10 Tips for Visiting Boston
March 31, 2022
Boston is hands down one of my favorite cities in the U.S. I just love the mixture of history, food and adventure…there is literally something for everyone to enjoy in this town. I’ve been to Boston many times and I always look forward to returning. Below are some of my tips for things to do while you’re there.
Walk the Freedom Trail- the Freedom Trail includes 16 different historic sites that tell the story of the American Revolution and the history of the United States. You can easily visit just one or two sites or you can spend the day walking the entire trail. One end of the trail begins at Boston Common and the other end is the Bunker Hill Monument. If you’re hanging out in downtown Boston, you will go past several sites and probably not even know that you’re on the Freedom Trail. You can purchase tickets for official tours or you can do your own self- guided tour.
Some of my favorite sites from the Freedom Trail are Boston Common (more to come about that later), the USS Constitution and the Granary Burying Ground.
2. Explore Boston Common/the Public Garden- Boston Common is America’s oldest park and there’s a fair amount to do here in the park. Honestly, I just love to walk around the park and enjoy the scenery. You can also get a ride on the swan boats, splash in the Frog Pond Pool, play softball or enjoy a picnic.
3. Visit the North End- if you’re looking for some amazing Italian food, be sure to visit the North End. This is basically Boston’s “Little Italy” neighborhood and has some of my favorite restaurants in the entire city. I’ve been to several restaurants there but a fan favorite is Giacomo’s Ristorante. Also be sure to get dessert (especially a cannoli) at Mike’s Pastry…walk down a block and enjoy that dessert in front of the Paul Revere statue…very Boston of you.
4. Kayak the Charles River- if you’re a little outdoorsy, this a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Boston. I’ve kayaked a lot of places all over the country but for some reason I really enjoyed this experience. Check out paddleboston.com for kayak rentals.
5. Beacon Hill- If you’re into architecture and cool buildings, I highly recommend walking around the Beacon Hill neighborhood to check out some of the homes and parks. I just love all of the homes there. Also, while you’re in the neighborhood, visit the Museum of African American History- I really enjoyed this small museum. www.maah.org
6. Take a Harvard tour- I know this sounds cheesy, but stay with me…I have done the Harvard tour twice now and it’s awesome. These tours are lead by Harvard students and provide a great way to learn about the school’s history and some of famous people who have attended. Be sure to bring some money to tip the tour guide.
While you’re at Harvard, swing by the Harvard Museum of Natural History. It was a pleasant surprise and had way more to see than I thought it would. hmnh.harvard.edu
There are a bunch of cool restaurants and bars in Cambridge, so while you’re near Harvard, be sure to check some of those out too.
7. Seaport District- this part of Boston is one of the newly developed areas of the city and is located across the Bass River from downtown Boston. There are a lot of high-end restaurants and bars in this neighborhood, but if you want a more chill vibe, check out Trillium Brewing Company, Harpoon Brewery or the Barking Crab.
8. Boston Duck Tour- that’s right, I said it…get a ticket for a duck boat tour. Our tour guide was hilarious and did an amazing job of explaining some of the city’s most popular landmarks. It’s a great way to get a history of the city in a short amount of time and it’s good for all ages. bostonducktours.com
9. Visit Fenway Park- even if you’re not a Red Sox fan, you have to check out historic Fenway Park for a game. Even if the team is not in town/season while you’re there, be sure to grab a ticket for their stadium tour.
10. Transportation- “The T” is the name of the Boston subway system. It’s so easy to use and I highly recommend it for everyone coming into the city. If you’re flying into Boston and staying anywhere near downtown, you have no need for a car- just use the subway the entire time.
Also, if you’re looking for a quick trip to Boston Logan Airport from downtown, feel free to use a water taxi (for a fee). They’ll even store your luggage, so it’s a great option for exploring Boston for the last day of your trip after you’ve checked out of your hotel/Airbnb.
