Even with simply 2 days in Boston, you’ll be able to cowl some critical floor and get a great really feel for the 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 the town’s storied previous by means of its numerous landmarks.
Throughout my first action-packed go to, apart from getting a historical past lesson, I made certain 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 a protracted checklist 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 Excellent Weekend in Boston
Learn on for methods to spend a fun-filled 2 days in Boston. Apart from historical past and meals, there are many different choices as nicely, from rooting for the house crew at historic Fenway Park to visiting the library of one of many nation’s most beloved presidents.
Boston can also be dwelling to world-class museums and you too can tour a few of the finest universities on the 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 testing lots of the metropolis’s historic points of interest.
Alongside the way in which, there might be a number of alternatives to get pleasure from some window purchasing, seize a chunk to eat, uncover hidden gems, and loosen up with the beverage of your selection.
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. Happily I had no bother discovering numerous nice native cafes in Boston. Two handy choices are Pondering Cup and Tatte Bakery & Cafe.
I selected these cafes resulting from their proximity to our first cease of the day — Boston Frequent. 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 start out off your weekend in Boston. Take a look at the gorgeous Boston Public Backyard or loosen up by the Frog Pond for a bit earlier than hitting the Freedom Path.
This 2.5-mile Freedom Path takes you to 16 totally different historic points of interest throughout the town. It begins at Boston Frequent 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 want a DIY method can click on right here for a PDF map to make your individual strolling tour.
You will get an audio narration and a dwell GPS in your smartphone for only a few bucks in the event 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 Outdated State Home Museum and Paul Revere’s home.
It’s price contemplating the Go Boston move if you wish to go to ticketed sights. They’ve just a few totally different choices and the financial savings are nice in the event you plan to do plenty of sightseeing.
Afternoon
Nonetheless you select to go to the Freedom Path, the proper stopping level is Faneuil Corridor. I take into account it a must-do in Boston and it was certainly one of my favourite locations to spend a gradual 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 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 attempt 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 checklist of all of the choices at Faneuil Corridor, head over to their web site.
There’s loads of purchasing to be achieved right here as nicely in the event you’re seeking to take dwelling a memento. Don’t depart earlier than taking in a few of the superb avenue performances that go on all through the time out entrance.
From right here you could have just a few totally different choices. These transferring alongside on the Freedom Path can head to Paul Revere’s home, the USS Structure and eventually Bunker Hill. In case you’re motivated, it’s positively attainable to deal with the entire path in simply someday.
For individuals who aren’t fairly as passionate about historical past, you’ll be able to 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 slightly with the amphibious automobile 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 be taught extra about this highly-rated, tremendous enjoyable tour and e-book your tickets.
Night
For individuals who completed up the Freedom Path, you’ll be able to 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.
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 truly performed a big position within the historical past of Boston and the nation as a complete?
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. Every one dates again to the 1800s and a few are even older.
Along with sharing tales, your information can even suggest some beers you can solely get in Boston. Excursions run at both 3 or 7 PM.
Beer lovers might wish to take into account 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 leap 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 take into account methods to finest spend my time.
Sadly, you’ll be able to’t see all of it in only one weekend! That’s why I’ll current you with just a few choices for methods to 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 massive day of exploring Boston with a leisurely brunch. Peregrine within the Whitney Resort is a wonderful selection, as is The Emory. Name forward to make a reservation to keep away from disappointment and lengthy waits.
After an enormous meal and maybe slightly little bit of the bubbly, you could have some selections to make. If you wish to proceed the historical past lesson we began yesterday, you’ll be able to take a look at the Boston Tea Occasion Ships & Museum.
I’ll always remember how a lot enjoyable it was to relive one of the vital occasions within the nation’s historical past by dumping packing containers of tea overboard in protest. Tickets price round $30 and you may click on right here to e-book them on-line upfront.
Another choice for historical past buffs is the JFK Presidential Library. Study all in regards to the lifetime of the thirty fifth President of the USA and Boston native by means of interactive reveals that embrace an unlimited assortment of non-public paperwork. Tickets price $14 and will be booked on their web site.
The Boston space is dwelling to a few of the most prestigious universities on the planet, together with MIT, the College of Massachusetts, and Harvard. Two are named within the high 3 universities on the 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 nicely in the event you’re so inclined.
It’s additionally attainable to make your individual 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 move to the Again Bay space of the town, which is dwelling to fashionable Newbury Avenue.
Stuffed with historic brownstones, this scenic avenue 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 in depth looking 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 recreation occurring, it’s nicely price it to make the brief journey over to Fenway Park. Residence to the storied Boston Pink Sox baseball crew, that is the oldest ballpark within the nation.
Constructed over a century in the past, Fenway is called “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 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 a result of it’s one of many smallest parks with one of the profitable groups in latest 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 finest to safe your tickets nicely upfront.
It’s nicely price 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 crew.
Do you have to strike out on getting tickets or if there isn’t a recreation, another choice over right here is the Again Bay Fens park. Get pleasure from a peaceable stroll by means of a World Struggle 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 serious about seeing a baseball stadium whether or not there’s a recreation or not.
In case you get stunning summer time climate in your 2 days in Boston, you might wish to spend your afternoon at Fortress Island. It’s dwelling to the historic Fort Independence, which is simply open in the summertime. There are free excursions led by volunteers between midday and three:30.
You can too simply sit back and loosen up on the scenic Pleasure Bay Seashore. I guess you weren’t anticipating slightly seaside getaway in the midst of your Boston weekend journey! I fell in love with the place in the course of the afternoon I spent stress-free 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 totally 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 ravishing 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 positioned proper close to the harbor and in addition runs excursions till 5:30 on Sundays. You can too simply go to the taproom for some meals and some chilly ones.
Night
It’s been a fairly wild two days in Boston thus far.
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 wishes in your final night time on the town.
As an avid dwell music fan, my private suggestion can be to move to a present. Boston has a thriving music scene with venues of all styles and sizes. I at all times test Jambase to see who’s enjoying 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 talents right here that they don’t also have a menu. Drinks are created particularly in your style with the freshest components.
Your weekend in Boston may come full circle in the event you 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 night time on Sundays, which is a enjoyable method to finish the Boston weekend.
Weekend in Boston for Foodies (high 5 experiences)
I’m going so as to add a complete part right here for a foodie’s weekend journey to Boston. I discovered some actually enjoyable, extremely rated, and reasonably priced food and drinks experiences in Boston you can get pleasure from within the afternoon, or night.
1. North Finish Strolling Meals Tour – Eat your means 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 just received’t wish to miss! In case you’re into sampling a few of the finest pizzas the North Finish has to supply, this one is for you. Study extra right here.
3. Underground Donut Tour – Not solely will you pattern fascinating (and attractive) donuts, however you’ll be strolling and studying in regards to the historical past of Boston from the native information. Study 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 along with your information and studying the historical past of the 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. Study extra right here.
Insider’s Suggestions for a Weekend in Boston
I hope you could have an superior time in Boston with the assistance of this itinerary. I’m certain you’ll have an excellent higher one in the event you comply with the following tips as nicely, all of which served me nicely on my fabulous go to to Boston:
Skip the winter – This itinerary is finest suited to the hotter months. It received’t be practically as fulfilling within the usually bitter chilly Boston winter.
Guide early for summer time – Summer season in Boston is nice. There’s little doubt about that. Sox video games, seaside days, out of doors concert events, beer gardens, and extra. You’re not the one one with the brilliant thought to spend a summer time weekend in Boston, although, so e-book early.
Test the calendar – There are many massive occasions occurring in Boston all year long. It’s finest to test the calendar to see what’s occurring. If you find yourself there the weekend of a playoff recreation or an enormous music pageant, it is perhaps slightly chaotic attempting to drag off this itinerary.
Discuss 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 smitten by sharing recommendation and suggestions for his or her metropolis, and plus you get to listen to the superior Boston accent.
Go to a recreation – I do know not everyone seems to be serious about sports activities, however this metropolis is extremely enthusiastic about its groups. That is very true of the Pink Sox. Do your finest to make it to a recreation, or at the least crowd into an area sports activities bar in the event you 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 positioned in East Boston only a few miles from downtown. You could have just a few totally different choices for methods to get there.
Personal Constitution Bus
GoGo Charters in Boston is an organization that gives a enjoyable and sensible method to get across the metropolis. In case you’re visiting Boston with a bunch of individuals, why not rent your individual minibus, or full-sized bus to take you round?!
Whether or not you’re touring to Boston for a stagette or stag get together, a company occasion, a household reunion, or only a enjoyable getaway with a bunch of mates, having a bus is a singular mode of transportation.
See all of the sights in Boston in model, and don’t fear about consuming or driving whenever you head out for the night time. Take a look at 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 means 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 Pink Line as nicely.
It’s additionally attainable to take the Blue Line subway, however you need 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 journey.
For an in depth have 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. In case you insist on taking one, simply make certain they use the meter and you may comply with the route in your cellphone. Count on to pay round $20-25 for downtown.
Rideshare
Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft each work from Logan as nicely. Be aware that there’s a $3.25 airport charge added to any journeys to or from the airport.
By Practice and Bus
Boston can also be simply reached through 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 firms operating bus routes, together with Greyhound, BoltBus, and Megabus. I solely have expertise with the latter in Boston but it surely was fantastic and low cost. Guide early and it can save you quite a bit 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 finest to remain downtown on a Boston weekend journey. Doing so ensures you spend much less time in transit between the airport, which is vital for such a brief journey to the town.
By staying downtown, you’ll be able to simply use the free airport bus and possibly simply stroll to your lodging. I don’t find out about you, however I wish to spend extra time exploring and fewer time in visitors. Boston in 2 days is doable, simply ensure you select lodging in a great 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 through public transportation. There are many nice choices for locations to buy, eat, drink, and keep right here as nicely. I stayed downtown throughout my go to there, and I strongly suggest you do to.
Listed here are just a few totally different choices for the place to remain in downtown Boston:
If you would like these harbor views and don’t thoughts paying a premium for them, you’ll be able to seek for motels on the Waterfront as nicely. Again Bay can also be a enjoyable space to remain in for its proximity to Newbury Avenue and Fenway.
FAQs for a Weekend in Boston
Listed here are solutions to some continuously requested questions on spending a weekend in Boston.
Completely! With historic landmarks, pure magnificence, wonderful (usually seafood-based) delicacies, and a thriving bar and brewery scene, Boston is a complete lot of enjoyable for a weekend journey.
Stuffed with points of interest and landmarks, Boston’s compact metropolis heart means you can expertise quite a bit in solely 2 days. From historical past to nature to meals, there’s a lot 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 a great different to the Massive Apple.
Boston is thought for the Pink 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 Occasion, 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 below the pores and skin of the town, it’s actually a pleasant introduction. I felt like I acquired a great really feel for the town and had been in Boston for for much longer than only a weekend.
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 a lot 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 powerful 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 individual, please drop a remark under and tell us. I hope you loved this 2 day Boston itinerary.
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