Boston is easily one of my favorite cities to visit in the Northeast United States. As the capitol of Massachusetts, it’s a major hub for history, culture, food and sports. Boston is definitely on the smaller side compared to other large cities in the Northeast, with a population of a little under 700k. For reference, New York City has nearly 8.5 million people and Philadelphia is just over 1.5 million! But even with a population half the size of Philly, thanks to the city’s size (just under 50 square miles) it always feels bustling and busy. Whether you’re just in town for a day, weekend, or on an extended stay, these are some great things to do while visiting Boston!
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Need somewhere to stay? Check out my rundown of all the Boston hotels I’ve stayed in.
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Hungry? Check out my favorite places to eat & drink in Boston!
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Looking for a caffeine boost? Check out all the coffee shops I’ve visited in Boston.
Things to Do
Visit the Boston Public Library
Founded in 1848, the Boston Public Library is the third largest public library in the United States, behind the Library of Congress and the New York Public Library. It’s free to enter and houses over 23 million items! Besides all of the stacks of books and reading/study areas, the library also holds art and architecture tours, hosts public and private events, and has an ever rotating variety of exhibitions. While the Central Library in Copley Square is what most people think of, there are also 25 neighborhood branches within the Boston Public Library system. The Central Library building is gorgeous! It’s a prime example of Renaissance Beaux-Arts architecture, with its focus on symmetry and grandeur and including elements of ancient Roman and Greek architecture.
700 Boylston Street.
Grab a Drink in the Map Room Lounge
Before you leave the library, head down the hall to the right of the main staircase to make a pitstop at the Map Room Lounge. Its a little dark and moody inside, with great service, drinks, and a very generous charcuterie board on the menu. Through the door to the left of the bar is the entrance to the bright and airy Courtyard Tea Room, where you can get a classic afternoon tea service if that’s more your vibe.
Wander through Boston Common & the Public Garden
Founded in 1634, Boston Common is the oldest public city park in the United States! It covers 50 acres smack dab in the middle of downtown Boston. The park is part of the Freedom Trail (see more on that later) so you’ll likely see a number of tour groups, especially in the area between the Visitor Center and the Brewer Fountain. Because of its size and central location, it’s often used for events, rallies, and protests. During the summer you’ll find food trucks, people picnicking or sunbathing, and kids cooling off in the Frog Pond. In the winter, said pond is turned into an ice skating rink! The park is also part of the Emerald Necklace, an 1,100-acre park system linked by parkways and waterways that extends across Boston and into Brookline, Massachusetts.
Just across the street is the Public Garden, which was the first public botanical garden in the US. It’s a whole lot more decorative than it’s neighbor, full of flowers, trees, statues, and bridges. In the center there’s even a 6 acre pond you can rent swan boats on! Both the Common and Public Garden are included on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places.
Bordered by Beacon, Park, Tremont, Boylston, and Arlington Streets.
Visit a Brewery (or Cidery!)
Boston is definitely a beer city, home to over 40 breweries including Samuel Adams, Harpoon, and Trillium. If you’re willing to head across the river into the Somerville/Cambridge area, you’ll also find popular local favorites like Portico Brewing, Lamplighter Brewing Co., and Remnant Brewing. Some of the larger breweries (Samuel Adams and Harpoon) have their own brewery tours, while you can find some of the others included on area brewery tours. Not a beer drinker? Then a trip into East Boston is a must for a stop at Downeast Cider House (my husband’s all-time favorite cidery). I’m pretty bummed Downeast doesn’t do tours anymore, because it was our favorite part of our first trip to Boston.
- Samuel Adams Boston Brewery – 30 Germania Street.
- Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall – 306 Northern Avenue.
- Trillium Brewing – Three Boston locations: Fenway, Fort Point, and on The Greenway.
- Portico Brewing – 101 South Street, Somerville, MA.
- Remnant Brewing – 2 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA.
- Lamplighter Brewing Co. – 284 Broadway, Cambridge, MA.
- Downeast Cider House – 256 Marginal Street, Building 32, East Boston.
Follow the Freedom Trail
A walk along the Freedom Trail is a must for American history buffs! This 2.5 mile red brick trail passes by a collection of museums, cemeteries, meeting houses, and churches, all of which are historic locations that were important to the American Revolution. The route starts at Boston Common and takes on average 90 minutes to walk, more if you stop a lot. There are a number of different guided tours as well as an app you can purchase online for a self-guided tour, all of which you can find here. There are 16 sites along the trail, the last 2 of which you’ll have to cross the Charles River into Charlestown to see:
- Boston Common – 139 Tremont Street.
- Massachusetts State House – 24 Beacon Street.
- Granary Burying Ground – 95 Tremont Street.
- Old South Meeting House – 310 Washington Street.
- Boston Latin School & Ben Franklin Statue – 45 Freedom Trail.
- King’s Chapel & King’s Chapel Burying Ground – 58 Tremont Street.
- Old Corner Bookstore – 283 Washington Street.
- Faneuil Hall – 4 South Market.
- Old State House – 206 Washington Street.
- Boston Massacre Site – Corner of State and Congress Streets.
- Old North Church – 193 Salem Street.
- Paul Revere House – 19 North Square.
- Park Street Church – 1 Park Street.
- Copp’s Hill Burying Ground – 45 Hull Street.
- USS Constitution – 1st Ave and 3rd Street, Charlestown, MA.
- Bunker Hill Monument – 43 Monument Square, Charlestown, MA.
Browse the Local Food Halls and Markets
If you’re a fan of shopping local, Boston has dozens of markets to choose from, both indoor vs. outdoor and year-round vs. seasonal. From farmers markets and food halls, to flea markets and stalls from local artists, there’s a little something for everyone. I’ve highlighted a few below:
SoWa Open Market – 500 Harrison Avenue.
An outdoor market open on Sundays from May through October featuring handmade apparel, home items, produce, baked goods & sweets.
Quincy Market – 206 S Market Street.
A historic building located within the Faneuil Hall Marketplace which is home to over 50 different food vendors plus a beautiful seating area upstairs.
Boston Public Market – 100 Hanover Street.
A small year-round indoor market featuring vendors from around New England.
Boston Open Market – 560 Boylston Street.
This Saturday market runs from May through October and features all handmade items from area artisans and small businesses.
Get Some Steps in Along the Harborwalk
Looking for some fresh air and a different way to see the city? The Boston Harborwalk is a 43-mile long public walkway that wraps nearly the entire way around Boston Harbor. Along the path you’ll find parks, piers, beaches, museums, restaurants, playgrounds and more. It’s also a great way to watch planes and boats! There are 9 wharfs along the walkway, so lots of boat spotting opportunities, and Logan International Airport is located on the other side of the harbor.
From the Neponset River in Dorchester to Constitution Beach in East Boston.
On My List For Next Time
Looking for more itinerary ideas? I haven’t gotten to any of these yet myself, but they’re on my list for future Boston trips!
Baseball at Fenway Park – 4 Jersey Street.
Fenway is Major League Baseball’s oldest ballpark, the home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912 (but you won’t see me there unless they’re playing the Phillies!).
Boston Duck Tours – Multiple departure locations across the city.
A popular and unique sightseeing tour that takes place on both land and sea!
Boston Anthenaeum – 10½ Beacon Street.
Founded in 1807, this is one of the oldest independent libraries in all of the United States!
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum – 306 Congress Street.
Full-scale replica 18th-century ships and museum with live actors and interactive exhibits.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – 25 Evans Way.
An art museum that features pieces from Asia, Europe, and America, and was built around a beautiful garden courtyard.
Seaport District – South Boston Waterfront area.
While I’ve walked through the Seaport and stopped for a drink, I haven’t really explored much! This former industrial area has been revitalized and is now full of restaurants, nightlife, museums, and more.
Little Italy Food Tour – North End.
The North End, also known as Little Italy, is Boston’s oldest neighborhood and is full of amazing Italian bakeries, restaurants, and coffee shops.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Boston? Let me know in the comments!
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