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Visiting Boston

With our rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and legacy of arts, culture, and education, Boston has something for everyone.

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All Inclusive Boston

We are a city of people. All people. When you get here, whether it's for a weekend getaway or for the foreseeable future, we love you like our own. We see you. We celebrate you. And we want to show you everything. We are all inclusive.

Walking tours

There are a variety of free walks and trails throughout the City of Boston.

Museums and galleries

The City has a wealth of museums, with everything from the Museum of Fine Arts to the Old State House.

Shopping and dining

Boston offers world-class dining and shopping options as well as local, artisan, and ethnic favorites. 

Theaters and venues

We have a number of places for residents and visitors to watch plays, films, and concerts.

With the recent success of Boston’s professional teams, there’s much to experience in the City of Champions.

Farmers markets

The Office of Food Access helps to oversee almost 30 farmers markets in Boston.

Public restroom maps

On a budget.

Boston's public art

Search Boston’s art collection, watch artist videos, access a map of public art installations across the City, and more!

Walk to the sea

This walk encompasses four centuries of Boston history. Mixing historical landmarks with Boston’s skyscrapers, this walk is truly one worth taking.

State House

Tours last about 30-45 minutes and include an overview of the history and architecture of the State Capitol.

Bunker Hill Monument

Climb the 294 steps up the famous monument for one of Boston’s best views.

The Swan Boats paddle passengers around the Public Garden Lagoon for a 15-minute peaceful cruise.

View all events on a budget

There are many tours across the City. You can even visit the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship in the world.

Uncovering Boston's history

It’s no secret Boston is rich with history. From the American Revolution to the site of the very first public school, it’s a city with stories to tell.

Planning your trip

Keep these dates and events in mind as they are usually busy times in Boston.

• December 31/January 1:  First Night/Day
• March (mid-month):  St. Patrick's Day Parade
• April (third Monday of the month):  Boston Marathon
• May (throughout the month): College graduation season
• June (beginning of the month):  Pride Parade
• June 29 - July 1:  Harborfest
• End of August/Early September: Moving day, students return 
• October (mid-end of month):  Head of the Charles Regatta
• December: Holiday season

Boston maps

We can't mail you any printed maps or guides, but these websites have some helpful maps.

Find a number of interactive maps of the Boston area.

Find printable maps of Boston as well as the Greater Boston area.

Find your way around Boston's comprehensive public transit system.

To and from Logan Airport

Bus service

The MBTA offers free Silver Line bus service from all airport terminals to South Station.

The MBTA offers ferry-boat service from Hingham or Hull to the airport, weather permitting.

Logan Express

Massport offers an express bus service from Back Bay to Logan Airport.

Massport provides free shuttle-bus service between airline terminals and Airport Station on the MBTA’s Blue Line.

Boston police regulate all taxis and pedi-cabs. Learn what you can expect from your ride.

Recommended Resources

Get help before you plan your next visit to our great City.

The primary private sector marketing and visitor service organization.

The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau’s list of hotels.

Dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a leisure-travel destination.

Get updates on events going on in the City.

We also put updates about events on our Facebook page.

Departments You May Need

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Greater Boston & Cambridge, Massachusetts

Western Mass.

Cape Cod & The Islands

Central Mass.

North of Boston

South of Boston

Boston & cambridge.

Great Things to Do in Boston & Cambridge MA

Revolutionary history, food & shopping, music, family fun

Boston and neighboring Cambridge are among the world’s great cities, loved for their art and culture, professional sports teams, Revolutionary and Colonial history, and fun explorations on and around its famous harbor. The city is packed with great things to do on the weekends, weekdays, all year around. Are you wondering about Boston weather? Snowy in winter, fresh in spring, balmy in summer, crisp in the fall – that’s the summary. If weather is inclement, the number of things to do indoors is plentiful, even for active kids.

Where to Stay

Even before we get to all the museums, dining, shopping and music, there is that matter of lodging, because you definitely want to stay for several days if you can. Some favorite luxury lodgings include Boston Harbor Hotel, a Forbes Five-Star lodging overlooking the waterfront; the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, a symbol of Boston's rich history since 1912; and Omni Parker House. Boutique hotels like Fifteen Beacon and the Lenox Hotel are a delightful way to stay in an intimate, European-like environment. Honeymooners or other romantic partners can find marble fireplaces, jet hot tubs, rooftop nightclubs or even rooftop swimming pools. And it's easy to find family friendly lodgings when you are traveling with kids.

Colonial History

Even if Colonial history is not your first interest, early in your stay you should invest in a walk on the Freedom Trail , because the trail (marked by a row of red bricks along the sidewalk) starts at the famous Boston Common – which you also want to visit – and meanders among stately shops, houses and churches where the Revolutionary War was inspired and planned. One site on the trail is the USS Constitution – or “Old Ironsides” – still member of the U.S. Naval fleet.

And the museums ! Find several millennia of fine art pieces at the Museum of Fine Arts and the delightful Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum wrapped around a lavish, Mediterranean-style courtyard. The Museum of Science – with the splendid Hayden Planetarium and its changing programs -- and the Boston Children’s Museum are favorites for kids and adults. In Cambridge and nearby towns of Lexington and Concord, many family-friendly museums tell stories of the birth of the American ideal. An “outdoor” museum, so to speak, is the Minute Man National Historical Park in Lexington and Concord – the location of the opening battles of the American Revolution.

Shopping is great fun in Boston. A prime spot for visitors is Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market. Faneuil Hall has a large open plaza where kiosks sell gifts and souvenirs and street performers entertain everyone who ambles through. There are lots of indoor and sidewalk restaurants, the tons of kiosks selling walk-while-you-eat food. Other shopping hot spots are the picturesque Newberry Street, Prudential Center (at the “Pru,” check out Eataly , an emporium of Italian foods), and Copley Place. The Harvard Coop, in Cambridge, near Harvard University, is a college-infused place to shop for many needs and goods.

Parks and Outdoors

Every great city has beautiful outdoor spaces for flora and people to mingle. The Boston Public Garden and Boston Common are the descendants of the city’s Colonial-era community pasture. Both of them, the heart of the city, are places to walk and watch the city life in all seasons. The Emerald Necklace – a string of public parks designed in the late 1800s by Frederick Law Olmsted – embraces the Rose Kennedy Greenway and extends five miles through city neighborhoods. The Esplanade is a green space along the Charles River – the border between Boston and Cambridge -- where concerts and fireworks happen every Fourth of July. Ferries from the harbor front depart for the short trip to Boston Harbor Islands , a nature retreat right in the city’s harbor.

Kids and Families

Activities for children can be found everywhere, starting with the Boston Children’s Museum, and continuing through the Franklin Park Zoo , the New England Aquarium and Boston Duck Tours (a part-land, part-river tour in an amphibious vehicle). The Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum are educational and fun.

Dining and Food

Boston dining places you in the heart of the best seafood restaurants you will find on the East Coast. Ethnic food is easy to find, including Italian food in the city’s Little Italy, known as the North End. Boston has a big population of Irish-Americans, so Irish restaurants and bar are scattered everywhere. A fun food exploration is Boston Public Market , an indoor, year-round marketplace where three dozen food specialists prep and sell fresh foods, prepared meals, crafts, and food gifts. The KITCHEN at Boston Public Market celebrates cooking and local food producers with an ongoing program of classes and demos.

11 top experiences in Boston in 2024

Mar 2, 2024 • 8 min read

Make the most of beautiful Boston with these 11 top experiences © Anthony Tulliani/Lonely Planet

As one of the oldest cities founded in the USA and considered by many to be the cradle of the American Revolution, Boston is a gift to history buffs.

But there's more to this northeastern metropolis than American history. Renowned sports teams that contend for national titles, museums and galleries around every corner, diverse and welcoming communities, breathtaking natural beauty and a thriving dining scene – Boston has a lot to offer, and it can be difficult to know where to begin.

The key is not trying to pack everything into one trip – that's the fun of returning! Savor Boston and let these 11 incredible experiences create lifelong memories.

1. Walk the Freedom Trail 

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walk through the city that leads past 16 colonial and revolutionary historical sites, and it's one of the city's most popular visitor attractions. Stops include the Boston Common (the city's main green space), the golden-domed Massachusetts State House , Faneuil Hall , Paul Revere House , the warship USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument . 

There are group tours that lead you along the Freedom Trail, with guides in 18th-century costumes. You can also do it yourself – just download a map from the Freedom Trail website and follow the bricks on the sidewalk.

A self-guided tour allows you to go at your own pace, giving you the flexibility to stop at Faneuil Hall to munch through a few of the local food stalls, or to book a supplementary tour aboard the USS Constitution .

Planning tip:  Spread the trail out over several days to make the most out of each of the Boston neighborhoods it winds through. 

2. Surround yourself with culture at Boston's museums

There's a museum for just about every taste in Boston. If fine arts is your jam, there are paintings, sculptures and tapestries at the Isabella Stewart Gardener , while the sprawling MFA  features more than 450,000 works of art. For more targeted collections, there's the Institute of Contemporary Art , the Museum of Science , the Boston Children's Museum and the ever-popular fish-filled  New England Aquarium .

3. Explore Boston's distinct neighborhoods 

Each of Boston's various neighborhoods has its own personality and unique allure. There are technically 23 designated neighborhoods, but a few of the most noteworthy include the South End, known for its brownstones and multitude of restaurants; Back Bay, where the long Commonwealth Avenue Mall is a year-round highlight of trees, park benches and statues; the newly developed Seaport where highrises are juxtaposed against the harborfront walk; and the North End, otherwise known as "Little Italy."

There's also South Boston, which used to be known for its Irish-American culture but is now a young professional's playground with lots of bars and restaurants; not to mention Fenway-Kenmore, Chinatown, the downtown financial and theater district, and charming Beacon Hill.

Planning tip: Dedicate a few mealtimes to the North End – there's simply too much to eat and drink here for one visit. Hanover Street can be touristy, but being part of the crowd is part of the experience to fully enjoy the authentic pizzerias, salumerias , coffeehouses and pastry shops (try the cannoli at both Mike's Pastry and Modern's to weigh in on the longstanding local debate of who makes them better).

4. Drink a craft beer (or two)

In 1984, Samuel Adams revived the craft beer scene when it released its Boston Lager – "the full-flavored beer they deserved," says the brand. Today, the local brewery still pours its iconic beer at two taprooms in the city, while also offering rotating seasonal brews and tasting flights. Use Samuel Adams as a starting point in a craft beer tour, then try some of the other local craft brands that have followed, like Night Shift, Trillium, Harpoon, Jack's Abby and Cisco. 

Local tip: If you're visiting in the late spring, summer or early fall, look for popup beer gardens from the aforementioned brands that take advantage of Boston's riverside, public gardens and harborfront. The scenery complements the signature and seasonal beers – sipping a fruity roast under the summer sun or enjoying an Oktoberfest among crunchy autumn leaves.

5. Catch a game at Boston's famed stadiums and parks

Boston is a sports city, and whether or not you're a sports fan, the city's commitment to its home teams is contagious. Fenway is a great place to start; opened in 1912, it's the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. There's also TD Garden , home to the Celtics, Bruins and mainstream concerts. Gillette Stadium is about 27 miles away, but worth the trip for a Sunday tailgate before watching the Patriots play. 

Local tip: If you missed out on tickets, don't sweat it! Pull up a bar seat at one of the many sports bars throughout the city – Bleacher Bar , Cask'  n Flagon , Stats Bar & Grille , The Greatest Bar , Banners Kitchen and Tap or The Sporting Club will all provide a taste of the dedication to local sports on game day.

6. Indulge in New England's culinary traditions

Positioned at the heart of New England , Boston has premier access to some of the best seafood in the nation. Whether you're at a casual waterside venue like James Hook & Co. or The Barking Crab , or settling into a settee at a more formal restaurant like Row 34 or B&G Oysters , pescatarians will be in heaven. The most popular orders include oysters on the half shell, New England clam chowder, lobster rolls (both buttered and with mayonnaise) and steamed clams. 

7. But also seek out regional rising stars of global cuisine

Though seafood is traditional in Boston, we'd be remiss not to mention some exciting spots for global eats. Xenia Greek Hospitality has Krasi and Bar Vlaha , while Yunnan Kitchen serves delicious Dian cuisine from southwest China. Borrachito Taqueria brings tacos to Boston via the original NYC outpost for Mexican eats.

8. Shop and gallery hop along Newbury Street

Multi-level brownstones line Newbury Street, Boston's charming one-mile stretch of boutique shops, art galleries, established restaurants and cozy cafes. Of Newbury's eight blocks, the first (between Arlington and Berkeley) is unofficially dedicated to high-end fashion, hosting designers such as Tiffany's, Chanel, Loro Piana and Cartier.

The sidewalks get crowded on the weekends, especially in summer – on summer Sundays, the street is closed to vehicular traffic for a pedestrianized-only experience. In winter, storefronts sparkle with holiday displays and in spring, restaurants open their patios, which overflow with patrons sipping spritzers through summer and well into autumn, of which the season is extended by standing heaters and warm drinks.

Local tip: Some of the best shops and bars are not at street level, so look up to find places like Bar á vin 1855 , a wine bar above popular French restaurant  La Voile , and also down to restaurants like Puro Ceviche Bar .

9. Walk or cycle along the Esplanade 

This three-mile path of green along the Charles River stretches from the Museum of Science to the Boston University Bridge. It's a popular exercise route for locals but also a leisurely way for visitors to enjoy Boston's natural beauty. Rent a bike and cycle your way along, or opt for a stroll.

10. Get out on the water 

Whether you're interested in a sailing lesson on the Charles River or entrusting a local captain to do the work on a boat trip in the Harbor, there are plenty of opportunities to experience Boston by water. In addition to sailing lessons, there are outfitters along the Charles for kayaking, canoeing, rowing and stand-up paddleboarding. On the harbor, operators offer everything from hour-long tours, boats for day charter and leisurely sunset cruises. There are also Duck Boat Tours that traverse both land and water.

Planning tip: If you're booking a harbor cruise at sunset, reserve a table at one of the Seaport's popular restaurants to beat the crowds coming off your boat. Favorites include  Woods Hill Pier 4 , Nautilus , LoLa 42 and Strega . 

11. Tack on a day trip to one of Boston's coastal escapes

If you're visiting during the summer and can add on some extra time to your vacation, consider a day trip to one of Boston's coastal towns. Take a half-day trip to the North Shore to explore the quaint port towns of Gloucester and Newburyport, or venture down to the South Shore to beach towns like Duxbury and Cohasset.

For a longer excursion, drive to Cape Cod ("the Cape," as locals refer to it). Chatham, Dennis and Orleans are all within a two-hour drive and have one-street towns with bakeries and boutiques to spend the morning at before an afternoon lazing on the sands of the many nearby beaches.

Further afield is Provincetown, which can be a long drive, but there's also a fast ferry that runs throughout the summer. It can pick you up from Long Wharf in the morning and whisk you to Ptown in 45 minutes for a day of eating and perusing its artsy streets. 

Planning tip: If you opt for the mid-Cape on a summer weekend, leave extra time for traffic as back-up times on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons can teeter on doubling your drive time. Opt for a weekday if possible.

This article was first published May 27, 2021 and updated Mar 2, 2024.

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23 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Boston

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Mar 19, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Perhaps no other city in America holds as much history of the colonial and Revolutionary War era as Boston. It's not surprising then that its main sites have become a pilgrimage trail for Americans and for others who hope to get a sense of that history.

But more than that, the Freedom Trail is a good introduction to today's city, connecting or passing close to some of its best loved tourist attractions. Boston is easy to navigate on foot, as its major sights are relatively close, and America's first subway system, the T, connects its important neighborhoods.

Across the Charles River, a watery summer recreation area whose Boston shore is reserved as the Esplanade park, is Cambridge. Although a separate and independent city, for tourist purposes, Cambridge is part of Boston and connected by the same transit system.

Here, you'll find two of America's most prestigious and important universities, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) . These and the many other universities and colleges in the area help keep Boston a youthful and vibrant place to be, with a lively cultural scene. With all the music, theater, and entertainment options, plus its abundance of restaurants, you'll never be at a loss for things to do in Boston at night.

Maybe because I've lived there and know its sometimes puzzling web of downtown streets, I find Boston a thoroughly comfortable city to visit; despite its tall buildings, its compact neighborhoods make it seem more like a cluster of small towns. Join me in a tour of my favorite city, and discover the best things to do, with this handy guide to the top attractions in Boston.

1. Walk the Freedom Trail

2. see a game or take a tour of fenway park, 3. faneuil hall, 4. boston common and public garden: ride the swan boats, 5. museum of fine arts boston, 6. isabella stewart gardner museum, 7. uss constitution and bunker hill (boston national historic park), 8. museum of science, 9. harvard square and harvard art museums, 10. old north church and boston's north end, 11. boston tea party ships & museum, 12. new england aquarium, 13. harvard museums and the glass flowers, 14. newbury street & back bay, 15. boston public library and copley square, 16. boston harbor and whale watching cruises, 17. john f. kennedy presidential library and museum, 18. beacon hill and the black heritage trail, 19. boston harborwalk and christopher columbus waterfront park, 20. rose fitzgerald kennedy greenway, 21. boston pops and boston symphony orchestra, 22. arnold arboretum, 23. massachusetts institute of technology, where to stay in boston for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to boston, best time to visit boston, ma.

The three-mile Freedom Trail leads you past – and into – 16 of the city's principal historic monuments and sites. It's easy to follow, by the line of red bricks in the sidewalk and by footprints at street crossings. Begin by picking up brochures on the attractions at the Visitor Center in the Boston Common before heading to the State House .

The trail will take you to Old Granary Burying Ground (where Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock are buried), King's Chapel Burying Ground (Boston's oldest cemetery with the graves of Governor John Winthrop and two Mayflower passengers), Old South Meeting House (where the ringing speeches of patriots spawned the Boston Tea Party), and the Old State House . This is Boston's oldest public building and the site of the Boston Massacre .

The Freedom Trail continues through Boston's North End, past the Paul Revere House and Old North Church , and ends across the bridge in Charlestown with the 54-gun frigate USS Constitution and the 220-foot granite Bunker Hill Monument. With all these attractions and places to see, it's no wonder the Freedom Trail is one of the best walking trails around Boston .

Known as "America's Most Beloved Ballpark," Fenway Park is one of the most fabled sports complexes in the country, and even if, like me, you're not a sports fan, a tour of it is both fun and interesting. And sitting inside, surrounded by cheering fans and singing "Sweet Caroline" is a quintessential Boston experience.

The home of the Boston Red Sox looks much the same as it did when it opened on April 20, 1912. One of its most recognizable features is the Green Monster , the 37-foot green wall in left field, and the park still maintains some of the remnants of "old time" baseball such as the hand-operated scoreboard.

Fenway Park also has the lowest seating capacity in the Major Leagues holding only 33,871 spectators (a fact that makes tickets exceedingly scarce).

Author's Tip: If you manage to get tickets, don't even think about driving to a game. Park outside the center and take any MBTA Green Line train (except one labeled Heath St.) to Kenmore Square and follow the crowd on the short walk to the stadium.

Address: 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, Massachusetts

Known as the "cradle of liberty," Faneuil Hall was built in 1740-42 by Huguenot merchant Peter Faneuil as a market hall and presented to the city on condition that it should always be open to the public.

The ground floor is still occupied by market stalls; on the upper floor is a council chamber, which in the 18th and 19th centuries was the meeting place of revolutionaries and later, of abolitionists. On its fourth floor is the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Museum , with weaponry, uniforms, and paintings of significant battles.

The adjoining Faneuil Hall Marketplace includes three long halls (Quincy Market, North Market, and South Market), dating from the early 19th century, now occupied by a lively assortment of shops, restaurants, and exhibitions.

In good weather, I love the block-party atmosphere here, with street performers and buskers putting on shows in the square around the market, and in any weather I never tire of browsing through the shops selling jewelry, clothing, gifts, and souvenirs. You can never have too many Red Sox caps, or you can get a coffee mug inscribed with a Boston/English dictionary. It might come in wicked handy talking with locals.

The food stalls in Quincy Market are some of the most popular places to eat lunch in Boston. My favorites are Fisherman's Net and the family-run Boston Chowdah for seafood, and West End Srollers for panini sandwiches I can walk around with as I browse. Ethnicities from Hispanic to Asian Fusion are represented, and Boston Halal is opening in 2023.

Address: Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, Massachusetts

In the heart of the city is Boston Common, America's oldest park and the start of the Freedom Trail . In this large green space, which is much used by locals year-round, are various monuments and the Central Burying Ground of 1756.

You can rent skates to use on the Frog Pond from November through mid-March, enjoy the spring blossoms and fall foliage colors reflecting in its surface, and in summer, watch youngsters splash about in the wading pool.

Adjoining it on the west side of Charles Street, is the 24-acre Public Garden, America's oldest botanical garden. Along with the Victorian-style monuments and statues, including an equestrian statue of George Washington, are the popular modern bronzes of a family of ducks immortalized in Robert McCloskey's children's book Make Way for the Ducklings .

Joining the ducklings to give the Public Garden its whimsical air is one of Boston's most iconic experiences for all ages: riding around the lake in the garden's center on the famous Swan Boats , first launched in the 1870s.

Generations of children have ridden these and returned with their own children and grandchildren (I know this because I'm in one of those families). If you're in Boston with kids, take them for a ride here, and start your own multi-generational tradition.

Address: Public Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

One of the leading art museums in the country, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts excels in its collections of Impressionist paintings, ancient Egyptian treasures, Asian and Persian fine arts, and works from ancient Greece and the Middle East.

Its crowning achievement is the construction of an entire American Wing to house, integrated in chronological order, outstanding collections of American paintings, furniture, decorative arts, folk art, silver, glassware, and design dating from pre-Columbian arts to the Art Deco and Modernist eras. To see all these works of art shown in context with other creative accomplishments of their time is an exciting journey through the world of American creativity, one I never tire of taking.

Highlights elsewhere include a 12th-century lacquered-wood sculpture of a Buddhist Bodhisattva and Korean painted screens, the ivory and gold statue of the Minoan Snake Goddess from 1500 BC, and a statue of the Egyptian pharaoh Mycerinus and his queen from 2548-2530 BC.

For me, in addition to the American Wing, the museum's highlight is the group of 35 paintings by Claude Monet , one of the largest collections outside of France. These are exhibited in good company, alongside works of Gaugin, Renoir, and Degas.

To see and appreciate all the museum's galleries and collections could take a full day, but the mind can only absorb as much as the feet can endure. So unless you are a devoted art enthusiast, plan from two hours to half a day here and concentrate on those sections that interest you most.

The museum is about a 1½-mile walk from Copley Square and other neighborhoods for sightseeing; an easier way to get there is on the MBTA Green Line. Take a car marked Heath St. from Copley or Park St. stations.

Address: 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts

Set in a building its eccentric creator modeled after a 15th-century Venetian palace, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum displays its collections in rooms surrounding a four-story central courtyard filled with flowering plants and fountains.

The priceless 2,500-piece collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, tapestries, decorative arts, books, and manuscripts reflect the personal tastes and considerable expertise of Mrs. Gardner herself, whose own flamboyance further adds to the charm of the museum.

Behind the palazzo, a 70,000-square-foot glass-clad building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano creates new viewpoints for the original palazzo and stunning spaces for music and visual arts, allowing the museum to showcase exceptional contemporary works and artists. Rather than clash or compete with the original building, Piano's wing simply provides a new glass through which to view Mrs. Gardner's palazzo.

From almost anywhere in the new building are uninterrupted prospects of the palace and gardens through transparent walls. After you tour the museum, stroll through the Fens , a long green space, where you'll find a beautiful rose garden in bloom from June through October.

Author's Tip: The Gardner is only a few steps from the Museum of Fine Arts, making it tempting to combine them in one day. But unless art is your passion, it's best to see them on different days, so you can appreciate each. Visiting the Gardner is to immerse yourself not just in art, but in the 15th- and 16th-century artistic world of Renaissance Italy.

Address: 280 The Fenway, Boston, Massachusetts

Nicknamed Old Ironsides , USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in the United States Navy, and is still commanded and crewed by Navy personnel. The ship is open to visitors, who can go below desks and hear about the ship's construction and action at sea.

Across the pier, the USS Constitution Museum provides historical context through interactive exhibits that illustrate life aboard a naval vessel two centuries ago. Another ship you can tour here is the Cassin Young , a World War II destroyer.

Charlestown Navy Yard is part of the Boston National Historical Park, and it's a short walk to the Bunker Hill Monument and Museum, also in the park. The 221-foot-tall granite monument marks the hilltop site of the earthen fort built by New England soldiers prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first pitched battle of the American Revolution.

Address: Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts

Exhibits in the extensive Museum of Science encourage learning through hands-on exploration of science and technology, but the museum is not just for children. Physics, biology, chemistry, ecology, zoology, astronomy, computers, and more are explored in more than 700 permanent, hands-on exhibits that are enhanced by stage presentations and interpreters. I find it every bit as engaging as my children do, and can easily spend a whole day here.

Highlights are a 65-million-year-old fossil discovered in the Dakota Badlands, an electricity dome with continuing programs, the Butterfly Garden where you can walk among free-flying butterflies in a conservatory filled with exotic plants, a live animal center, a chance to join local meteorologists to learn weather forecasting, and ComputerPlace , where you can operate a robot and explore how your computer stores information. The planetarium presents daily laser and star shows, and the Mugar Omni Theater has a five-story domed screen.

Author's Tip: Save money on a family day at the museum by bringing your own lunch. You are welcome to enjoy it in the Atrium, on the front plaza, or at picnic tables behind the museum. No snacking in the exhibit areas, though.

Address: Science Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Harvard University , founded in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and is widely considered one of the world's leading academic centers. Go to the Harvard Information Center to take a spirited and entertaining free walking tour of the campus guided by a student who will share history, Harvard lore, and personal perspective. Or you can download a tour from their website.

Harvard Yard sits right in Harvard Square , a lively hub for students, "townies," and visitors, filled with shops, bookstores, and allegedly more places to buy ice cream than any other U.S. city.

Adjoining Harvard Yard is the Renzo Piano-designed home of the Harvard Art Museums , including three formerly separate collections, each of which ranked high as major U.S. art museums. Few universities have such enviable collections. Fogg Art Museum concentrates on Italian early-Renaissance art, the Busch-Reisinger on Expressionist art of central and northern Europe, with Bauhaus objects and paintings by Kandinsky and Klee.

Another important feature of the museums is one of the world's best collections of Chinese jade, as well as Chinese bronzes, Japanese prints, Indian art, and Greco-Roman antiquities, especially vases and sculptures.

If you're as bookish as I am, don't miss browsing in The Harvard Bookstore , just across Massachusetts Ave. from The Yard. Not associated with the University, this indy store has been a fixture in this same spot since 1932.

If you're looking for Harvard insignia souvenirs, the place to go is the Harvard Coop , across the square.

Address: 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Boston's lively Italian neighborhood, known as the North End, is one of Boston's oldest, where the silversmith and activist leader Paul Revere lived at the time of the American Revolution. The Paul Revere House, which he bought in 1770 and lived in when he made his famous ride, is the only patriot's home on the Freedom Trail, and is open to tour.

You can climb to the tower of Old North Church , where lanterns were hung in April 1775 to alert Paul Revere that British troops were headed to Lexington to arrest the patriot leaders and confiscate the munitions supplies. The beautiful white interior of the church still retains its historic box pews.

The North End is a favorite spot for tourists for reasons that go well beyond its important historic sights. Although it has changed a bit over the years since it was filled with newly arrived immigrants from Italy, it retains its Italian character and lively flair.

You'll find Italian restaurants; cafes; bakeries; and shops fragrant with aromas of cured olives, fresh-roasted coffee, and Italian cheeses. For my family, Modern Pastry on Hanover St. is a required stop, for cannoli and pignoli cookies.

You'll also find the North Bennet Street School , where skills such as bookbinding, cabinet and furniture making, carpentry, silver and gold work, and violin making are taught. Their gallery shop is like a museum of fine craftsmanship and a good place to shop for one-of-a-kind gifts.

On the night of December 16, 1773, more than a year before the first battle of the American Revolution, angry Bostonians protesting a tax on goods shipped to the colonies, stormed ships from England and threw the tea into the harbor at this site. With full-scale replicas of the original ships from which the Sons of Liberty dumped tea overboard, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum offers tours with a participatory reenactment of that event.

Costumed historical interpreters lead visitors through that historic night, through interactive exhibits, films, and multi-sensory experiences. Of course, everyone gets to dump tea into the harbor. In the museum, you'll see the only known tea chest from that ill-fated cargo.

This is more a history-as-entertainment attraction than a living history museum. But kids are drawn into the fun as they learn about shipboard life and American history, so it's no wonder this is one of the favorite things to do for families in Boston.

Address: 306 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts

Overlooking the waterfront, the New England Aquarium features more than 20,000 fish and aquatic animals representing over 550 species. A man-made Caribbean coral reef houses a large variety of tropical fish and underwater life including sharks, turtles, and moray eels. The Edge of the Sea touch tank allows visitors to handle small invertebrates like crabs, starfish, and urchins.

Outside the aquarium, visitors can watch harbor seals play, perform, and live in their enclosed habitat. The New England Aquarium also sponsors educational programs and whale-watching tours outside of Boston Harbor, and the adjacent IMAX Theater shows 40-minute films on nature subjects.

To be sure of admission at this popular family attraction, reserve timed entry tickets in advance. Nearby parking is expensive, but it's easy to get here by public transit; the aquarium has its own stop on the MBTA's Blue Line.

Address: Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts

Although the four Harvard Museums that make up this complex contain treasures such as the artifacts brought back by Lewis and Clark, for most people, the highlight is the more than 3,000 models of 830 species of flowers and plants, some with insects, and all so realistic that you will have trouble believing they are made of glass. I marvel at these anew, each time I see them.

Created between 1887 and 1936 by German artisans Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, the flowers are unique in the world, and their secret process has never been replicated. These are part of Harvard's massive research collections, shown under one roof in the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology , the Mineralogical Museum , the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Botanical Museum .

Particularly strong in Native American exhibits , the Peabody shows artifacts and art interpreted as part of a living culture, even when that culture has vanished. You can admire some of the finest examples of Native American arts from many periods and tribes, and also see how these changed as Europeans provided a new market for their goods.

Those who like the Victorian "Cabinet of Curiosities" feel of old traditional museums will love the Pacific Islands balcony - it's like stepping back a century. The Museum of Comparative Zoology , founded by Louis Agassiz in 1859, contains an extensive collection of fossils, including a 25,000-year-old mastodon . The mineralogy collections include a dazzling display of rough and cut gemstones , a world-renowned meteorite collection, rocks, ores, and minerals from around the world.

Address: 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Both atmospheric and fashionable, Boston's Back Bay (it was once under water, before a hill was leveled to fill it in) is the heart of the 19 th -century city, home of the "Proper Bostonian" of legend. Streets of sedate Brownstone and brick townhouses line the grid of streets between the Public Garden and the Fenway, bounded on the north by Storrow Drive and the Charles River Esplanade.

Stroll its tree-lined streets, especially Newbury Street, to find an almost European atmosphere of small (mostly trendy) shops and boutiques, art galleries, and cafés and restaurants that spill out into sidewalk terraces. Architecture throughout the neighborhood is eclectic, with some fine examples of ornamental terra-cotta and brickwork.

I love walking through Back Bay residential streets at any time of year – in the spring when Magnolias bloom in the tiny front yards, in the winter when the wrought-iron fences sketch patterns against the snow, and in the fall when fallen leaves crunch underfoot.

The main square of the Back Bay area is surrounded by both old and ultra-modern buildings. One side is formed by the Boston Public Library , founded in 1848 as the first publicly funded lending library in the country. Architect Charles Follen McKim designed the present building in 1895.

Go inside to see the library's Renaissance Revival architecture and murals by John Singer Sargent and Edwin Abbey. Granite medallions over the entrance arches are the work of the pre-eminent American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The three sets of bronze doors in the vestibule were created by Daniel Chester French. Regular Art and Architecture Tours are among the several free things to do in Boston.

Author's Tip: Boston's best-kept secret may be the elegant afternoon teas served in the tearoom overlooking the beautiful Italianate Courtyard of the Boston Public Library. Crisp white linens and silver-edged crystal set the stage for proper tea sandwiches, scones, and trays of dainty sweets.

Facing the library, across a grassy lawn, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch with neighborhood office workers, is Trinity Church , a red sandstone building designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson in his distinctive style, known as Richardson Romanesque. Trinity is widely considered to be his finest work. The murals, frescoes, and painted decorations inside are by John La Farge and much of the fine stained glass is by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.

On a third side of the square is the venerable Boston institution, the Fairmont Copley Plaza ; these three buildings, backed by the sheer glass wall of a skyscraper, create a stunning cityscape. A block down Boylston Street, look for the finish line of the Boston Marathon , run each April on Patriot's Day.

Just beyond is the Prudential Center , a 32-acre complex of apartments, shops, restaurants, and a 52-story tower. On its 50th floor, you can visit the Skywalk observation deck for 360-degree views of Boston and its surroundings.

Address: 700 Boylston Street, At Copley Square, Boston, Massachusetts

At Rowes Wharf, you can board the Odyssey to cruise through Boston Harbor, from Castle Island to George's Island, then east to the Boston Light on Little Brewster Island, and back north to Charlestown Naval Yard before returning to the wharf.

You can enjoy lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch as you savor the views of the Boston skyline from the water. The skyline is especially beautiful at night when you can take a starlight or full moon cruise.

You can travel outside the confines of Boston Harbor on Boston Whale Watching Cruises , for a chance to see humpback and fin whales, as well as dolphins and porpoises, in the wild. This three-hour, naturalist-led tours are very popular and claim to have whale sightings on every trip.

Dedicated to the memory of the 35th U.S. President, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the official national memorial to JFK, designed by noted architect I.M. Pei and opened in 1979. The museum, which stands on the shore south of the city, features three theaters, personal memorabilia, photographs, and historical exhibits that document the life of JFK and his presidency.

Exhibits cover the presidential campaign trail, the Oval Office, First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, and the Kennedy family. Interactive experiences here include the free and family-friendly Highlights tours and the Hands-on Cart programs, which include the PT-109 story and a closer look at the Race for Space.

Address: Columbia Point, Boston

One of Boston's most beautiful neighborhoods and right in the center of the city, the south side of Beacon Hill has traditionally been the home of Boston's "old money" families, known locally as "Brahmins." Well-kept brick homes in Federal and Greek Revival styles line its tree-shaded streets, and at its heart is Louisburg Square, where homes face onto a leafy private park. Author Louisa May Alcott lived here from 1880 to 1888.

The Nichols House Museum , a Federal-style home by Boston architect Charles Bulfinch, shows how Beacon Hill's upper-class residents lived and is filled with collections of 16th- to 19th-century furnishings and decorative arts. At the western foot of Beacon Hill, Charles Street is lined with boutiques and shops that have traditionally catered to the neighborhood and are popular with visitors as well. Beyond Charles Street, facing the Public Garden, The Bull and Finch , established in 1969, inspired the popular television program, Cheers .

Restaurants and cafes come and go quickly along classy Charles St, but one that has maintained its elegant ambiance and traditional Tuscan country menu is Toscano , where you can dine on melt-in-the-mouth veal scaloppini or a simple four-cheese pizza.

The north side of Beacon Hill is far more modest and has been home to immigrants, including a sizable African American community, since the early 19th century. National Park Service Rangers offer free guided tours of the Black Heritage Trail from April through November and you can follow the trail on a self-guided tour year-round.

The Boston African American National Historic Site includes 15 pre-Civil War homes, businesses, schools, and churches that give a picture of Boston's 19th-century African American community. The Museum of Afro-American History operates the African Meeting House , the country's oldest (1806) church built by and for Black Americans and now restored to its 1854 appearance.

The 1834 Abiel Smith School was the first public grammar school for African American children. Displays at both include artifacts, films, art, and sculpture related to the black experience in Boston and New England.

The Boston waterfront has seen many changes since its early beginnings as a colonial shipping port. After a period of decline for much of the 20th century, new life was breathed into the area in the mid-1970s with an ambitious redevelopment plan.

Today, this interesting mix of residential and commercial space is connected by HarborWalk , an attractive walkway along the waterfront, with parks, public art, benches, cafés, interpretive signs, and access to several means of exploring the harbor by cruise boat, ferry, or water taxi. A shuttle boat also runs to the Charlestown Navy Yard .

Although it extends from Charlestown to South Boston – and will expand considerably farther – the part you won't want to miss goes from the North End through the wisteria-draped pergola of Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park , past Commercial Wharf, India Wharf, and Long Wharf , and by Rowes Wharf before curving along the harbor into the vibrant Seaport District to the Institute of Contemporary Art , an art museum dramatically cantilevered above the water.

One of the newest of Boston's many public parks and green spaces, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway fills the swath of downtown Boston left bare by the removal of the elevated Central Artery.

Nearly 1.5 miles of parks and gardens connect several diverse neighborhoods, including the financial district, the North End, Chinatown and Faneuil Hall Market, all just a few steps from the linear park.

Public art, gardens, benches, a farmers' market, food trucks, and playgrounds enliven the park, along with a fanciful carousel of whimsical animals, where children can ride on rabbits, a butterfly, turtle, lobster, or a grasshopper. All 36 creatures on the Greenway Carousel were inspired by drawings made by Boston school children. The carousel is specially designed to be accessible to adults and youth with disabilities.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra gave its inaugural concert in 1881, and its first at Symphony Hall , one of the world's most acoustically perfect concert halls, when it opened in 1900. Over more than a century of history, its conductors have included greats such as Pierre Monteux, Serge Koussevitzky, Charles Munch, Seiji Ozawa, and James Levine.

In addition to its regular symphony season, the hall is home to the Boston Pops Orchestra , which sets an international standard for performances of lighter music. For many visitors, the highlight of a trip is a Pops concert, either in Symphony Hall or at the Hatch Memorial Shell , an Art Deco outdoor music shell on the riverside Esplanade that has become a Boston landmark.

The shell hosts a regular program of concerts and other special events, and is especially famous for the Boston Pop's yearly performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture on July 4th. Audiences sit on the lawn in front of the shell with views of Cambridge, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill, and the Pops orchestra is accompanied by real cannon fire and ringing Boston church bells.

Following the concert is a spectacular fireworks display over the river; both are televised all over New England. When I lived on River St, a block from the Esplanade, I took my lawn chair and a book to a grassy spot near the Shell at 10 am to get the best spot; now you'll have to wait until noon to stake your claim.

You can go behind the scenes on a tour of Symphony Hall where you'll hear the history and traditions of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, its musicians and conductors.

Address: 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts

A "museum of trees," the Arnold Arboretum is especially colorful in the fall, when the maples are ablaze in reds and yellows, and in the spring, when cherry trees, lilacs, or magnolias are in full bloom. But the Arnold Arboretum is beautiful all 12 months of the year. When the trails through its 281 acres are covered in snow, they are popular places to snowshoe and cross-country ski.

A National Historic Landmark , designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, the Arboretum is maintained by Harvard University , which uses it as a teaching laboratory. Along with a wide variety of trees, shrubs, vines, and perennial flowering plants, are exceptional collections of lilacs, azaleas, and rhododendrons; the Bonsai & Penjing Collection is also a highlight.

The Explorers Garden , occupying a small microclimate within the grounds, is home to two of the world's largest Franklin trees, a species now extinct in the wild. Docent-led tours range from quarter-mile introductions suitable for all abilities to a 90-minute Keeper's Tour.

Address: 125 Arborway, Boston, Massachusetts

The 150-acre MIT campus is of special interest to fans of modern and postmodern architecture , a living museum of works by noted architects including Alvar Aalto, Eduardo Catalano, I. M. Pei, Frank Gehry, and Eero Saarinen.

In addition, the campus displays hundreds of sculptures and art installations that you can see with the help of a self-guided walking tour map, by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Jacques Lipchitz, and Auguste Rodin. In the Hart Nautical Gallery are ship models, and the Compton Gallery shows contemporary art.

Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Official site: www.mit.edu

Most of Boston's major tourist attractions are relatively close to the downtown area and Boston Common, where the Freedom Trail begins. Beacon Hill, Copley Square, and the Waterfront/North End are all within easy reach of these highly-rated hotels in Boston.

Luxury Hotels :

• These hotels are in Boston's most prestigious - and convenient - locations: Copley Square and Beacon Hill. Fairmont Copley Plaza is the Grand Dame of Boston hotels, an elegant and gracious landmark property overlooking Copley Square and minutes from the Public Garden's Swan Boats.
• The intimate Lenox Hotel is known for personal attention in the heart of Back Bay, adjacent to Prudential Center and Copley Square, close to museums and Newbury Street shopping.
• XV Beacon crowns historic and fashionable Beacon Hill, next to the State House and overlooking Boston Common.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Boston's waterfront extends from the North End Italian neighborhood to the newly blossoming Seaport area, handy to harbor cruises, seafood dining, museums, and historic sites. Boston Marriott Long Wharf overlooks Boston Harbor, close to the New England Aquarium and North End attractions.
• Seaport Boston Hotel guests enjoy sweeping views across Boston Harbor and the downtown skyline, excellent service, and a no-tipping policy in the hotel and its restaurants.
• In a skillfully repurposed brick factory building, Residence Inn Boston Downtown Seaport is steps from the Boston Children's Museum and downtown attractions.

Budget Hotels:

• Even Boston's budget-friendly options are conveniently close to the center. The Revolution Hotel , in the chic South End restaurant and arts neighborhood, has double, triple, and quad rooms, some with shared dorm-style bathrooms.
• Especially handy to sports and entertainment events at TD Garden, Hotel Indigo Boston Garden is an easy walk to the North End and Quincy Market.
• Across the street from the TD Boston Garden, and within walking distance of the North End, citizenM Boston North Station has tech-savvy, soundproof rooms.

Sightseeing:

• For first-time visitors to Boston, the best way to see the attractions and get acquainted with the city layout is to take a Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour . This tour stops at all the major tourist attractions and gives you the freedom to stop where you want and see the city at your own pace.

Day Trip to Martha's Vineyard:

• Explore more of the Bay State with a 12-hour Day Trip to Martha's Vineyard , traveling by bus through Cape Cod to Falmouth, before boarding the scenic cruise to the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. Here, you'll have six hours to explore the island on your own, or you can add a guided bus tour to see Gay Head Light and the historic village of Edgartown.

Day Trip to Newport:

• See the famous summer palaces of Belle Epoch society on the Boston to Newport Small-Group Day Trip with Breakers & Marble House Admission . On an 11-hour small group tour of "America's First Resort" you'll visit the two most famous mansions, as well as Cliff Walk, Ocean Drive, and St. Mary's Church, where Jack and Jacky Kennedy were married.

If you're looking for a seamless vacation packed with fun adventures and ideal weather conditions, the best time of year to go to Boston is during the late spring and early fall . This is technically Boston's high season.

From May through the end of June , things are starting to warm up nicely. You're looking at highs in the upper 60s to high 70s and more comfortable lows in the 50s. Not too hot nor too cold, these temps are perfect for wandering the streets all day. Still, you'll want to pack layers to be sure you're prepared for the fluctuating temperatures.

The months of September and October also present visitors with optimal highs in the mid-60s (October) to high 70s (September). Lows range between high 40s to high 50s. Again, you'll likely need layers. At this time, you'll witness an impressive sight: vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues envelop the city in the form of fall foliage, especially towards the end of October, rewarding photographers with picture-perfect backdrops.

Boston hotels will be more expensive during this time, and you can expect to see larger crowds of tourists, but overall, late spring and early fall are the best times to visit Boston . Since many of the city's best attractions are outside (i.e. the Freedom Trail and Fenway Park ), you're guaranteed an enjoyable visit that allows you to visit the city's most popular points of interest with ease. Plus, you'll be able to ride a Swan Boat in Boston Common . This "ride" is closed during the cold winter months.

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Boston   Travel Guide

Why Go To Boston

Boston is not only a hub for baseball, brownstones and bookish collegiate types. It's also home to America's first large free municipal public library, the first subway system, the first public school and the first public park. To say the city is historic would be an understatement, but this wicked smart college town doesn't linger in the past, either. A well-rounded trip to Boston integrates the classic with the contemporary: Split your time between cherished sites like the  Paul Revere House  and  Faneuil Hall  and modern attractions like the  Museum of Fine Arts . Venture to Beacon Hill and you'll stumble upon the graceful mansions of yore juxtaposed with chic boutiques and innovative hotels. So, yes, come first for the history, but don't miss out on the opportunity to see the unmistakable Beantown flair. 

Despite Boston's rough-and-tumble reputation – garnered thanks to Hollywood appearances in gritty films like "Black Mass," "American Hustle" and "The Town" – but Boston's cool, cosmopolitan personality characterizes its trendy restaurants, urban parks and modern museums. Passionate residents are still rooting for their beloved Red Sox , but they're also venturing to the  Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway  for a free yoga class or meandering to the offbeat SoWa Open Market for some antique shopping. So, grab a stool and join them at their favorite pub to chow down on oyster shooters and New England clam chowder, or venture to Back Bay to sip a coffee as you stroll along the trendy Newbury Street. You'll need more than a few days to experience the city's wealth of offerings.

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• # 2 in Best Historical Cities to Visit in the USA
• # 7 in Best Weekend Getaways in New England
• # 8 in Best East Coast Vacation Spots

See All 8 Rankings

Best of Boston

Best hotels in boston.

• # 1 in XV Beacon Hotel
• # 2 in Mandarin Oriental, Boston
• # 3 in Boston Harbor Hotel

Best Things to Do in Boston

• # 1 in Freedom Trail
• # 2 in Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market
• # 3 in Boston Public Garden

Popular Tours

Martha's Vineyard Daytrip from Boston with Round-Trip Ferry & Island Tour Option

(2437 reviews)

from $ 119.00

Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River

(8773 reviews)

from $ 57.65

Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Catamaran

(2671 reviews)

from $ 79.87

Boston Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Boston is from June to October. Mild autumn weather makes touring around on foot a joy. And even though summer brings in swarms of tourists and expensive  hotel  rates, the sidewalk cafes, baseball games and outdoor concerts make it worth a trip. Winter is chilly, so pack a warm coat and a pair of boots if you decide to see Beantown sprinkled (or immersed) with snow. Another incentive for wintertime: you might catch a great deal on a hotel. If winter is too cold for you but summer and fall's hotel rates fall outside your budget, try visiting at the start of the spring season.

Weather in Boston

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

No cars allowed Sure, tourists are allowed to drive cars around Boston, but why would you want to? Traffic and narrow roads, along with pricey parking, make driving here a nightmare. Take the "T" (Boston's subway) or rely on your own two feet.

Begin at Boston Common The nearly 3-mile-long  Freedom Trail  is a must-do for first-time visitors. To make the most of your tour, start at  Boston Common , the country's oldest public park and a convenient starting point for exploring the city's notable historical attractions.

You're in Red Sox territory If you're a die-hard Yankees fan, we'd keep it quiet… just saying.

Get a local's perspective It can feel a bit daunting to try and hit all of Boston's top attractions on a short visit. For a crash course in Boston history, food and culture, consider signing up for a tour. We've selected the best tours  in the city.

How to Save Money in Boston

Arrive in winter  Pack the parka and visit in the cooler months. Hotel rates offer the steepest discounts between December and February.

Go to museums when rates are reduced or free  The Museum of Fine Arts offers reduced admission after 3 p.m. every Wednesday (you'll pay $5 per person instead of $25 per person), and the  Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum  gives complimentary entry year-round to visitors named Isabella. Other sights may feature discounted rates on select days of the week, so look for museum deals and plan your visits accordingly.

Invest in a CityPASS or Go Boston Card  Purchasing a  Boston CityPASS  or  Go Boston Card  will save you big bucks on some of the city's top attractions. A CityPASS, which costs $64 for adults and $54 for kids, will save you between $41 and $57 per person, while Go Boston Cards (which are available for one to seven days) start at $76 for adults and $51 for children and include unlimited access around 40 attractions.

Culture & Customs

One of the most distinct parts of Boston is what is sometimes referred to as "Boston English," a dialect heard in countless movies and TV shows. The "r" sound is often dropped from words, so "car" becomes "cah" and "Harvard" becomes "Hah-vahd."

Boston is also a well-known sports city; it's the home of the Boston Red Sox (it would be best to avoid wearing any Yankees paraphernalia here), the New England Patriots, the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics. While you're in the city, be sure to indulge in this culture by catching a game or taking a tour of  Fenway Park . And if you're a college sports fan visiting in February, check out the Beanpot, an annual hockey tournament held at the TD Garden between Boston University, Boston College, Harvard University and Northeastern University.

Beantown also takes pride in its intellectual and academic roots. Around 100 colleges and universities call the Greater Boston area home, including some of the country's most prestigious. After the American Revolution, the city's leaders were determined to make Boston the world's new cradle of civilization. They invested money and brought in scholars to create a city of educated citizens that studied at Harvard University, Boston University, Boston College, Emerson College, Tufts University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , to name a few. Today, this impressive collection of schools also keeps the area young and forward-thinking, as Boston has one of the largest student populations in the country.

What to Eat

Bostonian cuisine has undergone a gastronomical revolution in recent years, with a steady stream of new chefs putting their own spin on tried-and-true city classics like baked beans, fresh seafood and clam "chowdah" along with many innovative chefs moving in different directions entirely. A fun sampling of cuisines can be found at Time Out Market , where several of the city’s top chefs have spots.

Make sure to check out the North End for delicious Italian dishes and pastries like cannolis and rum cakes. Though most locals are loyal to either Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry on Hanover Street, both offer top-notch sweets. Large international student bodies at universities like Harvard and MIT mean you'll enjoy everything from French to Moroccan fare in Cambridge . For an authentic tapas meal, make your way to the artsy South End neighborhood. Diners can savor Spanish-inspired bites like croquettes, ceviche and chorizo and potato empanadas at  Toro , one of the area's most popular tapas eateries. Another South End favorite is The Butcher Shop , where meat-centric entrees steal the spotlight. Or, for a taste of some of Boston's most inventive sushi entrees, venture to O Ya , where you can experience a 20-course chef’s tasting menu.

Should you crave more traditional New England fare, dine at historic Warren Tavern , where you can find local favorites like clam chowder, fish and chips and shepherd’s pie.  Another beloved establishment is Union Oyster House near Haymarket, where – you guessed it – freshly-shucked oysters have hooked patrons since the restaurant opened its doors in 1826. For a fun and tasty overview of the Boston dining scene, consider taking a food tour .

Though it's unlikely that you'll encounter any major crime as a Boston visitor, it's still wise to stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you decide to branch away from tourist areas. Like you would in other large cities, keep track of your belongings and stick to well-lit and crowded streets, particularly at night. And be sure to steer clear of vacant subway cars in the evening and avoid visiting urban parks after dark. It's also a good idea to carry extra cash and the number of a reliable cab company, or download a ride-hailing app on your smartphone, if you plan to enjoy a fun night out on the town. Stay especially alert in areas like Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan, where reports of crime are not uncommon. All of these neighborhoods are situated south of Boston proper.

Getting Around Boston

The best way to get around in Boston is by walking. And when your itinerary takes you out of the city center, the second-best mode is the efficient "T" subway system, which includes subways, trains and trolleys along five separate lines. You can easily take the Blue Line from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to downtown Boston. Cabs are another option: Boston isn't a huge taxi town, but you can find them at several cabstands throughout the city and lining up outside of major hotels . Ride-hailing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, are also popular options. However, we do not suggest renting a car and driving yourself: Narrow, one-way roads and expensive parking make driving an avoidable hassle.

To see some of Boston's iconic brownstones, head to wealthy neighborhoods like Beacon Hill and Back Bay.

Explore More of Boston

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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• Massachusetts

Boston Travel Guide

Boston is not only one of America's oldest cities, it's also one of the most walkable, and we'd even go as far as saying it's one of the easiest to explore. From the Italian roots of the North End to Boston's quintessential brick facades and New England charm, the city has historical and cultural fascination around every corner. First-time visitors wondering what to do in Boston will be thrilled to find that there is an activity to please every kind of traveler—Red Sox games for the sports fans, oysters shucked fresh at the Boston's best restaurants for the foodies, Freedom Trail walking tours for the history buffs, and public green spaces for relaxing in the summertime.

Boston is an intimate city, but its cultural breadth makes it feel like a much larger hub. You can feast on some of the country's best dim sum in Chinatown, then walk 15 minutes and be at a brewery by the water. You can go spend an afternoon at a world-renowned art museum and wind up at a Sox game that night, or start your day strolling the Harvard University campus and end the day taking in a concert at the legendary House of Blues.

Eastern Standard Time (Daylight Savings Time, seasonal. Dates vary)

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Boston is from May to November. The late spring and summer months bring beautiful weather (temperatures reach nearly 70 by May and hover in the low 80s by July). Fall in Boston is picturesque, with Harvard University, MIT, and Boston University's campuses trimmed in foliage and temperatures slipping into the low 70s in September and low 60s in October.

Visiting in the late spring means catching the Bruins and Celtics close to the playoffs, but you'll want to avoid the graduation weeks in May if at all possible. The summer is lovely in Boston—it's not too hot, and while tourists flock to the city in June, July, and August, the student population clears out. Fall is by no means the off-season, with tourists continuing to arrive and students moving in, but visiting in September and October affords you some of the very best Boston weather. We'd recommend avoiding Boston travel from November to April, as these are the coldest, grayest months.

Things to Know

Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States dating back to 1634.

Boston was the first U.S. city to build a subway line, the Tremont Street Subway built in 1897.

Another Boston first was Revere Beach, the first public beach in the country.

Boston baked beans, New England clam chowder, Boston cream pie, lobster rolls, and Fenway Franks are some of the foods associated with the city.

Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood is one of the city's oldest communities, named for the beacon that once warned locals about invasions. Today it's a protected historic district, and its classic homes can be admired on a self-guided walking tour .

The National Park Service manages several of Boston's popular tourist sites.

How to Get Around

Trains: Public transportation in Boston runs through Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which offers two types of trains: the metro and the commuter rail. There are 13 commuter rail lines, all of which will take you out to various suburbs of the city. There is also a comprehensive metro—which Bostonians call "the T"—that runs throughout Boston and can easily bring you to most major attractions and neighborhoods in the city. The T has four lines—the red line, blue line, orange line, and green line—and is generally very easy to navigate. Find the subway map here .

You can purchase a CharlieCard , a reusable card to use on MBTA trains and buses.

Buses: The MBTA offers a vast number of city buses , all numbered and servicing different areas of the city. They also have Silver Line buses that go to Logan Airport from South Station.

Taxis: While taxis are not as abundant here as they are in, say, New York City, it's still simple to grab a cab at Logan Airport or at South Station (a central transportation hub where most buses and trains from other cities arrive). You can also, of course, call in advance for a taxi from a local cab company like Boston Cab Dispatch .

Car service: Uber and Lyft are available in Boston, as are black car services like Master Livery .

Best Hotels

Boston harbor hotel.

Address: 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 Phone: (617) 439-7000 Book Now

The epitome of luxury hospitality in Boston, Boston Harbor Hotel is a five-star property right on the water with 232 rooms and suites. The centrally located hotel is walking distance to South Station, Faneuil Hall, and State Street. Guests will enjoy dining on-site at Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, exercising in the private health club, and languishing in the beautifully designed common areas.

Encore Boston Harbor

Address: 1 Broadway, Boston, MA 02149 Phone: (857) 770-7000 Book Now

Bringing Las Vegas hotel vibes to Boston, Encore Boston Harbor opened in 2019 offering the chic atmosphere promised by Wynn Hotels. In Everett, Massachusetts, it's slightly out of the way, but you can still make it to the heart of downtown Boston in 15 minutes by car. Encore Boston Harbor has a 24-hour casino and exemplary dining at Rare Steakhouse.

Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Address: 200 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 351-2036 Book Now

Four Seasons Hotel Boston gives travelers a taste of the Back Bay and is near Boston's Freedom Trail and Beacon Hill. The hotel is perfect for long-term stays or families. Four Seasons Hotel Boston has a lovely heated indoor pool and on-site dining with views of the Boston Public Garden at Aujourd'hui Lounge. "You can tell that the staff of Four Seasons Hotel Boston considered every angle of the guest experience," said Liz Cantrell, a T+L senior editor.

The guest rooms were redone in 2019 and the property underwent a renovation of the public spaces in 2023. "The new design is stunning and reflects the Boston Public Garden and pays homage to the historic brownstones around the neighborhood of Back Bay," Cantrell added. "There are shades of green and botanical touches throughout the hotel, but I found the most stunning example to be the impressionist mural — depicting the Public Garden's flora and fauna — behind the reception desk."

XV Beacon Hotel

Address: 15 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 Phone: (617) 670-1500 Book Now

Named for its address of 15 Beacon Street, XV Beacon Hotel is a five-star property with a boutique spirit and a historic facade. The beaux-arts building in the luxe Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston is home to just 63 rooms, cultivating an intimate, exclusive feel. But even more remarkable is the fact that there are only seven rooms to a floor, which guarantees ample space and privacy in each guest room.

Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel

Address: 90 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108 Phone: (617) 772-5800 Book Now

On Boston's iconic Tremont Street, Kimpton Nine Zero is an inviting boutique hotel with complimentary wine happy hours and 190 rooms and suites with chic decor pieces (if you're lucky, you might end up with an Eames chair set by the window). The hotel sits at the intersection of Downtown Crossing, Beacon Hill, and the Financial District, and is a short walk to Faneuil Hall, Boston Common, the waterfront, and TD Garden for those keen on catching a Celtics or Bruins game.

The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Address: 215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 224-4000 Book Now

On Charles Street, The Liberty has North End charm with exposed brick-lined interiors and high-end Italian fare at Scampo. The hotel was once the Charles Street Jail, and the common spaces really play into that theme. Visit Alibi for cocktails and small plates "set in the old 'drunk tank' of what was Boston's historic Charles Street Jail," and their seafood restaurant called CLINK, also on-site.

The Charles Hotel

Address: 1 Bennett Street,Boston, MA 02138 Phone: (617) 864-1200 Book Now

The Charles Hotel is a Cambridge landmark located right in Harvard Square—situating it next to great coffee houses, music venues, shopping, and some of the most idyllic brick-lined streets in Cambridge. The rooms at The Charles Hotel are furnished with historic pieces from all over New England and some offer views of the Charles River. You'll also find high-end suites to accommodate larger families, including the Dean's Suite, Presidential Suite, and Chancellor's Suite.

The Verb Hotel

Address: 1271 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215 Phone: (617) 566-4500 Book Now

A boutique, three-star hotel near Fenway Park known for keeping the spirit of rock music alive, The Verb Hotel features eclectic music-inspired decor and vibrant colors. The vibe in the rooms and common spaces is very retro-chic, and the hotel has an outdoor pool and lively pool deck. You can also dine on-site at The Verb's sushi restaurant, Hojoko.

907 Main Hotel

Address: 907 Main Street, Boston, MA 02139 Phone: (617) 354-9907 Book Now

A boutique hotel in Cambridge, 907 Main Hotel just opened in fall 2020 as a city venture by independent New Hampshire hotel company Hay Creek Hotels. In the buzzing Central Square, 907 is minimalist and cozy with a rooftop bar (the only rooftop bar in Central Square, in fact). And it's close to both Harvard University and MIT.

The Newbury Boston Hotel

Address: 1 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 536-5700 Book Now

The Newbury Boston Hotel opens in spring 2021 and will sit at the intersection of Newbury and Arlington streets. Formerly the Taj Boston Hotel, this iconic property at 1 Newbury Street was originally a Ritz-Carlton when it opened in the 1920s. Located in the Back Bay, one of the famously high-end neighborhoods of Boston, The Newbury is walking distance to the Boston Public Garden and a myriad of other Boston attractions.

Best Restaurants

Neptune oyster.

Address: 63 Salem Street #1, Boston, MA 02113 Phone: (617) 742-3474 Website

An iconic North End seafood restaurant, Neptune Oyster serves great lobster rolls and the freshest of fish. But most patrons come for the oysters, as Neptune features eight or nine varieties, as well as for the clams, which are served fried or on the half shell. You'll have to navigate the mad scramble for the coveted seats at the counter, or wait a while for a table in this intimate but lively space, but it's worth it either way.

Oleana Restaurant

Address: 134 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: (617) 661-0505 Website

Oleana Restaurant is a signature Cambridge restaurant featuring outstanding Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine, and an imaginative mix of small plates with bold flavors. A popular place that generally requires reservations, you'll be exposed to a creative use of spice blends, delicious leafy vegetables, and a classic cassoulet .

The Boston Sail Loft

Address: 80 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02110 Phone: (617) 227-7280 Website

When you think of the Seaport District, your first thoughts may stray to tea being dumped in the harbor. But as more and more restaurants are calling this area home, visitors have flocked to the Seaport for a wide range of cuisines. The Boston Sail Loft, winner of multiple Best Clam Chowder in Boston awards, may be no-frills, but it certainly has a lot to offer, including their broiled fresh scrod that's sure to please.

Santarpio's Pizza

Address: 111 Chelsea Street, Boston, MA 02128 Phone: (617) 567-9871 Website

An East Boston landmark for more than 100 years, now with a location in Peabody, too, Santarpio's is in the Pizza Hall of Fame. Four generations of Santarpios have been assembling "upside-down" pizzas—toppings, cheese, and then sauce—on a thin crust that is unequivocally regarded as the best pizza in the city. It's hard to find, in the shadows of Logan Airport, but it's where discussions about great pizza begin and end.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe

Address: Multiple locations Website

It's not often that a bakery starts from one's home and in 14 short years expands to 18 brick-and-mortar bakeries, including two in Washington, D.C.. Nor is it easy for a bakery to be gluten-free, but Tatte's does have a "gluten-friendly" menu that's a big hit. While pastries and desserts are a big draw for patrons, Tatte's does have a dinner menu, an all-day menu, and a weekend brunch.

Christina's Homemade Ice Cream

Address: 1255 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: (617) 492-7021 Website

Featuring some of the area's finest homemade ice cream, this Cambridge institution has been hand-cranking out its product for almost 30 years. Conveniently located between Harvard and MIT, Christina's is known not only for its innovative and bold flavors, but for the sheer number of flavors that practically forces you to return multiple times. Thankfully, it's open seven days a week.

Address: 1 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 412-4600 Website

Part of the Columbus Hospitality Group, operating seven restaurants and two hotels in the Boston area, Sorellina brings contemporary Italian-Mediterrranean cuisine to historic Copley Square. The extensive wine list is sure to impress, and their knowledgeable staff complement the "warm-modern design and chic decor" that brings loyal patrons back again and again.

Modern Pastry

Address: 257 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113 Phone: (617) 523-3783 Website

In the ongoing cannoli wars in the city's North End, Modern consistently earns top prize. A family-owned business dating back 90+ years, their hand-crafted pastries attract such a following that lines often snake out the door and around the corner. Want something other than a cannoli? Try their carrot cake, ricotta pie, or their delicate pizzelle.

Address: 9 East Street, Boston, MA 02111 Phone: (617) 654-9900 Website

Omakase, a form of Japanese dining where patrons leave themselves entirely in the hands of the chef, is elevated to art form at O Ya. If you don't wish to splurge on omakase, the sushi à la carte is exceptional, and there's a nice range of sakes available to complement the sushi.

Mamma Maria

Address: 3 N Square, Boston, MA 02113 Phone: (617) 523-0077 Website

Mamma Mia is a Boston institution, featuring regional Italian dishes that leverage the local markets, and the bountiful New England produce, meats, and seafood. Romantic, old-world, and authentic are some of the adjectives used to describe this intimate restaurant overlooking North Square, with its cobblestones and historic buildings that transport you back in time.

Address: 21 Bow Street, Somerville, MA 02143 Phone: (617) 616-5319 Website

Union Square in Somerville, just across the Charles River from Boston, is home to this gem of a restaurant, serving luscious Peruvian food. As you immerse yourself in Andean culture, you'll be guided through the staples of Peruvian cuisine, like slow-cooked stews and ceviches. The original "closed-door" in-home restaurant has now expanded to its current space, and integrates Andean music, art, and design for a full sensory experience.

Hei La Moon Restaurant

Address: 88 Beach Street, Boston, MA 02111 Phone: (617) 338-8813 Website

Situated on the outskirts of Chinatown, Hei La Moon has a huge space and a menu to match. It's a great spot for dim sum, available seven days a week, with authentic Chinese food items ranging from shark fin dumplings to fried taro cake.

Alive & Kicking Lobsters

Address: 269 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: (617) 876-0451 Website

Lobster rolls, with a twist. Perfectly seasoned lobster meat, salt, pepper, minimal mayo, layered not on a hot dog bun, but two beautifully buttered and toasted pieces of scali bread is what you'll find at Alive & Kicking Lobsters. It's an actual lobster sandwich, that you can take outside and eat, sitting at their picnic tables of this unassuming Cambridge shop. It's definitely worth crossing over the Boston bridges for this tasty treat.

Things to Do

Fenway park.

Address: 4 Jersey Street, Boston, MA 02215 Phone: (877) 733-7699 Website

Visiting Fenway Park is a rite-of-passage activity, because one of the best things to do in Boston is drink beer on the third baseline at a Red Sox game. Opening day at Fenway tends to fall in April, and baseball season—if the Sox make the playoffs—will run into October. Whether you're in Boston on a summer day, or you have to bundle up for a game in late September, it's always worth it to catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

The Freedom Trail

Violet Smirnova/Travel + Leisure

Address: 204 Freedom Trail, Boston, MA Website

Walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail as a self-guided tour. It starts at Boston Common and passes 16 important Boston landmarks, including Old North Church and Paul Revere's house. The Freedom Trail organization also offers guided tours, homing in on specific subject matters, from Boston breweries to revolutionary women.

Quincy Market

Address: 206 S Market Street, Boston, MA 02109 Website

Historic Quincy Market, which opened in 1826, is a Boston food hall that first-time visitors won't want to miss. Grab a steaming chowder in a bread bowl from Boston Chowder Co., or an ice cream cone at Quincy's Place. You'll also love shopping at the adjacent North Market, where you'll find local retailers, like Boston Pewter Co., and a myriad of souvenir shops.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Address: 25 Evans Way, Boston, MA 02115 Phone: (617) 566-1401 Website

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is regarded as one of the most beautiful museums in the country, not just because of the art, but thanks to the opulent courtyard garden. The idyllic courtyard blooms year round, featuring hydrangeas in May and June, bellflowers in August and September, and even winter tropical plants in January. Art lovers will also enjoy the contemporary selection juxtaposed with iconic pieces by Rembrandt, and of course, an ever-relevant rotation of new exhibits.

Museum of Fine Arts

Address: 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 Phone: (617) 267-9300 Website

One of the most recognizable museums in the world, the MFA hosts exceptional traveling exhibitions—including impressionist exhibitions featuring the memorable works of Monet and Cezanne. They also have long-standing collections that delve into contemporary art and a stunning repertoire of global work.

Boston Common

Address: 139 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111 Website

Boston Common is the start of the Freedom Trail, but it's also just a beautiful place to sprawl out for the day in the summer or fall. On Boston Common, you'll find Frog Pond, a picturesque pool in the warmer months and a delightful skating rink in the winter. The park dates back to 1634 and is considered America's oldest park.

Boston Public Garden

Address: 4 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02111 Website

Next to Boston Common is Boston Public Garden, another prime place to relax on a Saturday in Boston. The artfully landscaped gardens are home to iconic artwork, like the Make Way for Ducklings statues. The garden's centrally located pond is where you'll find the famous Swan Boats for a quintessentially romantic Boston experience.

Address: 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 624-1000 Website

TD Garden is where the Celtics and the Bruins play, which means you have the chance to catch a basketball or hockey game while staying in the heart of the city. (In fact, a big perk of Boston is that three of their four major sports teams play in Boston proper.) Catch the Bruins from October to April (or even May if they make the playoffs) and the Celtics on a similar timeline.

House of Blues

Address: 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston, MA 02215 Website

Certainly the most iconic music venue in Boston, the House of Blues on Lansdowne Street is where you can find A-list musical talent. You'll want to scour Ticketmaster in advance of your trip to see if there are any good shows when you're visiting.

Boston Sailing Center

Address: 54 Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA 02210 Phone: (617) 227-4198 Website

Sailing in Boston Harbor is a delightful way to see the city in the summertime. If you're a proficient sailor, you can rent a boat at Boston Sailing Center, but you can also go out with an instructor for a private sailing lesson.

Charles River Bike Path

There are ample biking and running trails in Boston, including the Minuteman Bikeway, which runs from Cambridge all the way to Bedford, Massachusetts, and Cambridge's Fresh Pond. But one of the best Boston paths is the 24-mile Charles River Bike Path, which runs along both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river passing landmarks from Boston's Museum of Science to Watertown Square, just outside the city.

Trillium Brewing Company

Fancy an outdoor craft beer? Trillium Brewing Company has three prime locations in Boston, one in Fenway with indoor and outdoor space, one near the Seaport district which boasts a great restaurant, and a lively seasonal beer garden near the waterfront.

Best Shopping

Newberry street.

Newbury Street is the most luxurious shopping street in Boston whether you're ready to buy one-of-a-kind pieces at high-end boutiques or you're more of a window shopper. Highlights include Bobbles & Lace for women's clothing and Rothy's Newbury Street for the cult-shoe enthusiasts.

SoWa Vintage Market

Address: 450 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 Website

The South End is known for SoWa Vintage Market, which is quite a trendy shopping scene. You'll find vintage apparel, furniture, a slew of gorgeous old leather goods, and of course, vinyl records galore.

Address: 98 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 722-9200 Website

For those who love a luxurious independent boutique in a charming neighborhood, look no further than Good on Charles Street. You'll find elevated New England home goods, jewelry, and accessories, not to mention a well-curated selection of vintage.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Address: 4 S Market Street, Boston, MA 02109 Website

The Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a shopping epicenter of Boston, situated right in front of Quincy Market and adjacent to North Market and South Market. Faneuil Hall Marketplace is where you'll find everything from souvenir shops to New England home goods to favorite, fashion-forward chain stores. Think of Quincy Market, North Market, South Market, and Faneuil Hall as one expansive shopping area, where you'll find great food, plenty of shopping, and a hefty dose of American history.

The Shops at Prudential Center

Address: 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199 Phone: (617) 236-3100 Website

Have you ever wondered what's actually in the Prudential Center? Well, there's quite a lot going on at the Pru, but many see it as a shopping capital of Boston. With more than 75 stores, including essentials like Saks Fifth Avenue and Canada Goose, and a number of restaurants, it's a lovely place to spend an afternoon on a cold day.

Brattle Book Shop

Address: 9 West Street, Boston, MA 02111 Phone: (617) 542-0210 Website

One of Boston's famous independent book stores is Brattle Book Shop, right off Tremont Street near Boston Common. First opened in 1825, it's "one of America's oldest and largest antiquarian book shops."

Boston Public Market

Address: 100 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113 Website

Boston Public Market, near the Haymarket metro station and Quincy Market, is a popular indoor food market open year-round. It feels like a gourmet indoor farmer's market, where you'll find artisanal, locally sourced goods and delicious prepared foods.

Formaggio Kitchen

Address: 268 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 Phone: (617) 350-6996 Website

For the passionate foodie, Formaggio's Kitchen is a culinary institution with a truly revelatory cheese selection. They started out in Cambridge (where they have two locations), and have now expanded to a Boston location in the South End on Shawmut Avenue—and have even set up a shop in New York City.

Copley Place

Address: 100 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 262-6600 Website

Copley Place, in the Back Bay, is a prime shopping area for legacy brands. The enclosed shopping center has more than 50 high-end boutiques, including coveted names like Louis Vuitton and Burberry.

December Thieves

Address: 51 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (857) 239-9149 Website

Venture to the chic enclave of Beacon Hill—which some might think of as a more intimate version of the Back Bay—and you'll find December Thieves, which offers a "curious and cultivated" selection of clothing, accessories, and home goods. The Beacon Hill boutique fuses luxury comfort, high-fashion, and academia.

Neighborhoods to Know

Back Bay: Often regarded as the ritziest neighborhood in Boston, Back Bay is home to Newbury Street, Copley Square, and the Prudential Center. Come for the classic Boston attractions, stay for the luxury, brick-facade row houses.

Cambridge: Cambridge sits directly across from Boston, with the Charles River separating the two. Cambridge is, of course, home to Harvard University and MIT. Think of it this way: Boston is to Manhattan as Cambridge is to Brooklyn. Known for more than just the ivy leagues, visitors will love poking around Harvard Square during the day, grabbing a cup of coffee from the Peet's featured in Good Will Hunting and picking out a book at The Coop, and checking out the lively scene in Central Square at night.

South End: Tucked just beyond Back Bay and Fenway/Kenmore, the South End is known for its Victorian-style row houses. It's a low-key neighborhood with residential charm, but still offers local shopping and trendy eateries.

North End: The North End is right by the water, across from East Boston, and a short walk from Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. It's the hub of Italian culture in Boston—often called Boston's Little Italy—and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston, home to landmarks like Old North Church and Paul Revere's house.

Seaport: Southeast of downtown, nestled by the Boston waterfront is the chic yet laid-back Seaport neighborhood. The Seaport is a charming area to simply walk along the water and fantasize about living in the high-rises overlooking the harbor.

Fenway/Kenmore: In terms of hanging out in the Room Where It Happens, Fenway/Kenmore tends to be the heart of the action, especially during baseball season. Fenway/Kenmore is home to Fenway Park, the House of Blues, pub-lined Landsdowne Street, and a slew of great restaurants. It's also where you'll find the famous Boston Latin Academy, and is adjacent to the Back Bay and close to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Winter : Expect up to nine days of rain or snow in the winter months, and temperatures dipping into the low 30s. Generally, December to February is cold and snowy—with quite a bit of slush. Spring : You'll still get about eight days of rain per month in the spring, but temperatures will start to rise by April to the mid 50s, and by May can get up to the high 60s. Summer : If you like a warm breeze on summer evenings, you'll love Boston in June, July, and August, when temperatures are in the high 70s and low 80s. Summer is extremely pleasant (and mild compared to the Southeast), though it does get a bit humid. Fall : September temperatures can still be in the 70s during the day, but by October, you can feel dips into the 40s at night. Nonetheless, fall brings mild temperatures and lovely foliage.

The following are average Fahrenheit lows and highs by month. Average annual precipitation 21.14 inches.

January 23 - 37 February 24 - 38 March 31 - 45 April 41 - 56 May 50 - 66 June 59 - 76 July 66 - 82 August 65 - 80 September 58 - 73 October 47 - 62 November 38 - 52 December 29 - 42

Apps to Download

MBTA : Bus, metro, and commuter rail schedules iOS | Android

ParkBoston : A preferred way to pay for parking in most Boston neighborhoods iOS | Android

Uber : Rideshare servicing Boston iOS | Android

Lyft : Rideshare servicing Boston iOS | Android

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Boston Itinerary: How to Spend Five Days in Boston

One of the most historic cities in the United States , Boston is the city I called home for the first 25 years of my life.

More a collection of towns than a metropolis like New York , Boston is a city steeped in history (it contains a lot of historical firsts for the United States and played a pivotal role in its founding), delicious food, wide-open green spaces, first-rate museums, and warm, welcoming people.

Visiting Boston offers all the benefits of a big metropolis without the intensity and fast pace of New York.

Boston is easy to get around and compact, making it perfect for travelers. The subway will take you wherever you need to go.

So how many days do you need to visit Boston?

Most people visit for three to four days, and I think that’s a perfect amount of time. As someone who’s lived there, I can say that, since Boston is so small, you won’t waste a lot of time “in transit,” so you can pack a lot into your days. Obviously, you can spend longer here (slow travel is the best travel), but for the first-time visitor, three to four days is enough.

Here’s a suggested Boston itinerary that will allow you to see the best of Boston:

Table of Contents

Boston Itinerary: Day 1

Boston itinerary: day 2, boston itinerary: day 3, boston itinerary: day 4, boston itinerary: day 5, other things to see and do in boston.

• Boston Common
• Massachusetts State House
• Park Street Church
• Granary Burying Ground
• King’s Chapel Burying Ground
• Benjamin Franklin statue and the former site of Boston Latin School
• Old Corner Bookstore
• Old South Meeting House
• Old State House
• Site of the Boston Massacre
• Faneuil Hall
• Paul Revere House
• Old North Church
• Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
• USS Constitution
• Bunker Hill Monument

You follow a brick road through the city, and there are signs and historical markers all along the way. Given all the walking that’s involved, I would make this the main activity of the day. You’ll want to take your time and see all the sites thoroughly.

You can also take a guided tour from the visitor’s center. Tours run hourly between 11am and 1pm, with additional tours in the afternoon in the spring and summer. Tickets are $17 USD for adults, $15 USD for students and seniors, and $8 USD for children 6-12 (free for kids under 6).

4 S Market St, +1 617-523-1300, faneuilhallmarketplace.com. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm.  

Browse for Books Located a stone’s throw away from the Boston Common, Brattle Book Shop is a family-run used bookstore that dates back to 1825. It’s actually one of the oldest surviving bookstores in the country! It’s home to over 250,000 books, maps, postcards, and other odds and ends. In addition to used books, the store is also home to an impressive collection of first editions and antique books.

9 West Street, +1 617-542-0210, brattlebookshop.com. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5:30pm.

Walk Around the Back Bay This area used to be an actual bay. Before the Europeans arrived, the indigenous population used the tidal bay to catch fish, as the bay drained completely during low tide. When the land was colonized, a dam was built and the tidal bay was eventually filled in, creating the Back Bay area.

The end of the Public Gardens meets Boston’s Back Bay, our version of New York’s SoHo and West Village. This is where Boston’s elite and wealthy live, and nearby Newbury Street is our Madison Avenue, with lots of expensive shopping and high-end eateries. It’s a beautiful space to stroll around, with pretty brownstones and tree-lined streets. You can still see plenty of old Victorian homes in this neighborhood that date back to the 19th century. ( Here’s a list of other neighborhoods worth checking out as well!

You’ll also find the Boston Public Library here. Opened in 1852, it’s one of the largest municipal libraries in the country, home to over 23 million items, with almost 4 million visitors each year.

206 Clarendon St, +1 617-536-0944, trinitychurchboston.org. The church is open for prayer and tours Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sundays 12:15pm-4:30pm. Tours are $10 USD for adults, though it is free to enter for worship.

Head up to the Prudential Tower Head back toward Copley to see the Prudential Tower, colloquially known as “The Pru.” You can actually go up to the top and get a bird’s-eye view of Boston. There are 52 floors in the building, which was built in the 1960s. These days, it’s the second tallest building in the city (the John Hancock Tower is first).

800 Boylston St, +1 617-859-0648, prudentialcenter.com. Open daily from 10am-8pm (10pm in the summer). Admission is $34.99 USD for adults, with discount available for students, seniors, and children.

47 David G. Mugar Way, +1 617-626-1250, hatchshell.com. See the website for an up-to-date list of events.

1 Science Park, +1 617-723-2500, mos.org. Open Saturday-Thursday 9am-5pm and Fridays 9am-9pm. Admission is $29 USD for adults, with discounts available for seniors and children.  

1 Central Wharf, +1 617-973-5200, neaq.org. Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, weekends 9am-6pm. Admission is $34 USD for adults, with discounts available for kids and seniors.

See the Skinny House When you’re in the North End, visit 44 Hull Street. Known as “the Skinny House” (or the Spite House), this incredibly narrow house has a rather interesting history. Built after the Civil War, it was a passion project of Joseph Euestus, who came home from the war to find that his brother had taken over more than half of the inherited land they were meant to share. Joseph decided to build on the remaining land — which his brother thought was too small to build anything on. Joseph went ahead and built a narrow four-story home on the small slice of land to block his brother’s view.

Visit an Art Gallery or Museum Boston has a lot of great galleries and museums, so depending on your interest, you’ll want to check out some (or all) of the galleries and museums below. It will take more than an afternoon to see them all but you can always spread these visits out over a few days!

• Institute of Contemporary Art : If contemporary art is your cup of tea, this is for you. While it’s not my favorite style of art, I have to admit this place does put on some insightful exhibits. 25 Harbor Shore Drive, +1 617-478-3100, icaboston.org.
• Commonwealth Museum : This museum explores the history of Massachusetts. It’s actually really interesting and entirely underrated (especially if you’re a history nerd like me). 220 Morrissey Blvd, +1 617-727-2816, sec.state.ma.us/arc.
• Harvard Museum of Natural History : This natural history museum has exhibitions showcasing dinosaurs, animals, and minerals (including meteorites). It’s a great choice if you’re traveling with kids, though there is plenty of informative content for adults too! 26 Oxford St +1 617-495-3045, hmnh.harvard.edu.
• Harvard University Art Museums : Harvard actually has three art museums – the Fogg Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum. They are home to both modern and historical art exhibitions. See what exhibitions are running by checking their website. harvardartmuseums.org
• Museum of Fine Arts : This museum has an impressive collection of over 450,000 pieces of fine art. It also runs all sorts of art classes throughout the year, both multi-week classes as well as single-day workshops. If you’re looking to learn something new or improve your skills, check out the website for more details. 465 Huntington Avenue, +1 617-267-9300, mfa.org.
• Warren Anatomical Museum : Founded in 1847, this macabre museum is filled with Civil War–era medical tools as well as some unique (and perhaps unsettling) medical mysteries. It’s super weird but super neat. A definite must if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path museum! 10 Shattuck St, +1 617-432-6196, countway.harvard.edu/center-history-medicine/warren-anatomical-museum.
• Boston Tea Party and Ships Museum : This interactive museum is home to some historic ships that have been authentically restored to show you what life was like at sea during the Boston Tea Party. It also has a really informative documentary about the events that led up to the Tea Party and the American Revolution. Best of all, you can actually throw fake crates of tea into the river yourself to see what it was like! 306 Congress St, +1 617-338-1773, bostonteapartyship.com.
• Paul Revere House : Built in 1680, this is actually the oldest building in the entire city (it’s been renovated but it’s still the original building). The museum is filled with the family’s furniture and artifacts, giving you a sense of what life was like in Boston before the Revolution. 19 N Square, +1 617-523-2338, paulreverehouse.org.
• Museum of Bad Art : The name says it all! This is a museum filled with terrible art. The MOBA has rotating exhibits throughout the year, so there is always something new and terrible to behold. If you feel like a laugh, definitely check out this quirky gallery! 55 Davis Square, +1 781-444-6757, museumofbadart.org.
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum This museum is home to an amazing art collection of over 20,000 items, including European, Asian, and American art. Opened in 1903, the museum is made up of a wide-ranging collection of paintings, tapestries, decorative arts, and sculptures. It’s one of the best museums in Boston. Don’t miss it. 25 Evans Way, +1 617-566-1401, gardnermuseum.org.

Harvard University, +1 617-495-1000, harvard.edu/on-campus/visit-harvard/tours.

125 Arborway, +1 617-524-1718, arboretum.harvard.edu. Open daily 7am-7pm. Admission is free.

Take the Sam Adams Brewery Tour After four days of sightseeing, you deserve a beer or five. Luckily, this brewery is located near the Arboretum so it’s easy to visit and a great way to end your day. Sam Adams is a major brewer in Boston, and locals drink it widely and frequently. The brewery offers free tours, starting in mid-afternoon and departing every 45 minutes. You get a few free samples along the way. If you’re under 21, don’t worry. You can still go — you just can’t drink.

30 Germania St, +1 617-368-5080, samueladams.com. Tours are available Monday-Thursday and Saturdays 10am-3pm. On Friday, tours are available between 10am and 5:30pm. Their Sam Signature Experience is 45 min long and costs $10 USD.

4 Yawkey Way, +1 877-733-7699, mlb.com/redsox/ballpark. See the website for an up-to-date schedule.

(The Sox not in season? No worries. We have the Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots. No matter the time of year, you’ll be able to find a game to see!)  

Visit the Children’s Museum If you’re traveling with kids, this is a great place to spend part of your visit. It’s the second oldest children’s museum in the US and has permanent exhibits on health and exercise, construction, space, art, and diversity. It also has a real two-story house from Kyoto, Japan, that teaches kids about life there (it’s actually pretty cool!).

308 Congress Street, +1 617-426-6500, bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Open Wednesday-Sunday 9am-12pm and 1:30pm-4:30pm. On the first Saturday of the month, the museum opens at 10am. Admission is $20 USD for both adults and kids (free for infants under 12 months).

Charlestown Navy Yard, +1 617-426-1812, ussconstitutionmuseum.org. The ship is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm (with extended hours in the summer); the museum is open 10am-6pm (with extended hours in the summer as well). Admission is free, though the museum has a suggested donation of $10-15 USD.

Visit More Museums – With any extra time, visit more museums! There’s plenty of them to see! Try not to skip the big ones!

725 Commonwealth Avenue, +1 617-353-2630, bu.edu/astronomy/community/open-night-observatory/. Viewings are Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm in the autumn and winter and 8:30pm in the spring and summer. Make sure to get there 10 minutes early as they don’t permit entry once it starts.

See the Mapparium – Located in the Mary Baker Eddy Library, this three-story inverted globe serves as a giant map of the world that you can walk into via a glass bridge. It is constructed of over 600 stained-glass panels and shows the world as it looked in 1935.

200 Massachusetts Avenue, +1 617-450-7000, marybakereddylibrary.org. Open daily 10am-5pm. Admission to the Mapparium is $6 USD for adults, with discounts available for students, children, and seniors.

Head to Castle Island – Castle Island is located in South Boston and is famous for Fort Independence. When the fort was no longer needed for defense, it was actually used as the first state prison. The island covers 22 acres and has excellent beaches, as well as some running trails that are popular with the locals. There’s also an area for picnics and you can visit the old fort for free. The place gets pretty busy on the weekends during the summer, and you can often see school groups exploring the fort during the spring.

Relax at the Lawn on D – This massive green space is new to the city (when I was growing up, there was nothing in this area so you would never go there). There are all sorts of free activities happening year-round, from concerts to festivities and everything in between! There’s public seating, free Wi-Fi, art exhibitions, and a few games, like table tennis and bocce. To see what events are happening during your visit, check the website for details.

420 D St, +1 877-393-3393, signatureboston.com/lawn-on-d. Open Monday-Wednesday & Friday-Saturday from 7am-11pm and Thursday & Sunday from 7am-10:30pm (hours may vary for events). Admission is free.

Hike the Blue Hills – This park is a bit out of the way, but it’s definitely worth a visit if you want to get out and stretch your legs. The 7,000-acre park is home to over 100 miles of trails and offers some picturesque viewpoints. There are also plenty of activities to keep you entertained, such as boating, fishing, skiing, and rock climbing (depending on the season). It can get busy in the summer on the weekends, so just be sure to arrive early.

Tour the Custom House – Built in the 17th century, the Custom House is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. In 1915, a tower was added to the building, making it the tallest building in the city at the time. The building is owned by Marriott Hotels now, though you can still take a free tour (by appointment) to go up to the observation deck on the 26th floor.

3 McKinley Square, +1 617-310-6300, marriott.com/hotels/travel/bosch-marriott-vacation-club-pulse-at-custom-house-boston. Tours are free though they are by appointment only.

Boston is a great city (and I’m not just saying that because I grew up there). I’ve never encountered a person who hasn’t liked it. This Boston itinerary will give you a good overview of the city at a relaxing pace. You’ll be moving around a lot, though, so make sure you get an unlimited “T” pass (subway/train pass). If you have more time, you can squeeze in some other activities .

But why rush such a beautiful place?

Take it slow. Mix and match the itinerary to suit your needs but this is how I’d structure my days if I was visiting Boston!

Book Your Trip to Boston: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

For the best hostels, check out this post on the best hostels in the city.

If you want to know the best neighborhoods, here’s my guide to all the best areas in town !

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Boston? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Boston for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » Massachusetts (MA) » 25 Best Things to Do in Boston (MA)

25 Best Things to Do in Boston (MA)

Boston, founded in 1630, is Massachusetts’ capital and also its largest city and, as of 2020, has approximately 684,000 residents. It is famed for the key role it played in the American Revolution as well as being home to many prestigious universities and technical colleges such as Harvard Medical and Business Schools, MIT, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, Tuffs University and University of Massachusetts Amherst to name just a few.

One of the best ways to get a real feel for this interesting city is to explore it by foot, and I have suggested a few walking tours within this guide. Let’s explore some of the best things to do and see in Boston.

1. Museum of Fine Arts

Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is one of North America’s largest, and home to more than 450,000 works of art. The museum is huge, so make sure the family have on their comfortable walking shoes.

The museum’s collection is spectacular, and includes a wonderful array of French Impressionist paintings as well as a magnificent Classical collection, where you can enjoy taking in the plentiful amount of frescos and sculptures from the Villa of the Contrado Bottaro in Pompeii.

There are regular special exhibits too and certainly something for the whole family to enjoy. Plan on making a whole day of it.

2. Boston Public Garden

These charming public gardens were created in 1634 and modified in the Victorian Age, with the assistance of the then newly formed Boston Parks and Recreation Department, introducing over 80 species of plants from both local and varied locations around the city.

Vibrant floral patterns were created using the very new techniques of hybridizing and propagating, eventually leading to the importing of exotic trees and plants. A popular attraction for all the family as you stroll past the famous Swan Boats operated and created over 100 years ago, the lovely lake and fountains, and variety of trees. There are plenty of benches on which to relax, too.

3. Fenway Park Tour

Take the family on a tour of Fenway Park, home to the famous Boston Red Sox. It will make attending future games even more fun. Fenway Park is the oldest ball park in Major League Baseball history and, though relatively small and only able to seat 40,000 spectators, has certain seen plenty of exciting baseball, soccer and hockey action, not to mention political and religious campaigns.

Fenway has hosted the World Series ten times, its inaugural season starting from the 1912 World Series. You will tour the stadium, visitors’ club house, press room, and the seats above the ‘Green Monster’, nickname for the 37’2” high left field wall, popular because it is only 310 feet away from home plate.

4. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

A completely new type of museum, this is where the family can view not only artifacts of historical importance but also enjoy a multi sensory experience.

This floating museum is made up of high tech interactive exhibits, restored tea ships, absorbing documentaries all about this famous event and knowledgeable actors bringing you a sense of how it all happened, with a perfect sense of flair and drama! There is also the opportunity of throwing the tea overboard. A very interesting and enlightening time for all, rounded off with a visit to the café and well stocked gift shop.

Recommended tour: Boston Tea Party: Ships & Museum Interactive Tour

5. John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library

Dedicated to the tragically brief life of John F. Kennedy, this museum and library depicts the famous man’s leadership and legacy, while at the same time illustrating the nature of a President’s office.

The beautiful building was constructed to overlook the President’s beloved Boston, offering a wonderful view of the city skyline as well as an outdoor walkway along the Dorchester Bay.

The museum is full of fascinating artifacts, photos and videos which also include interesting items such as a number of his spouse Jackie’s dresses.

6. Old North Church

This is Boston’s oldest surviving church. Founded in 1722, Old North Church is also the city’s most visited historical site being the location from which the phrase “One if by land, and two if by sea” signal is thought to have been sent, which relates to Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride of April 18, 1775 preceding the American Revolution battles of Lexington and Concord.

Within the church is also a bust of George Washington. A small but interesting historical church which the whole family will enjoy visiting.

7. Boston Brewery Tours

These fun tours offer both a day and evening option, and consist of a super time for the visiting adults of the family. The tours focus on the city’s popular brew/pub scene with the chance to learn all about the mechanics and history of brewing beer, as well as visiting four different Boston breweries.

Enjoy learning all about the making of beer, talk with some brewery owners, participate in either a lunch or dinner (dependent on which tour you have chosen) and the opportunity to sample between 15 to 20 award-winning pilsners, stouts and other beers.

There will be a small amount of walking involved. The tours are also wheelchair accessible.

Related tour : Craft Brewery Beer Tour

8. Yummy Walks

How does a culinary walking tour for all the family that includes plenty of mouth watering goodies sound?

This three and a half hour outing will take you through North End, Boston’s Italian district, stopping at various venues to sample amazing balsamic vinegars, olive oil, pancetta and delicious cheeses, before sitting down to a lunch consisting of ample portions of three different pasta dishes, then continuing on to a pizzeria serving huge slices of wood fired pizza.

Next, enjoy several local artisanal caramels and chocolates. And, if you still have room, a final stop to sample one of the best cannolo that you and your family will have ever tasted.

Website : https://foodtoursboston.com/

9. Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill, a neighborhood of Federal style row houses, is not only a historic part of Boston but also one of the most desirable areas to live in these days! It is worth having a walk around the area to view its brick sidewalks and narrow streets with their prettily decorated lampposts.

As you and your family explore the district passing through Charles Street and Louisbourg Square, home to some of Boston’s most lavish properties, you will understand why it is such a popular spot. There are also some lovely cafes and shops to explore.

10. The Arnold Arboretum

This is a lovely spot for the whole family to enjoy. Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum was designed by American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and is the second largest “link” in the Emerald Necklace, which consists of a 1,100 acre chain of parks that are linked by waterways ad parkways throughout Boston.

The Arboretum consists of trees and shrubs from all over the globe which are all well marked and described. There is a choice to follow the regular pathways or ones which can take you off the paved roads. A fabulous day out and also a super learning experience for all the family. Easily accessible for wheelchair users.

11. The Museum of Science

Together with over 700 interactive exhibits and various live presentations on show throughout the building, the Museum of Science is a Boston landmark. As well as its presentations, it is also home to the Mugar Omni Theater and Charles Hayden Planetarium.

And if that wasn’t enough to keep the kids interested, the museum is also part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and home to over 100 rescued and rehabilitated animals.

The MOS is a perfect learning arena for both adults and kids, even very little ones. There is also a lovely café serving delicious food (though you are allowed to bring your own refreshments).

Included in : Boston CityPASS

12. Quincy Market

One of Boston’s favorites, Quincy Market is located in a historic area constructed in 1824 and named in remembrance of Mayor Josiah Quincy, who had arranged its construction without any debt or tax.

The colorful, always lively market is made up of interesting knick knacks, souvenirs in which to buy your mementos of Boston and a fabulous food hall that has so many delectable culinary items you really will be spoilt for choice.

And if any members of the family enjoy playing chess and other games, there are even tables set up for this during the day. And for all of you “Cheers” fans out there, there is a replica of the famous bar there too.

13. The Printing Office of Edes & Gill

This printing office is a real hidden gem and could easily be missed as it is so small!

Founded in 1713, the Clough House is one of Boston’s oldest surviving brick residences and, walking into the historic building, you and your family are sure to feel as if you have stepped back in time.

Within the printing office are members dressed in colonial attire, happy to demonstrate the mechanics of the printing press, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of free speech and the necessity of communication distribution.

Nearby are two adjoining townhouses, used for social, civic, administrative, and educational and parish programs.

14. Boston Children’s Museum

In 1909, the idea for a children’s museum in Boston was developed when several local science teachers decided it would be a wonderful idea to create a general learning arena. The museum is popular with both locals and visitors, having earned its reputation for never treating children in a condescending manner or taking them less than seriously.

The exhibits within are appealing to kids of a wide age spectrum, including an enormous sculpture in the middle of the first floor where they can safely climb up 3-4 floors. The museum is well run, clean, and safe and with an abundance of hands on activities to keep kids of all ages happily amused.

15. New England Aquarium

Opened in 1969, this aquarium is now a global leader in marine conservation and ocean exploration. It draws more than 1.3 million visitors a year as well as being a primary public education resource.

Its huge multistory level tank is filled with fascinating sea life, with helpful software that is attached to glass viewing panels that enables you and the family to identify its inhabitants. There is lots of fascinating marine life to see, from stingray touching pools to little sharks and from horseshoe crabs to starfish.

The kids will love the star attraction; the penguins and the great amusement they procure when it’s time for their meal.

Book online : New England Aquarium Entry Ticket

16. Skywalk Observatory

For a magnificent view of Boston, take the family to the Skywalk Observatory which is the city’s only sky high vantage point offering a sweeping 360 degree view.

The Observatory is situated in the Prudential Tower (spoken of locally as ‘The Pru’). You can also learn a lot about Boston’s history by listening to one of the available Acoustiguide tours (available in a variety of languages) which details the history of this great city. The kids will love it simply for the view.

You can visit either in the day or the evening, when you will be able to appreciate the glittering night view.

17. Boston Ballet

The Boston Ballet was New England’s first professional repertory ballet company, founded in 1963, and now made up of 69 dancers and 20 nationalities, performing within the historic 2,500 seat Boston Opera House.

Boston Ballet opened the Nervi Festival in Italy in 1979 and was also the first American dance company to perform in the People’s Republic of China.

Famous for its performance of The Nutcracker and voted ‘Best Loved Nutcracker Production in the U.S. in 2009, a visit to one of the ballet’s shows will be a real hit with the ballet lovers of the family.

18. Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop

For a taste of the sweeter side of the Revolution, why not drop into this historic chocolate shop, where you can learn all about the history of chocolate and how it was produced and eater during the American colonial period?

Named after the owner himself, within the shop you and your family will be able to learn all about the chocolate making process by one of the knowledgeable staff, dressed in period clothing, and also have the opportunity to sample either a historically accurate colonial style chocolate drink or a piece of the wonderful confection itself.

19. The Mapparium

This fascinating attraction, built in 1935 by Rand McNally, is made up of a three story tall stained glass globe which is viewed from a 30 foot long bridge through its interior.

The Mapparium was designed so that the countries of the world could be viewed in accurate geographical relationship to each other, hence its design, a mirror image, concave reversal of the Earth, viewed from within.

This is a wonderful learning experience for all the family with the opportunity to view the world as it then was, showing long disused ‘labels’ such as Siam and Italian East Africa.

20. The Paul Revere House

Not only the original colonial home to the American patriot Paul Revere during the time of the American Revolution, but this is also the oldest house in Boston, built about 1680.

Now a museum, this three story house is home to a well preserved interior in which your family will feel as if they were living a piece of famous history itself.

There is plenty of commentary to listen to from the museum’s enthusiast staff and though no pictures are allowed to be taken in the house, there are many mementos to purchase such as Paul Revere reproductions, cards, prints, educational material and books for both adults and kids.

21. RoomEscapers

This is a fabulous team building exercise for all family. RoomEscapers offers 60 minutes of interactive fun in which you can put together your individual talents to solve the clues and puzzles you will be presented with, all based on real events in New England, so you will be benefiting from a fun history lesson as well.

With perfectly thought out clues and rooms designed to ensure you get the most out of them, this really makes for an interesting and invigorating time for everyone. And, should you get stuck at any time, proprietor Jeff is on hand to give you some helpful hints.

22. Franklin Park Zoo

Usually careful about encouraging visits to each and every zoo, I have no hesitation in recommending Franklin Park Zoo to everybody.

The 72 acre zoo’s mission is to inspire people to sustain and protect the natural world by creating engaging experiences that help integrate wildlife and conservation programs.

The zoo is clean and easy to navigate with lots of interesting information about its various residents. This is a lovely outing for all the family; just bear in mind however that during the winter months you might not be seeing all the animals as some of them might be tucked up and cosy, waiting for the warmer weather.

Book online : Franklin Park Zoo Entry Ticket

23. Trident Booksellers & Cafe

This surely has to be the perfect venue to satisfy all the readers and foodies in the family.

Since 1984, this busy and friendly bookseller and café has been providing the Boston community with sustenance for both body and mind.

The café offers delicious food, a generous choice of refreshments from aromatic coffees, teas, to smoothies and fruit juices for the youngsters, and thousands of books from which to take your pick.

As if that wasn’t enough, the cafe also offers free Wi-Fi and an eclectic variety of magazines and cards. A perfect venue to spend time and talk about your Boston vacation!

24. The Paint Bar

The Paint Bar is a fun, well run business where the whole family can enjoy some creative time together.

Each session lasts for two and a half hours, which should be enough time to make your artistic mark. The Paint Bar will supply you with a 16’ x 20’ pre-stretched canvas, brushes, acrylic paint, easels, and apron.

You can either bring your own food and drink or purchase it there, and there is even a BYOB option for family members over 21 years of age. The friendly staff will be happy to guide and advise your family from the first moment they are presented with a blank canvas to step by step, creating a respectable piece of art.

25. Boston Harborwalk

Take a family walk along the Harbor by following the Waterfront Trail which passes along the edge of wharves, piers, beaches and shoreline.

You will discover some very quaint areas as you traverse the city’s many different attractions, while at the same time enjoying some fresh air and exercise. And, if you get a little weary, you can always take a water taxi.

Harborwalk is in the process of expanding and, when fully completed, will extend in total to 46.9 miles from Chelsea Creek to Neponset River.

25 Best Things to Do in Boston (MA):

• Museum of Fine Arts
• Boston Public Garden
• Fenway Park Tour
• Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
• John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library
• Old North Church
• Boston Brewery Tours
• Yummy Walks
• Beacon Hill
• The Arnold Arboretum
• The Museum of Science
• Quincy Market
• The Printing Office of Edes & Gill
• Boston Children's Museum
• New England Aquarium
• Skywalk Observatory
• Boston Ballet
• Captain Jackson's Historic Chocolate Shop
• The Mapparium
• The Paul Revere House
• RoomEscapers
• Franklin Park Zoo
• Trident Booksellers & Cafe
• The Paint Bar
• Boston Harborwalk

• Made by History

When History Tourism Puts Profit Before the Past

I t’s summertime, which calls to mind the perennial question for parents: where can we take the kids on vacation and learn something along the way? That question sustains our nation’s massive heritage tourism industry. Odds are you already have a list full of destinations with fascinating museums and popular historic sites. But it’s not just about kids and vacations. In the buildup to the nation’s 2026 semiquincentennial birthday celebration, planners everywhere are hoping to leverage history tourism to boost their local economies.

Boston’s Freedom Trail —arguably the nation’s most popular American heritage tourism site— appears to offer a prime example for them to follow. The wildly popular self-guided Freedom Trail walking tour, which follows an actual red line drawn on city streets and sidewalks, has been leading tourists to the city’s most iconic historic sites since the 1950s. Think Bunker Hill, Old Ironsides , and the Boston Massacre.

The Freedom Trail’s simplicity makes it effective. For little more than the cost of paint and a few signs, Boston bought itself a national landmark celebrating the birth of America—one that is simultaneously its own destination, map, and tour guide. No devices needed. For some families, the Freedom Trail is an entire vacation.

As a historian of memory , I too was impressed by Boston’s Freedom Trail. But the Freedom Trail, it turns out, wasn’t created by historians. It was actually drawn by a backroom confab of businessmen and real estate developers. In fact, the Freedom Trail succeeds as public history only by making us forget that little about it is actually public.

Boston newspapers first pitched plans for a proto-Freedom Trail in the 1930s. But the idea didn’t catch on until after World War II. By that point, most of the city’s once-massive textile industry had fled to the nonunion South. The Great Depression eroded what remained of the city’s other traditional labor markets. When John Hynes became mayor in 1949, he aimed to revive Boston’s downtown economy by using new federal housing laws that created big incentives for private developers. Their goal: spur growth by replacing “slums” with fun attractions that might lure well-heeled white tourists from out of town. In historic Boston, then, the question was how to make the past profitable.

Read More: The True Meaning of 'Give Me Liberty'

Boston Evening Traveler editor Bill Schofield had an answer. Beginning in March 1951, Schofield used his daily column to resurrect the notion of a Revolutionary walking tour, what he called a “liberty loop.” “THE PEOPLE would like it,” he insisted, and “it would add to the looks of the city.” Schofield framed the trail as a tool to help respectable tourists avoid what he considered to be less-than-respectable aspects of Boston’s Italian North End and the bawdy amusements of adjacent Scollay Square. Schofield noted how pro-development pundits expected that “such a plan would pay dividends almost beyond belief.”

Schofield’s gambit worked. Mayor Hynes called him personally to endorse the idea. Soon the Boston Chamber of Commerce stepped in and, within months, erected 30 painted plywood signs pointing “toward Old Boston’s most famous historical shrines.” Forty thousand visitors walked the trail by 1953, the year that Boston issued new metal trail markers each featuring a gold silhouette of Paul Revere.

In drawing the line, as it were, this coterie of newspapermen, politicians, developers, and businesspeople expressed ideas about history that are hard wired in the Freedom Trail today. These ideas silently filter into how thousands of vacationers learn about American history in Boston every day, just by following that famous red line.

Foremost among those ideas is the notion that doing history is about gathering up only the most important events and putting them in the right order. But what are the most important events? And what is the right order?

What tourists don’t learn in Boston is that the answers to those questions for Schofield and his compatriots had little to do with history and everything to do with turning a profit. Laying out a clear route was essential, they reasoned, not because it made for good history, but because as Schofield opined, doing so would increase the time visitors had “for pleasure and incidentally for spending money” at businesses that would spring up along the trail.

Read More: America Is in Denial About Its British Imperialist Origins

In their minds, it also meant drawing the line carefully away from histories that might confront prosperous white tourists with urban poverty or ethnic and racial difference. They didn’t include a stop at the site of Boston’s famed Liberty Tree, for instance, because it was deemed to be too close to Chinatown. Schofield worried too about insolent street kids, and the problem of suburban tourists being “greeted with mobs of urchins at Paul Revere’s House.” And though Crispus Attucks—the formerly enslaved man celebrated as the first American killed in the Revolution—could just as well have been the trail’s mascot, it’s worth noting that by the 1950s Paul Revere had become a beloved symbol of white entrepreneurial manhood. Mark Bortman, the wealthy plastics magnate who chaired the Chamber of Commerce’s committee on historic places, was a Revere fanatic. He and the other men who drew the line loved seeing Revere on his horse.

They loved it so much, in fact, that they were willing to remove anything or anyone who blocked their view. In his column, Schofield imagined “the whole North End peninsula [with] all the occupied buildings moved out of the way” of its historic buildings. It was precisely the vision that made Boston site to some of the nation’s most notorious instances of postwar demolition and displacement.

Many of the charming pedestrian-only plazas visitors encounter along the trail today, such as the Paul Revere Mall, were once filled with the homes of Boston’s working poor. But the Chamber of Commerce leveraged the trail as a justification for removing people and buildings that did not align with their chosen past.

In places like Boston’s Italian North End, which by the 1950s was known globally for the persecution of Italian Anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti, trail boosters preferred to re-remember in rosy tones the great accomplishments of men immortalized in Longfellow’s famous poem about Revere’s ride.

The good news is that over the years many thoughtful historians had a hand in shaping how the nonprofit organizations that manage most of the Trail’s historic sites recount the Revolution in Boston today. But despite their efforts, the founding misstep of linking history to profit has rendered the trail persistently vulnerable to power.

Read More: How America Keeps Adapting the Story of the Pilgrims at Plymouth to Match the Story We Need to Tell

During the buildup to the nation’s 1976 bicentennial celebration, for instance, Congress insisted that the National Park Service establish a park in Boston, and that it encompass the Freedom Trail sites and the old Charlestown Navy Yard that President Nixon had decommissioned in 1973. The Park Service, which had been studying Boston for decades, refused. How could it possibly sustain such a massive park with public funding? And, besides, lumping the Navy Yard in with the Revolution didn’t make historical sense. But it was no use. Hearings harped on the importance of patriotic tourism and the need to replace 5000 jobs lost with the Navy Yard’s closure. By October 1974, Boston got its National Park.

The Park Service neither owns the Freedom Trail nor has much control over what we encounter there. Instead, it operates what’s called a “partnership park,” wherein decisions about how to do history hinge on delicate negotiations between public and private interests. These negotiations are embedded in power struggles about how we understand our collective past. All this means that buried within the Trail’s own story is a far more complicated account of the American saga than what visitors typically learn at Boston’s Revolutionary hot spots.

What makes the Freedom Trail so powerful is its tendency to obscure its own past. Who on vacation even thinks to ask how the line got there and why it goes where it does? Who argues with a red line?

Ask that question and you discover that the Freedom Trail’s story is really about who is remembered and who isn’t. And this points to why walking the Freedom Trail is only truly a vacation for those who have  benefited from American prosperity in the last century.

So, is it wrong to want Freedom Trails for other American cities hoping to attract history tourists for the 250th birthday of the U.S. and beyond? Certainly not. But what vacationers and planners alike should keep in mind is that it is always dangerous to disregard how history gets made. The big lesson in Boston is that history for profit skews our view of the past in favor of those people who are willing to pay the most for it. Certainly, there are alternatives, but those too get lost when we forget to think about who draws the line.

Seth C. Bruggeman is Professor of History and Director of the Center for Public History at Temple University. He is the author of Lost on the Freedom Trail: The National Park Service and Urban Renewal in Postwar Boston (University of Massachusetts Press, 2022).

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here . Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors .

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Write to Seth C. Bruggeman / Made by History at [email protected]

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Before the boston celtics, payton pritchard was a knockdown shot, share this article.

For most fans of the Boston Celtics , our knowledge of combo guard Payton Pritchard began when then-President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge picked the Oregon standout at No. 26 in the 2020 NBA draft.

But the West Linn native did not become adept at his craft overnight. He was an elite shooter and passer as far back as his time with West Linn High School. There, Pritchard earned 2014 and 2015 Todd Pratt Player of the Year, Oregon Class 6A Player of the Year and 2015 Gatorade Oregon Player of the Year awards.

A knockdown shooter with elite court vision at that level, Fast PP (as he is sometimes called) likely caught the Celtics’ scouts’ eye that far back in his career. Especially Ainge’s, given he, too, is an Oregonian point guard a little short in stature (if not moxie).

Check out the clip of the Celtics’ long-range assassin going ham on opponents in high school to see how long it’s been since Pritchard was a threat on the hardwood for yourself.

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran directs homophobic slur at fan, issues apology

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran issued an apology through the team Sunday night after using a homophobic slur directed toward a fan in the sixth inning of the team's 10-2 loss at Fenway Park.

With Boston trailing the Houston Astros 10-0, a field mic picked up the entire exchange, heard on the NESN broadcast of the game. The fan chided Duran and the All-Star outfielder could be heard yelling the profane, two-word epithet in response.

Duran could face discipline from either the team or Major League Baseball. In 2017, then-Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce was suspended by MLB for two games after directing a similar epithet toward a fan. That same year, the Toronto Blue Jays suspended outfielder Kevin Pillar for two games without pay after directing a homophobic slur toward an opposing pitcher . MLB also suspended New York Yankees infielder Josh Donaldson for one game in 2022 after calling White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson "Jackie."

“During (today's) game, I used a truly horrific word when responding to a fan," Duran said in a statement released to Boston media by the club. "I feel awful knowing how many people I offended and disappointed. I apologize to the entire Red Sox organization, but more importantly to the entire LGBTQ community. Our young fans are supposed to be able to look up to me as a role model, but tonight I fell far short of that responsibility. I will use this opportunity to educate myself and my teammates and to grow as a person.”

Duran, 27, earned All-Star Game MVP honors last month with a go-ahead two-run home run in the American League's victory. He's batting .291 with an .853 OPS and 14 homers, and entered Sunday ranked fifth among AL position players with 5.5 Wins Above Replacement.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

Will Hurricane Debby affect your flight from Logan Airport this week? Delays expected.

Flying out of Boston Logan International Airport this week? You might want to keep Hurricane Debby in mind.

Over the weekend, the tropical storm strengthened into a hurricane, heading for landfall in Florida early Monday morning. According to the National Weather Service , while the eye of the storm is projected to move through Georgia and the Carolinas, its slow-moving pace will cause multiple days of heavy rainfall all along the East Coast, providing significant obstacles for flights.

"Due to Hurricane Debby, flights in and out of the southeastern US may be impacted over the next few days. If planning to travel to this region please check with your airline," Logan Airport posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This past weekend already felt the early effects of Debby, with hundreds of cancellations and delays on both international and domestic flights , as well as numerous diverted flights unexpectedly landing in Boston.

With flights grounded and hotels fully booked for the city's summer tourism, many people are stuck at Logan, and with the hurricane slowly creeping up the coast, it seems that the situation may not improve for days.

How to prepare for Logan delays

If you are flying from Logan this week, expect delays. The specific effects depend on how Hurricane Debby changes as it moves, so the best strategy is to stay updated through weather and airline alerts.

Read Now: Hurricane Debby makes landfall along Florida coast: Live updates

For effected flights, many airlines offer exemption from change or cancellation fees, including Jet Blue and American Airlines. Details about those procedures can be checked with individual airlines.

Watch CBS News

Maps show Tropical Depression Debby's path and forecast

By Emily Mae Czachor

Updated on: August 8, 2024 / 11:38 PM EDT / CBS News

Debby  made landfall for a second time early Thursday as a tropical storm near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, the National Hurricane Center said. It weakened to a tropical depression later in the day and is forecast to move up the East Coast, spreading heavy rain and possible flooding through the mid-Atlantic and Northeast by the weekend.

Debby first made landfall as a  Category 1 hurricane  early Monday on Florida's Big Bend coast. As of 11 p.m. EDT Thursday, it had maximum sustained winds of 30 mph, the Miami-based hurricane center said. Debby's center was about 80 miles northeast of Charlotte, North Carolina, and some 90 miles northwest of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was moving north-northeast at 26 mph. 

The storm's generally sluggish pace means Debby has been lingering for a long time in places it passes over, making flooding risks high across the regions in its path.

As the storm heads toward the Northeast, meteorologists said, Debby would most likely converge with a frontal zone farther up the East Coast — essentially meaning it will cross over an atmospheric threshold and into a different air mass — and become an extratropical cyclone as it dumps rain on places as far north as upstate New York and Vermont.

Tropical cyclone  is an umbrella term that encompasses tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes, which differ based on their strength. An  extratropical cyclone  can be as weak as a tropical depression or as strong as a tropical storm, but unlike tropical cyclones, they are cold at the core and therefore can't quickly grow into a hurricane.

Storm surge forecast 

The map below, updated Thursday morning, showed the highest potential peak storm surge heights, including tides. Forecasters noted that the timing of peak surge and high tide in a given area, and whether they coincide or not, will ultimately determine how destructive the inundation will be.

Heavy rainfall totals dominate the forecast

The hurricane center said Thursday that Debby "is expected to produce an additional 3 to 6 inches of rainfall with locally higher amounts across portions of southeastern North Carolina, leading to maximum storm total amounts as high as 15 inches," the hurricane center said. "Additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches over portions of eastern South Carolina will bring maximum storm total amounts as high as 20 to 25 inches. Considerable flooding is expected across portions of eastern South Carolina and southeast North Carolina through Friday."

"From central North Carolina northward across portions of Virginia, 3 to 7 inches with local amounts to 10 inches, are expected through Friday," forecasters said. "This rainfall will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding, with river flooding possible."

"From portions of Maryland north through Upstate New York and Vermont, 2 to 4 inches, with local amounts to 6 inches, are expected through Friday night," the hurricane center said. "This will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding as well as river flooding."

• South Carolina
• North Carolina
• Tropical Storm
• Gulf of Mexico
• National Hurricane Center

Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She covers breaking news, often focusing on crime and extreme weather. Emily Mae has previously written for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.

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