top places in boston to visit

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

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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. 

Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River

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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.

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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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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.

New England Aquarium Arrow

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.

High Street Place Arrow

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.

Jessica Puckett

Anna Borges

Karthika Gupta

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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.

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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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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.

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11 top experiences in Boston in 2024

Mar 2, 2024 • 8 min read

Make the most of beautiful Boston with these 11 top experiences © Anthony Tulliani/Lonely Planet

As one of the oldest cities founded in the USA and considered by many to be the cradle of the American Revolution, Boston is a gift to history buffs.

But there's more to this northeastern metropolis than American history. Renowned sports teams that contend for national titles, museums and galleries around every corner, diverse and welcoming communities, breathtaking natural beauty and a thriving dining scene – Boston has a lot to offer, and it can be difficult to know where to begin.

The key is not trying to pack everything into one trip – that's the fun of returning! Savor Boston and let these 11 incredible experiences create lifelong memories.

1. Walk the Freedom Trail 

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walk through the city that leads past 16 colonial and revolutionary historical sites, and it's one of the city's most popular visitor attractions. Stops include the Boston Common (the city's main green space), the golden-domed Massachusetts State House , Faneuil Hall , Paul Revere House , the warship USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument . 

There are group tours that lead you along the Freedom Trail, with guides in 18th-century costumes. You can also do it yourself – just download a map from the Freedom Trail website and follow the bricks on the sidewalk.

A self-guided tour allows you to go at your own pace, giving you the flexibility to stop at Faneuil Hall to munch through a few of the local food stalls, or to book a supplementary tour aboard the USS Constitution .

Planning tip:  Spread the trail out over several days to make the most out of each of the Boston neighborhoods it winds through. 

2. Surround yourself with culture at Boston's museums

There's a museum for just about every taste in Boston. If fine arts is your jam, there are paintings, sculptures and tapestries at the Isabella Stewart Gardener , while the sprawling MFA  features more than 450,000 works of art. For more targeted collections, there's the Institute of Contemporary Art , the Museum of Science , the Boston Children's Museum and the ever-popular fish-filled  New England Aquarium .

3. Explore Boston's distinct neighborhoods 

Each of Boston's various neighborhoods has its own personality and unique allure. There are technically 23 designated neighborhoods, but a few of the most noteworthy include the South End, known for its brownstones and multitude of restaurants; Back Bay, where the long Commonwealth Avenue Mall is a year-round highlight of trees, park benches and statues; the newly developed Seaport where highrises are juxtaposed against the harborfront walk; and the North End, otherwise known as "Little Italy."

There's also South Boston, which used to be known for its Irish-American culture but is now a young professional's playground with lots of bars and restaurants; not to mention Fenway-Kenmore, Chinatown, the downtown financial and theater district, and charming Beacon Hill.

Planning tip: Dedicate a few mealtimes to the North End – there's simply too much to eat and drink here for one visit. Hanover Street can be touristy, but being part of the crowd is part of the experience to fully enjoy the authentic pizzerias, salumerias , coffeehouses and pastry shops (try the cannoli at both Mike's Pastry and Modern's to weigh in on the longstanding local debate of who makes them better).

4. Drink a craft beer (or two)

In 1984, Samuel Adams revived the craft beer scene when it released its Boston Lager – "the full-flavored beer they deserved," says the brand. Today, the local brewery still pours its iconic beer at two taprooms in the city, while also offering rotating seasonal brews and tasting flights. Use Samuel Adams as a starting point in a craft beer tour, then try some of the other local craft brands that have followed, like Night Shift, Trillium, Harpoon, Jack's Abby and Cisco. 

Local tip: If you're visiting in the late spring, summer or early fall, look for popup beer gardens from the aforementioned brands that take advantage of Boston's riverside, public gardens and harborfront. The scenery complements the signature and seasonal beers – sipping a fruity roast under the summer sun or enjoying an Oktoberfest among crunchy autumn leaves.

5. Catch a game at Boston's famed stadiums and parks

Boston is a sports city, and whether or not you're a sports fan, the city's commitment to its home teams is contagious. Fenway is a great place to start; opened in 1912, it's the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. There's also TD Garden , home to the Celtics, Bruins and mainstream concerts. Gillette Stadium is about 27 miles away, but worth the trip for a Sunday tailgate before watching the Patriots play. 

Local tip: If you missed out on tickets, don't sweat it! Pull up a bar seat at one of the many sports bars throughout the city – Bleacher Bar , Cask'  n Flagon , Stats Bar & Grille , The Greatest Bar , Banners Kitchen and Tap or The Sporting Club will all provide a taste of the dedication to local sports on game day.

6. Indulge in New England's culinary traditions

Positioned at the heart of New England , Boston has premier access to some of the best seafood in the nation. Whether you're at a casual waterside venue like James Hook & Co. or The Barking Crab , or settling into a settee at a more formal restaurant like Row 34 or B&G Oysters , pescatarians will be in heaven. The most popular orders include oysters on the half shell, New England clam chowder, lobster rolls (both buttered and with mayonnaise) and steamed clams. 

7. But also seek out regional rising stars of global cuisine

Though seafood is traditional in Boston, we'd be remiss not to mention some exciting spots for global eats. Xenia Greek Hospitality has Krasi and Bar Vlaha , while Yunnan Kitchen serves delicious Dian cuisine from southwest China. Borrachito Taqueria brings tacos to Boston via the original NYC outpost for Mexican eats.

8. Shop and gallery hop along Newbury Street

Multi-level brownstones line Newbury Street, Boston's charming one-mile stretch of boutique shops, art galleries, established restaurants and cozy cafes. Of Newbury's eight blocks, the first (between Arlington and Berkeley) is unofficially dedicated to high-end fashion, hosting designers such as Tiffany's, Chanel, Loro Piana and Cartier.

The sidewalks get crowded on the weekends, especially in summer – on summer Sundays, the street is closed to vehicular traffic for a pedestrianized-only experience. In winter, storefronts sparkle with holiday displays and in spring, restaurants open their patios, which overflow with patrons sipping spritzers through summer and well into autumn, of which the season is extended by standing heaters and warm drinks.

Local tip: Some of the best shops and bars are not at street level, so look up to find places like Bar á vin 1855 , a wine bar above popular French restaurant  La Voile , and also down to restaurants like Puro Ceviche Bar .

9. Walk or cycle along the Esplanade 

This three-mile path of green along the Charles River stretches from the Museum of Science to the Boston University Bridge. It's a popular exercise route for locals but also a leisurely way for visitors to enjoy Boston's natural beauty. Rent a bike and cycle your way along, or opt for a stroll.

10. Get out on the water 

Whether you're interested in a sailing lesson on the Charles River or entrusting a local captain to do the work on a boat trip in the Harbor, there are plenty of opportunities to experience Boston by water. In addition to sailing lessons, there are outfitters along the Charles for kayaking, canoeing, rowing and stand-up paddleboarding. On the harbor, operators offer everything from hour-long tours, boats for day charter and leisurely sunset cruises. There are also Duck Boat Tours that traverse both land and water.

Planning tip: If you're booking a harbor cruise at sunset, reserve a table at one of the Seaport's popular restaurants to beat the crowds coming off your boat. Favorites include  Woods Hill Pier 4 , Nautilus , LoLa 42 and Strega . 

11. Tack on a day trip to one of Boston's coastal escapes

If you're visiting during the summer and can add on some extra time to your vacation, consider a day trip to one of Boston's coastal towns. Take a half-day trip to the North Shore to explore the quaint port towns of Gloucester and Newburyport, or venture down to the South Shore to beach towns like Duxbury and Cohasset.

For a longer excursion, drive to Cape Cod ("the Cape," as locals refer to it). Chatham, Dennis and Orleans are all within a two-hour drive and have one-street towns with bakeries and boutiques to spend the morning at before an afternoon lazing on the sands of the many nearby beaches.

Further afield is Provincetown, which can be a long drive, but there's also a fast ferry that runs throughout the summer. It can pick you up from Long Wharf in the morning and whisk you to Ptown in 45 minutes for a day of eating and perusing its artsy streets. 

Planning tip: If you opt for the mid-Cape on a summer weekend, leave extra time for traffic as back-up times on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons can teeter on doubling your drive time. Opt for a weekday if possible.

This article was first published May 2021 and updated March 2024

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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.

More on Massachusetts

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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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

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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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Home » North America » Boston

19 BEST Places to Visit in Boston (2024)

The state capital of Massachusetts, Boston is one of the USA’s most historically significant cities. The largest city in the New England region, it is also famous for its stunning autumn foliage. Boston boasts a wealth of activities and attractions, including plentiful museums, diverse neighbourhoods, historical hotspots, diverse sporting events, and a thriving nightlife and live music scene.

Boston is often overshadowed by other, arguably more famous, US cities, with many people unaware of just how much variety Boston actually offers to visitors.

We’re here to show you just why you should add Boston to your US travel plans! We’ve put together a list of the best places to visit in Boston to inspire you to pay a visit.

Warning: after reading all these terrific places to visit in Boston you’re sure to be eager to book your flights!

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighbourhood in Boston:

These are the best places to visit in boston, faq on the best places to visit in boston, there are many awesome places to visit in boston.

Downtown is far and away the most iconic neighbourhoods in Boston. It is home to a number of historic sites and cultural gems, including Boston Common and Boston Public Gardens.

• Explore the Freedom Trail, a four-kilometre path through Downtown Boston that passes 16 historically significant places.
• Pack a picnic and enjoy a relaxing day in lush and expansive Boston Public Garden.
• Shop for deals at Haymarket, Boston’s oldest outdoor market.

After those useful tips, it’s time to discover the best places to visit in Boston!

Before we take a tour through the very best that Boston has to offer, you should get yourself set up with accommodation in one of Boston’s unique neighbourhoods Be sure to check out where to stay in Boston and get the full low-down on all the best areas!

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#1 – Freedom Trail – Possibly one of the most important places to visit in Boston

• Visit Boston’s most historically significant sites
• Well-marked self-guided walking tour
• Many places of interest are free to enter
• Good explanations along the route

Why it’s awesome: Boston is an integral stop on any East Coast trip on account of it’s vital role in American history. Easy to follow and well signposted, Boston’s Freedom Trail stretches for around four kilometres (2.5 miles) and takes in 16 landmarks in Boston that are not only of local historical importance but are also significant to the USA’s history and development. Marked with brick, there are information boards along the route to help people understand more about the past. The sites along the trail include former homes and meeting places, churches, graveyards, monuments, and the scene of the Boston Massacre. Attracting many visitors every year, it’s one of the top places to visit in Boston . As an added bonus, many of the points of interest along the trail are free to visit.

What to do there: Follow the Freedom Trail and learn more about the nation’s history. From north to south, the first point is Boston Common. This is the oldest park in the USA and was originally owned by the first European settler in Boston. It was later used as a camp for British soldiers before the American Revolutionary War, served as a place of execution (including being the spot where the Boston martyrs were executed), and it has been the site of protests, demonstrations, and diverse events over the years. Today, it is a pleasant public park. At the side of the Boston Common you can also visit the Central Burying Ground, which counts among its graves that of Samuel Sprague, a man who was part of the Boston Tea Party and who fought in the Revolutionary War.

The next stop is the handsome Massachusetts State House, a beautiful example of Federal architecture and the state capitol. Visit the 1809 Park Street Church and stop by the Granary Burial Ground; founded in 1660 it is the city’s third-oldest graveyard and it is where a number of notable people are buried, including the five victims of the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere, three people who signed the Declaration of Independence, and several patriots from the Revolutionary War period.

With a Boston City Pass , you can experience the best of Boston at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Next, step into the King’s Chapel, established in 1686 (though the present building was constructed in 1754) as the first Anglican church in Boston. Call into King’s Chapel Burying Ground, which is Boston’s oldest burial ground, see the large statue of Benjamin Franklin, and note the 1635 Boston Latin School, which is the oldest school in America. Snap a picture of the Old Corner Bookstore (built in 1718), visit the Old South Meeting House, which is where the Boston Tea Party was organised, and stop by the attractive Old State House, which was built in 1713 and is one of the oldest buildings in the USA.

Pause for a moment at the site of the Boston Massacre, one of the most monumental events that swung public opinion against the British and eventually led to the American Revolution. Soak up history at Faneuil Hall, a place where many moving speeches were made in favour of American independence. Visit Paul Revere House, built around 1680 and the former home of Paul Revere, an American patriot who played a significant role in the American Revolution.

See the 1723 Old North Church, visit the historic Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, and explore the museum that contains the old naval ship the USS Constitution (AKA Old Ironsides), a mighty vessel that defeated several British warships in the War of 1812. Lastly, pay your respects at the Bunker Hill Monument, a sombre monument created to remember the Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the first major battles of the American Revolutionary War.

#2 – Castle Island – One of Boston’s coolest historical sites!

• Home to one of Boston’s oldest forts
• Nice swimming beaches
• Kids’ play areas
• Great views

Why it’s awesome: A peninsular next to Boston Harbour, Castle Island is connected to the mainland with a narrow piece of land. A fortress has stood at the 22-acre (8.9 hectare) site since 1634 and it’s one of the oldest fortresses in what was British-controlled America. The current fort, Fort Independence, dates back to the mid-1800s, having seen much military action and having been destroyed previously.

Today it is a popular Boston landmark and a great place to learn more about the city’s history. There are various activities to enjoy, including beaches, monuments, and play areas, as well as visiting the old fortress.

What to do there: Visit the imposing granite Fort Independence and soak up the sense of history. You can also join a free tour on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Enjoy the excellent views of Boston Harbour and watch planes landing at and taking off from the nearby airport. Sunbathe and swim at Carson Beach and follow the paved loop around the beach.

If you want to be more active, strap on your roller blades and skate around the island! Join a harbour cruise, relax in pretty parks, take kids to the play areas, and call into one of the snack bars for refreshments. Don’t miss stopping to see the WWII Memorial and the monument to David Kay, a famous shipbuilder.

#3 – Quincy Market – A must-see for foodies!

• Historic market
• Many food options
• Good shopping opportunities
• Lively atmosphere

Why it’s awesome: The two-storey Quincy Market was built in the 1820s and is a National Historic Landmark. It was one of the biggest marketplaces to have been built in the USA during the early 1800s and it was established to meet the shopping needs of the growing city. The building was constructed using granite and red bricks, and parts of the exterior are rather Roman-like in appearance. It was primarily a place of trade for fresh produce and other food items, with stalls both indoors and outside, though today visitors will find a huge selection of other goods for sale at the market as well as places to sit and enjoy a tasty meal. If you have extra time, you might consider a food tour of Boston as an extra treat!

What to do there: Admire the building from the outside, noting the Doric columns and triangular details towards the east and west. Enter the market and browse the diverse stores and stalls; with around 100 retailers to choose from there’s bound to be plenty to catch your eye! You’ll find well-known brands as well as local goods that can be difficult to find in other places. The carts outside the main building are nostalgic, reminiscent of times gone by.

Operated by local entrepreneurs, many have artisan goods and crafts. Quincy Market is also one of the top places to eat in Boston; stroll along the lively colonnades where you’ll find some 35 eateries, or stop into one of the market’s restaurants. Dining outlets serve a range of cuisine, but for a local experience, you should definitely try some typical Bostonian fare. Sink your teeth into clam chowder, lobster rolls, baked beans with brown bread, succulent seafood, and the sweet Boston cream pie.

#4 – Samuel Adams Brewery – Cool place to see in Boston with friends!

• Flagship brand of Boston Beer Company
• Affordable tours
• Must-visit for beer lovers
• Seasonal beers

Why it’s awesome: Samuel Adams Brewery is the smallest brewery of the Boston Beer Company, but it is the only that has public tours. It is also used as a testing site for new products. There are various tours to choose between and they are very reasonably priced, meaning that a visit isn’t going to break the bank. Visitors can learn more about the brewing process and the brand’s history, seeing first-hand the different stages that go into making a quality beer. The brewery is easy to reach by public transport too, meaning no worries if you plan to have a few scoops.

What to do there:  Wanna get loaded during your Boston Itinerary ? Yeah me too! Join the one-hour Classic Tour (free, with a suggested donation of 2 USD) to discover more about the beer-making process and see the equipment used to create tasty brews. You will also have the chance to sample three delicious beers and will get a souvenir glass to take home with you as a keepsake. Alternatively, other tours include the Morning Mash-In Tour, Beyond the Brewhouse Tour, and The Bierkeller: Samuel Adams Barrel Aged Experience. (Reservations are recommended for most tours.) At the end of your chosen tour, you can relax in the beer garden and enjoy even more tasty beers.

#5 – Boston Public Garden – One of the most romantic places to visit in Boston!

• America’s first botanical garden
• Many plants and flowers
• Large pond with swan-boat rides
• Lots of interesting statues

Why it’s awesome: Boston Public Gardens can be found next to Boston Common. The large park was America’s first botanical garden. The area was mudflats until the early 19 th century and was then used a ropewalk before eventually becoming a park in 1837. A wide-open space, it has a number of beautiful plants and flowers arranged in pretty displays, pathways, a pond, and various fountains and monuments. In the winter months, a pond is used for ice skating. The park has been a popular place with lovers for many years and is one of Bostons best weekend spots .

What to do there: Follow the straight footpath between the park’s two entrances, crossing the suspension bridge over the pond as you do, and explore the winding trails that meander through the rest of the park’s expanse. Lay a blanket on the grass to sit and relax in the sun, and perhaps pack a picnic for a charming al fresco lunch with your love. There’s lots of space for kids to run and play if visiting with the family. Take a ride on the delightful swan boats, feed the ducks, and skate on the pond in winter. See the statues that are spread around the park, including Triton Babies Fountain, The Ether Monument, Bagheera (showing the panther from Jungle Book), and a large George Washington statue.

#6 – Franklin Park Zoo – Certainly one of the most exotic places to see in Boston!

• Located in Boston’s biggest park
• Home to many creatures from around the globe
• Family-friendly attraction
• Cool educational and discovery app

Why it’s awesome: Covering 72 acres (29 hectares), Franklin Park Zoo is one of the best attractions in Boston for families. Open since 1912, the large zoo is home to around 220 species of animals from diverse parts of the planet. The zoo is split into different zones, including the Kalahari Kingdom, the Tropical Forest, the Outback Forest, Bird’s World, and the Serengeti Crossing.

There’s a special area for younger visitors where kids can get up close and personal with an assortment of smaller creatures. There are several places to eat and drink in the zoo as well as plentiful picnic areas.

What to do there: Download the fun and free Agents of Discovery app to lead you on a journey of discovery around the zoo, solving clues and learning more about different species as you go. See a huge selection of interesting animals, including hippos, gorillas, lemurs, vultures, and crocodiles in the Tropical Forest, and kangaroos, kiwis, and emus at the Outback Trail.

The African-themed Kalahari Kingdom has many creatures from Africa, including lions, camels, tortoises, and birds. Stand as butterflies flit all around you in Butterfly Landing and meet various animals in Nature’s Neighbourhood and Franklin’s Farm. The play area is perfect for kids who want to let off steam.

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#7 – MIT Museum – An awesome place to visit in Boston for half a day!

• Fascinating technological exhibits
• World-leader in technological research
• Permanent and temporary displays
• Workshops and tours

Why it’s awesome: Located at the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the world-famous MIT Museum was established in 1971. A fantastic Boston must-do for anyone interested in technology and science, the museum’s collections include technology-themed artworks, robotics, holograms, rare books, photography, artificial intelligence, and more. Along with the permanent displays, visitors can also enjoy a variety of ever-changing temporary exhibitions too. A variety of programs and workshops take visitors further into the mind-boggling world of technology.

What to do there: Marvel at Arthur Ganson’s large collection of kinetic art, one of the most popular exhibitions in the museum, be wowed by the huge collection of holograms (the biggest such collection in the world), and see humorous prank pieces created by students at MIT. There is also a wide selection of innovative works made by students at the prestigious educational institution.

See a large collection of other items from the museum’s some one million objects, including technical drawings, old and rare books, films, archived materials, and more. Take a self-guided tour to enhance your knowledge and understanding.

#8 – Newbury Street – A great place in Boston if you love to shop!

• Boston’s main retail area
• Eight blocks filled with diverse stores and establishments
• Plenty of places to stop for refreshments
• Historic architecture

Why it’s awesome: Newbury Street is one of the best places to visit in Boston for excellent retail therapy. The long road is lined with historic brownstone architecture from the 19 th century and it’s one of the oldest streets in Boston. During the 1970s the area underwent a transformation, emerging as one of Boston’s trendiest shopping streets.

Today there are many high-end stores, luxury boutiques, hip outlets, and independent retailers, along with many cool pop-up stores. There are many places to eat and drink, with a good selection of restaurants and cafes, and Newbury Street also has a great choice of art galleries to browse in.

What to do there: Wander along the historic street and look at the old buildings. Buildings of note include the French beaux-arts-style 234 Berkeley Street, Back Bay’s first building of the 1860 Emmanuel Church, the Taj Hotel (formerly the Ritz-Carlton), and the Romanesque revival gem at 181 Newbury Street. Browse and buy in the huge array of stores, with both famous brands, well-known chains, and unique one-off establishments.

Take a peek in Boston Public Library and the diverse art galleries along Newbury Street, wander through the quaint Copley Square (surrounded by handsome churches and with a fountain in the middle), and enjoy the atmospheric bars in the evening time.

Back Bay is home to some of Bostons best Airbnb’s . why not stay in the area and shop till you drop!

#9 – Corey Hill Park – One of the most underrated places to see in Boston

• Lesser-visited park
• Amazing views
• Children’s play areas
• Dog-friendly areas

Why it’s awesome: The pleasant hilltop Corey Hill Park covers a little over four acres (1.6 hectares). Named after a local settlor, the park dates back to the 1800s. Located some 79 metres (260 feet) above sea level, the park provides terrific views over Boston. A street runs through the park, splitting it into two sections.

Sturdy trees line the park’s boundaries. Visitors will find a large grassy lawn, a play area, statues, walking trails, and plenty of seating both in the sun and in the shade. Attracting fewer visitors than other parks in Boston it’s a nice place to get away from the crowds.

What to do there: Walk along the quiet pathways that wind through the park and enjoy being outdoors in a pretty and peaceful environment. The large lawn is ideal for ball games, picnics, and sunbathing, while kids are sure to love the play area in the park’s southern section. See the sundial, dedicated to a former town treasurer. Take a seat on one of the benches or at a picnic table and enjoy the great views of the Boston skyline. If visiting with your canine friends the dog park is perfect.

#10 – New England Aquarium – Awesome place to visit in Boston with kids!

• Huge tank filled with aquatic life and with viewing from all levels
• IMAX theatre
• Whale-watching opportunities
• Hands-on activities

Why it’s awesome: Open since 1969, New England Aquarium is one of the best places in Boston for a family day out. Old and young alike are sure to love seeing the huge assortment of aquatic life housed in the huge aquarium. The main tank was the biggest round ocean tank across the globe when it first opened.

Resembling a Caribbean coral reef, the Giant Ocean Tank contains sharks, rays, eels, sea turtles, and many species of smaller fish. There are viewing points at all levels. Various other displays showcase even more creatures and there’s a cool touch pool area, shows and demonstrations, and an IMAX theatre.

What to do there: Observe playful Californian sea lions and fur seals at the open-air Marine Mammal Centre, watch three different species of cute penguins, and visit the Olympic Coast exhibit to see the habitats and creatures that are found at the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. You’ll see things like kelp, sea stars, anemones, various fish, crabs, and sea cucumbers.

Come face to face with some of the ocean’s most feared creatures at the four-storey Giant Ocean Tank and feel the textures of different creatures at the touch tanks. Be dazzled at the gigantic screen at the IMAX theatre, learn more about ocean life at various presentations and shows, and watch as animals are fed. If you visit between April and October you can also join a fabulous whale-spotting trip, arranged in conjunction with Boston Harbor Cruises.

#11 – Observation Deck at Independence Wharf – A perfect place to visit in Boston if you are on a budget!

• Free attraction
• Amazing vistas
• Located in a historic building
• Inside and outside viewing areas

Why it’s awesome: Contained with an otherwise unremarkable former warehouse building at Independence Wharf, the Observation Deck is a great place to soak up great views of the city without needing to part with a single cent. It might not be the city’s tallest building, standing at 14 storeys tall, but visitors can still spot many of the major landmarks in Boston. There are both indoor and outdoor viewing areas, making it a great all-weather attraction. Binoculars are available to enhance the views.

What to do there: Take a walk around Independence Wharf and see the old warehouse buildings that were once a veritable hive of activity. Read the plaque on the side of the building that tells you more about the history and significance of the old warehouse before riding the elevators up to the 14 th -floor viewing areas. At the top you can enjoy terrific views across Boston, seeing places like Boston Harbor, Moakley Courthouse, Logan Airport, Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Boston Children’s Museum. Don’t forget to take ID with you—you’ll need it to sign in.

#12 – Trinity Church – A great place to see in Boston if you love architecture

• Striking façade and interiors
• Calm and spiritual air
• Active place of worship
• Long history

Why it’s awesome: Boston’s Trinity Church is both a major place of Christian worship and one of the finest religious landmarks in Boston. Located in Back Bay, the handsome church was built in the 1870s to replace an older church that was destroyed by fire. (The congregation’s history dates back to the 1700s.) A leading piece of architecture, it popularised a type of architecture now known as Richardsonian Romanesque, which was later emulated in many buildings around the USA.

The anti-slam heavy doors were also innovative for the time. The insides and exterior are attractive and the church is filled with stunning religious art. The atmosphere is tranquil and it remains an active place of worship today. Furthermore, it is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

What to do there: Admire the eye-catching building from the outside, complete with its towers, turrets, statues, arches, and columns. Step through the sturdy doors and marvel at the stunning interiors. Designed like a Greek cross, the church features beautiful murals, all created by American artists. The rich colours and details are impressive. You can also admire the beautiful windows, fine organs, and interesting sculptures. If you are lucky you may hear the church’s choirs performing.

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#13 – Museum of Bad Art – Quite the quirky place in Boston!

• Privately owned art museum
• Showcases works that may otherwise never be seen
• Unusual attraction in Boston
• One of the only museums of its kind in the world

Why it’s awesome: With a tagline that reads “art too bad to be ignored”, the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) displays pieces that would probably never see the light of day elsewhere. A Boston must see for any art fans or lovers of the obscure and bizarre, the museum displays a wide selection of artworks that are less than visually appealing! There are those that show lack of skill, those that display a shortage of creativity, and those that make visitors wonder just what the artists was actually thinking when they decided to put brush to canvas. The Museum of Bad Art, founded in 1994, is definitely one of the most unusual things to do in Boston and it’s sure to stimulate many a conversation.

What to do there: Do as the founders say the museum seeks to do—“celebrate an artist’s right to fail, gloriously”! See the unusual, hideous, and poor pieces on display, and don’t miss seeing the artwork that ignited the idea for such a museum—Lucy in the Field with Flowers (artist unknown). The oil painting was recovered from a rubbish bin! Wonder as you gaze upon pieces that are meant to resemble famous people, those that seek to praise religion, badly painted nudes, landscapes that have gone wrong, sports scenes, unusual animals, and abstracts that are too much for words.

#14 – Forest Hills Cemetery – A nice quiet place to see in Boston

• Dates back to the Victorian period
• Peaceful and quiet burial ground
• Site of several famous graves
• Mini village

Why it’s awesome: There are many historic graveyards in Boston, but Forest Hills Cemetery attracts fewer visitors than other sites. It is, nonetheless, a great place to add to your Boston itinerary, thanks to its beautiful funerary architecture, peaceful atmosphere, scenic lake, nature, and unusual miniature village.

Dating back to the Victorian era, the cemetery was established in the mid-1800s. Designed to replicate a park setting, the idea was to give people a tranquil and pretty place to lay their loved ones to rest. Today the burial ground displays a great balance between natural and man-made beauty. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the

What to do there: Stroll through the atmospheric cemetery and hear whispers from the past as you gaze upon the memorials and monuments to honour those who have passed away. There are a number of graves of famous figures within the cemetery, including suffragette Lucy Stone, poet Anne Sextant, author and missionary Rufus Anderson, composer and pianist Amy Beech, actress Fanny Davenport, sportsman Reggie Lewis, activist Mary Evans Wilson, and Civil War general William Dwight. Don’t miss seeing the mini village, added in 2006, which is meant to represent the diverse former homes of people buried in the cemetery.

#15 – North End – One of the nicer places in Boston to sightsee!

• Oldest residential area in Boston
• Historic ambience
• Interesting architecture and public art
• Diverse population

Why it’s awesome: The North End is one of the most interesting neighbourhoods in Boston with some of Bostons best hostels and it is the oldest residential area in the city. Famous for its large Italian population, various groups have called the area home over the years, including Irish, Jewish, and African Americans.

The North End boasts a wealth of interesting historic sites, with 12 places that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as a rich assortment of restaurants. Architecture can be seen from all periods of American history and there’s a great selection of public art to add to the visual appeal.

What to do there: The North End is a terrific place to simply take a stroll, absorbing the vibrant energy and seeing the sights. Historic points of interest in Boston’s North End include Mariners House, Copp’s Hill Terrace, St. Stephen’s Church, the Old North Church, Paul Revere House, and Union Wharf. The Freedom Trail passes through the area too.

Snap pictures of cool statues and monuments, including the Paul Revere sculpture, the Christopher Columbus statue, the Massachusetts Beirut Memorial, and the North End Library Mosaics. In need of sustenance? Call into one of the excellent Italian restaurants and feast on authentic Italian specialities.

#16 – Black Heritage Trail – A fascinating educational place to visit in Boston

• Visit important sites from African-American history
• Number of pre-Civil War buildings
• Oldest black church in the USA
• Easy to follow route

Why it’s awesome: The Black Heritage Trail runs for 2.6 kilometres (1.6 miles) through Beacon Hill in Boston. It provides information and context about the history of the local African American community. The trail leads past a number of historically significant sites, including private homes, churches, and schools. Visitors can see the biggest collection of historic places connected to a free black community before the Civil War. Free guided tours are available for greater insights or you can follow the trail independently.

What to do there: Arrange a free guided tour along the Black Heritage Trail or pick up a free information leaflet and map at the National Park Service. Learn more about black life in Boston and about the history of Massachusetts, the first state in the USA that made slavery illegal. Discover the role that the African American community played during the American Revolutionary War and see underground railway stations and tunnels that were sometimes used by freed and escaped slaves to reach the relative safety of Boston.

Begin the trail at Abiel Smith School, which is now home to the Museum of African American History. Continue to the 1806 African Meeting House (the oldest black church in the country) and read impassioned speeches. Walkthrough Beacon Hill, noting sites like the Charles Street Meeting House, John Coburn House, Hayden House, Phillips School, the Smith Court Residences, and the 54 th Regiment Memorial. Do keep in mind that most of the sites along the trail are still private homes and are not open to members of the public.

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#17 – Museum of Science – Easily one of the most fun places to check out in Boston

• Informative, educational, and fun
• Perfect for adults and kids alike
• Hand-on activities and interactive displays

Why it’s awesome: The Museum of Science is among the popular family-friendly attractions in Boston. It features several hundred interactive exhibits as well as hosting daily live demonstrations and presentations. There’s also an indoor zoo, with an interesting selection of creatures (many of which have been rescued), an IMAX theatre, and a planetarium. The museum started life as a natural history museum in the 1830s, later expanding and covering a wider assortment of fascinating themes. Today, there are various zones with tons of cool things to see and do.

What to do there: Learn numerous new things and be inspired as you explore the different exhibits within the Museum of Science. Get to know every type of bird found in New England with a virtual tour of Acadia National Park at A Bird’s World. Step into the Butterfly Garden where beautiful creatures fly all around you, see an ancient fossil from the Dakota Badlands, travel through the Milky Way, find out how you can conserve energy at home to live a greener lifestyle, get hands-on at the Discovery Centre, and see an assortment of scientific curiosities.

The Seeing is Deceiving exhibit is bound to make you question your perceptions of reality! Walkthrough the Rock Garden, learn more about animal care, and gain greater insights into biology at the Hall of Human Life. And, that’s just a small idea of the terrific exhibits at this fabulous museum! Watch a diverse selection of presentations, including those related to animals, magic, temperature, and astronomy, and call into the varied drop-in activities throughout the museum. Immerse yourself in different settings at the IMAX screen, have a sensory experience at the 4-D cinema, and feel the rush on the simulator of the Thrill Ride 360°.

#18 – Arnold Arboretum – A beautiful and scenic place to check out in Boston

• Part of Harvard University
• No admission cost
• Large collection of botanical species
• Varied landscapes

Why it’s awesome: Founded in the early 1870s and part of Harvard University, Arnold Arboretum aims to educate people about diverse plant life and its evolution. It’s a major centre for research as well as a popular place for people to go to enjoy nature and the beautiful scenery. There is no charge to visit the arboretum (although donations are greatly appreciated), making it an ideal place to visit in Boston for budget travellers. Additionally, there are free guided tours during the summer months. It’s also among the most romantic hotspots in Boston.

What to do there: Pop into the Visitor Centre to learn more about the different plants in the arboretum and get ideas for which walking trails to enjoy. Discover the vast array of plant life and explore the diverse landscapes, including charming babbling brooks and microclimate hills. Call into one of the talks by knowledgeable speakers, soak up the stunning views of the Boston skyline, and admire the rich collection of art scattered throughout the arboretum, a perfect complement to the natural treasures.

#19 – Symphony Hall – A great place to visit in Boston at night

• Historic concert venue
• Home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Beautiful architecture and art
• World-class acoustics

Why it’s awesome: Boston’s Symphony Hall was constructed at the turn of the 20 th century. It was built as the home of the top-class Boston Symphony Orchestra and still functions as the orchestra’s home today. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, it is often ranked as one of the top three concert halls in the world, thanks to its excellent acoustics.

Designed to be like Germany’s once-famous (but now destroyed) Gewandhaus, the hall was built to ensure that every area could enjoy fantastic sounding classical music. It’s a visually pleasing building both inside and out, and boasts several beautiful statues.

What to do there: Admire the Symphony Hall’s exterior before appreciating the fairly simple yet elegant interior details. Note the only name that appears above the stage—Beethoven. See the gorgeous statues that sit proudly along the upper walls. Inspired by Greek and Roman history and mythology, there are both historical figures and mythical beings. You can also see (and listen to) the impressive large organ. Sink into one of the original leather seats, installed in 1900, and enjoy a stirring performance.

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Find out what people want to know about the best places to visit in Boston

Where should tourists go in Boston?

The famous Freedom Trail stretching 2.5 miles takes in 16 of the most important landmarks in the city, many of which are significant to the history of the US.

Is two days enough time to spend in Boston?

Well, 2 days isn’t enough for most places! But Boston is a small city and if you’re pushed for time you can fit in most of the highlights.

What are the best free things to do in Boston?

Check out the Observation Deck on the Independence Wharf for incredible views of the city that don’t cost a penny!

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

Winter can be bitterly cold in the winter and there’s no escaping it. Embrace it and go ice skating on the pond in Boston Public Garden.

When it comes to museums, Boston definitely isn’t lacking! Other top options to add to your Boston itinerary include the Museum of Fine Arts, the deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Take younger visitors to Boston Children’s Museum. Don’t miss seeing the quirky Mapparium, one of the most unusual places to visit in Boston. The Skinny House is also pretty cool and unique!

Boston must-dos for sporting enthusiasts includes visiting the Sports Museum and catching a game at Fenway Park. Follow the informative Irish Heritage Trail, stroll around Boston Harbour, and get a taste of Asia in Chinatown. Lovely outdoor spots to visit in Boston include Quincy Shores Reservation, Blue Hills Reservation, and the off-the-beaten-track Cambridge Center Roof Garden.

Admire the sweeping views from the top of the incredible Skywalk Observatory, walk across Zakim Bridge, spend a day at the Boston Harbor Islands, and add diversity to your travels to Boston with day trips to places like Salem, Martha’s Vineyard, and Plymouth.

Regardless of your main travel interests or your age, there are definitely plenty of excellent places to visit in Boston!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Mary Beth Skylis

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Top Things to Do

Top 21 Things to Do in Boston, Massachusetts

TripSavvy / Violet Smirnova 

Boston is a one-of-a-kind American city that offers visitors opportunities to relive history, immerse themselves in the arts, cheer for hometown sports teams, explore museums, discover "hidden" harbor islands, and imbibe at local breweries. If you're visiting Boston for the first time or if you've never spent an extended period in Massachusetts' capital city, here are our picks for Boston's 21 must-see places and attractions.

Feel Scholarly at Harvard

Most college campus tours are designed for incoming students, but Harvard University in Cambridge is a tourist attraction in and of itself. It's not only the oldest university in the U.S., but one of the most prestigious schools in the world, counting among its alumni eight U.S. presidents, over 150 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of Rhodes Scholars and Marshall Scholars. Harvard Yard is the center of campus and the oldest part of the school, surrounded by the iconic red-brick buildings that the university is known for. Campus tours are free to attend and led by current students, with options of a historical tour or an arts walk.

Indulge in Oyster Happy Hour

Oysters are a New England staple, and no trip to Boston is complete without slurping down at least a few of these bivalve delicacies. Although they may seem like a lavish snack, many local bars and seafood restaurants include a daily "oyster happy hour" where you can get a few oysters and a drink for a reasonable price. Fresh oysters are practically ubiquitous throughout the city—and New England—but some of the best places to try them include the Union Oyster House , which is America's oldest continuously operated restaurant, or Lincoln . However, feel free to ask a local for their favorite spot and you won't be steered wrong.

Take a Trip to a Venetian Palace

Corbis / Getty Images

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum isn't just an art museum, but an art museum housed inside a replica of a real-life Venetian Palace. Isabella collected works from celebrated painters like Vermeer and Rembrandt and promised to keep them on display to the public. Apart from the expansive art collection, one of the most impressive parts of the museum is the inner courtyard, styled after the Palazzo Barbaro in Venice with its distinctive Renaissance architecture and year-round garden. Isabella was known as an eccentric socialite in her day and that legacy lives on in her museum. For example, anyone with the name "Isabella" has lifetime membership and can enter for free.

Step Inside the World's Largest Walk-in Globe

The Mary Baker Eddy Library

If you're a geography nerd, you can't miss taking a stroll through the Mapparium, the world's largest walk-in... world. Located inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library, this three-story globe offers a perspective of the Earth in a way you've never seen it before. Built in 1935, the Mapparium still shows the world as it was then and includes former countries and bygone borders. The exhibit also includes a special presentation called "A World Of Ideas" of orchestrated music, lights, and narration to enhance your experience.

Walk Along the Freedom Trail

Violet Smirnova / TripSavvy

A walk along the two-and-a-half-mile Freedom Trail is one of the best ways to get acquainted with Boston and to efficiently visit the city's bounty of historic landmarks . If you're in a hurry and in pretty good shape, you can cover the length of the trail in as little as an hour, but that won't really allow you time to stop and visit any of the sites along the way. Your best bet is to allow three hours or more to walk the trail at a leisurely pace and see all of its Revolutionary landmarks. Boston also has an Irish Heritage Trail you may want to explore.

Visit the Boston Public Garden and the Swan Boats

Boston Public Garden, located along Charles Street adjacent to Boston Common, is the nation's oldest botanical garden. The famous Swan Boats return to Boston Public Garden each spring and have done so since they were first invented in 1877 by Robert Paget. The rental business, which operates from mid-April through Labor Day, is still run by descendants of the boats' inventor.

Shop (and Eat) at Quincy Market

 TripSavvy / Taylor Nealand 

Quincy Market is actually just one part of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, but many locals refer to the whole complex as "Quincy Market." The famous indoor-outdoor market is a great place for both shopping and dining, and a perfect place to try local specialties (like the lobster rolls). Quincy Market colonnade houses more than thirty food merchants, so definitely arrive hungry in order to fully take advantage of this culinary attraction.

See a Reenactment of the Boston Tea Party

TripSavvy / Violet Smirnova

The Boston Tea Party is reenacted daily, and you can participate. Really! Steep yourself in history at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum . Rebuilt and reimagined following a devastating 2001 fire and another in 2007, the attraction reopened in 2012, and it's now one of the city's most engaging experiences.

Watch the Red Sox Play at Fenway Park

On a sunshine-filled summer afternoon, there is perhaps no better place to be in all of New England than Fenway Park, the historic home of Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox. Baseball fans have been energized and agonized by the exploits of some of baseball's greatest players at Fenway since 1912. If you can't score tickets to a Red Sox game , look into behind-the-scenes tours of Fenway Park .

Visit the Museum of Science

Boston's museums are as good as any you'll find in the world, and one of the most visited is the Museum of Science at Science Park. It has more than 700 interactive exhibits including A Bird's World, a 4-D theater, Thrill Ride 360°, a butterfly garden, and a planetarium. Take the kids for a full day of easy entertainment.

Taste Beer at Sam Adams Brewery

Violet Smirnov / TripSavvy

These days, Samuel Adams is known as much for being a brewer as a patriot. Tour the Sam Adams Brewery in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston—which is also home to the Boston Beer Museum—for a glimpse of the beer-making process and a sample of the finished product. The brewery itself is on the outer edges of the city, but you can always visit the Sam Adams Tap Room right in the city center for a more conveniently located taste of this all American beer.

Visit the New England Aquarium

Want to see sea lions smile and penguins play? Head to the New England Aquarium , one of Boston's perpetually popular family attractions . Once inside, you'll find yourself immersed in a watery world, where you can wave your flippers at cavorting sea lions and press your nose right up against the glass of the poisonous fish tank—if you dare!

Take a Day-Trip to a Boston Harbor Island

Kim Knox Beckius

Want to swim, hike , explore the ruins of an old fort, and camp out under the stars at a National Park? Believe it or not, you can do all of these things without leaving the city of Boston. The Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area consists of 34 narrow isles scattered in New England's most historic harbor, and you can visit these "hidden" outdoor spaces by boarding seasonal ferries from Quincy and Boston's Long Wharf .

Take a Walking Tour of Back Bay

Back Bay is one of Boston's oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods—especially if you time your trip with the fall foliage . Start with a walk along the Charles River to take in the beauty of this historic neighborhood near downtown Boston. Enjoy a quiet stroll down Commonwealth Avenue, admiring the brownstones that dot this tree-lined street modeled after Paris’ Haussmann renovation. Continue south to shop along trendy Newbury and Boylston streets. If you prefer a bit of guidance, ​ free walking tours are available almost year-round.

Relax at Boston Common

 TripSavvy / Violet Smirnova

The oldest city park in the United States—established 1634—the Boston Common consists of 50 acres between Charles Street and Downtown Boston. Originally used to graze cattle, the Common is now the place for Bostonians to come to graze during a lunch break or a weekend picnic. The Common is also the beginning of the Freedom Trail, making it the perfect place to sit for a while after walking it. When winter arrives, ice skating is available at the Boston Common Frog Pond.

Take in the History of the Boston Public Library

 TripSavvy / Taylor Nealand

While a trip to a public library may not rank highly on everyone’s vacation to-do list, the Boston Public Library is a must-see for visitors thanks to its many prominent murals, huge reading rooms, and Italian Renaissance-inspired interior courtyard complete with fountains and arched pathways. The library also hosts unique, free events throughout the year, ranging from readings to theater performances. 

Relive the 1960s at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

President John F. Kennedy's library and museum offers a glimpse into the 1960s and a chance to experience the life of the president firsthand. While Kennedy only spent a thousand days in office, the museum is home to more than 20 multimedia exhibits and period settings from the White House. I.M. Pei designed the memorial, which sits on a 10-acre waterfront site on Columbia Point. From there, you can see Boston's skyline and nearby Harbor Islands. 

See Ballet at the Boston Opera House

 Getty Images

Initially built in 1928 as a movie palace, the Citizens Bank Opera House lay empty from 1991 to 2004. Following a massive restoration and refurbishment, the Boston Opera House became home to the Boston Ballet. The ornate theatre is also the place to catch touring Broadway shows as well as their annual production of The Nutcracker each holiday season. 

Hover Over Boston Harbor at the Institute for Contemporary Art

One of the best pieces at the Institute of Contemporary Art? The building itself. This South Boston museum is housed in a modern piece of glass architecture that contrasts the rest of Boston’s historic buildings. A highlight is the rear of the museum, a cantilevered glass expanse that hovers over Boston Harbor.

Support Local Productions at Huntington Theatre

Boston’s leading professional theatre since 1982, the Huntington theatre has won the Tony award for "Best Regional Theater" and more than 150 Elliot Norton and Independent Reviewers of New England Awards. Since its opening, the Huntington has played to over 3.5 million people, and presented more than 200 plays—18 of which went on to Broadway or off-Broadway.

Have a Toast at "Cheers"

Famous as the inspiration for the television show Cheers , the former Bull & Finch Pub, now officially known as Cheers Boston, is located in Boston's Beacon Hill District. It's definitely a tourist trap with souvenirs galore for sale and overpriced pub food, but it's still one of those places that fans of the show make a beeline for when they're in Boston. There's a second replica of TV's most famous bar now, too, at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

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THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Downtown, Boston

Top things to do in downtown.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Financial District
• Fenway / Kenmore
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Honeymoon spot
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Freedom Trail

2. Boston Common

3. New England Holocaust Memorial

4. Faneuil Hall Marketplace

5. Quincy Market

6. Waterfront

7. New England Aquarium

8. Granary Burying Ground

9. Old State House

10. Wang Theater

11. The Printing Office of Edes & Gill

12. Rose Kennedy Greenway

13. King's Chapel

14. Boston Public Market

15. Boston Ballet

16. Boston Athenaeum

17. Marriott's Custom House

18. Old South Meeting House

19. Cashunt Boston - Private Games

20. Haymarket

21. Make Way for Ducklings Statues

22. Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company Museum

23. Boston Massacre Site

24. Miracles & Other Deceptions: The Close Up Magic of Paul Gertner

25. Park Street Church

26. Shrine of Saint Anthony

27. Boston Irish Famine Memorial

28. Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College

29. Peddocks Island

30. King's Chapel Burying Ground

What travelers are saying

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 Riggieri

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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.

• Published April 15, 2024 Updated April 18, 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

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The Best Cannoli in Boston: 9 Places to Score This Italian Treat

These are the finest versions of this famous Sicilian pastry

You might say Bostonians have tunnel vision when it comes to their dessert choices. While the city may have catapulted Boston Cream Pie into fame and it certainly runs on donuts (Dunkin’ or otherwise), the best cannoli in Boston remain a local delicacy. These filled pastry masterpieces of Italian origin are beloved by many, and actually are the topic of one of the city’s biggest culinary rivalries (Mike’s vs. Modern). Where you get this hand-held dessert is just as important as what kind you get, so here are nine of the best places to get cannoli in Boston. But before heading out for a treat, try some of the Best Italian Restaurants in Boston . For more sweet tooth service, check out the Best Dessert Places in Boston . If you want to explore more of the city’s Italian side, check out the North End and its Best Restaurants in the North End .

RECOMMENDED:  Full guide to the best restaurants in Boston

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Best cannoli in Boston

Mike’s pastry.

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The signature white box with bright blue font and two-tone string is well-known by diehard fans and tourists alike. Go basic or go big at Mike’s, with a huge case full of varieties of this legendary pastry, from traditional ricotta to unique fillings including limoncello, peanut butter, hazelnut, espresso, strawberry, mint chocolate and more. Shells are made in-house, and there are shop locations in the North End, Somerville, Harvard Square and North Station.

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Modern Pastry

Modern Pastry is an iconic North End pastry emporium with a loyal following. This family-owned spot has been in operation for decades, offering olOne of the North End’s cannoli kings, with a second location in Medford, Modern Pastry loyalists nosh on the crisp, deep-fried plain or chocolate pastry tubes filled to order with either ricotta, vanilla or chocolate custard, or whipped or Chantilly cream. Flavors include chocolate-dipped with chips, plain, almond slices and pistachio. To wash it down, grab a Tiramisu Stout, the bakery’s new collab with Lord Hobo Brewing Company.-world cakes, cookies, pizelles, and chocolates. Try the flaky sfogliatella (lobster tail) and a coffee for a sweet finish after a meal. Check out Modern Underground where you can get a cocktail with your dessert.

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Bova’s Bakery

If any spot is to invade the Mike’s vs. Modern dual, it’s Bovas. Family-owned since 1926, this North End spot is known for its traditional Sicilian cannoli made completely from scratch. In traditional Italian style, each shell is wrapped onto a tube and deep-fried to a perfect golden brown. The result is a crisp, bubbly shell filled with homemade creamy ricotta that isn’t too sweet, and topped with your choice of treats.

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Eataly Boston

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Set inside the Prudential Center, the rotating cannoli selection at this mega maze of Italian restaurants and shoppable delicacies is worth a trip to the Pru. Try out flavors such as raspberry gelée, tiramisu, dark chocolate, toasted pistachios or sweet ricotta made with Calabro Cheese in Connecticut — or order up a mini trio to have the best of all worlds. Add-ons include chocolate, hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds or cherries.

The wood burning oven might be the star of the show at the kitchen within Dorchester’s Adams Village, but don’t sleep on chef-owner Jeffrey Cincotta’s desserts. When you order the cannoli, you’ll enjoy four crispy cylinder cookies with a filing of ricotta and mascarpone cheese. They’re super light and not overly sweet, making them the perfect ending to a hearty and rich Italian meal.

Caffe Vittoria

This quintessential North End coffee shop fills crispy shells with sweet ricotta cream, or you can order them in a dark chocolate-dipped shell with either chocolate chips or pistachio dipping. Whichever you choose fits nicely on a small plate next to your latte, espresso, macchiato or cappuccino.

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Capone Foods

The housemade ricotta cannoli filling at this shop in Somerville’s Union Square is simple and delicious. They understand the soggy problem if a shell is filled and forgotten, so they sell kits (six or 12 shells) complete with vanilla filling in a piping bag to bring home and put fill when you're ready to dig in.

Trattoria Il Panino

Billing itself as “Boston’s first original trattoria,” this Hanover Street hot spot is well-known for its pasta dishes and festive covered patio. But ready to blow your socks off at the end of the meal is a cannoli finisher. The tubed treats are stuffed with a variety of flavors such as pistachio, hazelnut, chocolate and classic, and they’re made to order in-house with fresh ingredients.

Dolce Vita Ristorante

Right in the middle of the North End on Hanover Street, this intimate spot serves up cannoli with pastry shells internally coated in chocolate and filled with ricotta, candied fruit and chocolate chips. Rumor has it that they even allow you to order a cannoli shell crammed with gelato, which is just the tops in the summer.

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New York Times releases list of the best restaurants in Boston

The list includes a mix of popular and lesser known spots, by marc fortier • published april 17, 2024 • updated on april 17, 2024 at 2:59 pm.

The New York Times released its list of the best restaurants in (Greater) Boston right now this week as part of its ongoing "Where to Eat: 25 Best" series.

Making the list were a highly-rated Cambridge bagel shop, a Dorchester Vietnamese sandwich shop, a Winthrop seafood hotspot, a renowned oyster bar and many more.

Here's a quick look at who made the list.

• Bagelsaurus , Cambridge
• Bánh Mì Ba Lẹ , Boston
• Bar Vlaha , Brookline
• Belle Isle Seafood , Winthrop
• Celeste , Somerville
• Comfort Kitchen , Boston
• Cutty’s , Brookline
• Field & Vine , Somerville
• Giulia , Cambridge
• Mahaniyom , Brookline
• Mooncusser , Boston
• Ming Seafood Restaurant , Quincy
• Neptune Oyster , Boston
• Nightshade Noodle Bar , Lynn
• O Ya , Boston
• Pammy’s , Cambridge
• Row 34 , Boston, Burlington, Cambridge, Portsmouth, N.H.
• Sarma , Somerville
• Sofra Bakery and Cafe , Cambridge
• Sumiao Hunan Kitchen , Cambridge
• The Eaves , Somerville
• Tonino , Boston
• Toro , Boston
• Via Cannuccia , Boston
• Yume Ga Arukara , Boston, Cambridge

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Click here to read the full story.

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See the Boston Marathon 2024 results for winners, times and more details

By Matt Geagan

Updated on: April 15, 2024 / 3:31 PM EDT / CBS Boston

BOSTON -- While it will take most runners all day to complete the 2024 Boston Marathon , the winners of the race have already crossed the finish line on Boylston Street. Monday saw a few repeat winners, along with a few newcomers breaking the tape before anyone else.

Hellen Obiri wins Boston Marathon women's race

Hellen Obiri of Kenya broke away late to claim her second straight Boston Marathon women's race, breaking the tape with a finish time of 2:22:37. She is the first back-to-back winner since Catherine Ndereba of Kenya won two straight women's races in 2004 and 2005. 

What was a pack of 20 was down to just two for the final miles on Monday, as Obiri and Sharon Lokedi ran alongside each other as the crowd cheering them on. But Obiri kicked things into high gear in the final stretch, and now has another Boston victory to her name. Obiri also won the 2023 New York City Marathon. 

Lokedi finished second at 2:22:45 while Edna Kiplagat placed third at 2:23:21 to give Kenya the top three spots in the women's race. Buze Diriba and Senbere Teferi (both from Ethiopia) each finished at 2:24:04 to round out the top five in the women's race.

Minnesota's Emma Bates was the first American woman to cross the finish line on Monday, finishing in 2:27:14. Sara Hall was next a 2:27:48 (two minutes behind her finish in Boston last year), while 2018 champ Des Linden finished in 2:28:27.

Click here to see all of Monday's top American finishers in the Boston Marathon .

Sisay Lemma wins Boston Marathon men's race

Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia didn't finish the last time he ran Boston in 2022. On Monday, there was very little doubt he'd be the first man across the finish line.

The 33-year-old led wire-to-wire and broke the tape with a time of 2:06:17 -- the 10th fastest time in Boston history. Lemma measured his lead in minutes for most of the race, though his edge was trimmed to a minute in the final miles. But no one was catching Lemma, whose previous best in Boston was 30th place in 2019. 

Mohamed Esa (also of Ethiopia) was second across the finish line at 2:06:58, while defending champ Evans Chebet was not far behind at 2:07:22. Kenyans John Korir (2:07:40) and Albert Korir (2:07:47) rounded out the top five.

C.J. Albertson was the top American finisher at 2:09:53, and placed seventh overall for his best finish in Boston. He finished 10th in 2021, 13th in 2022, and 12th in last year's race.

Eden Rainbow-Cooper wins Boston Marathon women's wheelchair race

A newcomer took home the women's wheelchair crown, as Eden Rainbow-Cooper became the first woman from Great Britain to win the wheelchair division of the Boston Marathon. The 22-year-old finished Monday with a time of 1:35:11 to claim the first World Marathon major win of her career.

Four-time champ Manuela Schar made a push and cut Rainbow-Cooper's lead to 30 seconds at one point, but the Portsmouth, England native pulled away late. There was no one in her rear-view mirror when she took the left turn onto Boylston.

Rainbow-Cooper also won the Boston 5K on Saturday.He didn't have a sponsor for Monday's race, but that is likely going to change after her victory. 

Schar came in second on Monday with a 1:36:41 finish, followed by Madison De Rozario (1:39:20), Patricia Eachus (1:40:22), and Aline Dos Santos Rocha (1:41:47).

Michelle Wheeler was the top American finisher in the women's wheelchair race at 1:45:59. 

Marcel Hug wins Boston Marathon men's wheelchair race and sets another course record

Another year, another men's wheelchair crown for Switzerland's Marcel Hug. "The Silver Bullet" collected his seventh Boston win on Monday, and once again broke his own course record. 

Actually, he didn't just break the record, he shattered it with a 1:15:33 finish. He broke his own course record last year as well with a 1:17:06 finish. 

He repeated as a record-smashing champ despite crashing into the wall as he turned onto Comm Ave in Newton. But not even that collision could slow Hug down on Monday, and for the second straight year finished way ahead of the competition. Maryland's Daniel Romanchuk finished second with a time of 1:20:37, followed by David Weir (1:22:12), Sho Wantanabe (1:26:10), and Joshua Cassidy (1:26:15).

Romanchuk was the top American finisher, followed by Aaron Pike (1:28:35) and Evan Cornell (1:30:31).

Who won the Boston Marathon in 2023?

The 127th Boston Marathon saw another sweep by Kenya, with Evans Chebet and Hellen Obiri winning the men's and women's races, respectively.

Chebet won his second straight Boston Marathon with a finish time of 2:05:54 -- good for the third-fastest winning time in the race's history. It was also nearly a minute faster than his victory in 2022. Chebet was Boston Marathon winner to repeat since Robert Cheruiyot won three straight from 2006-2008.

Obiri was actually a late entry into the 2023 Boston Marathon, and had only run marathon before tackling Boston: The New York City Marathon a few months prior. She won with a finish time of 2:21:38, good for the fourth-fastest winning time in race history. 

In the men's wheelchair race, well we already told you all about Hug. But he won his sixth Boston Marathon last year when he beat out American Daniel Romanchuk by over 10 minutes.

Susannah Scaroni won the women's race in 1:41:45 despite having to deal with a loose wheel near the 15K mark. It was her first win in Boston and her third-fastest time on the course in her nine races.

What is the fastest anyone has ever run the Boston Marathon?

Geoffrey Mutai holds the record for the best time at the Boston Marathon, completing the 2011 men's race in just 2:03:02.

Ethiopia's Buzunesh Deba holds the record in the women's race, completing the 2014 Boston Marathon in 2:19:59. The record previously belonged to Rita Jeptoo of Kenya and her 2:18:57 finish in 2014, but Deba was declared the winner in 2016 when Jeptoo was stripped of her title because of doping. 

In the wheelchair race, you just read about Hug and his record-setting performance on Monday. Manuela Schar owns the record in the women's race at 1:28:17 (2017).

Do Boston Marathon winners get a prize for winning?

Winners do get a nice chunk of change, with the winners of the men's and women's races receiving $150,000 each. Second place finishers will take home $75,000, while third-place finishers will get $40,000. 

In the wheelchair division, the top winners will receive $40,000, while second and third place will take home $25,000 and $12,000, respectively. 

Matthew Geagan is a sports writer and producer for CBS Boston and wbz.com. He has been part of the WBZ sports team for nearly 20 years.

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10 Best Places to Live in Massachusetts, According to Local Real Estate Experts

These are the best places to live in Massachusetts, from small towns to bustling cities.

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From spectacular Atlantic beaches to the lush Taconic Mountains, Massachusetts is packed with natural beauty and history that draw both tourists and locals to destinations around the state. Boston, Plymouth, Cambridge, and Salem are popular destinations for travelers seeking history, while others prefer to enjoy Massachusetts's nature and head to Cape Cod, the Berkshires, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard. As a major economic hub in the Northeast, Massachusetts also draws entrepreneurs for its favorable business environment ( U.S. News & World Report placed it first among the best states for business in the country) and excellent academic institutions, churning out highly skilled graduates.

Considering a move to the Bay State? Here are 10 of the best places to live in Massachusetts, according to local real estate experts.

"Brookline is one of the most sought-after towns in Massachusetts because of its proximity to Boston, excellent public school system, and exceptional real estate offerings," Dave Costello, managing director at Advisors Living/Luxury Portfolio International , said of the historic town located just four miles southwest of downtown Boston. Its residents have easy access to the city (via the Green Line subway) and some of its best universities and medical facilities like Boston College and the Longwood Medical Area. 

While homes in Brookline don't come cheap — the median value is around $1,100,732 — the town has one of the most diverse housing markets in the Boston area, Costello explained, ranging from suburban estates to condos. Neighborhoods like Chestnut Hill feature a classic blend of old and new homes, while "Coolidge Corner and Washington Square offer handsome row houses and renovated condos," he added.

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Salem may have a reputation for being a spooky Halloween destination , but the town has much more to offer throughout the year. Affordable housing and proximity to Boston are just two factors that bring people here. The median home price is currently around $561,655. However, as Boston Magazine suggested, you should act fast as prices have skyrocketed in recent years.

The town's cityscape is characterized by historic buildings and residences as well as independent businesses. Salem has the second-deepest port in Massachusetts, which is good news for sailing enthusiasts (over 8,000 boats roam the waters of the Salem Sound).

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With its world-class museums, universities, and sports teams, Boston is one of America's most vibrant cities, blending historic charm and modern amenities. "Natural treasures such as Boston Harbor, The Public Garden, and Charles River offer outdoor enthusiasts and families plenty to do on a warm summer day. During the winter, a snowy walk down the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, illuminated by thousands of holiday lights, is simply beautiful," Costello said.

Despite the high cost of living in Boston, its role as a major economic, educational, and cultural hub in New England attracts professionals from around the globe.

"Buyers looking to purchase in Boston should start their home search early in the year. Winter is a great time to become familiar with our market and prepare for the most active period of the year: the spring market," Costello explained.

Related: 30 Best Things to Do in Boston

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"Situated on the Charles River, Cambridge is known for its charming neighborhoods, historic architecture, and tree-lined streets. From the young to the young at heart, and spanning all cultures, Cambridge offers an enriching living experience that captivates its residents," Ali Joyce, an agent at William Raveis Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International , said. Of course, Cambridge is also a major academic hub, home to several universities, including Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"Cambridge has over 20 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own flavor and advantages. A favorite destination for tourists and residents is, of course, Harvard Square. For higher density and high-rise buildings, you might prefer Inman Square, Kendall Square, Central Square, and Porter Square, and for a more residential vibe, head west," Joyce suggested.

Provincetown

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Located at the tip of Cape Cod , Provincetown is a place unlike any other. "We offer the unique charm of a small town, coupled with world-class entertainment, nightlife, restaurants, galleries, shops, and environmental beauty. We have a history steeped in maritime activity, theater, and the arts. Ptown, a common nickname for the town, thrives on its diversity and has long been a safe haven for the LBTQ community," Rob Tosner, an agent at William Raveis Real Estate, explained.

In the summer, the main drag, Commercial Street, buzzes with activity and events such as the annual Provincetown Portuguese Festival & Blessing of the Fleet and the Carnival Parade. The town is roughly divided into three areas — East End, Central, and West End — and you can find waterfront properties with ocean views in each of them.

The town is connected to Boston via a daily ferry service, which only takes about two and a half hours, and there's a small municipal airport, 10 minutes from downtown, serviced by Cape Air.

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Last year, WalletHub ranked this charming spot just outside of Boston as the second-best small city in the country and first in Massachusetts, scoring top results in the education and health category. Thanks to the excellent schools, safety, and amenities, Lexington is an incredibly sought-after community, especially by families.

"Homes in Lexington are so popular, it doesn't matter the style! Fortunately, we have a lot to choose from between our historic colonials and Victorians to the mid-century moderns seen in the Peacock Farm to the quintessential New England Cape [style]," Kenda Coleman, an agent at William Raveis Real Estate, said. 

However, Coleman added that limited inventory is an issue, which, together with the high demand, is driving home prices up. Currently, the median value stands at $1,474,565, up 11 percent since last year.

This town of about 40,000 in western Massachusetts is famous for its top-ranking colleges, natural beauty (the town is at the heart of Pioneer Valley), top-notch dining scene, diverse population, and endless outdoor activities.

"It is very family-friendly, boasting a sought-after elementary-through-high school education system, as well as many other private school options," Karen Stiles Jones, an agent at William Raveis Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, added. "Amherst's property values have a history of remaining strong and are consistently a great investment."

She explained that the town is home to a wide variety of home styles, from historic residences built in the 1700s to contemporary homes with modern amenities. However, they all have one thing in common. "A lot of buyers like the uniqueness of our inventory. Many buyers say they don't want a 'cookie cutter' home," Jones said. 

And while Massachusetts's real estate market is one of the priciest in the country, homes in Amherst have a median value of about $480,519, over $100,000 lower than the state's average of $596,410.

Springfield

Springfield is a magnet for people seeking affordable housing (the median home value is $262,276, lower than the national average and the lowest of all markets on this list) and endless outdoor recreation. The state's third-largest city is home to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, and the expansive, 735-acre Forest Park. Plus, the city is just an hour away from the picturesque Berkshires.

"[Framingham] is a unique city where there are sections that encompass urban, suburban, and even rural living experiences," Scott Accorsini, managing director at Advisors Living/Luxury Portfolio International, explained, adding that the city is home to one of the largest Brazilian American communities in the country. 

Beyond the diverse communities and lifestyles available in the city, another major factor that has made Framingham a popular choice among newcomers is affordable housing. Unlike many other communities close to Boston, where the median home value reaches — and sometimes surpasses — the $1 million mark, median prices here currently stand at $608,815 .

"If you are looking to buy a property in Framingham, you can find anything from an urban-style condo to an equestrian farm," Accorsini explained, highlighting the neighborhood of Saxonville for its classic character.

Worcester is one of Massachusetts's largest cities, so it's an excellent option for those seeking big-city amenities without the high price tag of Boston's housing market (the city is only about an hour away). Worcester has a vibrant arts scene with many museums and performance arts venues, but it also caters to those who lead an active lifestyle, as the city is home to over 50 parks and 20 lakes and ponds.

The median home price in Worcester is $395,417, slightly above the national average but much lower than the median values for Boston or Massachusetts as a whole. The city is also No. 77 on U.S. News & World Report's list of best places to live in the country and 35th on the list of best places to retire.

There’s nothing like the Boston Marathon. See how the day unfolded.

When the sun is shining and the spectators are out, the experience of running 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boylston Street cannot be matched.

We say it every year, but: There’s nothing like the Boston Marathon.

Monday marked the 128th edition of the fabled race. From the moment the athletes set off, it was an electrifying day on the course. On the professional side, Sisay Lemma won his first Boston; Hellen Obiri defended her 2023 crown.

The weather threw a wrench into the plans of many participants. Temperatures topped out in the mid-60s, prompting a number of scratches and heat-exhaustion injuries along the course.

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The Globe provided coverage throughout the day. Here’s how Marathon Monday unfolded.

See the full results of Monday’s race here.

2024 Boston Marathon: Elite race results

• Sisay Lemma , a 33-year-old from Ethiopia, led nearly wire-to-wire to win the men’s elite race. He prevented Evans Chebet from becoming the first man to win three consecutive Marathons in a row since 2008. Read more here.
• Hellen Obiri won her second straight Boston Marathon. She is the sixth woman to win back-to-back titles and the first since Catherine Ndereba in 2005. Read more here.
• Switzerland’s Marcel Hug broke the course record en route to a seventh men’s wheelchair title in Boston. His time of 1 hour, 15 minutes, 33 seconds beat the record he set last year. Read more here.
• Great Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper won the women’s wheelchair title with a time of 1:35:11. The 22-year-old is the first British woman to win Boston in either the open or wheelchair divisions. Read more here.
• See how the elite races unfolded, mile-by-mile .

Stories you may have missed from Marathon Monday

• In Wellesley, Marathon runners get kisses: ‘I’m not technically in a relationship right now’
• On her birthday, Sara Hall turned energy from the crowd into a 15th place finish
• CJ Albertson finishes as top American man with a little help from chicken coop technology
• For the second year, Bruins great Zdeno Chara completes the Marathon: ‘It’s the best marathon in the world’
• Former champ Des Linden ran Boston without the ‘pressure or expectations.’ She had a ball.
• After 37 years running at night, race director Dave McGillivray rejoins the fray
• Meb, the 2014 Boston Marathon winner, finishes his ‘victory lap’ for charity a decade later

2024 Boston Marathon: How it happened

Read all our Marathon stories

From world-famous elite runners to those supporting a worthy cause, tens of thousands of athletes from across the globe participated in the Boston Marathon this year, winding their way through the 26.2-mile course that runs from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.

Those who stood out in the packed field were a handful of notable names. The high-profile participants included previous champions, beloved sports stars, and recognizable faces from television. Meanwhile, former Patriots tight end and fan-favorite Rob Gronkowski was this year’s grand marshal.

Find out how notable runners, from Zdeno Chara to Des Linden, finished on Monday.

View from above: See how the Marathon looked from a blimp — 7:30 a.m.

Spectators spotted the Dick’s Sporting Goods blimp soaring across the city on Monday.

Ever wonder what the Boston Marathon looks like from a blimp? Dick’s shared photos with the Boston Globe. Take a look.

Here’s who won the para divisions on Monday — 7:00 p.m.

In the past several years, the Boston Athletic Association has made an effort to expand and enhance participation by para athletes in its main events, including a boost in prize money.

On Monday, seven para divisions were included in the 128th Boston Marathon in addition to the wheelchair division races won by Marcel Hug and Eden Rainbow-Cooper .

The winners in each para division received $2,500. Here’s a breakdown by division:

T11/T12 (vision impairment): Men - Irwin Ramirez, 3:24:21; Women - Joyce Cron, 4:27:46

T13 (Vision impairment): Men - Andrew Thorsen, 3:02:23; Women - Lisa Thompson, 4:00:58

T45/T46 (upper-limb impairment): Men - Atsbha Gebremeskel, 2:54:14; Women - Adrienne Keane, 4:44:26

T61/T63/T43 (lower-limb impairment): Men - Adam Popp, 3:11:56; Women - Tatsiana Khvitso-Trimborn, 4:00:04

T62/T64; T42/T44 (lower-limb impairment): Men - Marko Cheseto Lemtukei, 2:46:45; Women - Kelly Bruno, 3:31:30

T35-T38 (coordination impairment): Men - Joseph Drake, 4:32:44; Women - Cristina Burbach, 3:41:17

T20 (intellectual impairment): Thomas Cantara, 2:35:23

Best of Boston? Without question, Patriots Day with the Marathon and Red Sox has a celebratory vibe no other city can match. — 6:00 p.m.

By Chad Finn, Globe columnist

We could, in theory, throw down the gauntlet, issue a formal challenge, dare any other city in North America to claim it has an annual celebration of region and sport as sublime as Patriots Day in Boston.

But c’mon. What would be the point? To humor, oh, Philadelphia?

You know the truth, I know the truth, the approximately 30,000 participants in the 128th Boston Marathon and the tens of thousands of fans cheering them on know the truth, and so do the thousands that made their way to Fenway Park for the Red Sox’ traditional 11:10 a.m. first pitch.

When the weather cooperates and the vibes are equally as warm, nothing anywhere else matches Patriots Day.

Read Finn’s full column here.

Once again, Henry Richard finishes the race in honor of his late brother — 5:30 p.m.

By Cam Kerry

Henry Richard couldn’t stop smiling when he got over the finish line.

Henry, the brother of the late Martin Richard, completed the course in 5:17:11, good for a 12:06 pace. It was the 22 year-old’s fifth running of Boston in honor of his brother, who was killed in the bombings 11 years ago.

“It’s such an amazing feeling to keep coming back, year after year,” said Henry. “Running alongside friends, family, and people who just want to honor the Martin Richard Foundation’s message, it’s just an incredible feeling to see that it’s not forgotten after 10 years. People still want to keep coming back to Boston, coming back to the Boston Marathon, and just running for Martin.”

Henry sported a bright yellow ‘MR8′ uniform surrounded by his family and friends; MR8 benefits the Martin Richard foundation. Crowds along the course provided the team a plethora of support.

“It’s incredible – sometimes I feel like I’m getting a little too much support and I want people to share the wealth,” said Henry. “The cheers for MR8 are just incredible and it’s what drives us to keep going forward. I had a tough day today and I don’t think I would have been able to do it without those cheers.”

Throughout his run, Henry saw many people that he’s met throughout the years and that, along with his friends and family beside him and the memory of his late brother, helped spur him over the finish line.

“It’s incredible to see people that I’ve met along the way over the past 10 years and they can’t catch me walking,” said Henry. “Once I make eye contact with them, that’s what keeps me going forward.”

Patrick Clancy finishes his race — 5:15 p.m.

By Matty Wasserman

Patrick Clancy, whose three young children were killed at their home in January 2023, completed the Boston Marathon on Monday in their memory.

The Duxbury resident crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 59 minutes and 19 seconds, with his final mile (8:31) his fastest of the afternoon.

“It felt amazing to cross the finish line,” Clancy said. “It was a lot of work to get here, and it is a big accomplishment.”

Read more here.

Today’s race was a family affair for director Dave McGillivray — 5:00 p.m.

By Ethan Fuller

Dave McGillivray has run the Boston Marathon for 52 consecutive years. But since 1987, the race director has waited until the evening to run the course he oversees, finishing in the dark.

This year, McGillivray joined the masses, starting at the back of the second wave and crossing the finish line just before 4 p.m. among the crowd he has helped grow.

“A lot of [spectators] knew who I was, so they were calling my name out,” McGillivray, 69, said. “It’s just flattering, humbling, to think that all those people know who you are because I’ve been doing it for so long. Running at night, all I had cheering for me were pigeons and squirrels.”

McGillivray started with the Marathon as technical director in 1988 and became race director in 2001. He admitted that it was hard to put away his critical lens while running.

“Any race I’m running, I’m running with the eye of a director and critiquing the event,” he said. “These hydration tables are too close or too far away. We need more crowd control here — whatever it may be. I’m always either trying to see things that we can improve upon, or looking at things that, maybe we did, and to me, they worked.”

A big challenge for McGillivray, and the rest of the field: heat. He’s used to running Boston at night in cool temperatures, and Monday’s warmth and sunshine brought stark contrast.

“The heat got to me, for sure,” he said. “But then we got some cloud cover, and that helped a lot, and we had a tailwind, and when it came through, there was a little bit of chilly air. It wasn’t oppressive, but we haven’t trained in those kinds of conditions all year.”

But McGillivray had plenty of motivation to finish strong. He ran alongside his daughter, Elle, in her first Boston Marathon, while his son, Max, competed for the second time. And even with 52 appearances, McGillivray still chases the self-satisfaction he sees when runners complete the iconic course.

“There’s nothing more powerful in the world than feeling good about yourself. That’s the foundation by which we accomplish everything in our lives, and it’s the same thing with me,” he said.

“The medal is symbolic, but I’m not doing it for the medal. I’m doing it for my own head, saying I can still do, at almost 70 years old, what I could do when I was 18 years old.”

How the heat impacted racers today — 4:50 p.m.

By Daniel Kool, Maddie Khaw and Alexa Coultoff

With temperatures in the high 60s and up to 70 degrees, and sunny skies over much of the Boston Marathon ’s course, runners Monday endured chafing, dehydration, and lots and lots of sweat.

The medical tent in Wellesley, just down the road from the halfway mark, had treated 80 runners as of 2:30 p.m., according to Dr. Jacob Koshy of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

The heat took a toll on some runners , Koshy said, with a handful of athletes dropping out halfway due to dehydration and overheating. Anecdotally, Koshy estimated that around 15 to 20 of the runners he triaged stopped the race early.

“Folks have been feeling it really early, even a few miles in,” Koshy said. “A few of the runners felt it immediately. They felt this was different, they could tell this was too hot for them.”

Runners who dropped out were offered a bus back to the finish line, he said, or called family members to pick them up from Wellesley.

Melanie Mead, station leader at the Wellesley medical tent, said at least three more people had dropped out by the time they closed just after 3 p.m.

Up the route, at the medical station just before Mile 23 in Brookline, runners were stopping every minute or two for some sort of assistance in the afternoon — often just an ice pack to press against their chest to cool off, or sometimes a massage for a cramping muscle.

Volunteers stood ready to catch them before they fainted, offering medical attention.

Meanwhile, Boston EMS saw 25 race-related ambulance transports along the Marathon route by 4:20 p.m., but it was not clear how many of those were heat-related, according to a Boston EMS spokesperson. The spokesperson said EMS cared for some patients experiencing hyperthermia, but they could not provide specific numbers.

Several runners threw up shortly after crossing the finish line, before being escorted to the medical tent. Around 2:40 p.m., one runner lay on the sidewalk in the medical tent’s shade, breathing heavily.

It was a stark contrast to last year’s marathon, during which overcast skies and a late-day downpour prompted medical personnel to offer runners heat lamps and protection from the rain.

Jose Lopez, deputy chief of the Framingham Fire Department, said the city’s emergency services got a couple of calls during the Marathon for “minor injuries, but none of them were heat related.”

He said that does not count medical care that may have been provided by Boston Athletic Association personnel and volunteers, who oversee the course’s medical tents.

He noted that runners may not have been especially tired by the time they passed through Framingham, which is less than 8 miles into the course.

“It was early in the day and we’re also toward the beginning of the race,” Lopez said.

Dan Kitti, in town from Chicago, completed his third Boston Marathon in the heat, crossing the finish line a little after 1 p.m., as temperatures in Copley Square approached their peak.

Kitti said the heat made Thursday a “perfect day” for spectators.

“Hot for the runners, but it’s good for the crowd,” Kitti said, sweat dripping from his chin.

A unicorn spotting! — 4:30 p.m.

When Aurelien Avert, Guillaume Lacroix, and Guillaume Perin set out to complete the six marathon majors eight years ago, the three friends had one goal.

”We love unicorns. We said, ‘The day we’re doing Boston, we’ll have to dress as unicorns,’ and so here we are,” Perin said. “That was a dream of ours when we started the world major marathon journey.”

The three friends, who met in high school in France, now live all over the world — Lacroix in New York, Perin in Australia, and Avert in France — but they get together every year or two to work toward the ultimate target of running each of the six world major marathons.

They began in 2017 with New York, then moved on to Chicago in 2019, Berlin in 2021, London in 2023, and this year, Boston.

Tokyo’s up next, and hopefully, they’ll finish their quest next year. But for now, they’re just happy they finally got the chance to run dressed as the race’s famous mascot.

Amby Burfoot, 77, completes his 28th Boston Marathon — 4:15 p.m.

By Sarah Barber

In 1968, Ambrose “Amby” Burfoot crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 17 seconds.

On Monday, the 77-year-old crossed the finish line for the 28th time.

Burfoot, who was joined after the race by his wife Cristina, completed the course in 4 hours, 59 minutes and 58 seconds. He wore bib No. 1968.

”The race was sensational and I’m very tired,” Burfoot said as he leaned against a metal barrier.

At his age, 26.2 miles is no small feat, but the biggest difference for Burfoot between the race in 1968 and the race in 2024 was his training.

”Then, I was running 100 miles a week for training, and now I’m running 15,” Burfoot laughed.

The Mystic, Conn., native’s spirits were high despite spending nearly five hours on the course in the heat. Burfoot said he’s run Boston 28 times — simply because it’s Boston.

”I keep coming back here because it’s a celebration of life,” he said. “It’s just a thrill to hit Boylston Street, to finish another one and feel that life is moving on in the right direction.”

The love for the Boston Marathon is a sentiment echoed among many that take on the course. But for a runner like Burfoot, who has nearly three decades’ worth of races under his belt, the emotion is palpable.

”It’s the tradition of the Boston Marathon, the fact that these communities have been out there for a hundred years, not just a decade or two,” Burfoot said. “They’re fantastic, they know the marathon and they honor the runners. I heard my name a lot, frankly I was looking down at the road a lot and just trying to truck on, but I heard my name a lot.”

How did Sarah Hall celebrate her birthday? She ran the Boston Marathon. — 4:05 p.m.

Sara Hall decided to celebrate her 41st birthday doing what she loves most: running.

“There’s no race like this race, the Boston Marathon. It’s incredible,” Hall said. “There’s nothing I would rather do on my birthday.”

Hall, the fourth-fastest American marathoner in history, finished her third Boston Marathon in 15th place, completing the course in 2:27:58 and improving upon her 17th-place finish in 2023.

Read the full story here.

Watch the winners of the 2024 Boston Marathon sprint to the finish — 3:55 p.m.

Yes, that was zdeno chara you spotted towering over the other runners — 3:45 p.m..

From his days as a Boston Bruins player, Zdeno Chara is more than familiar with the roar of a crowd. The fans who pack the barricades for 26.2 miles along the route of the Boston Marathon, however, are something else entirely.

“You have fans right there with you screaming and cheering you on,” said Chara, who played 24 seasons in the NHL, including 13 with the Bruins. “It’s the best marathon in the world. All the credit goes to the fans because they make this race such a special marathon.”

Chara, who stands at 6 feet, 9 inches, completed his second consecutive Boston Marathon, the seventh marathon he’s run in the last 12 months, in an unofficial time of 3 hours, 30 minutes, and 52 seconds. In a few days, he’ll fly to London to run marathon No. 8 alongside Becca Pizzi, a professional marathoner with whom he trains and races.

High of 70? That’s nothing. Here are the hottest Boston Marathons in history. — 3:35 p.m.

Monday’s high hit the 70-degree mark in the Boston area, a few degrees higher than what forecasters anticipated for the Boston Marathon, but still far from the hottest Patriots Day the city has endured since the race’s inception.

Globe meteorologist Ken Mahan said today’s gradual rise in temperature largely has to do with the lack of cloud cover.

The optimal running temperature for runners ranges between 44 and 59 degrees. That’s a statistic supported by the fact that 70% of the major North American marathon records have been set with temperatures within this range.

Nearly a dozen notable Boston Marathons have pushed the mercury to 80 degrees or higher, including:

• 1905 – The all-time hottest Boston Marathon was a whopping 100 degree.

• 1976 – Temps climbed to 96 degrees during race time.

• 2012 – Runners raced amid 89-degree heat.

Is that ... Spiderman? — 3:30 p.m.

Daniel Farrar completed the Boston Marathon in a Spiderman suit to draw attention.

Not to himself, but to his six-year old daughter, Lucy, who battles cystic fibrosis.

Farrar pledged a $135 donation for every mile run in under nine minutes, which he did 21 of. With the addition of donations, Farrar expects to raise between $4,000 and $5,000. The 36 year-old from Stonington, Connecticut finished in 3:46:38.

”She’s doing great, so I do everything that I can to raise funds and awareness and support,” said Farrar.

Farrar received cheers from the raucous supporters for the entire 26.2 miles, spurring him on. This was his first time completing the Boston Marathon, though he ran in a Spiderman costume for the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC.

”I’m a huge Spiderman fan,” said Farrar. “I had it for a Halloween costume and I just decided to wear it. [It’s] A little hot today.”

Lucy had school today, so she was not in attendance. Farrar is hosting a road race next weekend in Stonington called “Laps For Lucy,” a four-mile event that between 50 to 100 people will partake in.

”She loves to see me do this stuff,” said Farrar. “I run with her when I can. She’s little, she’ll get bigger and she’ll keep on doing it.”

Young entrepreneurs make the most of a hot day — 3:25 p.m.

A line of eager spectators waited to buy a $1 lemonade and a bag of goldfish in the 70 degree heat.

To keep the Marathon crowds cool, six-year-old entrepreneur Ali Penaranda ran a lemonade stand in front of her apartment on Commonwealth Avenue.

With help from her friend, Sunny Kim, 6, and her cousin Daniel Valerio, 12, Ali’s stand was a well-oiled machine Monday afternoon.

”We really like lemonade,” Ali said.

This is the third year “Ali’s Lemonade Stand,” as Ali calls it, has opened for the Marathon crowd.

Tiffany Kim, Sunny’s mom, said Ali and her family have chosen a charity for the past three years to donate the funds, and last year they raised $1,200, she said.

Daniel, who was busy pouring the lemonade while Ali ran around the yard, said they bought Huggies diapers for Boston kids and families in need with the money last year.

Host of MTV’s ‘Catfish’ makes an appearance on the course — 3:15 p.m.

Nēv Schulman, 39, TV host and producer of MTV series, “Catfish,” completed the Boston Marathon as a guide runner for Francesco Magisano, a blind athlete. The pair ran for Achilles International.

”I feel very fulfilled; it was hard work but we got through it,” said Schulman. “It’s always been on my bucket list to run Boston.”

Schulman said him and Magisano run consistently throughout the year, so training for Boston was simply a matter of adding more runs. Magisano is an established triathlete; he was the first blind athlete to finish the Ultraman Florida in 2023.

Schulman recalled one of the most memorable parts of the race being passing through Wellesely.”I have to give a real shout out to the Wellesley girls,” said Schulman. “We got some kisses on our cheeks.”

Who’s the guy in the Narragansett costume? — 3:00 p.m.

By Christopher Huffaker

Matt Charlton, of Allston, doesn’t work for Narragansett.

“I just do this,” he said.

Charlton bought his tall boy suit for last year’s marathon, but he’s been handing out beers for four to five years. There are always takers, he said.

At least one Marathon participant runs on Dunkin’ — 2:50 p.m.

By Daniel Kool

Joe Dallimore, a runner from Utah, is a self-proclaimed Dunkin’ Donuts fanatic.

So when he saw his family partway through the course, decked out in costumes from the now-iconic DunKings Superbowl ad, the second-time Marathon runner was thrilled.

“It was a surprise at mile 17, and he burst out laughing,” his sister, Elise Dallimore said.

His family stood, still suited in orange and pink tracksuits, waiting near the finish line around 2:20. Dallimore’s wife, Wendy Dallimore, had the idea, and the family was thrilled to play along.

“I’m a little nutty,” Wendy Dallimore said, when asked how she came up with the outfits.

Elise Dallimore said she used to run marathons more than a decade ago, but had to stop due to an injury before making it to Boston.

“He’s living it for me,” she said from under a leopard print hat. “He’s living my dream, and he didn’t even start running until he was 50.”

Joe Dallimore said there are, tragically, no Dunkin’ Donuts locations back home, so “I load up whenever I come to Boston.”

He went a handful of times Sunday, and planned to hit the coffee shop again before leaving town. He kissed his wife over the barricade.

“I love them,” he said, wiping sweat from his cheek. “And I love Dunkin’ Donuts.”

Runners are battling dehydration — 2:40 p.m.

By Maddie Khaw and Alexa Coultoff

The medical tent in Wellesley, just down the road from the halfway mark, has treated 80 runners as of 2:30 p.m., according to Dr. Jacob Koshy of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

The heat has taken a toll on some runners, Koshy said, with a handful of athletes dropping out halfway due to dehydration and overheating. Anecdotally, Koshy estimated that around 15-20 of the runners he triaged stopped the race early.

“There’s quite a few people with dehydration, or just not feeling it today,” Koshy said. “They didn’t get to train all winter in any type of heat like this.”

It’s the “exact opposite” of last year, he said, when instead of ice baths, shade, and cold packs, the medical tent offered heaters and a haven from the cold and rain.

Ten years after his iconic 2014 triumph, Meb Keflezighi is back — 2:30 p.m.

By Ava Berger

Meb Keflezighi returned to Boston to chants of “you’re my hero” and “many fist bumps,” he said after he finished the 128th Marathon in 3 hours, 8 minutes, and 56 seconds.

“To be back in Boston means a lot just because it is an iconic race,” Keflezighi said. “It was a pretty amazing victory lap.”

Ten years after his crowning victory, Keflezighi ran for his own foundation, the MEB Foundation, Maintain Excellence Balance.

“I ran to win in 2014, but I ran to finish to represent my foundation,” Keflezighi said about his race on Monday. “It was on my bucket list for a long time, and I’m not getting any younger.”

A decade later, Keflezighi said he will never forget 2014.

“So many people tell me where they were 10 years ago, so it’s always fresh on my mind,” he said. “It gives me goosebumps.”

A warm Boston Marathon takes its toll on runners — 2:25 p.m.

At the medical station just before mile 23 in Brookline, a runner is stopping every minute or two for some sort of assistance—often just an ice pack to press against their chest to cool off, or sometimes a massage for a cramping muscle.

Many are taking up the Vaseline on offer for chafing. But some runners need more, and volunteers stand ready to catch them before they faint and get them medical attention.

A 68-year-old wheelchair pioneer has seen the Boston Marathon come a long way — 2:20 p.m.

By Esha Walia

Jayne Fortson, 68, was among the first athletes to participate in the Boston Marathon women’s wheelchair division.

She traveled to Boston from Anchorage, Alaska to support her 29-year-old daughter, Leah, who is running the Marathon for the first time.

“It’s very emotional,” she said.

Fortson competed in the Boston Marathon for the first time more than 40 years ago and has completed 25 marathons, she said. The Boston Marathon officially added wheelchairs as a category in 1975.

Fortson is joined by her family, who is also in Boston to support her daughter.

“It’s wonderful to see how welcome wheelchairs are to this event,” Fortson said. “I remember especially when wheelchairs weren’t allowed in the New York City marathon.”

A work-Marathon balancing act — 2:15 p.m.

Adrian Guenard, a masters student in aerospace engineering at MIT, has an interview tomorrow he needs to prepare for. But Guenard, of Paris, also has a friend running the marathon he wants to cheer on — his classmate Maria Barbosa. So Guenard decided to do both. He just found it a bit difficult to focus.

“There’s a lot of noise, and I’m a bit excited to see her,” he said.

Guenard, who ran a marathon himself last November, decided to cheer on his friend around mile 22, post-Heartbreak Hill.

“I know how it feels to have someone cheering for you for in those last kilometers,” he said.

‘Perfect day for the crowd’ — for the runners, maybe not so much — 2:05 p.m.

Linda Ngo, 42, stood at the barricade just a few yards past the finish line, as her children struggled to hold hand-made signs in the wind. They waited to congratulate her husband, Dan Kitti, for his third Boston Marathon.

Her 5-year-old son sat on Ngo’s shoulders, holding a repurposed Glossier sign that read, in a child’s penmanship, “GO DADDY GO!”

They hardly noticed when Kitti crossed the finish line, sweat beading on his forehead. But when Kitti approached, the young boy cheered. They leaned over the barricade, hugging in a brief reunion before Kitti continued down the street.

The third-time runner said the heat made Thursday a “perfect day for the crowd.”

Excitement — and child-like impatience — at the finish line — 2:00 p.m.

With just minutes to go before the men’s elite runners were expected to cross the finish line, 8-year-old Mateo Arboleda found a place right against the barricade, even if waiting for the pack tested the boy’s patience.

Leaning against the barricade around 11:30 a.m., just feet from the course, he fidgeted with his coat and asked, “How much longer?”

His father, Joseph Arboleda, stood close behind, reminding the boy to say “excuse me” as he made his way through the crowd. Abroleda’s older son stood further back.

“We walked all the way here, we stopped at the coffee shop,” Arboleda said, gesturing to the young boy. “He’s pretty excited, he’s never been.”

Arboleda said he has not been to the finish line since sometime before the 2013 Marathon.

“This is how long it took me [to return],” he said.

Arboleda asked his son if he was excited to be there. The boy turned around, smiled and shrugged.

“I guess, yes,” the father said with a laugh.

At Wellesley College, the party starts early and ends late — 1:50 p.m.

By Maddie Khaw

Runners winding the course through Wellesley were met with hoards of shrieking students and clanging bells as they passed the infamous “scream tunnel” at Wellesley College.

Marathon Monday is “the one day that Wellesley becomes a party school,” said Cassidy Novello, 22.

Novello, a senior, said race day has been a “pivotal moment in all four of my years.”

It’s “the one thing we’ll rally for,” added Marin Kriner, 18, another Wellesley student.

And rally they did. Campus festivities start as early as 7 a.m., said Novello, who has a tradition of shotgunning a beer with a friend early on Marathon Monday morning. Others held what’s known as a “borg” — the ubiquitous gallon-sized drinks popular among college kids — as they cheered on runners, waved pink inflatable sticks, and danced to music blasting through speakers.

“It’s a big party,” Novello said. “Everybody comes together on this day.”

Students meandered between the scream tunnel and an inflatable bouncy house set up in the center square among several dorm buildings. Further along the campus, students picked up a bite to eat from grills at a campus barbecue.

For some, it’s not all about the partying.

“As someone who wants to eventually run a marathon … it’s just super inspiring to see how much effort they put in,” said Wellesley student Alex Lenart, 22. “And how much support there is, too, is really, really awesome.”

Emma Bates on her top American finish — 1:45 p.m.

Emma Bates finished as the top American woman in the Boston Marathon for the second year in a row, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 27 minutes, 14 seconds.

Here’s what she had to say about her finish:

On the crowd: “It was crazy. I thought last year was crazy loud, but this year surpassed that completely. I think it was a great day for the spectators, not so much for the runners, unfortunately, it was pretty hot. I think people didn’t want to lead, so I ended up leading. I don’t think that was really in the cards, my coach told my go out and run my own race, treat it like a long run with a little more pizazz. I thought the day would go a little bit quicker, but I think just because of the heat, it slowed a little bit.”

On finishing 12th overall: “I’m proud of finishing, I’m proud of being at the start line, I’m proud of pushing myself and the effort I put into it. 12th isn’t quite what I expected and hoped for, but that’s the name of the game, there were so many women in the group that it’s kind of a crapshoot. I just wasn’t able to have the wheels at the end.”

On fellow American female runners Des Linden and Sara Hall: ”Des came up I think at mile 15 and came out of nowhere, I was leading at the time and she asked what pace I was running, I said ‘I think 5:30s,’ and she said, ‘Alright, let’s do this.’

“She’s a legend in Boston and for her to just try and help me just speaks volumes about the type of person that she is and the type of person we have in this sport. We’re blessed to have her. And Sara, coming back from running the Olympic trials, she proves time and time again that she’s such a consistent runner and such a tenacious runner. To see them come across the line and want to take photos with me, I was kind of starstruck just to be kind of in the same realm as them, so it was a really special moment.”

Who was that man running in the banana suit? — 1:40 p.m.

Matt Seidel described the $20 Etsy purchase as one of the best he’s ever made.

Seidel elicited constant cheers from the crowd by sporting a head-to-toe banana costume, completing his first Boston Marathon in 2:35:38.

Why a banana?

“‘Why not?’ is a better question,” said Seidel. “I just like to have fun and it’s really fun to me how easy it is to make people smile. If wearing a banana suit for a whole marathon gets people to cheer and smile, it’s fun.”

Seidel considers himself a trail ultra-marathon runner, and is training for the Canyons Endurance Run, a 100-kilometer race in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range scheduled for April 26 and 27 near his hometown of Oakland. A 2018 graduate of Seattle University, Seidel ran on the cross country and track teams. Monday marked his fourth road marathon — and first in a banana suit.

Sidel passed three others running in banana suits and upon seeing one another, Seidel jumped up and exchanged high-fives, which he called ‘a blast’.

“Ironically, I don’t even like eating bananas so it’s not even a love of bananas,” said Seidel. “I just think it’s a fun imagery and loosely, I have a running crew whose unofficial mascot is a banana, so I figured the best way to represent was to don a full-body banana suit.”

Seidel tries not to take himself too seriously. He has worn the banana costume to support friends in their own pursuits and has worn shirts covered in bananas before when he runs. The suit, which went from covering his black hat on top of his head and spanned down to the top of his crew length socks, is made of breathable, lightweight fabric.

“Warm, but not incredibly hot,” Seidel explained. “I wish it was a little cooler but it honestly wasn’t too bad.”

Seidel described his experience racing Boston as something he would do again ‘in a heartbeat’. The next time he travels cross country to cross the finish line on Boylston Street, don’t expect to see him in the same attire.

“I’ve unofficially told friends that I’m retiring the banana suit after tonight, but not retiring costumes,” said Seidel.

Marcel Hug and Eden Rainbow-Cooper on their races — 1:35 p.m.

Marcel Hug broke the course record despite tipping over near the firehouse. Eden Rainbow-Cooper, new to marathoning, edged out legend Manuela Schar. Here’s what they had to say about their races.

On the race and conditions: “It was an incredible race. From the beginning I tried to go as fast downhill as possible because the weather conditions were nearly perfect, wind direction, temperature, so I tried to have a fast time. After the first downhills I had a little gap, but my competitor’s still in my neck, so just pushing as hard as possible. It took me a few kilometers to have a good rhythm, but then i felt better and better, stronger and stronger. I had a good rhythm until the crash, but luckily I could get back on the course and move forward. At the end, very happy with today’s race.”

On what impacts his technique the most: “I think there are several things that have an impact on technique. For example, sitting position in the wheelchair position changed, we sit lower in the chair, so that means the push changed. The gloves developed the past few years, the wheels themselves changed ... from the past few years there were a lot of changes.”

On the crash: “It happened I think in the corner from the fire station, I had a high speed in that corner, I tried to steer but, I still have to analyze what really happened, but my guess is I had too much pressure, too much weight with my hand on the steering so it didn’t steer properly at first. A little too late, steering, and I hit the barriers. Luckily I didn’t fall out of the racing chair, and first thought was, hopefully the chair is okay, and then I just tried to push myself up onto both wheels and accelerate as fast as possible because in this moment that I’m on schedule for the course record, so I still believed it was possible to break it.”

On what he was thinking during the crash: “Not much. Just get up, and get back to racing. It was a huge relief that nothing was broken on the chair, my body was okay, maybe there was a lot of adrenaline so I couldn’t feel it.”

Eden Rainbow-Cooper

On her first-place finish: “I just couldn’t believe it, if i’m honest. My first marathon was just over two years ago so to have such a large progression in such a short amount of time, it’s beyond my wildest dreams. I really can’t believe it. It mens everything to me to make my country proud, and hopefully open the door for more British racers.”

On appearing to take a break midway through: “For me, the marathon distance is quite hard because I have full feeling in my legs so it’s really difficult for me to stay in that knelt position for an hour and half, however long it is, so I have to release that pressure, and I know on the slight downhill is where nothing can go wrong, or on the straights I can release that pressure on my legs. You kind of always take the risk because you never know how far your competitors are, but as soon as I saw a flat or a little downhill I knew it was okay to take a little break.”

On her “So I started the sport when I was in senior school, so just after 2012, in a program to try and get kids with disabilities into sport, and I was directed to Jenny Archer and David Weir at the Weir Archer Academy, where I was for about 10 years. It’s in the last six months that I’ve been working with Arno Mul. It’s been, the last six months, there’s been a lot of change and a lot of differences to get used to, but it’s all working out, so it’s been really good.”

Hellen Obiri on the fast pace, and what’s next — 1:30 p.m.

Women’s winner Hellen Obiri elaborated on the race’s finish and the Olympics. The highlights:

Obiri on the fast finish: “For me I cannot really say, I did not know it was so fast. When you look at your watch, you can see it’s fast and mentally say, I’m tired. I didn’t know it was fast toward the end. When Sharon was there I was like, this move is very fast. I was saying it’s fast, but I wasn’t thinking it was so fast like that.”

Lokedi, the second place finisher, added: “I just saw my watch, the kilometer beeped and I was like, oh no. I knew I needed to stick with it because we didn’t have long to go, but I was just saying to myself, ‘stick with her, stick with her.’”

Obiri on becoming a repeat champion: “It’s only been six women [who have defended their title], and I said, can I become one of them? Defending a title, now I’m in the history of books in Boston.”

Obiri on the Olympics: “In Kenya, we don’t know yet because we were 10, and now we are 6. Sharon was there with me, so for me I do hope it will be the team with me and Sharon. The Paris course is tough ... I know with Sharon as my teammate, it will be great, I hope Sharon and I will be on the team for Paris.”

Women’s finishers on running with the pack — 1:25 p.m.

Women’s winner Hellen Obiri, second-place finisher Sharon Lokedi, and third-place finisher Edna Kiplagat spoke to the media about running in the pack during the race.

Obiri: “Sometimes you try to communicate because when there’s a crowd of 15 people, you have to be very careful as you’re getting water. You’re talking to each other because you’re friends, I might say, Sharon, I need to get my water.”

Lokedi: “I think it’s just being aware and looking around and seeing if someone else makes a move. You’re very nervous at that point so you’re just seeing if a move is being made and you’re trying to make sure you’re staying with people and not letting a gap open.”

Kiplagat: “When it was like 30K, I look around and we were still 16 of us, so I knew anyone can make a move. It was so tough because I was so patient because I knew any one of us can make a move.”

What the top three women’s finishers had to say — 1:23 p.m.

Women’s winner Hellen Obiri, second-place finisher Sharon Lokedi, and third-place finisher Edna Kiplagat spoke to the media shortly after the end of the race. Here are the highlights:

Obiri: “First of all, thank you so much for welcoming here, to defend my title. It was not an easy feat because I had Sharon with me, she’s so amazing, she gave me a tough competition. But I said, ‘I’m the best.’ I tried to give everything, I tried to give all my energy. ... It was amazing for me. It was a memorable moment for me.”

Lokedi: “It was tough but I’m glad to have come second. the competition was very tough but it was fun to compete with this field, and Boston is not easy, that’s what I’ll say. I’m glad we started well and got to finish well and got a good push from both Edna and Hellen.”

Kiplagat: “First of all, let me congratulate Hellen for defending her title and Sharon for coming second. It was an amazing race today, coming [in] third was a good performance for me so I’m happy. I knew the field was so competitive and I was happy to race with the best here. Training was good, and I knew I’d done enough to come and do my best here, and I’m happy for being third today.”

What Sisay Lemma said about his win — 1:10 p.m.

What was different this year? ”When I tried the first three times I was not able to finish the race because it was very hard, but I said I’m going to redeem myself, and I came today and I started really fast and I was able to do it.”

What was your race plan? ”When I was running in Valencia it was flat and my time was good, when I came here my plan was to run under 2 hours, 2 minutes. But since the race was very hard, I wasn’t able to do that, but I’m glad that I finished.”

What was it like to tackle the hills? ”It was a little bit challenging because when I ran in Valencia it was fast, but my half marathon here was faster than the Valencia one. But for some reason I got tired, it was up and down, the hills, but especially the downhills were hard, that’s why I slowed.”

Hear what the top three men’s finishers said after the race — 1:02 p.m.

The top three finishers of the men’s race took the podium just after 1 p.m. Here’s what they said.

“I’m very happy that I won today because several times I’ve dropped out of the race before, but today I won and I’ve redeemed myself and I’m very happy,” Sisay Lemma, the winner, said through a translator.

“I’m very happy that I came second, and especially the last five kilometers I pushed very hard to come second and I’m happy with that,” said Mohamed Esa, who finished second, through a translator.

“I’m very happy, I’m very pleased. [Third place] is not easy ... When I come back again, I’ll win. Maybe I’ll run a better time, [finish] a better position,” said Evans Chebet, who finished third.

High of 65? That’s nothing. Here are the hottest Boston Marathons — 12:55 p.m.

By Ken Mahan

Today’s high may top into the mid-60s, but more striking above-average temperatures have impacted runners on marathon day. Nearly a dozen notable races have pushed the mercury to 80 degrees or higher, including:

• 1905 – The all-time hottest Boston Marathon was a whopping 100 degrees.
• 1976 – Temps climbed to 96 degrees during race time.
• 2012 – Runners raced amid 89-degree heat.

Running in intense heat is harsh on the body, which is rapidly warming faster than the ability to sweat, leading to dehydration. Today’s race will reach into the mid-60s with more sun than clouds forecast. That high is still above normal for April 15, which averages a daily high of 56.

Along Boylston, excitement is palpable — 12:50 p.m.

Up and down the swath of Boylston surrounding the finish line earlier this morning, store workers peered out pane-glass windows, vying for a glimpse of the festivities.

Workers in an AT&T store stood on a window ledge, while baristas at the Capital One Café stole glances between brewing shots of espresso.

”The employees are really excited,” said Monica Scott, market community engage lead at the branch, who added that workers are given time to walk the roads handing out swag.

Down the street, at Marathon Sports, employees — some of whom are runners themselves — discussed favorite athletes with coworkers and customers.

Talia Brookstein-Burke said everyone in the store tries to step out and catch a view of the winners crossing the finish line.

”Obviously if there’s customers here, a few of us will stay behind,” she said, with a laugh. “Whoever wants to see the person outside the most. ... If it’s somebody’s best friend, we’re going to let them watch.”

Brookstein-Burke said she qualified for this year’s Marathon, but didn’t make the cut-off. Instead, she’s cheering on coworkers, running teammates, and especially marathon runner Emma Bates, who finished as the fastest American at Mondays’ race.

She’s running in honor of her sick son. Meet Paige Divoll. — 12:35 p.m.

By Chris Serres

Paige Divoll of Andover said she will be thinking about her 6-year-old son Theo “with every single step” of the race.

She is running the marathon in honor of her son Theo who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma — a rare form of cancer — on Marathon Monday a year ago.

Theo had a massive tumor in his abdomen that metastasized to his bones. The tumor was pushing on his kidney and major arteries causing dangerously high blood pressure. Divoll said they woke up the next day at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, with Theo as a cancer patient and she as a cancer mom.

”Running a marathon is nothing compared to what Theo has endured,” said Divoll, a former corporate recruiter who is running her third marathon. “I would run 26 miles in my hands and knees, on hot coals, and it still wouldn’t hurt as much. Theo is just trying to be a kid. He didn’t sign up for this.”

Neuroblastoma is rare — only 800 children are diagnosed with it per year in the US. Less than half of those kids have stage four or “high risk” neuroblastoma like Theo does. It has a 50 percent relapse rate for survivors. He’s undergone surgery, chemotherapy proton radiation and is in the middle of a series of immunotherapy treatments. Theo’s reaction to the chemotherapy has been so intense that he got black eyes from vomiting so frequently and this skin peeled off.

Divall said she has turned to running to keep herself sane during her son’s agonizing treatment and to find a way to help the doctors saving her son. On days that that Theo was undergoing treatment at Mass General, Divall would sometimes slide on her running shoes and go on a “rage run” along the Charles River.

In the run up to the marathon, Divoll raised $31,000 for the pediatric oncology research team at Massachusetts General Hospital. It is three times the amount she planned to raise.

”Running gives me a place to feel angry,” she said. “But when you breathe deeply and see the blue sky and hear the birds chirping … running also reminds me that life is beautiful and fragile. There is no greater sense of the beauty and awe of life than when you have your health and legs under you.”

Des Linden is no stranger to Boston — 12:25 p.m.

Des Linden finished the 128th Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 28 minutes, and 27 seconds, unofficially.

Linden, 40, was the 16th woman and 3rd American woman to cross the finish line for her 11th time on the course. The Californian made a push to lead the pack early in the course but had longer splits around the 18-mile mark, compared to those at the start of the race, which were solidly in the range of five minutes and thirty seconds. Linden finished with an average split of 5:40 per mile and crossed the finish line after American leaders Emma Bates (2:27:14) and Sara Hall (2:27:58).

CJ Albertson comes in 7th as the top American men’s elite finisher — 12:22 p.m.

In his fourth Boston Marathon, CJ Albertson ran his best time to date, finishing seventh (2:09:53) as the top American in the men’s elite race.

Albertson, 30, has been in the mix before, with prior finishes of 10th, 13th, and 12th from 2021-23. He led the first 20 miles of the 2021 Marathon before fading late, as thousands of runners have done, around Heartbreak Hill.

Monday’s story, three years later, was quite the opposite. Alberston didn’t appear in the top ten until the 23-mile mark, but stayed consistent through the final miles to pick off competitors. Though he said in an Instragram post that he was hoping for a top-five finish, Albertson wasn’t far off. He finished 3 minutes and 53 seconds behind winner Sisay Lemma.

Albertson set the world record for the indoor marathon in 2019, when he ran in 2:17:59 at The Armory in New York. He still holds the world record in the 50K (2:38:43), which he set in 2022 in San Francisco. More recently, Albertson finished fifth in the marathon at the US Olympic Trials in February. He has run four marathons in the last five months.

From Fresno, Calif., Albertson ran in college at Arizona State and now coaches at Clovis Community College in Fresno. He’s drawn interest for his unique approaches to training, once sitting in his car under direct sunlight to create the effect of a sauna.

To prepare for the Olympic Trials in Florida, Albertson wanted to simulate hot conditions, so he used heat lamps typically reserved for chicken coops as he ran on his treadmill.

”The bulbs produce a lot of heat and I wanted to be ready for the Team Trials in Florida, in case it was hot and humid on the day,” he told Strava . “I’ve kept doing that since then because it helps with overall fitness.”

Though Monday wasn’t quite the same heat, Albertson was certainly prepared.

The first American woman has crossed the finish line — 12:17 p.m.

Emma Bates finishes as the top American woman in Boston for the second year in a row, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 27 minutes, 14 seconds. She couldn’t quite stick in the lead pack as long as he did last year, when Bates was still in the mix coming out of Kenmore Square, but she finishes 44 seconds ahead of Sara Hall for another top American honor.

Bates, Hall, and third American Des Linden all embraced at the finish line.

Hellen Obiri breaks away late to win back-to-back Boston Marathons — 12:09 p.m.

Hellen Obiri wasn’t interested in another Boylston Street kick, as the defending champion makes her decisive move coming out of Kenmore Square with almost two miles to run to put Sharon Lokedi away early and win her second consecutive title in 2 hours, 22 minutes, 37 seconds unofficially. Obiri is the sixth woman to win back-to-back titles and the first since Catherine Ndereba in 2005.

The closest women’s elite finish in the history of the Boston Marathon was in 2009, when Salina Kosgei beat Dire Tune by 1 second.

There were three years in which the margin of victory was 2 seconds – 2012 (Sharon Cherop over Jemima Jelagat Sumgong), 2011 (Caroline Kilel over Des Linden), and 2008 (Tune over Alevtina Biktimirova).

Hellen Obiri, Boston Marathon women’s champion, crosses the finish line. It’s her second consecutive win. pic.twitter.com/cJ3WIE4MOb — Esha Walia (@EshaWalia07) April 15, 2024

It’s going to be a sprint to the finish — 12:05 p.m.

Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi cover the 25th mile in 4:54, and it’s looking like a sprint finish in the women’s race. Either Obiri will make it back-to-back, or Lokedi — who bested Obiri in the defending champion’s 2022 marathon debut in New York — will claim her first Boston title.

Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi are all alone at the front — 12:00 p.m.

Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi run a blazing 4:41 split for mile 24, and it’s just the two of them with two miles to run. Obiri’s got the track speed that makes her the favorite when this hits Boylston Street, unless Lokedi can run the kick out of her early, but there’s not a lot of time left to do so. The women are now running at a significantly faster pace than Sisay Lemma ran these miles in the men’s race as they torch the final stages of this race.

Happy Birthday, Sara Hall. Now go run the Marathon. — 11:58 a.m.

Sara Hall spearheaded the lead pack of the women’s race as they crossed 25 kilometers. What a way to spend your 41st birthday.

Hall has a decorated running history highlighted by her win in the 3000-meter steeplechase at the 2011 Pan-American Games. She has the third-fastest marathon time in US history, set when she ran 2:20:32 at The Marathon Project in 2020. Her 1:07:16 half marathon, run in 2022, is the second-fastest in US history.Born in Santa Rosa, Calif., Hall was a seven-time All-American at Stanford. She won the 2012 USA Cross Country Championships and was on the US team for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in 2006 and 2015.

Hall ran Boston last year and finished 17th. She has a second-place finish at London, a third at Chicago, and top-10 finishes in New York, Berlin, and Tokyo.

”I’m obsessed with this race. From the minute I crossed the finish line last year I’ve been telling my agent I was 110 percent on coming back here to see what I could do with more preparation,” Hall wrote in a post on X Sunday afternoon.

Her husband is Ryan Hall, who has the unofficial American record in the half marathon.

Two former champions are leading the pack — 11:55 a.m.

The pace picks up again, and the women with the first names on their bibs aren’t waiting around any longer. Defending champion Hellen Obiri and two-time winner Edna Kiplagat have surged to the front and broken this race open with a 4:57 23rd mile, dropping everybody but Sharon Lokedi heading into Brookline. That pack of 18 is down to three.

The pack is starting to thin in the women’s elite field — 11:50 a.m.

After two hours of high-speed chess, the women’s race is finally starting to heat up. The lead pack has broken up into a group of 11 at mile 22 with the pace increasing from the 5:40-5:45 range to a 5:17 clip for the 22nd mile. The Americans have fallen off the pace, with Emma Bates trailing the leaders by about 20 seconds and Sara Hall about a minute adrift. Hellen Obiri is there, and so is Edna Kiplagat, but some of the fastest women in the field — Ethiopians Tadu Teshome and Hiwot Gebremaryam — are nowhere to be seen.

Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma wins 2024 Boston Marathon — 11:41 a.m.

Sisay Lemma makes the right onto Hereford and the left onto Boylston, and after three very disappointing runs over the last few years, the 33-year-old has finally conquered Boston with a final time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, 17 seconds unofficially. He chose to break the race open very early and took a huge gamble in pushing the pace hard, but the gamble paid off big time for a dominant victory, the first for an Ethiopian man since 2016.

Make it a 1-2 finish for the Ethiopians, with Mohamed Esa following Lemma home for a runner-up finish. Evans Chebet has to settle for third place instead of a third-straight victory, as he simply could not close the gap after Lemma set an astonishing pace in the first half.

Sisay Lemma is closing in — 11:38 a.m.

Sisay Lemma has slowed again, with a 5:19 split for his 25th mile, but there’s just not enough time for Evans Chebet and John Korir, more than a minute behind, to make up the gap. Barring disaster over the final mile, Lemma is on for a sensational wire-to-wire win here in Boston.

Lemma is cruising — 11:34 a.m.

Another surge from Sisay Lemma, who covers mile 24 in 5 minutes on the dot. That pace should be enough; Evans Chebet and John Korir close the gap again to 1 minute, 30 seconds, but cutting the lead by 14 seconds a mile isn’t enough. They’ll need him to collapse in the final two miles to have a chance.

It’s getting to be a tighter race in the men’s elite field — 11:30 a.m.

Evans Chebet and John Korir are closing hard. Sisay Lemma runs mile 23 in 5:09, while Chebet and Korir cover it in 4:46 to cut the gap to 1 minutes, 44 seconds. The Ethiopian is fading, and the Kenyans are closing. This could still come down to the wire.

Sisay Lemma still leads despite slowdown on the hills — 11:25 a.m.

Sisay Lemma’s pace has dropped significantly with a 5:28 21st mile, by far his slowest of the race, but he’s through the hills with a lead of 2 minutes, 13 seconds over the chasers, who may simply run out of real estate. He’s picked it back up, running his 22nd mile in 5:02 — the chasers will have to close the final four miles a little over 30 seconds per mile faster than Lemma, so if the Ethiopian can maintain a pace around 5:00 per mile, Evans Chebet and John Korir might not have enough time to catch him.

An update on the women’s elite race — 11:18 a.m.

It’s still a fairly cagey affair in the women’s open race as they approach the Newton hills, with 18 women hitting 25K (15.5 miles) in 1:26:05, which is 5:35 per mile pace. Americans Sara Hall and Emma Bates, as well as defending champion Hellen Obiri, are still in the mix, but 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden has dropped well back.

Sisay Lemma is cruising through Newton — 11:11 a.m.

Sisay Lemma hits 19 miles, and he’s still absolutely flying. He’s averaging 4:41 per mile, but has slowed over the last couple of miles as he works through the Newton hills — his last three mile splits have been 5:02, 4:58, and 4:54. But his lead has only grown, with Evans Chebet and the chase pack now trailing by nearly three minutes, which means Lemma is more than a half mile clear of his competitors with seven miles to run. The history of frontrunners hanging on in these circumstances isn’t good; even Meb Keflezighi only led just over a minute in his brilliant wire-to-wire win in 2014.

Why a world record in Boston wouldn’t count — 11:10 a.m.

The late Kelvin Kiptum sent a men’s marathon world record in Chicago last October with a time of 2:00:35.

Even if Sisay Lemma were to meet that mark, it wouldn’t count. Because it’s Boston.

According to World Athletics rules, world records in certified road race marathons can only happen on specific types of courses. Boston, unlike several other World Marathon Majors, does not go in a loop (or have its finish line within relatively close proximity to the starting point).

”Performances achieved on courses where the start and finish points, measured along a theoretical straight line between them, are further apart than 50% of the race distance are … not valid for world records,” reads the World Athletics website .

The reason for this is due to the consistency a looped course creates, especially regarding wind. A “point-to-point” marathon (such as Boston) could potentially force runners to deal with a headwind (or tailwind) for a majority of the race.

The other reason a record in Boston can’t officially count is due to elevation. Specifically, World Athletics deems that “Performances achieved on courses with a drop in elevation between the start and the finish which exceeds 1:1000, i.e. one meter per kilometer” are also not valid for world records.

Elevation changes beyond the 1:1000 scale can — like wind on a non-loop course — serve to create unnatural conditions for runners, potentially helping (on downhill) or hurting (on uphill).

Over the entirety of the course, the Boston Marathon descends approximately 137 meters, putting its scale of elevation change close to 3.24 meters per kilometer.

Who is Eden Rainbow-Cooper? Meet the women’s wheelchair winner. — 11:05 a.m.

Eden Rainbow-Cooper, a 22-year-old from Great Britain, won the women’s wheelchair race in 1:35:11 — a personal best. She is the first British woman to win the Boston Marathon.

Rainbow-Cooper was born with sacral agenesis, a rare birth defect in which the fetal development of the lower spine is abnormal. She was first introduced to wheelchair racing as a high schooler and trained under British six-time Paralympic champion David Weir at The Weir Archer Academy.

Last year, Rainbow-Cooper finished fourth in the New York Marathon (1:49:34), seventh in the London Marathon (1:47:43), and seventh in the Boston Marathon (2:06:45). Her victory on Monday is her first career win at a major marathon.

At the BAA 5K race on Saturday, Rainbow-Cooper won the women’s wheelchair division with a time of 12:04.

An update from the elite women at the halfway mark — 11:01 a.m.

The two elite open races could not be more different. While Sisay Lemma continues to absolutely fly out front in the men’s race — he’s more than two minutes clear of Evans Chebet and company — the women remain in a big pack with 21 women still in the mix at mile 12. Americans Emma Bates and Sara Hall are at the front of that pack, with defending champion Hellen Obiri and all the expected favorites still hanging around.

At the half, the women come through in 1:12:33, a very measured pace for the best in the world.

Bates, last year’s top American, is soaking in all the atmosphere, doling out dozens of high-fives as the women pass through the Wellesley scream tunnel.

Des Linden is back — 11:00 a.m.

Des Linden knows Boston, and Boston knows Des Linden.

The 2018 Boston Marathon champion and five-time top-five finisher returns this year for her 11th time on the course.

Linden, 40, is widely known in the running community for her perseverance against the weather during the 2018 race, the first time the course was won by a woman in 33 years. She’s fresh off of an 11th place finish in February’s US Olympic Trials (2:28:04), and finished 18th overall in Boston in 2023 with a time of 2:27:18.

Though Linden isn’t as competitive as she used to be, she’s excited as ever to run down Boylston.

“I can’t wait to take on the iconic course for an 11th time and have the opportunity to mix it up with some of the best runners in the world,” Linden told the BAA back in February.

Here to cheer on one of their own — 10:55 a.m.

Rose Chitlah, 48, skipped down Boylston, just past to the finish line, just before 9.a.m., walking with about a half-dozen friends and family members, all wearing shirts in the colors of the Tanzanian flag.

She recorded a video of children jumping up and down, holding out their shirts and smiling widely.

Chitlah said they were out to cheer on Gabriel Geay, the Tanzanian runner who took second place in last year’s Marathon.

Chitlah was near the finish line when Geay took silver last year and said she “was almost crying, I was very happy.”

“I think he’s going to be the winner this time,” she said.

The family drove to Boston from Maine Monday morning — but getting a spot at the finish line was worth the early trip, Chitlah said.

Sisay Lemma is way out front. Who is this guy? — 10:50 a.m.

After setting the course record at the Valencia Marathon in December (2:01.48), becoming the fourth-ever man to run under 2:02, 33-year-old Ethiopian Sisay Lemma is looking to carry his momentum into an improved effort at the Boston Marathon.

While Lemma shattered his personal best by nearly two minutes at Valencia, a notoriously fast and flat course, he has struggled previously with the hillier Boston terrain — his three prior attempts were a DNF in 2017, a 30th place finish in 2019, and a DNF in 2022.

Lemma started running at age 17 and competed barefoot early in his career due to his lack of running shoes.

In 2021, he won the London Marathon in a time of 2:04.01. He also finished third in the event in 2020.

Lemma said he considered returning to the London Marathon, which will be held next week. But despite his past struggles, he opted for Boston to avoid competing head-to-head in London with fellow Ethiopian Tamirat Tola, the reigning New York Marathon winner, with both runners aiming to be selected by Ethiopia for the upcoming Olympics.

Catching up with Gronk, the race grand marshal — 10:45 a.m.

Rob Gronkowski can’t avoid the question everyone is asking.

Would the former Patriots star and four-time Super Bowl champion ever run the Boston Marathon?Gronkowski, who toured the course by car Monday morning as the 2024 grand marshal, was noncommittal but firm in his answer.

”It’s not a no,” he said after crossing the finish line.”I can possibly do this in the future — run the Marathon in the future. I’m gonna have to start practicing now — maybe start with a 5K again, and do a double-5K, and just keep ramping it up from there. So that’s a possibility; I’d be one of the biggest people to do it.”

Gronkowski, at 6 feet, 6 inches, can look to Zdeno Chara as a blueprint. The former Bruins great is running Boston for the second time.

”He’s a beast,” Gronkowski said. “He’s 6-9, he’s a little bit taller than me, and he’s got some endurance.”

Gronkowski has experienced plenty of Boston celebrations, from his three parades with the Patriots, to throwing out the first pitch at Fenway Park Monday morning immediately following his grand marshal duties.

”It was just so cool to experience everyone alongside the road, just there to support all the runners coming by, cheering all the runners, [and] all the people that are volunteering as well,” he said.

Eden Rainbow-Cooper wins women’s wheelchair race — 10:40 a.m.

An incredible win for Eden Rainbow-Cooper, who crosses the line for her first Marathon Major win in 1 hour, 35 minutes, 11 seconds. The 22-year-old entered with only the 10th-fastest personal best in the field, but she has vanquished four-time champion Manuela Schär in dominant fashion to become the first British woman to win Boston in either the open or wheelchair divisions, and the first Briton to win a title since Geoff Smith won the men’s open race in 1985.

“It really took everything, it was such a mentally tough challenge,” Rainbow-Cooper said. “… I only started two years ago and it took absolutely everything and I can’t believe it.”

There’s a clear leader in the men’s elite race — 10:38 a.m.

Sisay Lemma is absolutely flying, but he’s got a long way to go. The fastest man in the field hits the half-marathon in an incredible 1 hour, 19 seconds, which is right on world record pace. The world record can’t be set at Boston, which isn’t an eligible course for that mark, and there’s a long way to go, but this is a very brave run from the Ethiopian.

Maybe Evans Chebet is sensing danger; the two-time defending champion has now strung out the chase pack, which has thinned to single file as they start to try to reel in Lemma; they’ve got a lot of work to do.

Hug’s wheelchair designers cheer his seventh win — 10:35 a.m.

As Marcel Hug shot down Boylston, taking his seventh crown in the men’s wheelchair division, a crew of engineers and representatives of the Swiss Consulate, who helped design his wheelchair, watched with little surprise.

Adrian Schwarz, senior project manager for high-end product development at Sauber Technologies, stood on the barricade a few hundred yards from the finish line, filming as Hug whizzed by.

”He won seven times now,” Schwarz said, “it’s not a surprise.”

The second-place finisher was around a mile back by the time Hug crossed he finish line to set a new course record of 1:15:33. Schwarz said that sort of margin is, at this point, typical for Hug.

”With Marcel it’s kind of usual, yes, he’s really strong,” he said.

Benjamin Bollmam, CEO of Swissnex, laughed and said Hug crashed “because he was too fast.”

Minutes earlier, Bollmam watched Hug pass Coolidge Corner on a livestream. Around him, others waved plastic Swiss flags. A young boy held a sign that read “HOPP SWISS” — meaning Go Switzerland — in white lettering.

Rainbow-Cooper is dominating the women’s wheelchair field — 10:30 a.m.

Eden Rainbow-Cooper is pulling away in the women’s wheelchair race. Four-time champion Manuela Schär had closed to within 30 seconds going past Boston College, but the 22-year-old Rainbow-Cooper extended her lead to 56 seconds at mile 23, and looks like she’s on for her first Marathon Major win, barring a blazing final three miles from the Swiss athlete.

Weather update: Healthy tailwind aids runners’ performance — 10:23 a.m.

Runners are getting an added boost today with an expected tailwind from the west/northeast of between 8 and 13 miles per hour throughout the day. The course runs mostly to the northeast from Hopkinton, so today’s wind will float between a partial and full tailwind and give runners a pep in their step.

Tailwinds of 10 miles per hour can give runners a 5-second advantage per mile. In fact, the 2011 Boston Marathon course record of 2:03:02 (held by Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai) can be partly attributed to a healthy tailwind of nearly 20 miles per hour. And that tailwind was from the west/southwest, making for a full tailwind much of the day for runners.

When faced with the opposite – a headwind – the friction causes runners to burn more energy to push through the elements. Fortunately, that won’t be the case today.

Marcel Hug breaks course record, wins men’s wheelchair division — 10:18 a.m.

Marcel Hug has smashed his own course record, wheeling down Boylston Street and finishing in a stunning 1 hour, 15 minutes, 33 seconds, a 90-second improvement over his own mark from last year. The Swiss athlete claims his seventh Boston Marathon wheelchair title in spectacular fashion, despite near-disaster with a big spill at the Newton firehouse.

Eden Rainbow-Cooper still leads the women, but Manuela Schär is starting to close, cutting the gap to 48 seconds at 30K as the hills start piling on.

Kelvin Kiptum, the world record-holder in the marathon, died in his prime. His fellow Kenyans are running in his honor. — 10:15 a.m.

By John Powers

Sunday was to be the day he would go after the ultimate barrier in Rotterdam. Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum had streaked across the marathoning world like a comet, winning his first three outings in less than 11 months and shattering the global record last autumn in Chicago.

”We were really looking forward to what he was going to do,” said countryman Geoffrey Kamworor, who was Kiptum’s fellow villager and boyhood idol. “Because his ambition was to run it under two hours.”

Only Eliud Kipchoge had broken the marathon equivalent of the four-minute mile, running 1:59:40 in Vienna in 2019 . But since Kipchoge ran by himself behind a pace car with a rotating group of rabbits, his time was ineligible for a world mark.

But after Kiptum went 2:00:35, shattering Kipchoge’s standard by an astonishing 34 seconds, going sub-2:00 on a pancake course in the Netherlands seemed feasible.

”The way he ran in Chicago, it was probably possible given his amazing potential,” reckoned Evans Chebet, who’ll be going after his third consecutive Boston Marathon title on Patriots Day.

That potential was cruelly erased in February when the 24-year-old Kiptum died in an automobile accident in western Kenya, leaving behind a wife and two children.

”[He was] an athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness,” said Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion whose duel with Kiptum in Paris loomed as one of the highlights of this summer’s Games.

The para-athletic divisions are off — 10:12 a.m.

Boston is the only one of the six majors to hand out money to winners of its para-athletics divisions. There are seven this year — which include athletes with upper limb, lower limb, and visual impairments. Male and female winners of each receive $2,500.

Only the top three para-athletic finishers earn prize money, and along with a $500 course record bonus available for each division, the total para-athletics purse is $77,000.

Sisay Lemma is cooking — 10:10 a.m.

Sisay Lemma has broken the men’s race wide open, as the fastest man in the field crosses 10K in a blazing 28 minutes, 28 seconds, which is 4:35 mile pace. Evans Chebet and Gabriel Geay lead the chase pack, which looks to be about eight men deep with a 25 second gap behind the Ethiopian leader.

Turning tragedy to triumph — 10:08 a.m.

The Reny family had the worst day of their lives 11 years ago. But according to 29-year-old Gillian Reny, they’ve turned it into the “best.”

Audrey Epstein Reny, her husband, Steven Reny, and their daughter, Gillian, were standing at the finish line in 2013 waiting for their eldest daughter, Danielle, to finish her 26.2 miles.

When the bombs went off, the three family members sustained injuries and Gillian’s injuries were “critical,” Audrey, 59, said around 9 a.m, while watching runners board the buses at Boston Common.

The next year, the family started the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Fund in honor of the medical team that helped Gillian overcome her severe injuries, Audrey said.

Monday’s race is “special,” Audrey said, because the family is now celebrating a decade of the fund, which has raised $30 million for trauma innovation research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

”It’s a day we would undo in a heartbeat, but we created something out of that tragedy that now provides hope and inspiration,” Audrey said.

Wearing bright pink “Stepping Strong” shirts, a group of 151 runners gathered at 9 a.m. outside the Starbucks at the Boston Common to take a final picture before the race.

”We didn’t know when we started if the mission would resonate with anybody, but it’s really provided a purpose for people when they’re running the marathon,” Audrey said. “It unites them and brings them together.”

Gillian, who held a large Stepping Strong sign, said it “means so much” to have such a large team running for the fund.

”It’s so nice to see such a big team show up for us and support our cause,” Gillian said.

Forecast update: Temps looking a tad warmer along marathon route — 10:07 a.m.

By Marianne Mizera

The forecast is now calling for temperatures to be a couple of degrees warmer than expected for the race.

Globe meteorologist Ken Mahan said temps along the race route from Hopkinton to Boston should reach into the mid-60s Monday afternoon, with Greater Boston hitting the 60-degree mark between noon and 2 p.m.

”More clouds cleared out last night than expected, so we can expect more sunshine out of the gate to bump up temperatures a degree or two more,” Mahan said.

The optimal running temperature ranges between 44 and 59 degrees. And that is supported with 70% of the major North American marathon records having been set with temperatures within this range.

Who is Emma Bates? — 10:05 a.m.

Emma Bates is hungry.

Last April, she ran a personal best of 2:22:10, placing fifth in the women’s race at Boston, and was the only American woman to finish in the top 10.

Her time was just shy of Shalane Flanagan’s American women’s record (2:22:02), but Bates, 31, seems to just be gaining momentum. In 2022, she placed seventh at the world championships (2:23:18) and finished eighth in New York (2:26:53).

The competition in the pro women’s field is steep, with defending champion Hellen Obiri of Kenya looking for a repeat, but Bates isn’t someone to count out. The Minnesota native did not compete in the 2024 US Olympic trials due to a foot injury she sustained during the 2023 Chicago Marathon (2:25:04), but she’s in Boston ready to take on the course this Monday.

American runners are in the mix — 10:00 a.m.

The Americans are well in the mix in the women’s race, with Emma Bates — last year’s top American — out front. Sara Hall and Caroline Rotich are also in the lead pack, and defending champion Hellen Obiri is hot on Bates’s heels.

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma has broken things open early, stretching his lead at the front of the race to about 15 seconds with Gabriel Geay and Evans Chebet content to sit back in the chase pack.

The first wave of non-elites has taken the course — 10:00 a.m.

Runners with bib numbers 201-7,999 started their races at 10 a.m.

Wave 2 (Bib Nos. 8,000-15,999) will start at 10:25, Wave 3 (16,000-23,999) at 10:50, and Wave 4 (Bib Nos. 24,000-32,399) at 11:15 a.m.

Marcel Hug takes a spill, but he’s still on course record pace — 9:57 a.m.

Near-disaster for Marcel Hug, who took a big tumble as he hung the right turn at the Newton firehouse. The Swiss carried a little too much speed into the right-hander and lost control, crashing into the barriers on the far side; he seems okay, quickly righting his chair and getting back on pace without any further trouble.

He remains on track to break his own course record.

Rainbow-Cooper is holding court at the front of the women’s wheelchair race — 9:53 a.m.

An update on the wheelchair races: 22-year-old Eden Rainbow-Cooper continues to lead the women as she hits the half in 44 minutes, 23 seconds, with Manuela Schär and Madison de Rozario just over a minute behind.

Marcel Hug, meanwhile, looks set for another dominant win as he leads by more than four minutes through the Newton hills.

An update from the elite runners — 9:51 a.m.

Joan Benoit Samuelson gets the women’s open race started, and all four of our professional races are underway. Can anyone stop Hellen Obiri’s stunning start to her marathon career? The deepest women’s field ever will try.

On the men’s side, Yuma Morii has already come back to the back, and it’s Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma — the fastest man in the field by personal best — who has opened a bit of a gap on the pack. He came through two miles in 9 minutes, 19 seconds, with Evans Chebet just a few steps back.

Keeping a legacy alive — 9:50 a.m.

Robert Orell started running when he learned last year that a coworker at the Worcester middle school where he teaches was dying of breast cancer. And he hasn’t stopped running since.

On Monday, Orell is donning the initials of his coworker — Melissa Hathaway — on his jersey as he raced through the streets of Boston. Orell’s parents showed up at the starting line with a large sign saying, “You got this!” As of Monday, Orell had raised $9,300 to be donated to Boston Medical Center cancer research in Hathaway’s honor.

Hathaway died last April after a long bout with breast cancer. Before she died, she cheered for Orell at two smaller races.

”She made such a difference in his life,” said Cathy Orell, his mother. “This is Rob’s way of giving back and keeping her spirit alive.”

The women’s elite race has begun — 9:47 a.m.

Hellen Obiri, Hiwot Gebremaryam, Tadu Teshome, and Des Linden are among the names to watch as the elite runners take the course.

Here are the remaining start times:

9:50 a.m.: Para athletics divisions

10 a.m.: Wave 1

10:25 a.m.: Wave 2

10:50 a.m.: Wave 3

11:15 a.m.: Wave 4

Japan’s Yuma Morii is leading early in the men’s elite race — 9:42 a.m.

The men’s open field is off, and Evans Chebet’s second consecutive title defense begins. The stakes are high for him today, and not just historically — he’s on the outside looking in for a spot on the Kenyan Olympic team for the Paris Games, and a strong performance today could help his chances.

Japan’s Yuma Morii, however, is way out front already. With a personal best more than 10 minutes slower than the favorites, a shock wire-to-wire win seems unlikely and this approach usually goes south — just ask C.J. Albertson .

The men’s elite race is underway — 9:37 a.m.

The runners have hit the course, as Evans Chebet is looking to become the first runner since 2008 to win three straight Boston Marathons.

The women’s elite field will head to the start line in just a few minutes.

What to know about the men’s and women’s elite runners — 9:35 a.m.

No surprises here: the man to beat in the men’s open race is two-time defending champion Evans Chebet, who can become the first runner since Robert Kipkoech Cheiryout in 2008 to make it three in a row. He’ll likely have Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay, Chebet’s biggest challenger last April, for company at the front, as well as Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma, whose 2:01:48 run in Valencia makes him the fastest man in the race by personal best. Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut and Ethiopia’s Haftu Teklu and Shura Kitata are the other sub-2:05 men in the field that could make a run at the front.

Defending champion Hellen Obiri is back, and she’s the favorite in the women’s race coming off back-to-back wins in Boston and New York in 2023. The Olympic silver medalist over 5,000 meters has proven her elite speed translates to a marathon kick, but the deepest women’s field in the Marathon’s history will give her plenty of company; nine women in this race have run under 2:20 — Obiri is yet to crack 2:21 for 26.2 — led by Ethiopians Tadu Teshome (2:17:36) and Hiwot Gebremaryam (2:17:59). But fast runs on a flat course in Valencia, Spain, are a long way from the hills of Boston, and former champions Edna Kiplagat and Caroline Rotich can’t be counted out, either.

The men’s and women’s elite runners are about to get underway — 9:30 a.m.

The men will begin at 9:37, and the women wills tart at 9:47.

Hug has widened the gap, but the women’s field has a new leader — 9:26 a.m.

Marcel Hug is taking control right away in the men’s race, leading by more than a minute as he’s already into Natick after coming through 10K in 15 minutes, 30 seconds. On the women’s side, it’s not Manuela Schär in front; England’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper rolled through 10K in 18 minutes, 43 seconds, with four-time champion Schär more than a minute back along with four other racers in the chase pack.

Hug and Schär are the early leaders in the wheelchair races — 9:15 a.m.

The wheelchair race is off, and there are no surprises at the front. Switzerland’s Marcel Hug is way out front in the men’s race already, blazing through the first three miles (mostly downhill) in 6 minutes, 48 seconds. Fellow Swiss Manuela Schär already has a gap on the women’s side, hitting two miles in 5 minutes, 22 seconds. Both might be after their own course records today.

Runners are gearing up for a ‘26-mile party’ — 9:12 a.m.

Travis Laqua, 41, is 6′4″ but with his leprechaun hat on, he almost hits seven feet.

The Houston native is used to running in the heat, so he knew his velvet green shorts, long green trench coat, and scraggly beard would not deter him during his race in Boston.

”I know I can take the heat,” Laqua said. “Nobody really knows you as a regular runner, but when you’re running in costume, everyone cheers.”

Laqua has run four of his 14 total marathons in costume, decked out as Spider-Man, Superman, the Green Lantern, and the Flash.

”The kids love it,” Laqua said. “I hope I get some support because I came to support Boston.”Laqua plans to enjoy every second of the marathon, and of course, have a drink when he finishes.

”For me, it’s a 26-mile party,” Laqua said. “I hope there’s some beer. I know Bostonians love to drink.”

The women’s elite wheelchair race has begun — 9:05 a.m.

Three minutes after the first starting gun went off, the women’s elite wheelchair field also got the go-ahead.

Now, the folks at the starting line in Hopkinton have about half an hour to prepare for the elite runners.

The 128th Boston Marathon is underway — 9:02 a.m.

And they’re off!

The race kicked off with the men’s elite wheelchair field at 9:02. The women’s elite wheelchair field starts at 9:05, followed by the elite men at 9:37 and the elite women at 9:47.

Ayla Brown sings the anthem, and the flyover takes off — 8:56 a.m.

Today’s anthem singer is Ayla Brown, daughter of former US senator Scott Brown.

Brown is a former basketball player, having played for Boston College from 2006 to 2010. She was also on the fifth season of American Idol.

Two F-35s from the 158th Fighter Wing out of the Vermont Air National Guard are flying from Hopkinton to Boston — it takes approximately 4 minutes.

What to know about the women’s wheelchair field — 8:50 a.m.

By Amin Touri

With defending champion Susannah Scaroni withdrawing ahead of Monday, four-time winner Manuela Schär looks like a favorite to make it a Swiss sweep in the wheelchair races, without either Scaroni or five-time winner Tatyana McFadden for company. Australia’s Madison de Rozario, last year’s runner-up, looks like the biggest threat to Schär, though De Rozario finished 11 minutes off the lead in Schär’s last win in 2022.

What to know about the men’s wheelchair field — 8:45 a.m.

Monday’s first starting gun is reserved for the men’s wheelchair race, and as it’s been for nearly a decade, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug is the man to beat. Hug has broken the tape on Boylston Street six times in the last eight editions of the Boston Marathon, setting multiple course records — including a 1:17:06 finish last year — in dominant fashion.

Among his primary challengers are former winners in American Daniel Romanchuk (2019, 2022) and Canadian Joshua Cassidy (2012), but Hüg remains the favorite.

📸 Photos from across the course — 8:40 a.m.

What to know about the elite fields — 8:35 a.m.

Boston is a tricky puzzle to solve for even the world’s best marathoners — just ask Eliud Kipchoge — but Evans Chebet seems to have cracked the code.

Chebet can win his third consecutive Boston Marathon on Monday, but he’s not short on challengers. Tanzanian Gabriel Geay, who was hot on Chebet’s heels in the closing stages last year, is back for another crack at the crown. The fastest personal best in the field belongs to Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma, who ran a brilliant 2:01:48 in Valencia in December, but who also has a difficult history with Boston; he didn’t finish the race in 2022 and struggled to a 2:22:08 disappointment in 2019.

Hellen Obiri is back to defend her title in the women’s race, looking to extend her incredible start to her road career having won both Boston and New York in 2023 in just her second and third marathons. But there are an incredible 15 women with personal bests faster than Obiri’s 2:21:38, led by Ethiopians Tadu Teshome and Hiwot Gebremariam, who have both dipped under 2:18.

In the wheelchair division, defending champion Marcel Hug of Switzerland will chase his seventh men’s title on Monday. American Susannah Scaroni was set to defend her women’s crown but has withdrawn from the race, opening the door for Manuela Schär as a favorite to win her fifth title.

MIT students bring the energy — 8:25 a.m.

A quiet nervousness settled in the crowd among the throngs of runners rushing to board a yellow school bus at 8 a.m.

But when runners reached bus 16, six volunteers — four on the ground and two hanging out the window — from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Alpha Chi Omega sorority blasted “Dancing Queen,” and cheered.

“We wanted to bring up the energy because everyone seems sleepy,” said Himani Kamineni, 18.

Runners smiled, danced along, and even stopped to take videos as they filtered past.

“This is exactly the music I needed,” one racer shouted as she ran by the table to her bus.

Scenes from the buses at 8 a.m. #BostonMarathon pic.twitter.com/Lg4km6YLXb — Ava Berger (@Ava_Berger_) April 15, 2024

City honors victims of 2013 Marathon bombing — 8:15 a.m.

By Emma Healy

Mayor Michelle Wu and Governor Maura Healey joined survivors and family members of the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing to lay wreaths at the site of the attacks. Monday’s Marathon marks 11 years to the day since two bombs went off near the finish line on Boylston Street, killing Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, and Lingzi Lu, while injuring countless others. Police officer Sean Collier was killed days later in a shootout with one of the men responsible for the attack; Dennis Simmonds also died after being wounded.

A bagpiper played “Amazing Grace” as the procession walked to and from the site of the attack, and a moment of silence was held to honor the victims.

Where it all starts: Hopkinton is celebrating its 100th anniversary as host of the Boston Marathon — 8:00 a.m.

By John Hilliard

Jacques “Jack” LeDuc has seemingly done it all for the Boston Marathon. He painted the starting line each year for 36 years. He’s also a longtime race announcer, calling out the start of each wave of the race, which includes 30,000 runners. He even ran in the race for more than a decade.

“This is the Holy Grail for long-distance running; it’s the granddaddy,” said LeDuc, 73. “I wanted to put the best foot forward for the town and the race itself.”

The transformation from a small town in Boston’s western suburbs into the seeming center of the running universe is a labor of love for locals, who spend months each year preparing for the signature event that has long been central to their community’s identity.

“It just brings the spirit; it’s the ability of a small town to do something for the world,” said Mary Jo LaFreniere, 75, a member of the town’s Select Board and a longtime race volunteer.

For residents of this town of 19,000 west of Boston, where Interstate 495 crosses the Mass Pike, the marathon more than doubles each year on the third Monday of April. Thousands of spectators crowd the starting line near the corner of East Main and Ash streets.

Read more about Hopkinton’s 100th year as the town at the start.

📸 At the Athletes’ Village — 7:50 a.m.

A pep talk for the police escorts — 7:45 a.m.

Lieutenant Colonel John E. Mawn, Jr. as Massachusetts State Police Colonel gives a rousing pep talk to dozens of state police officers gathered near the start line in Hopkinton. They will be escorting the wheelchair athletes and elite runners in a convoy of SUVs. “We all know what happened here before - and we want to make sure it doesn’t ever happen again,” Mawn told the officers, referring to the 2013 bombing.

Here’s your latest Marathon forecast — 7:35 a.m.

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic spring day from sunrise to sunset.

You can plan on mostly to partly sunny skies wherever you are along the race route , with temperatures starting the day in the low 50s pre-race (the men’s wheelchair division kicks off the race at 9:02 a.m.) and quickly rising to the low to mid-60s by noon in Greater Boston — a bit on the warm side for runners.

But there will be a slight breeze from the west/northwest throughout the day — a barely noticeable 5 to 12 miles per hour to spectators but a helpful tailwind for runners. Also, the passing of showers across New England Sunday night has welcomed dry air into the area, knocking humidity values down to 30% to 60%, which should keep runners comfortable.

Other than a few leftover small puddles, all signs point to a wonderful day, starting with the men’s wheelchair race at 9:02 a.m.

If you’re heading to a particular point along the marathon route, here’s a town-by-town course forecast to see how Monday’s weather plays out during prime viewing and racing event times.

How much money do you get if you win the Boston Marathon? — 7:25 a.m.

By Sam Robb O’Hagan

Beyond the prestige of winning an iconic race, the Boston Marathon pays pretty well, too — $150,000, to be exact.

That’s how much the first man and woman in the open division to cross the finish line on Boylston Street will take home on Monday. Second place gets $75,000.

Money is awarded to the 10 highest finishers, with 10th taking home $5,500.

The winners of the wheelchair division will win $40,000 apiece. Second earns $25,000 down to 10th, which awards $1,500.

A behind-the-scenes tradition — 7:10 a.m.

One of the cool Marathon traditions you only get to see if you’re at the media center early: The BAA and Fairmont Copley Plaza staff gather to celebrate the elite runners as the head to the buses.

Huge cheers for Meb, the 2014 winner, who is running for charity today.

One of the cool @bostonmarathon traditions you get to see if you get here super early: BAA and Copley Fairmont staff gather to celebrate the elite runners as they head to the buses. Huge cheers for @runmeb , the 2014 winner, who is running for charity today. pic.twitter.com/qLNn7ZhZG3 — Katie McInerney (@k8tmac) April 15, 2024

This year’s field is incredibly fast. Find out how many qualifiers were turned away. — 7:00 a.m.

By Molly Farrar

The Boston Athletic Association turned away a record number of applications for the 2024 Boston Marathon, and runners who got one of the coveted spots at the starting line were more than five minutes faster than the qualifying time for their age and gender group.

The BAA said more than 33,000 qualified participants applied for the race, and they ended up turning away 11,039 qualifying runners. The 22,019 who will be running on Marathon Monday were faster than their age and gender group’s qualifying time by at least 5 minutes and 29 seconds.

See the qualifying times broken down by age and gender here.

At times, marathoning and motherhood have been at odds. At this year’s Marathon, it’ll be anything but. — 6:45 a.m.

By Tara Sullivan

Sitting under a New Hampshire sky, Fiona English was joyous. Taking in the recent eclipse, celebrating the first birthday of her son Alder, anticipating her first Boston Marathon, it felt, she said, “like the end of my story.

“I can run my victory lap around Boston.”

A little over a year ago, from her home in London, English was feeling anything but joy. She’d posted a public letter to the Boston Marathon that quickly went viral, in which she shared details of her failed attempt to get a deferral due to pregnancy. She’d been denied by a Boston Athletic Association still constrained by an outdated policy, one that made no exception for pregnancy, despite, in this case, English’s due date falling just two days before the race, leaving it both unwise and unsafe for her to travel and run.

In credit to the BAA, change came quickly. A policy shift, the organization said, was mere dotted I’s and crossed T’s away from being done, soon granting pregnant entrants who would prefer to defer two additional years to use their qualifying time, with an additional opportunity to extend by another year if they get pregnant a second time in that span.

One year later, English is back, a 17-time marathoner and ultra-distance runner determined, she said, “to be on the start line where history is made.”

Read more about marathoners who are mothers here.

They call 26.TRUE the ‘real’ Boston marathon. Here’s why. — 6:35 a.m.

By Tiana Woodard and Laura Crimaldi

When Jeremy Guevara ran the Boston Marathon in 2022, one thought got stuck in his head as he jogged through suburban towns: “I wasn’t even supposed to be there.”

Everything about Guevara, a first-generation Latino weighing 250 pounds, stood out amid the sea of mostly white, lanky athletes trekking through Hopkinton, Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline.

“You don’t want to feel that way, especially when you’re already doing something really hard,” Guevara said.

The unmissable fact that the Boston Marathon is overwhelmingly white helped fuel the creation of the race Guevara ran this weekend over the more historic one: 26.TRUE, a marathon course entirely within the city of Boston that organizers and advocates say is crucial to ensuring that people of color see long distance running as a viable and welcoming sport.

Boston Marathon wave start times and schedule — 6:25 a.m.

By Eli Cloutier

What time does the 2024 Boston Marathon start? The nearly 30,000-person field will begin the race in staggered waves.

First come the fastest participants: The professional wheelchair racers and elite men and women. Then, it’s on to the athletes who qualified or are raising money for charity.

Here is a look at the start and projected finish times for Monday’s race.

• 9:02 a.m.: Men’s wheelchair
• 9:05 a.m.: Women’s wheelchair
• 9:30 a.m.: Handcycle and duo teams
• 9:37 a.m.: Professional men
• 9:47 a.m.: Professional women
• 9:50 a.m.: Para athletics division
• 10:00 a.m.: Wave 1 (Bib Nos. 201-7,999)
• 10:25 a.m.: Wave 2 (Bib Nos. 8,000-15,999)
• 10:50 a.m.: Wave 3 (Bib Nos. 16,000-23,999)
• 11:15 a.m.: Wave 4 (Bib Nos. 24,000-32,999)

Got blisters and hideous toenails? Welcome to Marathon training. — 6:15 a.m.

By Beth Teitell

There’s the marathon swag that everyone recognizes — medals, bibs, T-shirts. Then there are the other trophies, earned during the long slog of training and admired by only insiders.

Toenails so black they’d unsettle an equine podiatrist. Chafing intense enough to inspire a new shade of lipstick. Blisters as angry as Trump.

Charity runner Indu Manikkam wears her self-described “badge of honor” on her feet, in the form of hard, dead skin. With sandal season coming up, non-runner friends are urging a pedicure, but they don’t understand.

“I like calluses,” said Manikkam, who is raising money for Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Running can be so beautiful, so inspirational, so “Chariots of Fire” — graceful young men running along the water’s edge as a stirring theme song rises. In Hollywood, in poem, and often in real life, to run is to overcome adversity, to strive for your best in a harsh world, to help raise money that makes a difference in people’s lives.

But civilians be warned: the sport also has a less glamorous side. Come Boston Marathon weekend, if you find yourself chatting with a runner, no matter how desperate for small talk you are, do not ask about the toll training takes on the body.

The convoys to Hopkinton take off — 6:10 a.m.

By Matt Pepin

They’re on the way.

Drivers on the Massachusetts Turnpike early Monday morning likely passed convoys of school buses heading toward Boston. Cities and towns around Eastern Massachusetts send fleets of buses to Boston Common to pick up runners and transport them to Hopkinton for the start of the Boston Marathon.

With many schools on spring vacation this week, buses are freed up to assist with getting runners out to the starting line.

According to the Boston Athletic Association, there are 29,451 athletes headed for Hopkinton Monday. The waves of starters in the 2024 Boston Marathon begins at 9:02 a.m. with the men’s wheelchair division, followed at 9:05 a.m. by the women’s wheelchair division.

The men’s professional runners field starts at 9:37, followed by the women at 9:47 a.m., then para athletes at 9:50. The first full wave of runners goes at 10 a.m.

What to know about the Marathon television broadcast — 6:00 a.m.

By Sofia Garrett

Ch. 5 in Boston (WCVB) is covering the race for the second year, alongside ESPN.

Ch. 5 coverage began at 4 a.m. and continues through a 7:30 p.m. special edition of Chronicle.

Until 8:30 a.m., the EyeOpener newscast will offer pre-race information from Hopkinton, the finish line, the Athletes’ Village, and Copley Square.

ESPN’s coverage begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs through 12:30 p.m. SportsCenter anchor John Anderson will call the professional race alongside analyst Carrie Tollefson, a 2004 Olympian, and Paralympic medalist Amanda McGrory, who has also raced in Boston.

WCVB anchors Ed Harding and Maria Stephanos and ESPN SportsCenter anchor Hannah Storm will supply commentary from the finish line.

Starting at 12:30 p.m., when the broadcast ends on ESPN, Ch. 5 personalities will provide post-race coverage, including runner interviews from Boylston Street.

WCVB’s coverage of the race will also air on WMUR (Manchester, N.H.), WMTW (Portland, Me.), and WPTZ (Burlington, Vt., and Plattsburgh, N.Y.).

Learn more about the broadcast and how to livestream here.

Why does the Boston Marathon start in Hopkinton? — 5:45 a.m.

By Khari Thompson

A short walk away from the Ashland commuter rail stop lies Marathon Park, where a blue sign with gold letters and the image of runners captured mid-stride stands to greet visitors.

“Ashland,” the sign reads. “It all started here.”

The Boston Marathon began in 1897, but the starting line didn’t move from Ashland to neighboring Hopkinton until 1924.

“One hundred years ago this April was the last time the race started in Ashland,” said Tim Kilduff, president of the 26.2 Foundation.

The starting line’s current location is a short distance west of where it was when runners took off from Ashland’s Metcalf’s Mill during Boston’s first marathon.

So, why is the line in Hopkinton now? The answer, like the inspiration for the race itself, has Olympic roots.

Today’s weather forecast — 5:30 a.m.

By Dave Epstein

It’s looking like the weather is going to fully cooperate — sunny and warmer, in the low 60s — on Monday for the tens of thousands of runners set to hit the pavement and the spectators cheering them on.

If there was one issue with the forecast? It’s going to be a little bit warm for runners but nearly perfect for spectators. Runners tend to like temperatures in the 40s to around 50 degrees, preferably with some clouds and some wind. That would be an ideal sort of day.

Driving rain or unusual heat would obviously be unfavorable. We will have neither of those this year.

On average, it’s in the lower 50s at sunrise when many of the athletes are arriving in Hopkinton and ends up in the low to mid-60s by afternoon. This year will be pretty close to that. I expect temperatures to be right around that 50-degree mark when the sun comes up at 6 a.m. and around 61 or 62 by noontime.

See Epstein’s full Marathon Monday forecast here.

Celeb sighting: Your notable race participants — 5:15 a.m.

By Shannon Larson

From world-famous elite runners to those supporting a worthy cause, tens of thousands of athletes from across the globe will be participating in the Boston Marathon this year, winding their way through the 26.2-mile course that runs from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.

Among those likely to stand out in the packed field — and possibly catch the eyes of attendees — are a handful of notable names. The high-profile participants include previous champions, beloved sports stars, and recognizable faces from television. Meanwhile, former Patriots tight end and fan-favorite Rob Gronkowski will serve as this year’s grand marshal.

Here are some of the well-known participants in the 2024 Boston Marathon.

Happy Marathon Monday! Welcome to the Globe’s live updates. — 5:00 a.m.

By Katie McInerney, Globe Staff

There’s nothing like Marathon Monday. By the time the finish line at Boylston Street is dismantled tonight, more than 30,000 people will have conquered the 26.2-mile course.

The Globe has been there every step of the way, from the inaugural race in 1987 to the tragic ending of 2013. Today, we’ll offer you live coverage with reporters spread out from Hopkinton to the finish line. Follow along with us for instant race updates and results from the wheelchair and elite participants, and stick around for those stories we all know and love: The runners who push past the blisters, busted toenails, and cramps to achieve the ultimate victory — finishing the race.

Amin Touri can be reached at [email protected] . Emma can be reached at [email protected] or on X @_EmmaHealy_ . Katie McInerney can be reached at [email protected] . Follow her @k8tmac . Ethan Fuller can be reached at [email protected] .