Boston is one of the many gems of New England and is one of the best ways to witness a collision of history and modern life. Whether you’re planning a week-long sightseeing trip or just a weekend getaway, there is so much to do and see in and around the city. We want you to get the most out of your visit, so here is a list of our top recommendations to do and see around Boston.
Visit Boston Public Library
Libraries may not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but we promise the Central Library in Copley Square is something worth seeing at least once. The architecture of the building is stunning and you’ll find that no picture will be able to do it justice. Boston Public Library first opened in 1848 as the first public lending library and the first branch library in the United States. Book lovers can easily lose themselves when exploring the library as it contains one of the top three largest collections in the country. The library offers public art and architecture tours on Fridays and Saturdays and we highly suggest looking into their availability during your trip.
See a Game at Fenway Park
There is something for everyone when you visit Boston, and for any sports fan, no trip to Boston would be complete without catching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Grab some hot dogs and get yourself a cold beer before you settle into your seat in America’s oldest baseball park. No summer experience would be complete without a baseball game and hearing the crowd sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch. Staying for the whole game is, of course, always optional but there is no experience quite like being in a packed stadium on game days for fans and non-fans alike.
See the Blooms in Boston Public Gardens
Springtime in Boston means the city parks are bright, buzzing, and in bloom. The Boston Public Garden is the country’s first public botanical garden and was first opened in 1837. The twenty-four-acre garden is maintained year-round and hosts up to eighty different species of plants. When you visit, you can stroll through the numerous paths around the flower beds and pond, or you can book a quick fifteen-minute ride on one of the famous Swan Boats on the pond. The park is a great place to spend a few hours on a bright and sunny spring day in Boston.
Dinner at the Omni Parker House Hotel
If you are looking for some of the best dining options around Boston, check out the restaurant at the historic Parker House Hotel. This hotel was founded in 1855 and the restaurant within is the birthplace of famous dishes like Parker House Rolls and Boston Cream Pie. A number of famous patrons have stayed here including Charles Dickens and Judy Garland, and the restaurant has even employed icons like Emeril Legasse as chef and Malcolm X as a busboy. The hotel is also home to “The Last Hurrah” bar which is the perfect place to end the evening. Whether you are a guest or just a visitor, we highly suggest treating yourself to a night of fine dining and drinks at the Omni Parker House Hotel.
See the Sights on the Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail, created in 1951, is a must-see for every history lover visiting Boston. The trail follows a two-and-a-half-mile route and features many of the most historically significant locations in the city including meeting houses, churches, burial grounds, and markers for different historical events. This is the perfect way for tourists of every age to see and learn about the early days of the United States as it became the nation it is today. We suggest booking a public or private walking tour of the trail for the best experience. There are a variety of different tours available to book for your particular interests or you can grab a map and walk the route through the city for yourself.
Explore Historic Beacon Hill
If you are looking for a beautiful and highly photogenic area place to snap a few pictures for your Instagram, Acorn Street in Beacon Hill is the place to see. The neighborhood of Beacon Hill features some of the oldest homes in Boston and offers a look into the past. You can also stop by a neighborhood hub like the Tatte Bakery and Cafe. Stroll down the cobbled Acorn Street to see the stunning 19th-century red brick homes for some of the best photo opportunities around Boston. We think the best time of year for pictures on and around Acorn Street is the fall, the combination of falling leaves on cobblestones surrounded by red brick homes is sure to capture any photographer’s eye.
Spend a Day at the Museum of Fine Arts
To satisfy any art lover, be sure to check out the expansive collections at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The museum first opened in 1876 and then reopened in its current location in 1909 and houses almost 500,000 pieces of art from around the country and the world. When you visit make sure you check out as many of the rotating and permanent exhibitions as possible, especially the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine collection and the ‘Art of the Americas’ collection. Of course, no trip to a museum is complete without a quick stop in the gift shop and bookstore to commemorate your experience.
Check out the Boston Common
The Boston Common is famous for being the oldest public park in the United States. First created in 1634, this public park witnessed much of the early American Revolution and has served a variety of different purposes since its creation, including public civil rights meetings and wartime victory gardens. Some famous faces also held public speaking events here like Charles Lindburgh, Martin Luther King Jr., and Pope John Paul II. Here you can also enjoy playgrounds, recreational fields, and the beautiful Frog Pond which freezes in winter to allow for ice skating. This is the perfect space to stop and enjoy a picnic on a warm sunny day to get away from the busy Boston city streets.
Grab a Meal at Union Oyster House
This seafood restaurant has been open since 1826 and is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in America. Not only can you get some of the best oysters in Boston, but you can also immerse yourself in history when you stop in to eat. The building was once home to the country’s oldest newspaper printshop for “The Massachusetts Spy”, which published early writings about the American Revolution. You’ll have your choice of fresh oysters and high-quality seafood dishes for every meal at the Union Oyster House so we recommend stopping by to get your fill.
Book a Seat on a Duck Boat Tour
To top off your grand tour of Boston and make sure you don’t miss any of the major sights, we suggest booking a tour around the city on a DUCK vehicle. Not only will you be able to enjoy an open-air tour of the city, but you’ll also have the chance to snap a few pictures of the beautiful Boston skyline from the Charles River. Make sure you book your tour of the Boston highlights before you end your trip so you don’t miss a thing.
If your trip is coming to a close and your rental home or Airbnb is nowhere near clean, give us a call! Our Boston Maid Service gets your rental spick and span before checkout, so we’ll handle the mess while you enjoy exploring the city.