Wondering what to do in Boston? Well, there is a plethora of things to do. I think Boston is one of the cities that every American should visit. The city has an unparalleled amount of history significant to the formation of the country. It is here where the Revolutionary War started. It is also here where the abolitionist movement formed. Visiting the city won’t be complete until you step your foot at Harvard and tour Fenway Park.
Here is what to do in Boston
Walk the Freedom Trail
You can’t go to Boston and not walk the Freedom Trail. Basically, it’s a must. It’s a unique experience to visit the historic landmarks where the fight for American Independence started. Overall, we spent two days following the Freedom Trail, starting at Boston Common and ending at USS Constitution and Bunker Hill. We took our time exploring Faneuil Hall and the nearby Quincy Market. Not surprisingly, we also enjoyed walking around Boston’s Historic North End and Charlestown. What’s great is that while you’re revisiting the critical events in American history, you’re also exploring wonderful neighborhoods. It is certainly a great way to spend several days in Boston.
Explore Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is one of the most affluent and desirable neighborhoods in Boston. Famous writers like Sylvia Plath and Robert Frost lived here. Also, senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry made this part of town their home. The Federal-style row houses with beautiful wrought iron railings are magnificent. Trees and charming street lights decorate the sidewalks, so it’s truly enjoyable to spend several hours here exploring the neighborhood. It’s a great area to stop for a bite to eat or a drink. We stopped at a wonderful bakery and cafe on Charles Street for a latte and a pastry.
Stroll through the Boston Common and the Public Garden
Boston has an amazing chain of parks and green spaces known as The Emerald Necklace. The Boston Common with the adjacent Public Garden is in the heart of the city while other parks hug multiple neighborhoods. The system of parks was designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted, a famous landscape architect who also planned many parks in Seattle and other cities.
Boston Common dates back to 1634 and is America’s oldest park. Many historical events related to the Revolutionary War and anti- slavery movement during the Civil War took place here. More recently, MLK, John Paul II, and many other famous figures gave speeches here. The park is used today for public gatherings and concerts. It is a great place for families to relax. Similarly, the Boston Public Garden is popular with families. You can take a Swan Boat on the Lagoon and enjoy beautiful views of the park. My favorite spot was right around the dominant equestrian statue of George Washington. The landscaping there is particularly lovely and it’s very pleasant to sit at one of the benches relaxing in the sun.
Stay at Back Bay
Back Bay is a charming residential area with impressive red brick row houses. It’s a wonderful neighborhood to stay in full of restaurants, bars and great shopping. Copley Square is in the heart of Back Bay flanked by the lovely Old South Church, Boston Public Library, and Trinity Church. We greatly enjoyed making this district our home for a week.
Go to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is the oldest ball park in America with a long history. Some of the best baseball players have played here. If you’re in Boston during the baseball season and the Red Sox are in town, definitely go to a game. We bought our tickets several months in advance and got to see the Red Sox playing Philadelphia. The stadium was packed and it was lots of fun. Pre-gaming in one of the nearby bars was great too! A wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
Visit Harvard University and the MIT
One of the 8 Northeast Ivy League Schools, Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The main campus is located in Cambridge, about 3 miles away from Boston. Walking around Harvard Yard, you’ll get a chance to admire the many academic halls, libraries, and churches. The area around the university is full of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. It’s a fun place to come to for happy hour, relax, and soak up the atmosphere.
The MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also in Cambridge, stretches along the Charles River. Although the feel of this campus differs from Harvard’s, it’s equally pleasant to explore it. MIT’s Barker Engineering Library with the Great Dome is absolutely gorgeous. We enjoyed walking inside several halls and looking at the interesting designs.
Learn more about JFK
While most Americans know that President John F. Kennedy is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery, far fewer know that he was born in Brookline, MA. His birthplace and his childhood home are now part of the JFK National Historic Site. You can go on a guided tour of the house as well as explore the neighborhood he grew up in. Boston is also home to JFK’s Presidential Museum and Library. We certainly found the museum interesting and informative. Finally, we also went to Hyannis Port on Cape Cod where the Kennedy family compound is located. You can definitely learn a lot about JFK in Massachusetts.
Boston is an amazing place but so is New England. We were fortunate to have the time to go on a beautiful road trip across this section of the country. You can read more about my adventures here. To read about Acadia National Park, click here.
