Even with simply 2 days in Boston, you may cowl some severe floor and get really feel for town. Learn on for an in depth itinerary for methods to take advantage of out of a weekend keep within the Massachusetts capital.
Few cities within the United States maintain extra historic significance than Boston. When spending a weekend in Boston, you’ll get an perception into town’s storied previous by means of its numerous landmarks.
Throughout my first action-packed go to, moreover getting a historical past lesson, I made positive to get pleasure from the gorgeous surroundings of Boston in its parks and alongside its waterfront. Add in a singular and scrumptious delicacies, and I have already got an extended record of issues to do for my subsequent journey to Boston.
This submit was up to date to incorporate new Boston points of interest and actions for 2023.
Right here’s my itinerary for spending the proper weekend in Boston.
The Good Weekend in Boston
Learn on for methods to spend a fun-filled 2 days in Boston. In addition to historical past and meals, there are many different choices as effectively, from rooting for the house workforce at historic Fenway Park to visiting the library of one of many nation’s most beloved presidents.
Boston can also be house to world-class museums and you can too tour a number of the greatest universities on this planet. And naturally, your tastebuds are in for a deal with whenever you indulge within the metropolis’s well-known seafood. Get excited for some mouthwatering clam chowder and lobster rolls (domestically referred to as chowda and lobsta).
Day 1 in Boston
For the primary day, we’ll concentrate on trying out most of the metropolis’s historic points of interest.
Alongside the way in which, there will probably be a number of alternatives to get pleasure from some window procuring, seize a chew to eat, uncover hidden gems, and calm down with the 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. Luckily I had no hassle discovering a lot of nice native cafes in Boston. Two handy choices are Considering Cup and Tatte Bakery & Cafe.
I selected these cafes on account of their proximity to our first cease of the day — Boston Frequent. It’s been round since 1634, making it the oldest metropolis park in america.
A pleasant stroll within the park is an effective 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 points of interest throughout town. It begins at Boston Frequent and passes by landmarks such because the King’s Chapel and Bunker Hill.
A good way to expertise this vital piece of American historical past is by taking a Freedom Path strolling tour. Those that want 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 dwell GPS in your smartphone for only a few bucks if you happen to simply click on right here.
Most of the sights alongside the Freedom Path are completely free to go to, however a couple of 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 cross if you wish to go to ticketed sights. They’ve a couple of completely different choices and the financial savings are nice if you happen to plan to do a whole lot of sightseeing.
Afternoon
Nonetheless you select to go to the Freedom Path, the proper stopping level is Faneuil Corridor. I think about it a must-do in Boston and it was considered one of my favourite locations to spend a sluggish afternoon.
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 function within the independence motion.
Nowadays, 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 number of the metropolis’s well-known seafood at locations like Depraved Lobsta and Boston Chowda. Go forward and work in your Boston accent when you’re at it.
For a full record of all of the choices at Faneuil Corridor, head over to their web site.
There’s loads of procuring to be carried out right here as effectively if you happen to’re seeking to take house a memento. Don’t depart earlier than taking in a number of the superb road performances that go on all through the day trip entrance.
From right here you’ve a couple of completely different choices. These shifting alongside on the Freedom Path can head to Paul Revere’s home, the USS Structure and at last Bunker Hill. In case you’re motivated, it’s positively doable to deal with the entire path in simply at some point.
For many who aren’t fairly as passionate about historical past, you may head over to Boston Harbor as an alternative. One actually enjoyable choice down right here is hopping on a duck tour.
This has nothing to do with the birds that quack however somewhat with the amphibious car of the identical title. On these excursions, you’ll cruise round by land and sea to absorb 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 many who completed up the Freedom Path, you may simply spend the remainder of your night over there in Bunker Hill/Charlestown. Choices embody the legendary Warren Tavern in addition to the Brewer’s Fork beer backyard.
I hit them each in the identical day, and so they supplied a pleasant style of the historic facet of Boston’s nightlife. Plus the beer was first-rate.
Talking of beer, do you know that beer really performed a big function 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 a couple of frosty mugs of beer.
Hop on this historic pub crawl to go to a number 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 also suggest some beers you could solely get in Boston. Excursions run at both 3 or 7 PM.
Beer lovers might wish to think about including a tour of the legendary Samuel Adams brewery to their itinerary. It’s one of the vital well-known beers within the nation and you’ll soar 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 need to make some selections. Throughout my first go to to Boston, it was on the second morning that I actually needed to think about methods to greatest spend my time.
Sadly, you may’t see all of it in only one weekend! That’s why I’ll current you with a couple of choices for methods to spend day two. What you do will rely totally on the time of 12 months you go to and your pursuits.
Morning
Ease into one other large 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 an enormous meal and maybe a bit little bit of the bubbly, you’ve some selections to make. If you wish to proceed the historical past lesson we began yesterday, you may try the Boston Tea Get together Ships & Museum.
I’ll always remember how a lot enjoyable it was to relive one of the vital vital occasions within the nation’s historical past by dumping packing containers of tea overboard in protest. Tickets value round $30 and you’ll click on right here to e-book them on-line prematurely.
An alternative choice for historical past buffs is the JFK Presidential Library. Be taught all concerning the lifetime of the thirty fifth President of america and Boston native by means of interactive displays that embody an enormous assortment of non-public paperwork. Tickets value $14 and will be booked on their web site.
The Boston space is house to a number of the most prestigious universities on this planet, together with MIT, the College of Massachusetts, and Harvard. Two are named within the high 3 universities on this planet — making them high points of interest in Boston.
You may 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 effectively if you happen to’re so inclined.
It’s additionally doable 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 town, which is house to fashionable Newbury Road.
Filled with historic brownstones, this scenic road has tons of boutique retailers, cafes, eating places, and bars to select from. Click on right here for a rundown of all the varied choices.
I particularly loved some intensive searching in Newbury Comics. Right here you’ll discover a huge assortment of popular culture memorabilia, from comedian books to vinyl data.
Even when there isn’t a sport happening, it’s effectively value it to make the quick journey over to Fenway Park. Dwelling to the storied Boston Crimson Sox baseball workforce, 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 positively 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 prematurely 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 a result of it’s one of many smallest parks with one of the vital profitable groups in current reminiscence, tickets aren’t straightforward to return by.
In case you’re planning a weekend in Boston and the Sox are on the town, it’s greatest to safe your tickets effectively prematurely.
It’s effectively value splurging on good seats to see a sport on this legendary ballpark. Seize some peanuts and Cracker Jacks and root, root, root for the house workforce.
Do you have to strike out on getting tickets or if there isn’t a sport, an alternative choice over right here is the Again Bay Fens park. Get pleasure from 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 understand that not everyone seems to be eager about seeing a baseball stadium whether or not there’s a sport or not.
In case you get stunning summer season climate in your 2 days in Boston, you might wish to spend your afternoon at Fortress Island. It’s house to the historic Fort Independence, which is just open in the summertime. There are free excursions led by volunteers between midday and three:30.
You may as well simply relax and calm down on the scenic Pleasure Bay Seashore. I wager you weren’t anticipating a bit seashore getaway in the midst of your Boston weekend journey! I fell in love with the place in the course of the afternoon I spent enjoyable within the sand.
One other enjoyable choice for a weekend afternoon is that this VIP brewery & beer tasting tour. It consists of 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 number of the best suds within the metropolis and luxuriate in a fantastic buzz for the remainder of your day.
In case you didn’t take the Sam Adams tour on day one and nonetheless wish to go to an enormous brewery, Harpoon is situated proper close to the harbor and likewise runs excursions till 5:30 on Sundays. You may as well simply go to the taproom for some meals and some chilly ones.
Night
It’s been a fairly wild two days in Boston to this point.
You’ve lined a ton of floor in a short while and completed up a whirlwind tour of town. That’s why it’s time to do no matter your coronary heart needs in your final evening on the town.
As an avid dwell music fan, my private suggestion can be to go to a present. Boston has a thriving music scene with venues of all sizes and styles. I at all times test Jambase to see who’s taking part in in a metropolis after I journey.
Maybe you simply wish to relax and have a drink. It’s proper there within the title at Drink – a hip bar that’s “devoted solely to the craft of the cocktail.”
They’re so assured of their drink mixing skills right here that they don’t also have a menu. Drinks are created particularly to your style with the freshest components.
Your weekend in Boston may also come full circle if you happen to head over to twenty first Modification. In case you’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 evening on Sundays, which is a enjoyable technique to finish the Boston weekend.
Weekend in Boston for Foodies (high 5 experiences)
I’m going so as to add an entire part right here for a foodie’s weekend journey to Boston. I discovered some actually enjoyable, extremely rated, and inexpensive food and drinks experiences in Boston you could get pleasure from within the afternoon, or night.
1. North Finish Strolling Meals Tour – Eat your approach by means of Boston’s North Finish (Little Italy) and uncover genuine spots to eat. Pattern meats and cheese within the oldest Italian Salumeria in Boston, go to an Italian bakery, and extra. Discover out extra right here.
2. North Finish Little Italy Pizza Tour – A pizza-forward tour that you simply gained’t wish to miss! In case you’re into sampling a number of the greatest pizzas the North Finish has to supply, this one is for you. Be taught extra right here.
3. Underground Donut Tour – Not solely will you pattern fascinating (and attractive) donuts, however you’ll be strolling and studying concerning the historical past of Boston from the native information. Be taught extra right here.
4. Seafood and Historical past Strolling Tour – Feast on a tasty lobster roll, clam chowder, contemporary oysters, jumbo shrimp, and extra. Benefit from the meals whereas strolling round Boston together with your information and studying the historical past of town. It’s a couple of 2.5-hour expertise. Discover out extra right here.
5. Brewery Tour with Lunch – On this enjoyable brewery tour, you’ll go to cider homes, breweries, and distilleries, whereas sampling drinks in any respect of them. Lunch or dinner is included (relying on which period of day you e-book) in addition to transportation. Be taught extra right here.
Insider’s Suggestions for a Weekend in Boston
I hope you’ve an superior time in Boston with the assistance of this itinerary. I’m positive you’ll have a good higher one if you happen to comply with the following pointers as effectively, all of which served me effectively on my fabulous go to to Boston:
Skip the winter – This itinerary is greatest fitted to the hotter months. It gained’t be almost as satisfying within the typically bitter chilly Boston winter.
Guide early for summer season – Summer time in Boston is nice. There’s little doubt about that. Sox video games, seashore days, out of doors live shows, beer gardens, and extra. You’re not the one one with the brilliant concept to spend a summer season weekend in Boston, although, so e-book early.
Verify the calendar – There are many large occasions happening in Boston all year long. It’s greatest to test the calendar to see what’s happening. If you find yourself there the weekend of a playoff sport or an enormous music pageant, it is likely to be a bit chaotic making an attempt to tug off this itinerary.
Discuss to the locals – This is applicable all over the place you journey, however I really feel like I have to make it some extent right here. I solely spent a weekend in Boston however had a number of nice conversations with locals. They’re obsessed with sharing recommendation and suggestions for his or her metropolis, and plus you get to listen to the superior Boston accent.
Go to a sport – I do know not everyone seems to be eager about sports activities, however this metropolis is extremely captivated with its groups. That is very true of the Crimson Sox. Do your greatest to make it to a sport, or a minimum of crowd into a neighborhood sports activities bar if you happen to can’t snag tickets.
Getting Round Boston
These touring to Boston by airplane will arrive at Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS). It is a main hub with direct flights to all corners of the globe.
It’s situated in East Boston only a few miles from downtown. You will have a couple of completely different choices for methods to get there.
Personal Constitution Bus
GoGo Charters in Boston is an organization that gives a enjoyable and sensible technique to get across the metropolis. In case you’re visiting Boston with a bunch of individuals, why not rent your personal minibus, or full-sized bus to take you round?!
Whether or not you’re touring to Boston for a stagette or stag celebration, a company occasion, a household reunion, or only a enjoyable getaway with a bunch of associates, having a bus is a singular mode of transportation.
See all of the sights in Boston in fashion, and don’t fear about consuming or driving whenever you head out for the evening. Try GoGo Charters and get a free quote.
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 approach to make use of the T irrespective of the place you’re staying in Boston.
In case you’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 Crimson Line as effectively.
It’s additionally doable to take the Blue Line subway, however you must get a shuttle simply to get to the station after which purchase a ticket for $2.75. My vote goes for the free bus experience.
For an in depth have a look at all of the choices, head to the MBTA web site.
By Taxi
Taxis are available as effectively however there’s no flat-rate choice and there are some unscrupulous drivers about. In case you insist on taking one, simply be sure that they use the meter and you’ll comply with the route in your telephone. Anticipate to pay round $20-25 for downtown.
Rideshare
Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft each work from Logan as effectively. Notice that there’s a $3.25 airport payment added to any journeys to or from the airport.
By Prepare and Bus
Boston can also be simply reached by way of prepare or bus. Basically, it’s straightforward 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 may simply journey to or from Boston by prepare from NYC, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.
There are additionally a number of corporations working bus routes, together with Greyhound, BoltBus, and Megabus. I solely have expertise with the latter in Boston however it was nice and low cost. Guide early and it can save you so much in your tickets.
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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 town.
By staying downtown, you may simply use the free airport bus and doubtless simply stroll to your lodging. I don’t find out about you, however I wish to spend extra time exploring and fewer time in site visitors. Boston in 2 days is doable, simply be sure you select lodging in location.
Staying downtown additionally places you proper in the midst 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 straightforward 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 effectively. I stayed downtown throughout my go to there, and I strongly suggest you do to.
Listed below are a couple of completely different choices for the place to remain in downtown Boston:
In order for you these harbor views and don’t thoughts paying a premium for them, you may seek for lodges on the Waterfront as effectively. Again Bay can also be a enjoyable space to remain in for its proximity to Newbury Road and Fenway.
FAQs for a Weekend in Boston
Listed below are solutions to some incessantly requested questions on spending a weekend in Boston.
Completely! With historic landmarks, pure magnificence, wonderful (typically seafood-based) delicacies, and a thriving bar and brewery scene, Boston is an entire lot of enjoyable for a weekend journey.
Filled with points of interest and landmarks, Boston’s compact metropolis heart means you could expertise so much in solely 2 days. From historical past to nature to meals, there’s lots to get pleasure from in Boston on a 2-day journey.
The most effective time to go to Boston is from June to September. Sidewalk cafes are open, baseball season is on, and the chilly of winter hasn’t but set in.
There’s little doubt that Boston is an costly metropolis, although not as costly as NYC, making it different to the Large Apple.
Boston is understood for the Crimson Sox and Fenway Park, the Boston Marathon, high universities (Harvard, MIT, and many others.), vital occasions in American Historical past such because the Boston Tea Get together, iconic seafood dishes, and the bar from Cheers (amongst many different wonderful watering holes).
Get pleasure from Your Weekend Journey to Boston
Whereas 2 days in Boston isn’t actually sufficient time to get beneath the pores and skin of town, it’s definitely a pleasant introduction. I felt like I received really feel for town and had been in Boston for for much longer than only a weekend.
I’m positive 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 lots 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 an enormous 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 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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