Claudicet Pena is a mami and creative writer based in Boston, Massachusetts. She loves to romanticize her life by exploring new destinations and hidden gems. Claudicet devotes her time to her daughter. Together they cultivate a lifestyle of art and culture. They love exploring the city of Boston and traveling abroad. Claudicet’s favorite destination and home away from home is the Dominican Republic. Claudicet is dedicating her time to experimenting new art techniques and discovering remarkable spots.

Why We Love Boston: Boston is a city that blends rich history with what’s new and modern. There is an endless list of things to do and see in this capital city of Massachusetts. Boston has a collection of renowned museums and a flourishing dining scene. It’s the perfect destination for history buffs, sports fanatics, and marathon runners. It’s also a city for music lovers, foodies, and outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll find endless things to do in Boston from wandering charming streets to learning about history and even whale watching. There’s so much to discover in Boston.

Best of Boston

✨ Things to Do

People watching a game of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park — *Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park*

Boston is home to historic landmarks and activities for all kinds of travelers. The city offers plenty of things to keep visitors and locals occupied.

Freedom Trail – Travel 2.5 miles through the city and learn the story of the American Revolution.
Boston Common – Explore the oldest public park in the United States that was built in 1634.
New England Aquarium – The New England Aquarium has been home to some of the coolest sea creatures for over 50 years.
Museum of Fine Arts – The Museum of Fine Arts features over 100 galleries with artwork from around the globe.
Boston Red Sox Game – Seeing a Boston Red Sox Game at Fenway Park is one of the most iconic things to do in Boston.

👉 Read my full list of things to do in Boston.

🗺️ Where to Stay

Each area in Boston has its own personality, history, and appeal. Here are some excellent options to stay in:

Back Bay – The best place to stay for first-time visitors. Newbury Street is popular and lined with boutiques and art galleries.
Downtown -This modern business district offers colonial architecture and revolutionary landmarks.
Seaport District – The Seaport District is a hub for a trendy dining scene and nonstop development.

👉 Read the complete guide to where to stay.

Cars parked on the side of a street on a residential area in Back Bay — *Residential street in Back Bay*

🛎️ Best Hotels

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View at the lobby of the Verb Hotel — The Lobby of the **Verb Hotel**

Boston’s hotel scene is now better than ever. You will be spoiled with options for planning your next trip.

The Liberty Hotel – A unique, luxury hotel that’s housed in the infamous former Charles Street Jail.
The Newbury Boston – Visitors can’t get enough of their rooftop restaurant–Contessa. It offers some of the best views of Boston Public Garden.
The Verb – A boutique hotel that’s a favorite among music lovers. It’s steps away from the iconic Fenway Park.

🍽️ Restaurants

Boston is a city where foodies will have so much to explore. Here are our top picks spanning multiple cuisines and neighborhoods:

Neptune Oyster – This seafood restaurant has been serving the cozy North End neighborhood for nearly 20 years.
Kava Neo-Taverna – This date-night Greek restaurant has made a name for itself in the South End neighborhood.
Blossom Bar – One of Greater Boston’s top cocktail spots with a strong emphasis on Sichuan cuisine.
Mariel – Mariel is a chic eatery that brings the flavors of Cuba to downtown Boston.
Sportello – A modern diner full of Italian soul. Sportello blends comfort food and sophistication.

🍽️ See the full list of best restaurants in Boston.

One of the meals served in Kava Neo-Taverna — *Keftedes upon tzatziki at Kava Neo-Taverna*

🚗 Day Trips

Clear blue sky over an area in Newburyport — *Historic downtown area of Newburyport*

Cape Cod – A top summer destination from Boston. A Cape Cod day trip consists of beaches, ice cream, and bike rides.
Salem – Salem is the city of history and witches. It’s famous for the 1692 Witch Trials.
White Mountains -The White Mountains offer outdoor activities in the late spring and summer, and foliage in the fall.
Plymouth – Visit the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, a living history museum about the Plymouth Colony.
Newburyport – Newburyport has a scenic waterfront and a lovely downtown area for shopping and dining.

👉 See the full list of our top day trips from Boston.

🏘️ Neighborhoods

View at the Acorn Street in Beacon Hill — *The famous Acorn Street in Beacon Hill (photo: Albert Pego / Shutterstock)*

Back Bay – A classic Boston neighborhood that offers top-tier shopping along its iconic Newbury Street.
Beacon Hill – Beacon Hill is dotted with gas street lamps, Federal-style houses, boutiques, and restaurants.
South End – This neighborhood close to Downtown offers plenty of small parks, gardens, and great restaurants.
North End – A cozy neighborhood known for its Italian-American influence and filled with Italian restaurants, markets, and bakeries.
Seaport District – A neighborhood is full of high-rise buildings, high-end restaurants, shops, startups, and tech companies.

👉 Read the full list of best neighborhoods in Boston.

🍸 Bars

View inside the Yvonne’s in Boston — *The moody library in Yvonne’s.*

Hecate – This underground speakeasy whips up the most stylish drinks.
Yvonne’s – This cocktail lounge is hidden behind a fake hair salon. Sip on some of the most creative drinks in their book-laden library.
Club Cafe – A lively LGBT bar where locals gather for amazing drinks, food, music, and friendly crowds.
Drink – This Seaport bar has no menus or drink lists. Instead, master bartenders craft you a custom cocktail.
Brick & Mortar – Cocktails and bar snacks are done just right at this horseshoe-shaped bar with ample seating.

🏛️ Museums

View at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum — *Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (photo: LnP images / Shutterstock)*

Boston Children’s Museum – This museum has three floors of hands-on experiential learning for children of all ages.
Museum of Fine Arts Boston – The MFA has a vast collection of artwork and artifacts from all around the world.
Museum of Science – One of the world’s largest science centers. It offers a variety of interactive displays in their exhibits.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – Isabella Stewart Gardner’s art collection is permanently displayed for the “education and enjoyment of the public.”
Institute of Contemporary Art – This museum houses contemporary art and an impressive art program.

🕰️ Historic Sites

A statue at the Courtyard in Boston Public Library — *The Courtyard at the Boston Public Library*

Boston Public Library – The first large and free municipal library in America to lend books.
Paul Revere House – One of Boston’s oldest houses and popular landmarks that served as a home to American Patriot, Paul Revere.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace – A former meeting place for empowering speeches during the American Revolution. Today, it’s a lively marketplace.
Trinity Church – One of Boston’s oldest Romanesque-style churches. It houses intricate sculptures and paintings.
Bunker Hill Monument – This monument sits where the Battle of Bunker Hill took place. It offers stunning views and history.

👪 Family Fun

Giraffes wandering at the Franklin Park Zoo — *View of giraffes at the Franklin Park Zoo*

Franklin Park Zoo – Kids can meet a variety of animals at Franklin Park Zoo and explore different environments.
Mapparium – A colorful stained-glass globe that offers kids a different perspective of the world.
Boston Common – Children can pick a horse or sea creature on one of the colorful carousels in Boston Common.
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museums – Kids can recreate the famous Boston Tea Party. They can even dump (fake) tea into the harbor.
Public Open Night at the Observatory – Observe the night sky through telescopes at one of Boston University’s Open Nights to the Public.

🚣‍♀️ Guided Tours

The Boston Duck Tour on the water — *Boston Duck Tour (photo: Andy Sutherland / Shutterstock)*

New England Aquarium Whale Watch – A whale watching excursion to see whales, dolphins, and other marine animals in the area.
Chinatown Tour – Visit sites, stroll through neighborhoods, and enjoy traditional Chinese and Chinese-American tastings at local restaurants.
Boston Duck Tour – This tour takes passengers around Boston and into the Charles River and offers different perspectives of Boston.
Black Heritage Trail – A 1.5-mile trail in Beacon Hill that details the history of the Black community during the American Civil War.
Fenway Park – Baseball fanatics and history buffs will enjoy a tour behind the scenes of America’s oldest baseball stadium.

🍴 Food Halls

The Quincy Market building from the outside — *Quincy Market (photo: Albert Pego / Shutterstock)*

Time Out Market – Time Out is Fenway’s top spot offering 15 different dining and drinking sites.
Quincy Market – The market has been providing visitors dining and drinking destinations for almost 200 years.
High Street Market – The latest addition to Boston’s food hall list. It offers visitors with over 20 drinking and dining options.
Eataly – A 3-floor Italian market that offers 4 full-service restaurants, gelato stands, cafes, and a cooking school.
Bow Market – Bow Market offers 30 individual drinking and dining experiences to the locals of Somerville.

🍺 Breweries

Beer bottles displayed at the Samuel Adams Brewery — *Samuel Adams Brewery (photo: Brett Welcher / Shutterstock)*

Samuel Adams Boston Brewery – A Boston must-visit. Take a tour of the brewing process and be rewarded with samples.
Trillium Brewing – Grab a seat in the garden or on the roof-top terrace. Order an original Trillium brew like Fort Point.
Aeronaut Brewing Company – A farm-to-brewing favorite in Somerville. People happily wait in line to open the brewery.
Notch Brewing – An open-air biergarten that was formerly a horse racing track. The perfect spot for a drink after walking along the Charles River.
Cambridge Brewing Company – Boston area’s oldest brewery restaurant. Order classics brews like the Cambridge Amber and Charles River Porter.

☕ Coffee Shops

A breakfast plate served in Tatte Bakery & Cafe — *Latte and breakfast plate at Tatte Bakery & Cafe*

Tatte Bakery & Cafe – Aesthetic coffee shop with multiple Boston locations. You’ll find classic coffee drinks, delectable pastries, and other food.
Caffe Nero – A family-owned coffee house with Italian-style espresso coffee beverages and freshly baked pastries and sandwiches.
Vester Cafe – European-style cafe with coffee drinks and breakfast items. Perfect for remote workers.
Tradesman Coffee Shop – A coffee shop during the day and lounge at night. The shop also offers Instagram-worthy baked pastries.
Dunkin Donuts – Boston locals have an unconditional love for Dunkin Donuts.

👉 Read the full list of coffee shops in Boston.

🌳 Nature

The author's friend taking a photo at the Boston Public Garden — *My friend capturing the lagoon at the Public Garden*

Charles River Esplanade – Enjoy the beautiful 17-mile stretch along the banks of the Charles River.
Arnold Arboretum – A great place to get away from the bustle. Visitors enjoy a leisurely stroll among the trees and plants.
Public Garden – This public park offers winding paths, impressive gardens, and a swan-boat ride in its lagoon.
Rose Kennedy Greenway – The Rose Kennedy Greenway offers gardens, plazas, and tree-lined promenades.
Blue Hills State Reservation – This State Reservation offers year-round enjoyment with scenic views, varied terrain, and 125 miles of trails.

Boston Travel Advice

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

Over the course of the year, weather in Boston varies. Summers can be hot and humid while winters are very cold and snowy.

🍂 Fall – Fall in Boston promises outdoor fun and crisp, blissful weather and changing foliage.
🌞 Summer – Sunny and warm, or very hot and humid. The cool ocean breeze helps keep weather relatively mild.
❄️ Winter – Boston winters can be rainy, snowy, and icy. But it’s a great time of year for outdoor ice-skating and holiday markets.
🌼 Spring – Boston springs aren’t the warmest. But flowers bloom and plants and trees return to life.

👉 Read the full guide to when to visit Boston.

🚌 Getting Around

Boston is a city that is navigable on foot or on wheels. Here are some tips for getting around Boston:

🚶‍♀️ Walking – Boston’s nickname is “the walking city.” It scored 83 out of 100 on the walkability meter.
🚗 Driving – You don’t need a car to get around Boston. The city is compact, walkable, and accessible to public transportation.
🚇 Public Transit – Boston has great public transportation. The T (MBTA) offers access to Boston’s areas and neighborhoods.
⛴️Ferries – The MBTA operates 3 ferry routes with terminals at Long Wharf, Charlestown Navy Yard, and Logan International Airport.
📲 RideShare – Taking an Uber or Lyft is very common in Boston. Residents prefer to use Uber.
🚴‍♀️ Biking – Boston is a very bike-friendly city. It is one of the best cities for cyclists in terms of infrastructure and public safety.

👉 Tips & Things to Know

🌦️ – Weather is unpredictable – Boston has some of the most unpredictable weather in the Northeast. Pack layers and things like umbrellas.
🚗 – Parking is tough – The street system in Boston is not always parking-friendly. Plan in advance.
🎉 – There’s no late-night partying – Most bars, restaurants, and nightlife venues close around midnight.
🦞 – Try the seafood – Boston is a seafood city. Order the lobster rolls. These are freshly caught and well prepared.
🚬 – Brush up on 420 laws – Recreational marijuana is legal to purchase and possess in Massachusetts. Using marijuana in public is prohibited.

🧳 What to Pack

🚶 – Walking shoes – Explore Boston’s neighborhoods comfortably with a good pair of walking shoes.
🧍‍♂️ – Comfortable clothing – Outfits that blend fashion and function are the ideal style in Boston.
💧 – Water bottle – Stay hydrated by packing a reusable water bottle that can be refilled throughout the day.
☂️ – Umbrella – It is common to see small spurts of rain in Boston, especially during the spring and fall.
🎒 – Day bag – A comfortable backpack or tote bag will help you pack everything you need for a day in Boston.

👉 For more, see my full packing list for Boston.

🤓 Facts & Info

Census Population (2024) – 673,458 (Boston), 5,025,517 (metro area)
Time Zone – Eastern Time (UTC -5 / UTC -4 during daylight savings)
Area Codes – 617, 857
Airports – Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Nickname – Beantown, The Hub
Demonynm – Bostonian
State – Massachusetts
Country – United States of America

💵 Costs & Budgeting

3 Star Hotel Room – $175/night
1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $95/night
Rental Car – $35/day
Public Transit Ticket – ~$2.50/fare
RideShare from Downtown to Airport – $35
Take Out Meal for Two – $25-$40
Sit Down Dinner for Two – $80-$150
Draft Beer – $8-$14

FAQs About Visiting Boston

Is Boston safe for tourists?

Overall, Boston is safe to visit. As always, be mindful of your surroundings and practice basic safety precautions.

What is the best month to go to Boston?

The best month to go to Boston is June if you visit in the spring. October is the best month if you visit in the fall. These months bring enjoyable weather and fewer tourist crowds.

What is Boston famous for?

Boston is famous for its historic charm and variety of historic sites. It is one of the oldest cities in the United States.

Is Boston a walkable city?

Boston is the third most walkable city in the United States. After all, Boston is nicknamed “the Walking City.”

Meet Our Boston Travel Expert

Claudicet Pena

👉 Read Claudicet’s Articles

📰 Boston Travel Guides

Check out our other guides to Boston. These guides will prove helpful when planning your next visit.

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