Boston is the USA's most walkable history lesson — the cradle of the American Revolution, wrapped around a harbour and threaded with red-brick colonial streets, world-leading universities and a fierce sports culture. Compact, coastal and easy to combine with New England's coast and fall foliage.
- Walk the Freedom Trail through the birthplace of the American Revolution
- Historic, human-scale neighbourhoods — Beacon Hill, the North End, Back Bay
- Harvard and MIT across the river in Cambridge
- A springboard for New England — Cape Cod, the coast and autumn colour
Region: Northeast Best time: May–Jun and Sep–Oct (fall foliage); summer is pleasant; winters are cold and snowy Getting there: Logan International (BOS) is unusually close — a subway or short taxi ride from downtown. Getting around: The 'T' subway and walking cover most of the city; the centre is small enough to explore on foot.
Neighbourhoods
Beacon Hill
Gaslit cobblestone lanes, brick row houses and the golden-domed State House.
North End
Boston's Little Italy — cannoli, red-sauce trattorias and Paul Revere's house.
Back Bay
Elegant brownstones, Newbury Street shopping and the Boston Public Library.
Cambridge
Across the Charles — Harvard Square, MIT and a college-town buzz.
Seaport
Reinvented waterfront with the ICA museum, seafood halls and harbour views.
Things to do
- The Freedom Trail — a 2.5-mile red line linking 16 Revolution-era sites
- Fenway Park — catch a Red Sox game at the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball
- Harvard & MIT — wander Harvard Yard and Cambridge's café-lined squares
- Boston Common & Public Garden — swan boats and America's oldest public park
- Isabella Stewart Gardner & MFA — two superb art museums a short walk apart
- Harbour islands & whale watch — boat out for seals, whales and skyline views in season
A few perfect days
- Day 1Revolution
Walk the Freedom Trail from Boston Common to the North End; cannoli and dinner in Little Italy.
- Day 2Art & Cambridge
Museum of Fine Arts, then the T over to Harvard Square for the afternoon.
- Day 3Harbour & sport
Seaport and the waterfront, then a Red Sox game or a harbour cruise.
Eat & drink
- Clam chowder, lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell
- North End Italian — pasta, then cannoli from Mike's or Modern
- Dunkin' coffee like a local, and Boston cream pie for dessert
National parks & day trips
Where to stay
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