Boston is one of the oldest cities in the US so you can visit numerous historical sites such as the Freedom Trail and the site of the "Boston Tea Party.
Besides San Francisco, it is also one of the most 'European' looking cities in America. There are small cozy streets and the city is very walkable. Besides cultural treasures you will find 2 of the most renowned universities: Harvard and MIT. Furthermore, you will find a lot of greenery in the city such as the Boston Common park and the Public Garden.
For sports enthusiasts, a visit to Fenway park should not be missed either.
In short, it is an attractive destination for travelers of all ages and interests.
Discover the history of Boston by a Duck Boat tour.
This is without any doubt one of the funniest ways to get a first impression of the city.
Aboard this amphibious vehicle (both bus and boat), you get a lot of information about the sights you drive or sail past in a hilarious way.
Our guide was Flo, and she was really fantastic. Great fun for kids too, they even get a chance to ride the boat for a very short time.
You can start this tour at 3 different locations: the entrance to the science museum, Prudential center or the New England Aquarium. A ticket for an adult costs about 50$ and for a child (3-11 years old) 35$. Want to book? You can do so here .
Walk along the red brick path of the Freedom Trail
Another thing not to be missed when visiting Boston is a walk along the famous Freedom Trail. This walk takes you past 16 important historical sites that played a crucial role in the American Revolution.
You can easily follow the trail yourself along the red bricks or you can also do so with a (historical suit-clad) guide. Among other things, you will visit the Massachusetts State House with its magnificent golden dome and the graves of some of the important figures in this history such as Paul Revere.
Imagine yourself a student at Harvard, one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
When visiting Boston, it's nice to also take a peek at the historic campuses of the famous Harvard University.
Discover the "Hasty Pudding Club," this distinguished sorority was founded in 1795 by a few students who wanted to brighten up their monotonous daily meals of a porridge of flour, water and milk called the "hasty pudding" by founding a club that would focus on comedy, theater and humor.
Still today, the annual "Man of the Year" and "Woman of the Year" event is famous within the entertainment world. Famous women who received this title include Meryl Streep, Halle Berry & Anne Hathaway. The men are e.g. Sean Connery, Tom Hanks & Justin Timberlake.
Go for a boatride in the famous 'Swanboats' in Public garden
This iconic attraction has been around since 1877. From mid-April to mid-September, you can take this short Swan boat cruise.
During the approximately 15-minute trip, you'll encounter lots of mallards and maybe even a pair of real swans who will gladly join you for a swim alongside the boat.
Discover the small island you sail around, famous from the famous children's book "Make Way for the Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey. A little further on in the park is a statue of this, also fun for the kids.
Boston Common, the historic park in the heart of the city, is also worth a visit. Established in 1634, it is one of the oldest public parks in America. Originally, it was a common pasture for cattle to graze on. Now it is a wonderful place to unwind, picnic, jog,...
Experience a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park
A popular sport in the US is undoubtedly baseball. If you enjoy being among the locals, attending a Boston Red Sox match is an ideal opportunity. Fenway Park is absolutely one of the best hotspots in Boston.
Fenway Park opened in 1912, making it one of the oldest baseball stadiums still in use in Major League Baseball (MLB). What gives this stadium its iconic value is the "Green Monster," this 11-foot-high wall in left field is famous for its impact on the game, as it is difficult to hit a home run over the wall. Seats are therefore hugely popular here. Sing along to Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" during the eighth inning of home games. Try to get a ticket to a game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, and you're sure to witness an exciting spectacle.
Enjoy the tasty culinary offerings at the best hotspots in Boston
Boston is also known for its culinary offerings.
Be sure to try the famous clam chowder (a thick soup with lots of fish and shellfish enriched with fresh vegetables), enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants along the waterfront or dive into Italian cuisine in the lively North End.
Also, don't forget to eat a lobster roll, this local delicacy is sure to delight your taste buds.
Our favourite restaurants in Boston:
Scampo:
This Italian restaurant is one of the best in Boston. Located in the Liberty Hotel , which used to be the Charles Street jail Scampo. Scampo means escape in Italian. We were also lucky enough to have a chat with the famous chef of this restaurant Lydia Shire.
Legal Sea Foods Harborside:
Great seafood restaurant where you can eat freshly caught fish daily, also sushi. Spectacular here is the Roof Deck restaurant, open throughout the year, weekdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday until 11 p.m.), Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Stephanie's on Newbury
A lovely place for lunch, located on the fashion street Newbury Street, Stephanie's received several awards for "serving sophisticated comfort food," great for lunch on the terrace and not too expensive. Large portions and delicious salads though.
Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co, Fenway Park
Located near Fenway Park, this is a great place to grab something to eat and have a local beer before going to the game.
Again, you'll soak up the atmosphere among the locals. You will run into fans of both the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees here. There is no sign of the rivalry in the restaurant.
Where to stay in Boston?
We stayed 3 days and 2 nights in Boston, this was certainly enough to see most of the sights.
Of course there are many hotels in all price ranges.
Destination Explorer, as always, looks for exceptional accommodation and I would absolutely recommend following hotel Newbury Guest House , great location right in the middle of downtown within walking distance of the main sights. Beautiful old mansion with comfortable rooms and there is always water, coffee and tea ready in the lobby.
Whether you are a history buff, art lover, sports enthusiast or foodie, Boston has something for everyone. This city exudes a unique charm that you can only understand by visiting it. So plan your next trip to Boston and be enchanted by all that this beautiful city has to offer. Boston awaits you with open arms and a wealth of unforgettable experiences.
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliated links which means that purchases made through these links reward Destination Explorer a small commission without any additional charge for the purchaser.