I cannot believe we had not traveled to Boston sooner!  Culture, history, charming architecture, incredible cuisine, friendly people along with loads of beautifully manicured greenspace. All the appeal of a big city getaway but walkable and easily accessible. With so much to do, our 4 days in Boston left me wanting more.

10 Great Things to Do in Boston

1. Walk the Freedom Trail

Brush up on your American history as you walk this 2.5-mile path through downtown Boston highlighting the historic sites significant to the story of the American Revolution. You can download a free map or book an inexpensive guided tour as you explore the historic streets of Beantown.

2. Tour Fenway Park/See a Red Sox Game

Home of the Red Sox since 1912, Fenway park is known as “America’s Most Beloved Park” and is the oldest stadium in major league baseball. Its distinct 37ft high left field wall, nicknamed the Green Monster, is the hallmark of this glorious ballpark.  Take the tour through the stadium, visit the press box, sit atop the Green Monster, and visit the dressing rooms and you will feel baseball history all around you.

Even if you are not a Red Sox fan, a tour of this historic Boston gem is a must. Knowledgeable guides host one-hour tours that will school you in Boston’s baseball traditions as they relate to this iconic stadium.  Visit the Fenway Park tours page on the MLB website for schedule and price information.

3. Visit Quincy Market

If you love markets and fresh foods as much as I do, Quincy Market is a must-visit location while you’re in Boston.  The Quincy Market is a historic marketplace, located in downtown Boston, founded in the early part of the 1800s, and named after the mayor at the time.  The two-story main building and three-story additional building are a designed historic site, and home to many great food and craft vendors.  While there, you may find some of the many buskers and entertainers performing outside of the market, seeking attention and a donation for their fun-filled performances.

4. Take a Walking Tour

Given the relatively small size of the downtown Boston area and its sea-side location, a walking tour of the area is a great way to start your visit.  You can become familiar with many local sites, restaurants, bars, and other attractions while learning about them from a knowledgeable guide.  This is a great way to find a few “off the beaten path” locations to come back and visit further.

On our tour, we stopped at several lesser-known restaurants, passed many of the historically significant buildings and sites, and even visited the Granary Burying Ground cemetery where some of American’s founding fathers were buried.  Combining a walking tour with a food tour is an excellent way to walk and eat your way through Boston.  A great way to kick off your visit and become familiar with the downtown scene.  There are several tour providers in the area, however, we went with the Bites of Boston company in the South End neighborhood and thoroughly enjoyed the route, the knowledgeable guide and all of the sites and bites.

5. Check Out The Boston Museums

Boston’s historical significance and the fact that it is home to Harvard, MIT, and has a rich history with the Kennedy family are just a few of the reasons that it’s so rich with amazing museums.  If you’re interested in science, history, or just the quirky and unusual, be sure to spend some time visiting these treasures.

Harvard Museum of Natural History

With a stated mission to “enhance public understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the human place in it” the HMNH is truly a place worth your time.  The HMNH houses a rich collection of research across a variety of scientific disciplines.  With permanent galleries, historical collections, and temporary exhibits, there is something for everyone.  Visit the HMHN online to get information on current exhibits and hours of operation.

USS Constitution Museum

The USS Constitution is the world’s oldest, still floating, commissioned naval vessel and essentially a floating museum.  This ship was originally commissioned in 1797 and was a notable contributor during the war of 1812 against the British.  It was also nicknamed “Old Ironsides” by crew members due to its ruggedness and success in battle.  The ship itself has been designated as a museum since 1907 and today remains available for you to tour along with the museum building.  If Naval history and its role in US history is interesting to you, a stop of this Downtown Boston museum is a must.  Schedule and price information is available at the museum website.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library

The John F. Kennedy Museum was established in the tradition of libraries to honor past presidents of the United States.  John F. Kennedy with the 35^th president of the US, a Naval veteran, a former Boston mayor, and a New England native who loved the sea and the Boston area.  The museum commemorates JFK’s (as he was known) contributions to the United States of America, including the establishment of the Peace Corps, establishing the NASA vision and “space race” that led to a man on the moon, and his leadership through the Cold War era, which was perhaps one of the most politically tense periods in US history.  Walk-in visitors are welcome and walking tours are available.  Information on hours of operation and admissions prices can be found at the JFK Library and Museum website.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

The Boston Tea Party is arguably one of the most famous protests in American history.  In protest of taxes on tea imposed by the British demonstrators boarded ships in the Boston Harbor and destroyed an entire shipment of tea from China by throwing the tea chests into the harbor waters.  The British retaliated and this is the event that is attributed with starting the American Revolution, which ultimately resulted in the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the United States of America.  The museum provides full-sized sailing ship replicas and a variety of artifacts and audio-visual displays that recount the historic importance of these events in the Boston harbor.  A great companion to a tour through the Freedom Trail, a visit to the Boston Tea Party Museum is a highlight for history buffs and anyone just seeking to learn more about the history in Boston.

The Sports Museum

The New England area, and Boston in particular, is the home of some of professional sports most storied franchises.  The Boston Celtics, the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Bruins, and the New England Patriots each have a long, championship lined history in their respective leagues.  The Boston Marathon, one of the world’s most famous 26-mile races is also celebrated.  Located in the TD Gardens, which is home to both the Bruins and the Celtics, The Sports Museum is filled with memorabilia and displays commemorating and celebrating the character and history of Boston professional sports.  The Sports Museum gives sports fans, young and old alike, a walk through some of the most memorable events in US professional sports history.  Hourly public tours are available during operating hours but are sure to check ahead as the times and schedule can change due to events and construction in the facility.

The Paul Revere House

Paul Revere, a historical figure central to the US revolution and the eventual independence of the United States, was an “express rider” whose job was to carry important messages and documents up to and down the East Coast as far as New York and Philadelphia.  In April 1775, Revere was asked to ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, with news about an impending invasion of British loyalist troops into the Boston area countryside.  Reveres famous “Midnight Ride” began at his humble home, now a museum, and resulted in the successful delivery of his message, despite being intercepted by British troops along the way.  Largely restored and preserved in a near-original state, the Paul Revere House commemorates the events that began with the Midnight Ride and their significance in American History.  Be sure to check out the Paul Revere House website for location operating hours, and tour information before planning a visit.

The Granary Burying Ground

While it might seem an odd location to visit while on vacation, the Granary Burying Ground, located in downtown Boston, is a popular attraction.  This cemetery, which is Boston’s third oldest, is the resting place for several notable figures from the revolutionary American history.  Paul Revere, three signers of the Declaration of Independence (Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Robert Treat Paine), as well as five victims of the Boston Massacre, are found at this location.  Often included in Freedom Trail and other walking tours a quick stop at the Granary provides a notable sense of history related to the founding of the United States.  More information on the Granary and the Freedom Trail is provided by Boston Parks and Recreation.

6. Visit Boston Common

The Boston Common is the central park, located in the downtown Boston district.  The central city greenspace provides a welcome respite from the fast-paced city life typical of the downtown district in many American cities.  With 50 acres of parkland, Boston Common is also home to the Granary Burying Ground, and many walkable areas and outdoor activities year-round.  Softball fields and reflecting ponds in the summer and skating rinks in the winter, Boston Common provides something for everyone, no matter what time of year you visit the city.

7. Have a Drink at the Cheers Bar

Many of us grew up watching Cheers on TV, a very popular television comedy set in a Boston neighborhood tavern.  Located in Beacon Hill, you can visit the tavern, which is the inspiration for the television series set, and belly up to the bar for a cold beer, just like Norm, Frasier, Coach, and the others once did on the show.  Originally known as the Bull & Finch Pub, Cheers Beacon Hill has been selected at the “best neighborhood bar in Boston”.  Once you step inside you will quickly understand why the vibe inspired the television show producers who were looking for “the ideal American bar”.  Be sure to call ahead and inquire about availability because line-ups can be long for the popular attraction.  Check the Beacon Hill Cheers location website for further information.

8. Visit the Harvard Campus

Harvard University, one of America’s oldest and most prestigious higher education schools, was established in 1636.  The Harvard main campus is a beautiful collection of buildings based on traditional New England architectures, located just 3 miles from the downtown Boston area.  The campus also includes a number of museums dedicated to the arts and sciences, as well as the history of the school.  Guided, virtual, and self-guided tours of this historic university campus are available.  Be sure to visit the Harvard University Campus website for information on tour availability and current schedules.

9. Take the Sam Adams Brewery Tour

Sam Adams is the premier brand of the Boston Beer Company, who produces some of New England’s most famous and popular beers.  Sam Adams beer, is based on a Boston Lager recipe that was passed down within the family and perfected in the kitchen of founder Jim Koch.  A visit and tour of the brewery is a fun and fascinating stop for beer lovers and can be capped off with a cold one in the beer garden.  Be sure to visit the Sam Adams Tours webpage for tour availability, reservation details, and other important information.

10. Grab a Cannoli in Little Italy

Cannoli are perhaps one of the best and most popular Italian desserts in the world.  Originally from the Sicily region, these tube-shaped desserts are filled with a sweet and creamy filling made with ricotta cheese.  The “cannoli scene” in Boston’s Italian neighborhoods can be extremely competitive as each chef perfects his own personal variety of these delicious treats.  Take a stroll through the streets, stopping in at a few bakeries and sample the cannoli to decide which is your favorite.  But be careful, they can be addictive.

Must-Visit Neighborhoods

Boston is comprised of 23 individual neighborhoods each with many of its own distinct cultural traditions and cuisines.  The city is very walkable, allowing visitors an opportunity to experience several of these areas without excessive travel.

Beacon Hill

A stroll through the Beacon Hill area will provide you with both a view of a remarkably well cared for the historic area and a good workout.  Located along the riverfront, north of Boston Common, Beacon Hill got its name due to it’s proximity to the Massachusetts State government buildings and has been the home to some of New England’s wealthiest and most influential people.  The residents and merchants in the area do an amazing job of caring for their properties, with well cared for gardens and seasonal decorations often on display.

North End (Little Italy)

If you love Italian food and culture a visit to the North End neighborhood, also known as “Little Italy” is a must.  One of Boston’s most vibrant centers for Italian-American culture and restaurants, the North End has a real European vibe, in the middle of one of America’s most historic cities.  Walk the streets, visit the shops, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, or sample cannoli’s and decide which are your favorites.  A great place to spend an afternoon shopping and then grab a great Italian meal and a glass of wine, the North End is a great stop as you visit Boston.

Back Bay

Home to one of Boston’s upscale shopping areas, the picturesque Back Bay area is filled with the quintessential New England brownstone Victorian apartment facades, which provide a unique and charming vibe.  Home to some of Boston’s most architecturally significant buildings, such as the Boston Public Library, and some of the most expensive real estate in the area, the Back Bay area is a hotbed for trendy and visitors alike.

South End

Very popular with younger families, up and coming professionals and a large LGBTQ community, the South End neighborhood has a vibrant arts scene and blocks of eclectic restaurants that are definitely a draw for anyone that fancies themselves to be a foodie.   Streets lined with brownstones similar to those you might find in the upscale Back Bay area, the views of these beautiful and traditional homes gives this neighborhood a historic and quaint vibe.  In fact, the Boston South End area is the largest Victorian row house district in the country.