Boston

Full of history, culture, shopping, and more, you’ll find it all in Boston. Located just under a 4-hour drive from New York it is the state’s capital and the largest city. And a fun fact, it is the home to the American revolution. Any trip to Boston will awe you as it is home to many historic buildings and landmarks, and countless famous events took place there, making it an interesting place to visit for anyone interested in history.

Additionally, Boston is a great place to visit if you enjoy art. There are a number of museums in the city, including the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. In the SoWa Art + Design District, you can find over 20 galleries that specialize in modern and contemporary art.

Boston also has some of the top universities in the country, such as Harvard, MIT, and Tufts University. The city boasts over 150,000 students in the local universities. Their beautiful campuses are worth visiting, on a tour, or just strolling around.

What to do in Boston

Families

A great place to start any trip to Boston is with the Museum of Science, which is packed with fun interactive exhibits. Visitors can learn interesting aspects of science with a wide variety of changing exhibits. Even the youngest of children can have a blast, so don’t miss this chance to enjoy an entertaining and educational day!

Another fun and educational visit is the Boston Children’s Museum. It is located on Fort Point Channel, on Children’s Wharf, and is the second oldest children’s museum in the world. The museum has great hands-on exhibits for kids to explore, and there are also exhibits focusing on science, art, culture, environment, and health.

If you’re looking to expand into seeing sea life, then you should be sure to add a visit to the New England Aquarium. Thousands of aquatic animals in many interesting exhibits create a visit that’s both exciting and educational.

There aren’t many major cities in the world where you can be surrounded by culture while at the same time being able to see some of the largest mammals on earth. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing a whale in its natural habitat, Boston whale watching is a must-do activity. It is an unforgettable experience to see such a large animal swim right by and is surely exciting for all ages. The best time to go whale watching in Boston is from April through October, since the whales are most visible during these months.

If you need a break from sightseeing and want to let your kids run and play then you should head to Boston Common. Boston Common is a large public park in the heart of the city, popular with both locals and tourists. Beautiful greenery and seasonal activities such as spray pool and swan boats during the summer, and ice skating during winter.

Couples

There are many things to do in Boston, but none is as popular as a stroll along the Boston Freedom Trail. This 2.5 mile-long path winds through the city and features brick markers that note 16 important locations in the United States’ history. The trail starts in downtown Boston and winds through the North End, ending at Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a renowned American art museum, founded in 1899 by Isabella Stewart Gardner. The architect, James Sears, oversaw the building process, but it was her design and curation of the museum’s collections that set it apart from other art museums. The museum features a variety of collections ranging from early 19th-century American paintings to a modern sculpture collection. The exhibits are arranged into galleries and highlight key works of art from various eras. The gorgeous courtyard garden offers an exquisite experience around the year since the plants are rotated and therefore always blooming. Fun fact: the museum is the location of the Gardner Museum Theft in 1990, in which 13 works of art were stolen, and despite a $10 million reward, was never solved. You can learn more in the Netflix documentary “This Is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist".

For a romantic evening, you should stroll along Charles River Esplanade. The Charles River Esplanade is three miles long and one of Boston’s most popular parks. It’s free to walk and bike, and it is open year-round.

One of the best things to do when visiting Boston is to take a cruise around the Boston Harbor. You can go on a narrated historic tour, sunset cruise, or dining cruise. There are many different cruises that depart from the city every day, so you can choose the most suitable one for you.

Solo travelers

If looking to do some shopping, or just some people watching, then you must visit Faneuil Hall Marketplace and adjacent Quincy Market. This historic marketplace is a landmark that features more than 100 locally-owned stores, pushcarts, restaurants, bars, and vendors. It is located on the Freedom Trail and is surrounded by a diverse mix of chain retail shops.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, houses preeminent art collections and is dedicated to fostering public inquiry into the world of visual culture. It first opened on July 4, 1876 (America’s centennial), with a collection of 5,600 works of art. In 1909, it relocated to its current location on Huntington Avenue. Now, the museum is home to almost 500,000 works of art which more than a million people visit to see each year.

If you love history, you can’t miss Harvard Square. The area was once the site of abolitionist rallies and anti-war protests. Its quaint cafes and eclectic shops appeal to history buffs, foodies, and culture lovers alike. There are also art galleries and performance venues in the square, and many locals use it as a gathering spot. Whether you’re looking for a book to read or a movie to watch, Harvard Square has it all.

The Best Time to Visit Boston

Boston definitely has something for around the year. Although, it is good to remember that during the winter months the weather can get cold, so dress accordingly. The peak travel season is from June to October. Boston’s many attractions are outdoors which makes spring and autumn the most comfortable times for travel.