Boston
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Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States and played a key role in shaping the nation’s history during the American Revolution. It is Massachusett’s capital and largest city, home to some of the best colleges in the nation and tons of sports fanatics. As an interesting mixture of historical, academic, sporty, and modern, Boston is a must-visit city in New England.
Travel tip #1: Boston looks larger on a map compared to when you’re traversing the city’s streets. It’s easy to navigate and locals are more than happy to help direct you if needed! However, it may be a bit difficult to understand their Boston accents at times, so be prepared.
Places of Interest
Boston Commons: In the center of the city is Boston Commons and the Public Gardens—gorgeous places no matter the time of year. Established in 1634, Boston Commons is one of the oldest public spaces in America. Comparably, the Public Garden was the first public botanical garden in the country, being founded in 1837. The area is a great meeting space due to its central location and has benches sprinkled throughout to relax on.
Newbury Street: A major shopping destination in Boston featuring high-end brands and trendy eateries. This is a fun two-mile-long street to walk along while poking in and out of the different shops. During warmer months, Newbury Street has some excellent food spots that allow you to dine outside and soak up the nice weather.
Boston Public Library: Book-lovers can rejoice at this expansive collection of read-ables in an architecturally stunning spot, but Copley Square is where you’ll find the enormous Central Library buildings. Fun fact: It was one of the first large, free municipal libraries in America and the first to lend books!
Freedom Trail Tour: The 2.5-mile walking tour hits sixteen nationally significant historic sites in about an hour and a half. The Freedom Trail is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the Boston’s roles in shaping American history. You can take the tour yourself or pay for a guided tour.
Downtown Crossing: This pedestrian area in Downtown Boston is a central place for shopping, eating, and working. Mainstream chain stores like Macy’s, Forever 21, Primark, and Gap can be found in Downtown Crossing, as well as a collection of cafes, restaurants, and lunchtime eateries. It’s fairly deserted at night, so be more cautious when walking around after sundown.
New England Aquarium: One of the larger aquariums on the East Coast featuring penguins, sea turtles, and more. It is open year-around, but whale watching tours operate between April and November. Parking can be found in the Harbor Garage structure next to the aquarium along the waterfront or you can park at a MBTA Station and take the T in to save some money. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time or at the ticket booth—adults are just under $28 USD and child admission is about $19 USD.
Urban Renewals: A large and well-organized thrift store in Allston. Cash only and no fitting rooms, so wear clothes you can slip stuff over for try-on purposes. They have discount days, but most of the clothing and shoes aren’t priced too high to begin with.
Somerville Theatre: The Somerville Theatre, located in Davis Square, is a historically significant landmark for the arts. The theatre hosts shows and performances throughout the year, yet it’s roots are in film screenings. In December 2018, I watched “Slutcracker” with my sisters and it was absolutely awesome! Check their website for upcoming shows and events.
Graffiti Alley: Located in Cambridge (the city neighbor to Boston) between 565 and 567 Massachusetts Avenue is Graffiti Alley. Its fundamental purpose is to connect Massachusetts Avenue with a public parking lot, but this colorful and ever-changing alleyway is lined with original street art. It’s a cool place to stop by if you’re in the area.
Travel tip #2: If you’re in town during baseball season, be sure to catch a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Kenmore Square and soak in one of America’s favorite pastimes.
Food
Craft beer: Boston’s craft beer scene is on point and the city features over 100 craft brewers. Some places to sample these beers include: The Lower Depths, Row 34, Stoddard’s Fine Food and Ale, Lulu’s Allston, and Bukowski Tavern, just to name a few.
Sam Adams Brewery: Made with water from Western Massachusetts, Sam Adams has been making lager style beer for over a century. Take a free guided tour of the brewery with a tasting at the end. Afterwards, stop through their bar for a flight of four seven-ounce pours. More information on times can be found here.
Kung Fu Tea: A standard tea chain serving milk tea, smoothies, and boba. I really liked their boba—it was super chewy and fresh! Their milk teas were also quite good. There are multiple locations scattered throughout Boston.
Ogawa Coffee: Japanese coffee artisans from Kyoto. Ogawa Coffee in Boston is their first international store and opened in the downtown area in 2015. It’s a hip space to grab a drink while chatting and relaxing. They offer delicious matcha and coffee options and their food is also pretty decent.
Quincy Market: A little on the expensive side, but a good place to visit for food if you have limited time in Boston. Grab a sourdough bread bowl filled with clam chowder or lobster bisque, nom on some cannolis, or get a coveted lobster roll. Try going before or after peak hours for shorter waiting times and more seating options.
Bruegger’s Bagels: New York-style bagels loaded with anything your heart desires. A fast-paced place to pick up some breakfast and a coffee, but also nice for morning chats with friends. I tried their everything bagel toasted and topped with light cream cheese—really tasty!
Chilacates: If you walk from the local T-Station in Jamaica Plains and follow the signs to Sam Adams Brewery, you’ll pass Chilacates on the way there. This Mexican restaurant has delicious burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and more. Their chicken tinga burrito and papas con chorizo burritos were both phenomenal, as were the fresh made chips and guacamole.
Le’s Vietnamese Restaurant: As an avid noodle lover, this is some of the best pho I’ve had other than Saigon Dish in Southern California! Le’s in Allston has been voted as one of the best eateries in Boston many years in a row. Their chicken pho was really delicious, as were their egg rolls and salty limeade.
Legal Sea Foods: The restaurant chain has incredibly clean and fresh seafood due to their selectivity in choosing what creatures make it to the table. There are multiple locations throughout the city, but the water front location has a nice view during the day.
Bonchon: Known for their Korean-style fried chicken derived from Busan in South Korea, Bonchon in is a great place for groups due to their large portion sizes. Their super crispy soy sauce garlic chicken is delicious, and so are their sides. The tteokbokki is inexpensive and has a lot of extra stuff added in, which may be to your liking or not depending on your preference.
Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe: Although a cash-only spot, your money is definitely worth it here. Their hand-pulled, fresh made noodles are the base for many of their savory dishes. The special flatbread is stuffed with succulent pork while the hot and sour soup is full of flavor. Try their lamb skewers, as well—you won’t be disappointed!
Thinking Cup: Not only the perfect cafe for coffee and sweet treats, but an awesome spot to eat some delicious grilled cheese and other sandwiches. They serve both Stumptown Coffee (hailing from Portland, Oregon) and Third Wave Coffee, making their drinks consistently good.
Trident Booksellers and Cafe: A cafe and a bookstore all in one place—what more is there to love? Trident has quite an extensive menu selection, ranging from breakfast bowls to sandwiches to burgers, even offering beer and wine. It’s a great brunch spot to meet up with friends. I recommend trying their Chocolatino (espresso with steamed chocolate milk), Kale Quinoa Breakfast Bowl (for something lighter), or the Mega Benedict (if you’re leaning toward savory).
Life Alive Organic Cafe: If you’re looking for a space that embodies positive vibes and energy, look no further than Life Alive. Their mission is to make healthy eating possible by providing nutritious food to vitalize all bodies. As a plus, you can get CBD added to any drink.
Travel tip #3: Boston has tons of delicious food options. If you venture outside of touristy areas, you’re more likely to find lower priced meals.
Transportation & Accommodation
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) includes trains and buses that connect the Greater Boston area. The train is typically referred to as the “T” by locals and is widely used to conveniently reach many of the city’s main spots. Ride share services such as Uber and Lyft are commonly used door-to-door options, too.
The T costs a flat-rate of $2.75 USD per ride, but with a CharlieCard each ride is $2.25 USD. CharlieCards are reloadable and can be picked up from various offices near major stations (click here for more information on CharlieCards). If you are planning to exclusively use Boston’s public transportation the day, it may be best to purchase a $12 USD one-day pass for unlimited use of trains and buses. Similarly, seven-day passes can be purchased for $21.25 USD. More information about fares can be found here. You either “tap” on with your CharlieCard, use your CharlieTicket, or pay in cash when you board the train or bus.
Accommodation in Boston tends to vary in price based on location. Back Bay is one of the more expensive areas, but definitely has some beautiful, more traditional options. The North End borders Downtown and the Financial District, making it part of the city’s historic area. If you’re looking to stay near excellent food spots, the South End neighborhood has got you covered. Wherever you choose to stay in Boston, it’s best to stay near a T stop to ensure easy access to public transportation. In addition, the Blue Line Subway runs straight to Boston Logan Airport, so you don’t have to worry too much about airport access within the city limits.
Travel tip #4: Parking a car is challenging and can be expensive in Boston. If you’re visiting, it would be best to park at an MBTA Commuter Station and take the train into the city for the day rather than attempting to find parking within the city itself. Alternatively, find a place to park all day for a flat rate and use public transportation to get around the city from there.
Climate
Boston has four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy while summers are warm and humid. Summers are usually accompanied by frequent thunderstorms while winter winds can make it feel extremely cold. The beginning of spring is still quite chilly, with April and May being a bit warmer. However, rain is common in the spring and may not make the best travel weather. Summer’s warm temperatures are pleasant; July and August are the hottest months of the year. September sees some general cooling, but mid- to late-autumn is the best time to visit Boston, as the weather is typically more mild and predictable. Additionally, you can catch a glimpse at the stunning fall foliage if you visit at this time. Whenever you choose to visit Boston, be sure to check the weather beforehand!