every corner. For instance, the Granary Burying Ground houses many notable historical figures such as John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, Crispus Attucks, and Robert Treat Paine. One of the top Boston historical things to do, visiting the burial grounds is more fascinating than creepy.

With three active graveyards and sixteen historic burial grounds, those interested in the macabre won’t be bored.

Boston History Sites: Boston Athenaeum

The Boston Athenaeum is one of the oldest and most prestigious independent libraries and cultural establishments in the nation.

Formed in 1805, the Athenaeum has informed the masses on works of literature, the arts, history, sciences, and more, now containing over half a million volumes.

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In addition, the institution houses an impressive art gallery and presents exhibitions, and sponsors concerts, lectures, and community discussions.

Further, guests can find the infamous human skin book in the first-floor reading room. Included in the admission fee, you’ll find the memoirs of criminal James Allen (aka George Walton), which are bound in his skin.

Historic Things to See: Boston Garden

The oldest public garden in the United States, the Boston Public Garden was established in 1837 and presents many lovely meandering walkways, species of flowers and plants, and bird species that populate the area. Guests can ride the Swan Boats, picnic, play sports, and much more.

Boston Harbor Islands

The Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area presents 34 islands and peninsulas that enable visitors to see historic lighthouses, hike, camp, fish, swim, and more.

Further, Fort Warren on Goerges Island offers tours and fun, educational special events. Visitors can take a short car, ferry, and boat ride away from downtown to reach the islands.

Castle Island

Castle Island has housed several forts since 1643, with Fort Independence serving as the most notable.

Built in the mid-19th century, Fort Independence was under federal control and used by the military during WWI and WWII. Today, this 22-acre urban park is open to the public, weather permitting, from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

Boston Go Pass

Want to save up to 55% on admission to over 30 attractions and tours for a low price? Go Boston Pass is your key to simplifying your Boston travel itinerary (and budget).

Choose between the Go Boston All-Inclusive Pass or Go Boston Explorer Pass to customize your trip! Read more in our in-depth guide Boston on a Budget: How to Save BIG With a Go City Pass .

Boston Hotels Near Historic Sites

Looking for the best hotels in Boston historic district? We recommend Club Quarters Hotel, Boston, Faneuil Hall for it’s close proximity to all of the must-see Boston Historical Sites.

To get the best deal at the best prices, bundle a Go City Boston ticket with your hotel stay . The Go Boston pass provides entry to more than 15 attractions, tours, and museums, plus you’ll have a close, comfortable place to lay your head at night all for one low price !

Ready to Visit Boston Massachusetts Historical Sites?

Now that you know the best Boston historic sites, where will you venture to first?

Written by Talena M

2 comments about “Boston Historical Sites: 21 Must-See Stops for History Buffs”

Excellent information. Thank you.

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16 Exceptional Coffee Shops Around Boston

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There is no one characteristic that defines the perfect coffee shop — it may be the place within throwing distance of home, the one right by work, or the convenient chain that takes online orders. For some, serious coffee is the priority; others care about the right balance of ambiance, free wifi, and exceptional pastries.

This map features some of the city’s best cafes and coffee shops that meet a variety of needs, from a quick, strong caffeine fix to a place to settle in for an afternoon and catch up on work over a seasonal latte (or three).

Yego Coffee

Owners Francois and Fatuma Tuyishime recently opened this cheery little coffee shop in Somerville’s Teele Square with a focus on exclusively Rwandan coffee growers. Francois is from southwestern Rwanda, where his family grows coffee crops, and the couple’s knowledge of the region’s coffee industry comes through in each expertly brewed cup.

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Curio Coffee

Passing through the Lechmere area and craving a waffle and caffeine? Curio’s got you. Keep an eye out for the ever-changing waffle specials.

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Circus Cooperative Cafe

For those who remember Darwin’s — a local coffee shop chain that completely shut down at the end of 2022 — Circus may feel familiar, as it's in a former Darwin’s location and owned by former Darwin’s employees. But the set-up is different this time around: The former employees banded together to launch Circus as a worker-owned cooperative, meaning that eligible staff can become owners after six months, engaging in profit-sharing and deciding collectively how to run the business. The food menu is stocked with both new and old favorites, including the Mt. Auburn sandwich (named after Darwin’s first location), and they source their coffee from Equal Exchange, a fellow worker-owned cooperative.

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Vietnamese cafe Cicada (Eater’s best new cafe of 2021), is the place to go to unplug, sip a sea salt-topped coffee sweetened with condensed milk, and eat noodle salad or banh mi, perhaps with a funky glass of wine on the side. Definitely try to grab a seat in the beautiful garden hidden out back.

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Rite Tea & Espresso Bar

Nestled within the collection of small businesses at the Charles River Speedway, this tiny nook of a coffee shop is a welcome addition to Boston’s cafe scene. Come for the expertly prepared drinks — with coffee sourced from Portland-based Speckled Ax — in a cozy, unpretentious space. Be sure to order one of the delicious sweet or savory toasts with your beverage; it’ll make you rethink the possibilities of the humble snack.

Ogawa Coffee

This Japanese coffee roaster and shop elevates the casual morning cup into an artful experience. Go classic with a rich and fruity house blend, which is brewed using beans from Brazil, Guatemala, and Ethiopia, plus the usual espresso-based favorites. Or explore seasonal sips, like the vanilla lavender latte with house-made sauce using real lavender and vanilla beans, and a salty-sweet latte that’s infused with maple syrup and topped with vegan bacon salt. Non-espresso drinks lean delightfully unusual. Take the Houjicha latte, which is made with roasted green tea powder for an earthy, caramel-forward kick. The foam art atop each latte is a perfect finishing touch, too.

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Revival Cafe and Kitchen

Revival’s  menu  features cheekily named bagel sandwiches for breakfast (served all-day) and equally good wraps and sandwiches for lunch. To drink, there are plenty of fun hot and iced coffee and tea drinks, as well as other options like a ginger and lemon concoction, seltzer, and lemonade.

Kohi Coffee Company

Hailing from Provincetown, this specialty coffee shop has expanded into three locations in Brighton, South End, and downtown Boston (near the Greenway). On the bean front, it collaborates with Maine-based coffee roaster Tandem, creating signature blends such as the Kohi Standard using Guatemalan single-origin beans.

George Howell Coffee

George Howell’s swanky location in downtown Boston’s Godfrey Hotel is a European-style espresso bar with quick-serve coffee and a range of espresso beverages; be sure to check out the creative seasonal specials that are almost cocktail-like in their intricacy.

Gracenote Coffee

Gracenote’s nook in the Leather District is tiny — don’t expect to open a laptop and park it here for hours — but it is friendly and warm and customers can reliably count on a great cup of coffee every morning. Find a second location in downtown Boston food hall High Street Place.

Sip of Joy Café & Bakery

Stop by South End newcomer Sip of Joy for smooth Turkish coffee and pastries orchestrated by owners Matt and Burju Sari. For those who don’t have time to sit for Turkish coffee service, George Howell-roasted drip coffee, iced coffee, and espresso drinks are on deck.

Brothers & Sisters Co.

A bit hidden from the bustling Washington Street in Brookline Village, Brothers & Sisters Co. is home to not only coffee drinks and tasty sandwiches, but also Jamie’s Ice Cream Co. , another addition to owner Jamie Siracusa’s business ventures. The space is cozy and inviting, emanating a quintessential neighborhood cafe vibe with exposed brick walls, cushiony seating, and wooden tables and chairs.

Madhouse Cafe

This cafe attached to a renowned motorcycle restoration shop is absolutely as cool as it sounds. Settle in with a cup of coffee (they stock Broadsheet), a square of flaky, sweet baklava, and watch the experts at work through a gigantic back window overlooking the shop.

Comfort Kitchen

In a part of the city that’s hurting for coffee shops, lucky for us that Comfort Kitchen — a Best New Restaurant semifinalist in the 2024 James Beard Awards — just expanded its hours to include more morning cafe time. The restaurant’s cafe service is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, when you can order hot and iced bold coffees, creamy cafe au laits, and more. Just remember to pair your beverage with a house-made guava and cheese pastelito pastry. A turmeric latte, a house-made Nepali spiced milk tea, and a sweet and floral sorrel iced tea made of hibiscus petals that’s savored all over the Caribbean showcase the spot’s commitment to global flavors.

Reign Drink Lab

While the first Dorchester location of this cult-favorite coffee shop is in flux — it closed in the fall and maybe will reopen this spring after renovations, or in a new location all together — head to its new location within B/SPOKE seven days a week for specialty coffees. The dark and stormy is a must-try, which sees nitro cold brew layered with chilled Vietnamese coffee and topped with sea-salt cream. Keep things simple with your favorite espresso drinks, while smoothies (like the six one seven, which mixes cold brew, banana, and peanut butter powder) help refuel after a workout. Check out the fridge for overnight oats and other snacks, too.

Where to Eat Doughnuts in and Around Boston

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Look, it may not be the best coffee in the city (head to any one of these other fine shops for that) but Dunkin’ is an integral part of Boston’s DNA. Out of the many Dunkin’ locations scattered around town, the coolest one, in our opinion, is in Quincy. Located along Southern Artery, this shop is the first-ever Dunkin’, and it maintains its historical 1950s decor. (Read more about the shop’s history here .) It’s well worth a visit.

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Where To Eat

The 25 Best Restaurants in Boston Right Now

It’s not just seafood and Italian. There’s great Vietnamese, omakase, Peruvian and even bagels worth seeking out. (Don’t worry, there’s also great seafood and Italian.) We’ll see you in the comments.

Tonino in Jamaica Plain. Credit... Gabby Ruggieri

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By Kevin Pang ,  Priya Krishna and Brian Gallagher

Kevin Pang is a former restaurant critic and the author of a book about Chinese cooking. Priya Krishna is a reporter and Brian Gallagher is an editor for New York Times Food and Cooking.

• April 15, 2024

In the Where to Eat: 25 Best series, we’re highlighting our favorite restaurants in cities across the United States. These lists will be updated as restaurants close and open, and as we find new gems to recommend. As always, we pay for all of our meals and don’t accept free items.

Bagelsaurus

Porter Square | Bagels

Bostonians don’t need more guff from New Yorkers, and they certainly don’t want to hear any food bragging, which seems likely to devolve into vulgarities. When it comes to bagels, Boston can’t claim ownership of a style, though Bagelsaurus wouldn’t be a bad example for others in the city to emulate. Using a sourdough starter that’s four decades old, Bagelsaurus’s bagels aren’t as dense as New York or Montreal versions. Fresh from the oven, they bear a chewy and crackly crust with an airy, open interior, like a warm circular baguette. It turns out that this lighter texture makes adding cold-smoked salmon, dill and cream cheese a much more pleasurable sandwich experience. What’s more, a Bagelsaurus bagel sitting out for a few hours doesn’t harden into an object capable of blunt-force trauma. KEVIN PANG

1796 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge; 857-285-6103; bagelsaurus.com

Bánh Mì Ba Lẹ

Dorchester | Vietnamese, Sandwiches

“Fast food” isn’t necessarily pejorative. At Bánh Mì Ba Lẹ, the sheer quantity of Vietnamese groceries, pastries, dessert drinks, noodle salads and hot prepared foods is an overwhelming sight. (With many, just pop the plastic lid and start consuming — it’s that fast.) But there’s a reason the bánh mì is its namesake sandwich. The speed with which they are made belies their refinement. What makes Ba Lẹ’s version especially memorable are the house-baked rolls, with a shatteringly crisp crust and a soft, open interior. When you bite into a freshly made bánh mì here, be prepared for a shrapnel of crumbs exploding in every direction, giving way to tender pork cold cuts, smooth livery pâté and crunchy matchsticks of pickled daikon and carrots. Even better than the flagship đặc biệt sandwich is the barbecue beef bánh mì, its grilled meat bearing the sweetest char you’ll encounter. KEVIN PANG

1052 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester; 617-265-7171; balebanhmiboston.com

Brookline | Greek

Just as you wouldn’t find spaghetti alla puttanesca in Venice, there’s no trace of octopus, branzino or horiatiki on the Greek menu at Bar Vlaha. The restaurant tells the story of the Vlachophone Greeks, historically shepherds from the mountains of northern and central Greece. Unlike their coastal counterparts, the Vlachs foraged mushrooms and snails from forests, caught eels from streams and trout from freshwater lakes. This is Greek cooking with more rustic intentions, with red wine, beef cheeks and prunes marrying for hours inside clay pots. Undeniably, Bar Vlaha’s flavors are of Greek provenance — the spit-roasted leg of lamb is redolent of oregano, rosemary and char — but even familiar sauces get Vlachian touches; the tzatziki, for example, is sweetened with honey. KEVIN PANG

1653 Beacon Street, Brookline; 617-906-8556; barvlaha.com

Belle Isle Seafood

Winthrop | Seafood

Don’t let anyone tell you being a fry cook isn’t a noble calling. Especially when frying seafood, where the margin between perfectly done and overcooked is measured in seconds. Belle Isle Seafood — essentially a waterfront warehouse with views of arriving flights at Logan International Airport — has clearly battered and deep-fried many tons of haddock, scallops and onion rings. A plate of fried pick-your-protein will arrive oversized, with an ideal combination of nongreasy and satisfyingly crisp. For the fried-averse, the lobster pie is fabulous but hardly more calorically advisable: a half-pound of lobster meat topped with breadcrumbs and butter and baked until golden, a direct line to the pleasure centers of the brain. KEVIN PANG

1 Main Street, Winthrop; 617-567-1619; belleisleseafood.net

Union Square | Peruvian

They say that first, you eat with your eyes. Even before a single dish hits the table at Celeste, the surrounding visuals prime you with expectations. The clean lines of the furniture, the room lit in cobalt blue and the restaurant’s neon sign all make you feel you’re at a modern art exhibition doubling as a Peruvian restaurant. Then the ceviche arrives in an arrangement that looks architecturally engineered. It’s a gorgeous pavilion of red onions, orange sweet potatoes, blue cod, squid and shrimp, with smooth and crunchy corn kernels scattered through. Then you taste it. Lesser ceviches elsewhere are made ahead for expediency, turning the fish mealy; the cooks here add the lime juice marinade one minute before it’s served. I could go on (I’ve never had a lomo saltado that allowed me to request the doneness of the beef), but you should just visit, with open eyes. KEVIN PANG

21 Bow Street, Somerville, 617-616-5319; celesteunionsquare.com

Comfort Kitchen

Dorchester | African Diaspora

Is this dish Indian? Jamaican? Senegalese? At Comfort Kitchen, those questions are the whole point. Here, the owners Biplaw Rai, who is from Nepal, and Kwasi Kwaa, from Ghana, want to illustrate just how connected food traditions are, through ingredients that have traveled across continents, either through forced migration or trade routes. Duck is dusted with jerk seasoning, served alongside Jamaican rice and peas and served with pikliz, a pickled vegetable condiment from Haiti. Okra is seared in brown butter, topped with fried plantain crumbs and served with yogurt seasoned with garam masala from Mr. Rai’s mother. Despite all this zigzagging through countries and flavors, each dish still manages to feel coherent and captivating — like a story unfolding in several parts. PRIYA KRISHNA

611 Columbia Road, Dorchester; 617-329-6910; comfortkitchenbos.com

Brookline Village | Sandwiches

Most sandwiches fall into that midzone of expectations, somewhere between acceptable and halfway decent. To stumble upon a spectacular sandwich is rare, which makes Cutty’s a unicorn. Since 2010, the wife-and-husband team Rachel and Charles Kelsey have engineered sandwiches with a rigor befitting their fine-dining pedigree. They understand that different proteins require different breads, toasted to a specific crispness; a plush brioche is best for roast beef with crispy shallots and Thousand Island, while ciabatta can withstand crisp bacon and sautéed Swiss chard. The Kelseys’ sandwich meditations yield bliss in unexpected places: If the idea of a broccoli rabe sandwich sounds dreadful, allow Cutty’s magnificent rendition — with sweet tomato jam, provolone, and mozzarella on a griddled sesame torta — to prove you dead wrong. KEVIN PANG

284 Washington Street, Brookline; 617-505-1844; cuttyfoods.com

Field & Vine

Union Square |New American

Tucked down an alley, Field & Vine reveals itself as a restaurant in an industrial space slowly being reclaimed by nature. Wisteria and grapevines twist into a sculptural bramble that hangs overhead, as if about to swallow the exposed ductwork, and everywhere there is greenery and candlelight. If Sara Markey and Andrew Brady’s restaurant were simply pretty, that’d be enough reason to come sip some wine at the bar. But there are unexpected moments of inventiveness on the menu: a tuna crudo pounded into a 12-inch LP with candied pistachios and rhubarb vinaigrette, or potatoes deep-fried into a hash-brown brick topped with house-smoked mackerel and garlic spread. To further the enchanted woodland theme, a hearth is put to fine use, crisping duck legs and charring cabbage. KEVIN PANG

9 Sanborn Court, Somerville; 617-718-2333; fieldandvinesomerville.com

Porter Square | Italian

Certain restaurants become forever linked with hallmark dishes, like the baked alaska at Oleana or the cannoli at Mike’s Pastry . Giulia, known for its exceptional handmade pastas, can claim four dishes beloved by the Boston dining cognoscenti: the wild boar pappardelle, bucatini all’amatriciana, warm semolina cakes and pistachio gelato. There’s something reassuring about walking into this restaurant with total confidence that all four are fully realized compositions, their deliciousness not up for debate. And that’s no slight to the newer dishes rotated onto the menu by the chef, Michael Pagliarini (he and his wife, Pamela Ralston, are co-owners). But those classics embody the simple, sophisticated cooking that has endeared Giulia to the Cambridge community; you will almost wish you lived within walking distance. KEVIN PANG

1682 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge; 617-441-2800; giuliarestaurant.com

Brookline Village | Thai

What makes Thai cooking alluring is that its sweet-sour-salty-spicy elements are so often pushed thrillingly up the dial. When those assertive flavors are parceled out onto small plates and spread over many courses — as they are at Mahaniyom — a meal turns Technicolor. Dining at this Thai tapas bar sets off many sensory pleasures, from the velvety fieriness in a crab red curry to fried chicken skins that crackle mightily. You taste these dishes in cramped seating arrangements over loud conversations in a dim space that rattles with kinetic energy. Chompon Boonnak and Smuch Saikamthorn, childhood friends turned restaurant owners, have even captured that spirit in their beverage program: The rye whiskey is steeped with Thai tea leaves, then used in a Sazerac. KEVIN PANG

236 Washington Street, Brookline; 617-487-5986; mahaniyomboston.com

Back Bay | Tasting Menu

How many tasting-menu restaurants would serve a straight-up grilled cheese sandwich? Mooncusser does, and it’s playful, unexpected moves like this that make its multicourse dinners far less daunting. In the three years since Carl Dooley took over as chef, the menu has evolved from a focus on seafood to global eclecticism. Successive courses might travel the world, from a dish evoking Texas (a marinated red snapper with smoked pecan tasting like barbecued crudo) to an Ethiopian preparation (snails and injera with green cardamom koch-kocha sauce), to a Korean American grilled cheese. That mini-sandwich — with kimchi and a dough hydrated with butternut squash juice — turns an afterthought like the bread course into something top-of-mind and sensational. KEVIN PANG

304 Stuart Street, Boston; 617-917-5193; mooncusserboston.com

Ming Seafood Restaurant

Quincy | Cantonese, Dim Sum

A rule of thumb for dim sum restaurants: Bigger is often better. For in-the-know customers, crowds waiting for tables in a large banquet hall is a validating sight, and an expansive menu demonstrates a kitchen’s confidence. Ming Seafood Restaurant is big in all those ways. It does the basics well — juicy shumai, beef ho fun noodles with the requisite char. But then there’s a section called “fusion dim sum,” and here’s where things get interesting. You could order a sampler of nine pieces from the fusion menu that arrive in a partitioned wood box. There’s a shrimp-truffle dumpling in a cuttlefish ink wrapper. There’s mango pudding set in a rubber-ducky mold and a durian pastry shaped like a swan. A bit wacky? Sure. But a little whimsy is welcome if you can nail the fundamentals. KEVIN PANG

477 Hancock Street, Quincy; 617-202-5118; ming.bz

Neptune Oyster

North End | Seafood

After 18 years in the North End, Neptune is as much a part of Boston as tour guides in tricorn hats and “Go, Sawx!” You will wait, often more than an hour, but once you are ensconced in a banquette, or better yet at the bar, you will savor the perch. Neptune is among the highest versions of the oyster-bar form — pressed-tin ceilings, a marble bar, iced beds of bivalves and crab claws — but it is also more. Dishes like cuttle-ink risotto with generous chunks of lobster, and Nantucket Bay scallop crudo with Persian cucumbers lift the menu above the merely canonical. There’s a lobster roll, of course, but you didn’t wait all that time for a lobster roll. Or maybe you did. BRIAN GALLAGHER

63 Salem Street No. 1, Boston; 617-742-3474; neptuneoyster.com

Nightshade Noodle Bar

Lynn | French Vietnamese

As restaurants began digging out of financial holes after the pandemic, many opted to serve more accessible dishes, with artistry taking a back seat. Five years ago Nightshade Noodle bar opened on the North Shore, with half the menu features noodles of some kind. But post-lockdown, the chef Rachel Miller zigged when most others zagged: She guessed that guests yearning for adventurous cooking would be receptive to a French-Vietnamese-Southern tasting menu. Her gamble paid off, both in popularity and culinary ambition. Over nine, 14 or 21 courses, you might encounter foie gras glazed with fish-sauce caramel sitting atop coconut sticky rice (a Vietnamese nigiri), or a wondrous grilled cardinal prawn, the size of an outstretched palm, doused with a Viet-Cajun butter of garlic and lemongrass. KEVIN PANG

73 Exchange Street, Lynn; 781-780-9470; nightshadenoodlebar.com

Downtown | Omakase Sushi

When Tim and Nancy Cushman opened O Ya 17 years ago, the idea of introducing ceviche marinades or Vietnamese caramel into Edomae sushi was provocative. But O Ya’s staying power shows that inventive spirit paid off. Like all great omakases, a night at O Ya is more than the sum of its parts: It’s the crescendos and countermelodies that weave between courses. Unexpected treatments of nigiri (a Georgian sauce of apricots and walnuts on bluefin maguro) give way to lighter sashimi. The meal progresses to richer bites like fatty chutoro with green onions and wasabi oil, before ending on a one-two punch of grilled A5 Wagyu, then foie gras lacquered with chocolate balsamic. It remains a thrilling ride. KEVIN PANG

9 East Street, Boston; 617-654-9900; o-ya.restaurant

Central Square | New American

Years ago, Pammy’s received plenty of good press for adding the Korean fermented chile paste gochujang to its Bolognese. It’s delicious, to be sure, but that pasta’s success was also a curse — Pammy’s was misinterpreted as the funky Italian spot between Harvard and Central Squares. But Pammy’s is no one-hit wonder. Here’s a restaurant where a starter plate is bread baked with flour milled in the kitchen each morning. There’s a buttery skate wing glazed with Japanese tonkatsu sauce, and a take on shrimp-and-grits with cardinal prawns and chile crisp. That’s not to say the owners, Pam and Chris Willis, hide their pasta acumen. The standout dish is a luscious, smoky pasta that’s equal parts braised tripe and wavy mafaldine noodles, an incomparable bowl of squiggly goodness. KEVIN PANG

928 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge; 617-945-1761; pammyscambridge.com

Fort Point and other locations | Seafood

Chuck an oyster shell in any direction in Boston and you’ll hit a seafood restaurant, from blue-collar fry houses to multistory harborfront properties. Row 34 (with four locations across Massachusetts and New Hampshire) serves the requisite clam chowder, halibut and calamari, but it takes a few extra steps in advancing the genre. It smokes, cures and pâtés a variety of seafoods, it makes saltine crackers in-house, and lobsters — caught by the chef Jeremy Sewall’s cousin and his son — land on plates within 48 hours of leaving the ocean. The resulting lobster rolls cost more here than at other restaurants, but they are superlative. KEVIN PANG

383 Congress Street (original Fort Point location), Boston; 617-553-5900; row34.com

Winter Hill | Mediterranean, Global

Fusion has become a pejorative term, evoking passé ideas like Southwestern egg rolls. If you’d like to label the chef Cassie Piuma’s cooking as Mediterranean fusion, fine, but it sells short how well her cross-cultural mash-up at Sarma often works. The through line of the vast, small-plates menu is Eastern Mediterranean, but it might wander off to the American South in a custardy jalapeño cornbread with feta, or to Quebec in a poutine of porcini gravy, fried halloumi curds and celery-root fries. In Ms. Piuma’s techniques there’s a respectful nod to tradition, but she’s also unafraid to break a few rules, all in service of making the dish work. If you can make juicy nuggets of fried chicken with a crispy coating reminiscent of falafel, why not? KEVIN PANG

249 Pearl Street, Somerville; 617-764-4464; sarmarestaurant.com

Sofra Bakery and Cafe

Cambridge | Turkish, Lebanese and Greek

Come early and order everything. That’s the appropriate way to experience Sofra, whose menu tours Turkey, Lebanon and Greece, and whose flavor combinations are singular. Here you’ll find excellent versions of classic meze like baba ghanouj and muhammara. But pay close attention to the pastries, overseen by Maura Kilpatrick. Doughnuts come filled with a tahini sour-cream custard and brown butter; cinnamon rolls are sweetened with dates and slathered in cream cheese. Nothing is cloying, and the chef Ana Sortun and her team put the utmost care into perfecting each element, down to the freshly milled grains. PRIYA KRISHNA

1 Belmont Street, Cambridge, 617-661-3161; sofrabakery.com

Sumiao Hunan Kitchen

Kendall Square | Hunanese

Sumiao Chen had a midcareer epiphany that a life in pharmaceuticals wasn’t right for her. Longing for the food of her childhood in Hunan, China, Ms. Chen opened her namesake restaurant in 2017 near the M.I.T. campus, one that resembles no other Chinese spot around town. From the outside looking in, you might think a place with this vibey coastal aesthetic would serve crab cakes and flatbread, but the restaurant’s adherence to traditional Hunanese cooking is without compromise. When a dish is noted as spicy, you’d better believe it — even a salad as innocuous-sounding as green pepper and century egg sneaks up quickly. Those unaccustomed to the slippery texture of fat might flinch at the sheer amount in the red-braised pork belly, but this classic sweet-savory dish of Hunan warms and satisfies like few others. KEVIN PANG

270 Third Street, Cambridge; 617-945-0907; sumiaohunan.com

Union Square | Vietnamese

There are several remarkable things about the Eaves, beginning with the location. Shoehorned inside a 550-square-foot storage closet at Bow Market, the space was seductively transformed by the owners, Vincenzo Le and Duong Huynh. More noteworthy is that in less than a year since opening, the Eaves has demonstrated how Vietnamese cooking in America can evolve beyond the realm of phở and bún bò huế. Mr. Le and Ms. Huynh, who are married, belong to a new generation of Vietnamese restaurateurs, young and hungry, presenting dishes and cocktails faithful to their culinary heritage at prices you’d find on a farm-to-table menu. They pull it off splendidly in offerings like chả cá lã Vọng — typically cooked with catfish in its native Hanoi and reimagined in New England with monkfish — fried crisp with turmeric and served atop vermicelli and cashews. KEVIN PANG

1 Bow Market Way, Somerville; 617-996-6954; instagram.com/midnight_eaves

Jamaica Plain | Italian

Unlike many other Boston neighborhoods, Jamaica Plain (locals call it J.P.) is home to few Italian restaurants. Tonino fills that void with aplomb; the 28-seater is the embodiment of somebody’s favorite cute neighborhood spot. The pasta- and pizza-focused menu put together by the chef and owner, Luke Fetbroth, is taut and efficient. His best trait seems to be taking a handful of ingredients and doing as little to them as possible. The maitake and oyster-mushroom lumache is simple and flawless, its creaminess coming from roasted garlic crème fraîche. Then there’s toasted cubes of housemade bread, each smeared with a borderline inappropriate amount of butter and draped with a single length of anchovy. It is a salty, buttery, perfect one-biter. KEVIN PANG

669A Centre Street, Jamaica Plain; 617-524-9217; toninojp.com

South End | Spanish

The Ken Oringer restaurant universe stretches from Japanese to Italian to wine bars, but his South End tapas joint Toro — 20 years on — may be the most beloved. Perhaps it’s because the small portions of Spanish tapas can afford punchier treatments and bolder flavors: A pressed sandwich of miso butter and uni achieves peak crunch and umami. The executive chef, Darrell Boles, is a faithful steward of the Toro name, his kitchen putting out consistently superb roasted bone marrow and formidable platters of paella. These are dishes that never fail to receive envious stares from guests at nearby tables. KEVIN PANG

1704 Washington Street, Boston; 617-536-4300; toro-restaurant.com

Via Cannuccia

Dorchester | Roman

All Italian-born chefs will claim culinary superiority for their home regions; Stefano Quaresima seems impassioned to make the case for Lazio. Named for the street where he grew up, Via Cannuccia might be the closest Boston gets to a true Roman trattoria. The lengths to which Mr. Quaresima goes to showcase his corner of Italy are impressive: His team prepares cream buns and bombolini doughnuts for brunch, rolls out pasta and pizza doughs, and finds time to roast porchetta and bake sourdough. Lesser chefs might just use quartered chicken for pollo alla Romana. Mr. Quaresima’s version, though, involves a chicken ballotine, deboned and sausage-stuffed, then cooked sous vide for 18 hours. His treatment of cacio e pepe, the quintessential Roman pasta, teases out supreme creaminess and nuttiness from just four ingredients. KEVIN PANG

1739 Dorchester Avenue, Boston; 617-506-1877; viacannuccia.com

Yume Ga Arukara

Porter Square, Seaport | Udon

Yume Ga Arukara makes just one thing and makes it well: udon, the thick Japanese wheat flour noodles. They’re extruded from the stainless steel machine in beautiful floured strands, and emerge smooth and slippery once boiled, with the barest suggestion of a chew. The purest expression of udon is in a dashi broth — here, your choices are hot or cold, spicy or not, each accompanied by fatty beef slices, scallions and crisp tempura bits. Take your pick, you can’t choose wrong. While its original location occupies a cramped and perpetually busy space inside a student center at the Lesley University Porter Square Campus, the new Seaport shop is a sit-down restaurant with a larger kitchen, which in time will offer a larger menu. KEVIN PANG

1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge; 70 Pier 4 Boulevard, Suite 260, Boston; yumegaarukara.com

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Priya Krishna is a reporter in the Food section of The Times. More about Priya Krishna

Advertisement

Here are some Boston rooftops where you can watch the April 8 solar eclipse

P eople get to experience a solar eclipse a few times, or only once in their lives. And the city of Boston is looking to help residents truly remember the rare opportunity.

On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible from North America as it makes its path across 15 states, from Texas all the way northeast to Maine.

This path of totality indicates when and where the 31.6 million people living along that path are expected to see the eclipse happening, weather pending, according to NBC News.

Despite not being within the path of totality, Massachusetts should ( weather permitting ) have a view of the eclipse from the ground.

The Bay State won’t have a 100% view of the eclipse, instead seeing a partial eclipse with over 95% of the view, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said in a statement .

So to ensure Bostonians get the best possible view of the spectacle, the following rooftops are hosting watch parties in the city:

Deck 12 , the rooftop bar at YOTEL in Seaport, is letting people catch the solar eclipse with a free event from 2-5 p.m. Monday. Guests can enjoy half-priced apps with the purchase of a drink, and watch as the eclipse peaks at 3:29 p.m. with complimentary eclipse glasses. While the event is sold out, people can still walk up to Deck 12 for any available space.

The Rooftop At Revere Hotel

The Revere Hotel , located at at 200 Stuart St., is hosting a solar eclipse watch party from 12-5 p.m. on Monday. Guests can catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse from the hotel’s rooftop while enjoying specially themed food and drinks like Blue Moon beer, the Eclipse Elixir cocktail and more. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased online .

View Boston

View the eclipse (and Boston) from the top of the Prudential Center in Back Bay. View View Boston is running a ticket discount from 1-5 p.m on Monday, with tickets being $10 during that time only. Solar glasses available while supplies last. Tickets can be purchased online .

©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit masslive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The best viewing conditions for the 2024 total solar eclipse will be in New England

Sky enthusiasts in northern vermont, new hampshire, and maine are in for a front-row seat to the total eclipse, by danielle noyes • published april 5, 2024 • updated on april 6, 2024 at 11:44 pm.

The buzz is deafening: a total solar eclipse will grace the continental US for the first time since 2017; this is a rare chance to witness a celestial marvel. Your plans are likely set, but fingers are crossed for great viewing conditions. And the fantastic news is that the forecast for New England’s clear skies is unchanged, putting us literally in the best spot for viewing across the country.

Sky enthusiasts in northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are in for a front-row seat to the total eclipse. For a stunning two to three minutes, the moon will devour the sun, plunging the day into an eerie twilight. This brief moment of totality will reveal the sun's corona, its wispy outer layer, in all its glory.

In the path of totality:

• How dark is it going to be?  The sky will darken dramatically, similar to twilight. This can last several minutes, so get ready for an otherworldly experience!
• Will it get colder?  As the moon hides the sun, there might be a slight dip in temperature, by a few degrees. Pack a light jacket in case!
• Will I see stars?  For a brief moment, you might be able to! The darkness will be similar to dusk, allowing a peek at some brighter stars.
• What's up with my dog?  Animals may become confused by the sudden darkness and act strangely for a short time. Don't worry, it's usually temporary.

Get Boston local news, weather forecasts, lifestyle and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Boston’s newsletters.

Safety first!

Never attempt to look directly at the sun. The sun's intense rays can permanently damage your eyesight. To safely observe the eclipse, use certified eclipse glasses specifically designed for this purpose. These glasses filter out harmful solar radiation.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience under the eclipsed sun & don’t forget to share your pictures & experiences with us here.

More on the total solar eclipse

NH officials urge patience, tell visitors to arrive early and stay late for Monday's eclipse

New England prepares for Monday's solar eclipse

Solar eclipse in New England: Traffic, lodging, events and what else to know

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How do I ride the MBTA for the marathon? A guide to stops, prices, schedule and more

Thinking about supporting and cheering on the 33,000 runners participating in the Boston Marathon on April 15, but unsure how to get there?

With the roads that the races uses being closed, the MBTA is a great alternative to having to take detours and finding a place to park (most likely someone's yard).

There's no good stop to get you to the new(ish) starting line but the first stop on our list is close to the original starting location in Ashland.

If you're thinking about heading out to the course to watch the race, here's what first-time Marathon attendees need to know while using public transit to get to a key viewing spot. Some Commuter Rail stops drop off passengers right along the route; others require a short walk.

Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail schedule for Marathon Monday

The Commuter Rail will run a weekday schedule to accommodate Boston Marathon crowds. Due to increased ridership, bikes will not be allowed all day. Trains depart in each direction about every hour, outbound toward Worcester and inbound toward Boston .

With the Red Sox first pitch at 11:10 a.m., the 9:05 a.m. and 10 a.m. inbound trains will also have fans headed to Fenway.

How much will it cost to ride the MBTA on Marathon Monday?

The MBTA is offering a $10 unlimited ride ticket for the Commuter Rail all weekend (April 13-15), not just Marathon Monday. Tickets went sale on the mTicket app (available on both Android and iOS ) on Monday. They will not be available in ticket kiosks. A one-way ticket between Ashland and Back Bay is normally $10.50 , so most spectators will want to take advantage of the deal.

Which trains should I take to watch the Marathon?

If you want to watch the competitive divisions, the 7:30 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. trains out of South Station should get you to viewing spots in time. The 7:30 is an express train, skipping Newton, Wellesley and Natick stops. The 7:55 a.m. train might cause you to miss the wheelchair divisions if traveling to Ashland.

Coming from Worcester, trains departing at 8:13 a.m. or earlier should get you to viewing locations for the competitive runners.

For competitive races, any other morning train should allow you to see runners on the course.

Which Commuter Rail stations are along the Boston Marathon Route?

There are several Framingham/Worcester stops within a short walk to the Boston Marathon route:

• Ashland station : This stop is within walking distance of the 3.2-mile mark on the course. While there, you can check out the new statue of Spencer , the golden retriever who was a familiar face to runners.
• Framingham station : Located directly on the Marathon route, Framingham's station is at the 6.6-mile mark.
• West Natick station : A quick walk through the parking lot will get you onto Route 135 and the course. Runners passing by will have hit the 8-mile mark as you cheer them on.
• Natick Center station : Walk about a block down Main or Washington streets, and you'll be near the course about 10 miles from the start.
• Wellesley Center station : This station will get you to about the halfway point on the course. It's also the closest to Wellesley College and its famous "scream tunnel."
• Wellesley Hills station : The Wellesley Hills station is a mile closer to the finish line than Wellesley Center.
• Wellesley Farms station: This station is about a half-mile walk through a residential neighborhood to get to Mile 15.5 on the course.
• Landsdowne station: As the name implies, this one is closest to Fenway Park. It's where runners reach the home stretch, with a little more than a mile left.

MBTA will have limited subway service along the Boston Marathon route

Don't just look on a map and pick a nearby spot if you want to use the Green line and get close to the action. Copley Station, the closest to the finish line, will be closed all day on Monday, April 15. Other Green Line stops, including the St. Mary's, South and Kent Street stations, will be closed for most of the race.

The B line and C line each have stations that are near the route and will be open: Woodland, Boston College, Cleveland Circle, Kenmore and Hynes Convention Center.

Many bus routes that normally traverse the course be rerouted or canceled.

Watch CBS News

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse  crossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show  where and when astronomy fans could see the big event  as skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun , according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have also  checked their ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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