I get at least 5 emails a week from people planning a visit to Boston and asking what I recommend they do, so what better than a post on that topic?! The second post in the “Boston Series” is all about the fun things to do in Boston during the day. There’s a good mix of activities that are free and other things that you have to pay for, but they are all fun! Boston has a little bit of everything – from history to culture to sports we’ve got something for everyone!!
Local Gems
Local Gems
Boston Public Library|| While every major city has a pretty great library, I like to think of ours as part museum, part restaurant and then of course the library. You can enjoy lunch or tea in the cafe portion of the BPL, but my favorite part of the library is the courtyard – it’s a little slice of Europe in the center of the city! They do offer public tours of the rooms which would be a fun way to spend an hour – especially if the weather isn’t as nice.
Charles Street || Hands down my favorite street in Boston!! It’s reminiscent of London with little shops and restaurants lining the street – it’s also home to one of the most photographed streets in America – Acorn Street!
Boston Public Market || This indoor, year-round market place is home to lots of local vendors – from fresh pasta to artisan cheeses to my personal favorite – apple cider donuts – you won’t leave hungry! This is a great place to stop for lunch if you are indecisive on what to eat! Taste test it all!
North End || You simply can’t come to Boston and not visit the North End, which we like to think of as the “Italian” district of Boston! Practically every weekend in the Summer there is some sort of festival and the streets are always bustling with locals! One of my favorite things about strolling through the North End is the older Italian men that sit outside the cafe’s, drink their espresso’s and play chess – it truly feels like Italy! The Old North Church and Paul Revere’s house are all in the North End as well! I’m not sharing any of my favorite dining spots in this post – so you’ll have to come back for that!
SOWA Open Market || The market is open every Saturday and Sunday from April – October and I personally like to go on Sunday’s. It’s grown so much over the last few years – there’s even an entire lot dedicated to food trucks! Local vendors set up shop and you can get some really great unique gifts! Last year we took our friends here and they ended up purchasing a piece of art work to take back to their house!
Hubway Bikes along The Esplanade || Some people really enjoy seeing a city via bike – I’ve just recently become this person π One of the best places to bike is along the Charles River Esplanade. You could even pack a little picnic and set up shop on one of the docks along the esplanade and enjoy all the little sailboats as they go by!
Be A Tourist
Be A Tourist
Public Garden & Boston Common Parks || You can’t and wont be able to miss our two most famous parks! I personally love the Public Garden in the Spring and Summer because all the flowers are in bloom and you can even take a little tour around the pond in a swan boat…yes it’s a tourist trap, but for a few dollars it’s fun!
Freedom Trail || If you’re a history buff, you don’t want to miss out on the freedom trail walk – you can also do it yourself without a guide, but then you’ll have to figure out the history on your own! You can also use the Free Tours by Foot to do the trail on your own.
Tour of Fenway Park || Even if you aren’t a Red Sox fan, touring one of the oldest baseball fields in the United States is beyond cool!! If you have the chance to watch a game, do it and don’t forget to get a hot dog because they are specially made for Fenway Park!! It actually took me 7 years of living in the city to tour Fenway Park and it was a tour well worth the money!
Boston Duck Tours || This is hands down the best way to see the entire city and learn a little history as well. It’s touristy, but I’ve done it at least three times with people that have visited and I always have a great time! You even get a ride in the Charles River!
New England Aquarium || The Aquarium isn’t necessarily something I’d do if I was visiting a city sans kids, but if you are traveling with your family then this is a great activity. There are plenty of exhibits and an IMAX theater as well.
Museums || Being a metropolitan city, there are a lot of museums to visit in Boston if that is something you like to do! My personal favorite is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. There is an incredible courtyard that you could spend an entire day enjoying! Other favorites include the Museum of Fine Art and The Museum of Science – the planetarium is my favorite!
Harvard || I suggest skipping the formal tours and walking around the grounds of Harvard yourself! It’s a public campus and you can walk around as you’d like! The area around Harvard is really cute and there are a few nice restaurants and shops to enjoy! And no, there are no cahhhs parked in the Hahhvahhhd Yahd…please tell me you all read that line with a Boston accent π
Newbury Street || You can’t and shouldn’t come to Boston and not walk down Newbury Street! It’s our shopping heaven! From local stores to high end designer’s – these 8 blocks of shopping and eating are not to be missed!
There’s plenty more to do in Boston, but these just happen to be some of my favorite things!! Some other posts in the series coming up include: breweries (we have quite a few), what to do at night, and favorite dinner spots!
I think you can tell that I’m pretty in love with this city and still get to explore as a tourist pretty frequently – but I especially love when friends and family come to visit because I get to share all my favorites with them! Have you ever been to Boston? Is it on your travel bucket list?
Boston is definitely towards the top of my must see cities! I actually just asked me boss about attending a seminar there, so fingers crossed it works out! When would you say is the best time of year to visit?
Boston is such a gorgeous city! I love that it's got so much variety and so many things to do. And you know I'd definitely want to go to Charles Street and hit up all the shops and restaurants! So fun!
How wonderful to live were there is so much to offer!!! Another great post on your beautiful city for me to book mark for that further trip East!!!! Have a wonderful Wednesday!!
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What a great list!! I'm coming this summer and I haven't been to a few of these places, so I'm definitely going to have to fit them in π
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
I love to visit Boston again – there are so many places to go and see.
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
Every time you post about Boston I want to drop everything & book my ticket! Seriously, you picked the prettiest city to live in and I love how there is so much to do!
Super interesting place to visit π
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This is awesome! I have never been to Boston and Brandon travels here frequently for work, and I'd love to tag along sometimes. Saving this for sure!
I'm so excited how close to the public library we are going to be!! I can't wait to come up and see you!!!!!
I really want to visit Boston and this gave me so many good ideas! I want to do it all!
Boston looks like such a fun and picturesque town!!! Definitely saving this and hitting you up if I'm ever in the area!
This is such a fun post! We got engaged in Boston at Christopher Columbus park as we were doing the Freedom Trail, so Boston will always hold a special place in our hearts! We want to plan a trip back and this gives me so many good ideas. Maybe we should see the city by bike next time!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
Definitely bookmarking this post since we may be heading up there later this year to visit family! Charles Street looks SO charming and gorgeous! Love your travel posts!
Rosy Outlook
Oh these pictures, I love it! My husband has been to Boston many times since he grew up in Maine, but I have yet to visit. I would love to play tourist for a few days!
I most definitely need to make it up to Boston soon! It's high on my list! I havent been since I was little! Love all the beauty and history!
<3 ShannonΒ
Upbeat Soles
Boston currently holds one of the top spots that I plan to visit in the next 5 years. This is such a great guide Biana. I am definitely book marking it with a side note to visit Charles Street!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Ahh man I have GOT to go! That Charles street (or Acorn?) picture is literally speaking to me! Gorgeous! xo
What a great guide, girlie! I've definitely heard that Charles Street and the North End are MUSTS while in Boston. As a blogger, Acorn Street just seems mandatory, right?! Lol! I'll definitely be referencing these posts you've been putting together when we plan our trip, perhaps in the fall or next year. As I mentioned in your previous post, we have some distant family members who live in Boston, so we'd love to make this all apart of our visit and perhaps me you and Gary, too! π Thanks for sharing, beauty, and I hope you have a great day!
Xo,
Jalisa
thestylecontour.com
Such a great list! I need to save this for the next time I go to Boston. Thanks!
~Samantha
goldcoastgirlblog.com
The perfect guide!!
I love all the ideas:D
And the photographs are just perfect!
Wish you a lovely day!
xx
thathappymess.com/
Yes to anything reminiscent of London! I was so bummed we didn't have time for the Duck Tour last time we were in town, definitely on my list for our next visit <3
Green Fashionista
This is a great list of things to do! Boston is SUCH a great city to visit (and live in I'm sure!) We have the Fenway tour on our list for our next visit!
Love that you specified things to do during the day as this differs. Good tips!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
I really need to make Boston a top priority for one of my next trips. I've wanted to go there for forever but still have never been.
This is fabulous! We are hoping to get back up to Boston sooooon!
what a superb post! Your photo of Charles St is just amazing!! I have been to the Boston Public Market and it IS fabulous!! xoxo
You just need to start your own travel / tourist business… you are so good at promoting places
Boston is such a beautiful city! I love your library! I want to visit one day!
Brooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
Boston is so high on my bucket list! I want to go so bad! One of these days we'll get up there!
I want to visit boston so bad! such a cool place!
kelseybang.com
So much to see! I have been wanting to go for ages and need to plan a trip! I will pin this for future reference and to test Gentleman Caller on how many of these he has doe since he used to live there! Thank you for sharing your beautiful city with us!
Ive seen, but never been inside the library. My next trip to Mass I totally have to. Boston sure is a beautiful city!
These are all great ideas! I need to check out SOWA. I love the North End and Newbury St. The Public Market is also great! I need to look into food truck festivals because I know they have them at some point in the year.
Boston never really called me as a place to visit, until I became a reader of your blog. It's definitely creeping higher up on the list too.
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lilyο»Ώ
I did a what I'd do in Philly post a few years ago. I wish every blogger would do one! This is great.
Thanks for sharing! I've never been to Boston but it looks gorgeous!
Beauty & Colour | Vegan Lifestyle Blog
This is such a great list! I am saving it for whenever we vacation in Boston!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
Oh wow you are really making me want to got to Boston. I have been meaning to get here. Your pix are so fun, what a great post.
Allie of
allienyc.com
This is a great guide! I'm hoping to visit next Fall and this will be a wonderful resource!
Charles Street looks gorgeous! I'm glad I got to fit some of these into our trip but clearly not enough based on all your recommendations. I did get amazing history on the harbor cruise and of course the beautiful skyline views. I saw one of the Duck Tour "vehicles" while we were at the port and thought it'd be so fun to ride around init but didn't know it was a true historical tour of the city. Womp womp! There's always next time…
omg what a great list. there really is SO much to do in boston and i mean, it's a big city so of course! i did the duck tour the first time i went π so fun! and the library is something i forget about. yours is gorg!
xoxo cheshire kat
This is a great idea! Perfect for those seeking a day trip or just a day in the city, or even for regulars to be reminded of their great city. Fab list!!
I'm in Boston all the time, but I really need to take a trip their and just be a tourist!
Kisses,
Sarah
EverydayStarlet
The BPL offers free tours on Sunday and it's really good! Also, the JFK Museum is probably my favorite – I take all of my friends when they come. The MFA is free on Wed. Also, Boston University does free astronomy nights on Wed. π OH – and if you're in town, you've got to catch a show. The venues are small here, so there's always a good seat. I wasn't much of a ballet fan until I moved here but I LOVE the Boston Ballet. I know Biana mentioned Old North Church, you can actually go to mass here (it's Episcipalian, I believe) – the service is beautiful as is the church! (I moved here 4 years ago and I'm still trying to check out everything – but these are a few things I've taken my friends to do). Also, Biana has mentioned this a few times, but if you come to visit and don't have a car, then you should take the Commuter rail to one of the towns outside the city – they're SO cute!!
Boston is definitely one of my favorite cities I've visited! The BPL was one of my favorite places– if only it would have been a tad warmer and the courtyard would have been open!
I love this- and absolutely NEED to see Charles Street someday!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Charles Street is one of my favorite spots in Boston – all of Beacon Hill is so gorgeous! I love all of these ideas!
thecourtneydiaries.com
Love this post, Biana! You're such a Boston guru for being a southern girl π I always tell myself I need to go on the duck boats to learn a little more history- I haven't been since I was like 7 haha.
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
I went to Boston when I was young and I remember we stayed in the coolest hotel ever! I remember all the older buildings and history!
There are so many cool things in here and I think it would be worth visiting as an adult!
Denise | Fashion Love Letters
I love love LOVE Boston, and I can't wait to go back there one day with Chris! When I was there with girlfriends we didn't have the chance to do a duck tour, but I really want to next time we visit!
This makes me miss Boston so much. I always read your blog and want to go back there so badly!
Boston is seriously beautiful!Pinning this for when we're able to take a trip!
Zelle | Southern Style
Love all of these recommendations! We actually made it over to Acorn Street on our anniversary trip, but I can't figure out why I was too distracted to take pictures. Maybe I wasn't. I don't know. I need to finish editing those photos to see. LOL
Boston looks wonderful and this post had me wanting to visit! I love Charles Street – that looks like a street or alley from Europe. So beautiful!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Definitely on my list of places to visit!!
So many great suggestions! Personally, my favorite is the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum! xx Leigha
This post totally hits home, Boston native here π You're pictures are simply stunning!!!! You literally took the word right out of my mouth, Charles Street is also my FAVORITE street in all of Boston, it's just beautifully picture-esq! I think you about hit every spot that I would suggest as well!!
xo, JJ
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