The Best Things to Do in Boston
Boston, the capital city of Massachusetts, is a city that reminds me of an old gentleman in a neat suit. It’s old but clean, proud but not afraid to embrace the new. It’s a far cry from the glitz and glamor of New York or the grandeur of Washington, and will give you a taste of the city’s unique charm.
Walk the Freedom Trail
Freedom Trail: Small Group Walking Tour
The Freedom Trail is a 4-kilometer path that runs from Boston Common to the USS Constitution. Along the way, you’ll see 17 of Boston’s historic landmarks that tourists often visit. It’s easy to follow the red lines painted on the downtown sidewalks, so you won’t get lost, and you can complete the walk in about three hours. Don’t assume that a walk along this historic route will be boring. You’ll pass by spacious parks, old buildings, and bustling grocery stores.
Faneuil Hall Market Place
The dense cluster of old buildings is a sight to behold, and the cheerful laughter of street performers is sure to stop you in your tracks. A mix of history, shopping, performances, and food, Faneuil Hall Market Place is a festival 365 days a year. At first glance, it looks like just another bustling market, but it’s actually the historic site where Samuel Adams and James Otis gave speeches about American independence. The food-filled Quincy Market serves up chewy lobster rolls and rumored brick-oven pizza, while the neighboring North Mark and South Market is a fun place to shop for brands like Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch, as well as “scoop up” handmade souvenirs.
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
Boston’s most iconic park. Since its opening in 1976, it has been a green respite in the bustling North End neighborhood, with its historic sights and people. Sitting here, you can see white yachts floating on the water, making for a romantic Boston afternoon. It’s a great place to take a break and feel the atmosphere of the clean and organized city of Boston.
Boston Museum of Science
Education and science are two words that describe Boston as much as history. The Boston Museum of Science is a perfect blend of the two. It’s full of devices that make science, which is often seen as difficult and distant, interesting and approachable. Exhibits of dinosaurs and other animals and plants are standard. Kids and adults alike will stop in their tracks in front of the theater that shows how lightning is made and the exhibit where you can experience the inside of the Apollo spacecraft. A huge science lab where you can see, hear, touch, and experience things firsthand.
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Museum of Fine Arts Boston General Admission Ticket
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston is one of the top three art museums in the United States and one of the top four in the world. It’s not your typical museum with rows and rows of artwork, but rather with organized and tasteful curation. Don’t let the number of works put you off, as it doesn’t compare to the Louvre in Paris or the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Each piece is interesting and well organized, making you feel like you’re entering a new museum each time. With a total of four floors and a wide range of artwork from ancient to international, medieval to modern, you’ll never get bored.
Duck Tour
Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River
If you’re looking for a different way to experience Boston, try the Duck Tour. Duck tours are available all over the United States, but they originated in this city. Like a duck, it runs like a regular car on land, but when it hits the water, it folds its wheels and transforms into a boat, giving you a different view of Boston that you wouldn’t get from walking. The regular tour takes 80 minutes and the shortened tour takes 65 minutes.
