11 Best Things to Do in Boston

Located in the state of Massachusetts, in the north-east of the United States, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the country, founded by British settlers in 1630. The city grew up around the Charles River and over the years has become a large metropolis that has expanded thanks to trade through its port, one of the most important in the world. Trade was responsible for the city's growth, but it has not been the only relevant factor. Boston is also one of the world's leading capitals of education thanks to its universities, a pioneer in pharmaceutical and technology companies, a gastronomic capital, and a national and global powerhouse in sports...

All these elements and many more make it one of the most visited tourist destinations in the United States, thanks to the more than 12 million visitors it receives each year. If all these reasons are not enough to convince you to visit, don't worry. In this post, I will share with you the most important places and things to do in Boston that are sure to convince you to visit a city that is unique in the world.

If you ask what you can do to get to know Boston, it is quite likely that most of the answers you will receive will be to walk the Freedom Trail.

This is a 4-kilometre route marked out by the city that passes through several of its main points and can be comfortably covered on foot in about half a day.

The trail is marked by a line of bricks and is completely free to follow, although there are several guided historical tours available to learn more about each point of interest along the Freedom Trail.

The trail begins in Boston Common park and passes through the city centre to the harbour area, where the flagship USS Constitution is located, which is the last stop. In total, there are 16 tourist sites along the trail, all of which are related to the history of the city and the country.

The stops on the Freedom Trail are: Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House, Street Church Park, Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel, the statue of Benjamin Franklin at Boston Latin School, the Old Corner Book Store, the Old State House, the Boston Massacre Memorial, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere's House, Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, Bunker Hill Monument, and the USS Constitution.

Other routes to take in Boston

There is so much to see in this city that, rather than going it alone, it's a good idea to book one of the 10 best guided tours of Boston. They will explain every detail of the city so you don't miss a thing. However, if you like to discover the hidden side of monuments and places you visit, you may be more interested in these Boston ghost tours, which will tell you the most spine-chilling stories.

Another very convenient and fun way to explore Boston is by tourist bus or Boston's cruises and duck boats, the latter of which take you along the Charles River, where you can see the best views of the city of Massachusetts. Whichever option you choose, you will have a specialised guide accompanying you at all times to teach you about the history of Boston.

Boston Common is a public park in Boston, but not just any public park. It is the oldest public park in the United States.

It was opened in 1634 and throughout its history its grounds have been used for various purposes, such as grazing land and even as a place of execution for criminals. But it is also a place with a lot of history.

During the British occupation of Boston, its grounds served as a military camp, and in the park itself, such illustrious figures as Martin Luther King and Pope John Paul II have delivered speeches.

Today, it is a park with numerous green spaces where you can play sports, go for a walk or have a picnic, and it is home to several memorials, monuments and even an old cemetery. Boston Common is also home to the Freedom Trail Visitor Centre, which is the starting point for this famous route.

In addition, it is a venue that frequently hosts concerts, shows and endless cultural activities that you can attend, especially if you travel to Boston in the summer.

All of this has made it one of the must-see attractions in Boston.

Boston is full of Victorian streets and neighbourhoods that retain their original character and are well worth visiting. The best known of these is the Beacon Hill neighbourhood, north of Boston Common park.

As its name suggests, the neighbourhood is built on a hill and consists of a maze of pretty streets lined with Victorian houses.

Among all its streets, one stands out above the rest. Acorn Street. This street is one of the most photographed spots in the entire city thanks to its unique charm.

It is a steep, cobbled street flanked by red-brick Victorian houses, reminiscent of colonial Boston. As they say, you haven't really visited Boston unless you leave the city with a photo of Acorn Street.

Everyone knows the fame and prestige of institutions such as Harvard University and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). But not everyone knows that both are located in Boston, or more specifically in Cambridge, a few kilometres from the city centre.

Prominent figures such as Barack Obama and Bill Gates studied at Harvard, and now you have the opportunity to walk the same halls as them and discover one of the most important educational institutions in the world.

The Harvard campus is open to visitors, and the institution even offers tours led by its own students. You can also explore on your own, and Harvard provides interactive maps on its website to guide you.

MIT is not as open to visitors, but you can visit the MIT museum dedicated to technology and discoveries developed by the great minds who have passed through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In addition to history and cutting-edge technology, gastronomy is also one of Boston's great attractions. Thanks to its location next to one of the world's most important ports, its colonial origins and the influence of many countries, the city's gastronomic range is immense. And there is a perfect place in the city centre to enjoy it. Quincy Market in the Faneuil area.

Inside a historic building that played a leading role in American independence, you will find three of Boston's best markets, South Market, North Market and Quincy Market, where you can sample all kinds of local and international cuisine.

There is no better place in Boston to be at lunchtime, dinnertime or for a gastronomic tour.

There is no better place to get the best views of the city than from one of its highest points. This is the Skywalk Observatory
at the Prudential Centre.

At the top of this skyscraper, 228 metres high and on the 50th floor, there is a panoramic viewpoint that offers the most complete and spectacular views of the entire city from all perspectives, as it is a 360-degree viewpoint. Going up to the top costs about $19, which is roughly €18.

This place offers more than just views. In the same building, there is a restaurant even higher than the observatory ,and below it is the Prudential Centre, a shopping area full of shops andrestaurants
perfect for rounding off the day.

The North End neighbourhood, also known as Boston's Little Italy, is one of the busiest areas of the city and one of the most attractive in its own right. This maze of narrow streets forms the oldest neighbourhood in the entire state of Massachusetts, inhabited since 1630.

Much of the Freedom Trail passes through it, with historic sites such as the Old North Church and Paul Revere's house, a symbol of the American War of Independence.

The neighbourhood is much more than just history. Given its colonial origins and the fact that its inhabitants have been European immigrants for many years, the North End has a clear European influence, especially Italian.

Its streets are lined with Italian restaurants and cafés, most of which are concentrated on the neighbourhood's main thoroughfare, Hanover Street. Any self-respecting traveller visiting Boston has an almost obligatory duty to visit this beautiful neighbourhood.

Boston is considered the cultural capital of the United States, largely because of its wide range of museums. I could tell you about a particular one, but there are so many that it's better to find out about them all and decide for yourself which ones you want to visit.

To help you do this, here is a link to a list of the best museums in Boston and all the information you need to know about them.

To summarise, the most important museum due to its connection with the history of the city and the country is the Tea Party Museum. This event, in which American colonists rebelled against British taxes by throwing large quantities of tea overboard from ships, gave rise to the War of Independence.

The ship-shaped museum is the best place to learn about this history and is perhaps the most special and unique of all the city's museums. But there are many others in the city, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science and the Children's Museum. In any case, visiting its museums is one of the best things to do in Boston.

One of the city's nerve centres is Copley Square, named after Boston-born painter John Singleton Copley, famous for his portraits.

The square is located in the Back Bay neighbourhood and its charm lies in its architecture and the number of illustrious buildings that surround it. An architectural blend of modernity and history makes it an essential stop on any itinerary to discover Boston.

Among these illustrious buildings are the Old South Church, Trinity Church, the famous and impressive Boston Public Library, the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, the John Hancock Tower and the Bostix Kiosk. The streets surrounding the square belong to the Back Bay neighbourhood and are perfect for relaxing strolls, shopping in its many shops and franchises, and stopping for a bite to eat in its many restaurants. It is also one of the best areas to enjoy Boston's nightlife.

Variety is the spice of life, and to avoid getting overwhelmed by history and museums, there is a foolproof plan in Boston. Visit the New England Aquarium or Boston Aquarium. It is located on one of the waterfront piers, southeast of the North End neighbourhood.

Since 1969, the Boston Aquarium has been home to more than 20,000 marine species. Most of them are in a giant three-storey fish tank where you can see all kinds of fish, turtles, sea lions and even sharks.

There is also space to see penguins, a special tank where you can dive in to touch manta rays, stingrays and other species, a theatre where 3D films about marine wildlife are shown, and even a service for whale and dolphin watching off the coast. If you want to know everything about opening hours, prices and other information about the Boston Aquarium, you can find it at this link.

The aquarium is one of the most visited attractions in Boston and one of the best things to do, especially if you are travelling to Boston with children.

If you are lucky enough to spend several days in Boston, whether it's two or three days, you can't miss one of the 10 best excursions from Boston, such as the one that takes you to the exclusive island of Martha's Vineyard.

It is about 150 km from Boston and has incredible beaches, making it one of the favourite destinations for tourists in Boston. That's why I recommend booking an organised trip to Martha's Vineyard from Boston, but there are several ways to get there.

But if you like the sea, you shouldn't miss Cape Cod, 112 km from Boston and another natural paradise where you can enjoy a few days at the beach if you visit the city in summer or spring, when the temperatures are still warm enough to enjoy a swim in the sea. Here is an article on how to get to Cape Cod from Boston.

Finally, I recommend another destination, New Hampshire, much closer, just 85 km from the city, where a day trip from Boston will be enough to explore some of its incredible national parks.

You'll see spectacular landscapes, so a good time to visit is in autumn or even winter. Here's a link on how to get to New Hampshire from Boston.

Once you've sorted out your transport, it's time to organise your trip. My advice is to get one of the Boston tourist passes, which are a very practical way to visit the city's most important sights while saving time and money. Check out these posts to find out which one is best for you: the Boston City Pass or the Go Boston Card.

Also, be sure to read these itineraries we've created at Hellotickets to find out what to see in each month of the year:

• 10 things to see and do in Boston in January
• 10 things to see and do in Boston in April
• 10 things to see and do in Boston in June
• 10 things to see and do in Boston in July
• 10 things to see and do in Boston in September
• 10 things to see and do in Boston in October
• 10 things to see and do in Boston in November
• 10 things to see and do in Boston in December