A weekend in Boston

I visited Boston for a couple of nights after an NYC trip and in just two days, I saw so much! I went during the winter but I would definitely go again, most likely in the summer. Since it wasn’t far from NYC, I just jumped on a Greyhound bus and was on my way.

If you only have a short time, I would advise staying downtown to be close to the main sites. When I’m on a short trip in North America, my go-to accommodation is HI-Hostel. They are usually situated in prime locations, they’re extremely good value for money and usually offer tours, host social events and have plenty of facilities such as pool tables and TV/Games rooms.

Wherever you stay, I recommend seeing Boston on foot – Boston was ranked as the third most walkable city in America. Boston is one of those places where you’ll discover new sights as you stroll through the city. It has something for everyone, whether you’re into sports, music or history!

Must visit:

Acorn Street – The most photographed street in America

Cheers – The iconic bar/restaurant in honour of the TV show “Cheers!”

Day 1

I suggest starting your day just North of downtown Boston at the National Historic Park. It’s a large park with two visitor centres and it offers amazing views of the Boston Skyline. As you head south of here, you can walk in almost a loop to see the other main sites. If you do not have a phone data plan, simply download a portion of Google maps so you can’t get lost (unless you want to!).

Below is a list of landmarks and places of interest to get the most out of your weekend trip. If you check a map, you’ll see how close in proximity they all are of each other and you can plan a route accordingly.

  • Boston National Historic Park, the Freedom Trail and the Bunker Hill Monument
  • North Point Park – park with trails, bridges and playgrounds
  • Boston Public Market – indoor marketplace with artisans and food vendors
  • New England Holocaust Memorial – memorial site featuring glass towers and rising steam
  • Faneuil Hall Marketplace – waterfront marketplace with food, shops and entertainment
  • Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park and Boston Harbor Islands – rose garden with a fountain and amazing views of the waterfront
  • Rose Kennedy Greenway – contemporary public park
  • Boston Harbor Islands – famous state park with 34 islands and ferry cruises
  • Fan Pier Park and Marina (Seaport Area) – views of the city with shops, restaurants and entertainment
  • Lookout Rooftop and Bar – 360 skyline views at the Envoy hotel’s rooftop bar
  • Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum – historical museum with interactive exhibits, tours and a gift shop
  • Chinatown Gate – decorative gate at the entrance of Chinatown (third largest Chinatown in USA!)
  • Skywalk Observatory – 50th floor observation deck with unparalleled views of Boston
  • Tortoise and Hare – sculpture in Copley Square
  • Boston Public Garden – Garden of Remembrance (9/11 Memorial), Make Way for Dumplings sculpture and Boston Common Frog Pond

Day 2

If you fancy venturing out of the city, maybe head to Cambridge to check out Harvard or slightly south of the city to visit the Museum of Fine Arts. Below are some suggestions for a relaxed second day of your trip!

  • Harvard University and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) – visit these prestige institutions and admire the university grounds, architecture and culture with a guided or self-guided tour!
  • Museums – Boston has many museums and it would be impossible to see them all in a day! Check out Culture Trip’s list of the top 10!
  • Fenway Park (Baseball stadium) – if you’re unable to catch a game, you can still visit and register for one of their tours!

Based on my own research, here are some other recommendations in case you have some extra time:

Cambridge Graffiti Wall and Central Square

Charles River Esplanade The Institute of Contemporary Art

Harpoon Brewery and Beer Hall

Rose Kennedy Greenway

Castle Island

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

Music Venues such as Symphony Hall

Massachusetts State House

New England Aquarium

Franklin Park Zoo

You should also check out this website for other things to do, and for information on activities such as hiking, winter sports, and even whale watching!