Because Boston is known for its colonial past, it’s hard to miss its most historic landmarks. Check out Paul Revere’s home, walk the famed Freedom Trail, and grab a snack at Quincy Market, which dates back to 1825.

All seasons offer a reason to see Boston’s outdoor beauty, including Boston Common and Boston Public Garden. Soak up the fresh spring blooms or try some ice skating at Frog Pond depending on when you visit.

Boston has tons of gorgeous museums, with the Museum of Fine Arts being one of the most famous. Don’t miss the chance to visit there and the more eclectic and dreamy Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

The city of Boston has a soft spot for families, with many kid-friendly attractions and points of interest. Parents will have a blast learning and sightseeing along with the little ones.

• The Children’s Museum in Fort Point has been a mainstay to Boston for decades, offering permanent and rotating exhibits for all ages.
• Other museums, such as the Science Museum and the New England Aquarium, also welcome children and families of all ages to come and explore their exhibits.
• Visit the Make Way for Ducklings statue in Boston Common to learn about these iconic children’s story characters.
• Faneuil Hall is a fantastic place for lunch for kids, because everyone can choose their favorite meal at the various stands inside the hall.

As soon as you land in Boston, you can take a Freedom Trail tour. This is the best way to get a lay of the land and immerse yourself in the past, as this city is one of the oldest in the country. It begins right downtown at the lively Boston Public Market.

If you consider yourself a sports buff, you can tour the iconic arenas located in Boston, including Fenway Park (for the Red Sox) and TD Garden (home of the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics). If visiting in certain seasons, you can catch live games too of course!

Don’t miss a chance to have some spooky fun in Boston too on a Boston ghost tour. You’ll get a feel for the city’s grim past, from eerie graveyards and tales of witch burnings to stories about the Boston Massacre and seeing old haunted theaters.

As a four-season city, your experience visiting Boston will be a little different every time. There is plenty of holiday spirit in the wintertime and outdoor activities, plus cozy restaurants to stay warm. In the spring, flowers bloom throughout the parks and neighborhoods and lots of festivals start to take place. 

Summer can get very hot, but there’s nearby beaches and air-conditioned museums to beat the heat. It’s usually the busiest time to visit the city. Fall colors come alive via trees and gardens as well, and it’s one of the slower seasons to visit.

Boston has beautiful accommodations from along the harbor to nestled inside historic neighborhoods. Each has its own character, offering a wide option of amenities that highlight the city’s culinary scene and waterside charm.

If you are a sports buff, you might want to stay near North Station or over by Fenway Park to be close to the stadium and games. Theater people can stay in the theater district, which is close to Boston Common for sightseeing too.

There’s some beautiful neighborhoods, like Back Bay and the North End, that offer a more boutique stay in Boston.

Every Memorial Day weekend, the city welcomes Boston Calling, a large outdoor music festival featuring top performing acts of the year. St. Patrick’s Day is also a lively event, especially with the Parade in South Boston aka Southie.

Throughout the year, Little Italy in the North End hosts traditional holidays and feast days for locals and visitors to join in. They include processions, parades, food, and music in the streets.

The holiday season is special in Boston, with lots of yuletide cheer and several outdoor and indoor events. Favorites include the annual Nutcracker ballet, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, and First Night, the country’s oldest celebration of New Year’s Eve.

You can take Boston history on your plate with its unique dishes. Tradition comes alive through the city’s food, especially the catch of the day.

Here are some culinary experiences to savor:

• Fresh seafood can be found at many local hotspots, but the lobster rolls at Saltie Girl are classic and hyper local. 
• For a more upscale experience, tuck into a hearty roll at Row 34, or Neptune Oyster in the North End.
• Speaking of the North End, you can nosh on some homemade pasta at Tony & Elaine’s. 
• Don’t skip the cannolis at Modern Pastry (or its rival, Mike’s Pastry).
• Slide into a booth at Pizzeria Regina, a neighborhood mainstay since 1926.
• You can have a local Sam Adams beer and a side of clam chowder at Boston’s oldest pub, called the Bell in Hand, claiming history back to the late 1700s.

Certainly get your bearings as soon as you arrive in Boston, Unlike Manhattan and other grid-planned cities, Boston has many winding roads and old cobblestone streets to explore (and get wonderfully lost) 

Take a guided walking tour along the Freedom Trail first to embrace Boston’s history. Then stroll through Faneuil Hall and along the harborfront to visit the aquarium. You can grab dinner and drinks in the North End, also known as Little Italy from there.

Save time on other days to visit the many museums, shopping on Newbury Street, touring old churches, or simply sampling dumplings in Chinatown.

It takes some time to get to know this city, so we recommend you spend a minimum of 4-5 days on your first trip to Boston. That should give you time to explore some of the surrounding coastal towns and neighboring cities too.

You could squeeze it into a long weekend if you want to focus on just one aspect of the city, like its top historic sights or sports. And if you’re coming for an event like St. Patrick’s Day, you might visit for only one day — just know that you’ll want to return to stay longer and get the true flavor of the city.

Boston’s main public transport is the MBTA, known colloquially as “the T.” There are four main subway lines and one bus route that goes to the airport. You can take the T to many top areas of Boston or use its extensive bus network as well.

There’s plenty of taxis and ride share programs, and much of downtown is walkable. You can drive in Boston but parking sometimes can be a challenge unless through your hotel.

Newbury Street and all its opulence is synonymous with Boston’s best shopping scene. There’s plenty of boutique stores that offer local wares and high end brands as well.

Another fun area to splurge is the Prudential Center in the Back Bay with more than 60 shops and restaurants. After shopping, you can visit the top of the Prudential Center for panoramic views of the city skyline.