Boston Travel Guide
One of America's oldest cities, Boston wears its Revolutionary history on cobbled streets while pulsing with the youthful energy of a hundred universities. Compact and walkable, it blends colonial red-brick, waterfront wharves and diehard sports passion within a short stroll of the harbor.
Boston — Highlights in photos
Top things to do
Freedom Trail
A 2.5-mile red-brick line on the pavement links 16 Revolutionary-era sites from Boston Common to Bunker Hill. Following it is free and self-guided; costumed guide tours are available for about 15 USD.
Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
A historic marketplace turned lively food hall and shopping hub buzzing with street performers. Wandering is free; it is the ideal spot to graze on New England snacks between sights.
Fenway Park
The oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, home of the Red Sox since 1912 and the towering Green Monster wall. Take a guided tour year-round for about 25 USD, or catch a game in season.
Boston Common and Public Garden
America's oldest public park sits beside the elegant Public Garden with its famous Swan Boats. Strolling is free; the pedal-powered Swan Boat rides cost around 5 USD in the warmer months.
Beacon Hill
A postcard-perfect neighborhood of gas lamps, brick row houses and the famously charming Acorn Street. It is free to explore on foot; go early for photos without the crowds.
Harvard Yard and Cambridge
Cross the river to Cambridge to stroll the historic Harvard campus and lively Harvard Square. Student-led campus tours are often free, and the surrounding bookshops and cafes reward lingering.
Museums & entry info
Museum of Fine Arts
One of the most comprehensive art collections in the Americas, from ancient Egypt to Monet and John Singer Sargent. Admission is about 27 USD and includes a return visit within 10 days.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
A Venetian-style palace filled with the founder's personal collection around a lush indoor courtyard, and site of a famous unsolved art heist. Tickets run about 20 USD; anyone named Isabella enters free.
Museum of Science
A family favorite with a lightning show, planetarium and hundreds of hands-on exhibits spanning the Charles River. General admission is around 29 USD; the theater and planetarium are add-ons.
JFK Presidential Library and Museum
A striking waterfront I.M. Pei building chronicling the life and presidency of John F. Kennedy. Admission is roughly 18 USD; check official hours as it closes on some holidays.
Signature experiences
Whale Watching Cruise
Fast catamarans head out to Stellwagen Bank to spot humpback and finback whales feeding offshore. Trips run about 65 USD and last around three hours; the season runs spring through fall.
Red Sox Game at Fenway
Few sports experiences match the roar of Fenway Park with a Fenway Frank in hand. Tickets vary widely from about 30 USD in the bleachers; the atmosphere is electric even for a mid-week game.
Boston Harbor Islands Ferry
Hop a seasonal ferry to car-free islands with beaches, a Civil War fort and hiking trails. The ferry costs roughly 25 USD round-trip, and Georges Island with its Fort Warren is the classic first stop.
North End Food Stroll
Boston's Little Italy is packed with pasta houses, salumerias and dueling pastry shops. Guided food tours run about 70 USD, but a self-guided cannoli crawl between Mike's and Modern is a delicious tradition.
What to eat
Boston's food is defined by the cold North Atlantic and generations of Irish and Italian immigrants. Seafood is the star, and it is at its sweetest and freshest right off the boat.
Fall (September-October) brings crisp air and spectacular New England foliage, while late spring is mild and blooming; winters are cold and snowy but atmospheric.
The MBTA subway, known as the T, is the oldest in the country and reaches most sights, with buses and commuter rail filling the gaps via a CharlieCard. The historic core is small enough that walking is often the fastest option.
Traveler tips
- Wear comfortable shoes; the historic streets and Freedom Trail are best done on foot over uneven cobbles
- Boston drivers are famously aggressive and streets follow no grid, so avoid renting a car downtown
- Book Fenway Park tours and Red Sox tickets ahead, especially on game days when the neighborhood fills up
- Standard restaurant tipping is 18-20 percent, and many bars add it automatically for larger groups
- Layer up in spring and fall, when a warm afternoon can turn into a chilly, windy evening by the harbor