Even with simply 2 days in Boston, you possibly can cowl some critical floor and get a very good really feel for the town. Learn on for an in depth itinerary for how one can take advantage of out of a weekend keep within the Massachusetts capital.
Few cities in the USA maintain extra historic significance than Boston. To say that loads of vital historical past has unfolded here’s a huge understatement.
When spending a weekend in Boston, you’ll get an perception into the town’s storied previous by means of its numerous landmarks.
Along with getting a historical past lesson, you possibly can take within the stunning surroundings of Boston in its parks and alongside its waterfront. Between the Charles River, Boston Harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean, round 1 / 4 of Boston’s space is definitely water.
With two days in Boston, your tastebuds are in for a deal with if you indulge within the metropolis’s well-known seafood. Get excited for some mouthwatering clam chowder and lobster rolls (domestically often called chowda and lobsta).
There are many different choices right here as nicely, from rooting for the house staff at historic Fenway Park to visiting the library of one of many nation’s most beloved presidents.
Boston is residence to world-class museums and you can even tour a few of the greatest universities on the earth.
Right here’s my itinerary for spending the proper weekend in Boston.
Day 1 in Boston
For the primary day, we’ll deal with checking off lots of the metropolis’s historic sights.
Alongside the best way, there might be a number of alternatives to take pleasure in some window procuring, seize a chew to eat, uncover hidden gems, and calm down with a beverage of your alternative.
Morning
Talking of drinks… I don’t find out about you, however I’m fairly ineffective earlier than I’ve had a cup of espresso. Begin off at a neighborhood cafe earlier than a giant day of exploring. A number of handy choices embrace Considering Cup and Tatte Bakery & Cafe.
I selected these cafes as a consequence of their proximity to our first cease of the day — Boston Widespread. It’s been round since 1634, making it the oldest metropolis park in the USA.
A pleasant stroll within the park is a good way to begin off your weekend in Boston. Try the gorgeous Boston Public Backyard or calm down by the Frog Pond for a bit earlier than hitting the Freedom Path.
This 2.5-mile Freedom Path takes you to 16 completely different historic sights throughout the town. It begins at Boston Widespread and passes by landmarks such because the King’s Chapel and Bunker Hill.
An effective way to expertise this vital piece of American historical past is by taking a Freedom Path strolling tour. Those that choose a DIY strategy can click on right here for a PDF map to make your personal strolling tour.
You may get an audio narration and a reside GPS in your smartphone for only a few bucks should you simply click on right here.
Most of the sights alongside the Freedom Path are completely free to go to, however just a few of them require an entrance ticket, such because the Previous State Home Museum and Paul Revere’s home.
It’s value contemplating the Go Boston move if you wish to go to ticketed sights. They’ve just a few completely different choices and the financial savings are nice should you plan to do loads of sightseeing.
For those who take pleasure in extra of a personalised outing, take a look at the choices on Airbnb experiences. There are a number of highly-rated excursions with locals that may make a pleasant addition to your 2 days in Boston itinerary.
Afternoon
Nevertheless you select to go to the Freedom Path, the proper stopping level is Faneuil Corridor.
As soon as upon a time, this was a gathering place for revolutionaries. That’s why it’s known as the “Cradle of Liberty” for its position within the independence motion.
Today, Faneuil Corridor is a big market full of various retailers together with a number of eating places and bars.
There’s no time like the current to strive a few of the metropolis’s well-known seafood at locations like Depraved Lobsta and Boston Chowda. Go forward and work in your Boston accent whilst you’re at it.
For a full listing of all of the choices at Faneuil Corridor, head over to their web site.
There’s loads of procuring to be finished right here as nicely should you’re seeking to take residence a memento. Don’t depart earlier than taking in a few of the wonderful road performances that go on all through the time out entrance.
From right here you have got just a few completely different choices. These transferring alongside on the Freedom Path can head to Paul Revere’s home, the USS Structure and eventually Bunker Hill. For those who’re motivated, it’s undoubtedly attainable to deal with the entire path in simply sooner or later.
For individuals who aren’t fairly as enthusiastic about historical past, you possibly can head over to Boston Harbor as a substitute. One actually enjoyable choice down right here is hopping on a duck tour.
This has nothing to do with the birds that quack however slightly with the amphibious car of the identical identify. On these excursions, you’ll cruise round by land and sea to soak up the views of Boston.
Simply click on right here to study extra about this highly-rated, tremendous enjoyable tour and e-book your tickets.
Night
For individuals who completed up the Freedom Path, you possibly can simply spend the remainder of your night over there in Bunker Hill/Charlestown. Choices embrace the legendary Warren Tavern in addition to the Brewer’s Fork beer backyard.
Talking of beer, do you know that beer truly performed a big position within the historical past of Boston and the nation as an entire?
It was proper right here in Boston’s taverns that revolutionaries like Sam Adams and Paul Revere gathered to share concepts over just a few frosty mugs of beer.
Hop on this historic pub crawl to go to a few of the metropolis’s oldest taverns. Each dates again to the 1800s and a few are even older.
Along with sharing tales, your information may even advocate some beers which you could solely get in Boston. Excursions run at both 3 or 7 PM.
Beer lovers might need to contemplate including a tour of the legendary Samuel Adams brewery to their itinerary. It’s one of the well-known beers within the nation and you may bounce on a tour between 11-5 on Saturdays. Head to their web site to see the choices and e-book your spot.
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Day 2 in Boston
With simply 2 days in Boston, you’re going to must make some decisions.
Sadly, you possibly can’t see all of it in only one weekend! That’s why I’ll current you with just a few choices for how one can spend day two. What you do will rely totally on the time of yr you go to and your pursuits.
Morning
Ease into one other huge day of exploring Boston with a leisurely brunch. Peregrine within the Whitney Lodge is a superb alternative, as is The Emory. Name forward to make a reservation to keep away from disappointment and lengthy waits.
After a giant meal and maybe just a little little bit of the bubbly, you have got some decisions to make. If you wish to proceed the historical past lesson we began yesterday, you possibly can take a look at the Boston Tea Social gathering Ships & Museum.
Right here you have got the prospect to relive one of the vital occasions within the nation’s historical past by dumping containers of tea overboard in protest. Tickets value round $30 and you may click on right here to e-book them on-line upfront.
An alternative choice for historical past buffs is the JFK Presidential Library. Be taught all in regards to the lifetime of the thirty fifth President of the USA and Boston native by means of interactive displays that embrace an enormous assortment of private paperwork. Tickets value $14 and might be booked on their web site.
The Boston space is residence to a few of the most prestigious universities on the earth, together with MIT, the College of Massachusetts, and Harvard. Two of that are named within the prime 3 universities on the earth — making them prime sights in Boston.
You’ll be able to discover the Harvard campus on a strolling tour led by college students. There’s the choice to tack on a go to to the Museum of Pure Historical past as nicely should you’re so inclined.
It’s additionally attainable to make your personal tour of Harvard. Simply click on right here to obtain a free map together with an accompanying audio tour.
Afternoon
Within the afternoon, it’s time to go to the Again Bay space of the town which is residence to fashionable Newbury Avenue.
Filled with historic brownstones, this scenic road has tons of boutique outlets, cafes, eating places, and bars to select from. Click on right here for a rundown of all the varied choices.
One place it is best to undoubtedly take a look at is Newbury Comics. Right here you’ll discover a huge assortment of popular culture memorabilia, from comedian books to vinyl information.
Even when there isn’t a recreation occurring, it’s nicely value it to make the quick journey over to Fenway Park. Dwelling to the storied Boston Purple Sox baseball staff, that is the oldest ballpark within the nation.
Constructed over a century in the past, Fenway is named “America’s most beloved ballpark.” It’s undoubtedly a particular place to go to, and you are able to do so on an hour-long guided tour. These go on sale 30 days upfront and can be found on a first-come, first-serve foundation.
In fact, it’s preferable to go to Fenway Park for an precise ballgame. As one of many smallest parks with one of the profitable groups in current reminiscence, tickets will not be simple to return by.
For those who’re planning a weekend in Boston and the Sox are on the town, it’s greatest to safe your tickets nicely upfront.
It’s nicely value splurging on good seats to see a recreation on this legendary ballpark. Seize some peanuts and Cracker Jacks and root, root, root for the house staff.
Do you have to strike out on getting tickets or if there isn’t a recreation, an alternative choice over right here is the Again Bay Fens park. Take pleasure in a peaceable stroll by means of a World Battle II-era group backyard and a rose backyard. There’s additionally a WWII Memorial and a Japanese Bell right here.
I notice that not everyone seems to be eager about seeing a baseball stadium whether or not there’s a recreation or not.
For those who get stunning summer time climate in your 2 days in Boston, you might need to spend your afternoon at Fortress Hill. It’s residence to the historic Fort Independence, which is just open in the summertime. There are free excursions led by volunteers between midday and three:30.
It’s also possible to simply sit back and calm down on the scenic Pleasure Bay Seashore. I guess you weren’t anticipating just a little seaside getaway in the course of your Boston weekend journey!
One other enjoyable choice for a weekend afternoon is that this VIP brewery & beer tasting tour. It contains stopping at 4 completely different breweries to pattern some tasty craft beers, in addition to a hearty lunch or dinner.
You’ll get to pattern a few of the best suds within the metropolis and revel in a good looking buzz for the remainder of your day.
For those who didn’t take the Sam Adams tour on day one and nonetheless need to go to a giant brewery, Harpoon is positioned proper close to the harbor and likewise runs excursions till 5:30 on Sundays. It’s also possible to simply go to the taproom for some meals and some chilly ones.
Night
It’s been a fairly wild two days in Boston to date.
You’ve coated a ton of floor in a short while and completed up a whirlwind tour of the town. That’s why it’s time to do no matter your coronary heart needs in your final night time on the town.
As an avid reside music fan, my private advice can be to go to a present. Boston has a thriving music scene with venues of all sizes and shapes. I at all times verify Jambase to see who’s enjoying in a metropolis after I journey.
Maybe you simply need to relax and have a drink. It’s proper there within the identify at Drink – a hip bar that’s “devoted completely to the craft of the cocktail.”
They’re so assured of their drink mixing skills right here that they don’t actually have a menu. Drinks are created particularly to your style with the freshest components.
Your weekend in Boston may come full circle should you head over to twenty first Modification. For those who’re not well-versed in US historical past, the twenty first modification repealed the 18th one, formally ending the prohibition of alcohol.
They’ve a trivia night time on Sundays, which is a enjoyable option to finish the Boston weekend.
Weekend in Boston for Foodies (prime 5 experiences)
I’m going so as to add an entire part right here for a foodie’s weekend journey to Boston. There are some actually enjoyable, extremely rated, and reasonably priced foods and drinks experiences which you could take pleasure in within the afternoon, or night.
1. Politically Incorrect Meals Tour – eat your means by means of Boston’s North Finish (Little Italy), with a real native — born and raised. Uncover the genuine spots (no vacationer traps) within the north finish, and revel in plenty of meals, tales, and laughs. Discover out extra right here.
2. North Finish Little Italy Meals Tour – one other Italian tour run by a born and raised native! The distinction between this tour and the one above is the spots you’ll cease at. For those who’re into cheese, pizza, meats, and pastries, this one is for you. Be taught extra right here.
3. Underground Donut Tour – not solely will you pattern fascinating (and engaging) donuts, however you’ll be strolling and studying in regards to the historical past of Boston from the native information. Be taught extra right here.
4. Lobster Roll and Mobster Stroll – feast on a tasty lobster roll, chips and a drink earlier than becoming a member of a strolling tour to find out about Boston’s crime historical past. Together with the strolling tour and lobster roll, it’s a few 3.5-hour expertise. Discover out extra right here.
5. Dumpling Making Social gathering – that is extra of a cooking class and consuming expertise! Be a part of restauranteurs and founders of the Joyce Chen Dumpling Competition and discover ways to make tasty dumplings in a enjoyable setting. Tapas, tea and snacks are included…and dumplings. Be taught extra right here.
Insider’s Suggestions for a Weekend in Boston
I hope you have got an superior time in Boston with the assistance of this itinerary. I’m certain you’ll have a fair higher one should you observe the following tips as nicely:
Skip the winter – This itinerary is greatest fitted to the hotter months. It might not be practically as satisfying within the usually bitter chilly Boston winter.
E book early for summer time – Summer time in Boston is nice. There’s little doubt about that. Sox video games, seaside days, out of doors live shows, beer gardens, and extra. You’re not the one one with the intense thought to spend a summer time weekend in Boston, although, so e-book early.
Test the calendar – There are many huge occasions occurring in Boston all year long. It’s greatest to verify the calendar to see what’s occurring. If you find yourself there the weekend of a playoff recreation or a giant music competition, it could be just a little chaotic making an attempt to drag off this itinerary.
Speak to the locals – This is applicable in all places you journey, however I really feel like I have to make it a degree right here. I solely spent a weekend in Boston however had a number of nice conversations with locals. They’re passionate about sharing recommendation and suggestions for his or her metropolis, plus you get to listen to the superior Boston accent.
Go to a recreation – I do know not everyone seems to be eager about sports activities, however this metropolis is extremely enthusiastic about its groups. That is very true of the Purple Sox. Do your greatest to make it to a recreation, or a minimum of crowd into a neighborhood sports activities bar should you can’t snag tickets.
Attending to Boston
These touring to Boston by aircraft will arrive at Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS). It is a main hub with direct flights to all corners of the globe.
It’s positioned in East Boston only a few miles from downtown. You could have just a few completely different choices for how one can get there. Essentially the most economical and environmentally pleasant is taking the T.
Taking the T (MBTA)
The “T” is brief for the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) and refers back to the metropolis’s environment friendly public transportation system. There’s a means to make use of the T irrespective of the place you’re staying in Boston.
For those who’re staying downtown, the Silver Line bus route will take you to South Station. Better of all, it’s completely free! These staying in different areas can use a free switch to the Purple Line as nicely.
It’s additionally attainable to take the Blue Line subway, however it’s a must to get a shuttle simply to get to the station after which purchase a ticket for $2.75. My vote goes for the free bus trip.
For an in depth take a look at all of the choices, head to the MBTA web site.
By Taxi
Taxis are available as nicely however there’s no flat-rate choice and there are some unscrupulous drivers about. For those who insist on taking one, simply be certain that they use the meter and you may observe the route in your telephone. Count on to pay round $20-25 for downtown.
Rideshare
Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft each work from Logan as nicely. Word that there’s a $3.25 airport payment added to any journeys to or from the airport.
By Practice and Bus
Boston can be simply reached by way of prepare or bus. Normally, it’s simple to maneuver up and down the East Coast and that is very true between the large cities.
Amtrak has a number of routes passing by means of Boston. You’ll be able to simply journey to or from Boston by prepare from NYC, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.
There are additionally a number of firms working bus routes, together with Greyhound, BoltBus, and Megabus. I solely have expertise with the latter in Boston however it was high-quality and low-cost. E book early and it can save you quite a bit in your tickets.
The place to Keep With 2 Days in Boston
Within the curiosity of comfort and luxury, it’s greatest to remain downtown on a Boston weekend journey. Doing so ensures you spend much less time in transit between the airport, which is essential for such a brief journey to the town.
By staying downtown, you possibly can simply use the free airport bus and possibly simply stroll to your lodging. I don’t find out about you, however I need to spend extra time exploring and fewer time in site visitors. Boston in 2 days is doable, simply be sure to select lodging in a very good location.
Staying downtown additionally places you proper in the course of all of the motion. You’re proper there close to the Freedom Path and the Waterfront, which is the place you’ll be spending most of your time.
From right here, it’s additionally simple to entry locations like Harvard and Fenway Park by way of public transportation. There are many nice choices for locations to buy, eat, drink, and keep right here as nicely.
Listed below are just a few completely different choices for the place to remain in downtown Boston:
- Price range: HI Boston (Hostelling Worldwide)
- Mid-Vary: Omni Parker Home
- Luxurious: 4 Seasons Boston
If you need these harbor views and don’t thoughts paying a premium for them, you possibly can seek for resorts on the Waterfront as nicely. Again Bay can be a enjoyable space to remain in for its proximity to Newbury Avenue and Fenway.
I at all times do an Airbnb search of cities as nicely and there are some fairly strong choices in Boston, particularly should you don’t thoughts a room in a shared house. Click on right here to seek for the most effective Airbnb choices in Boston.
Take pleasure in Your Weekend Journey To Boston
Whereas 2 days in Boston isn’t actually sufficient time to get beneath the pores and skin of the town, it’s actually a pleasant introduction.
I’m certain you’ll have the identical thought that I did, and that’s “I’ll simply have to return again and do it once more!” There’s loads to see and do right here to warrant a number of return journeys to this iconic American metropolis.
I personally had an absolute blast with my weekend in Boston, absorbing the historical past on the Freedom Path, digging into a giant ole’ bowl of clam chowda, and cheering for the Sox (which was robust as a Tigers fan, consider me), and extra.
Do you have to come again out of your journey to the town with any wonderful suggestions of your personal, please drop a remark beneath and tell us. I hope you loved this 2 day Boston itinerary.
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