If there’s any big city I know, it’s Boston. I grew up in a suburb of Portland, Maine, which is just 2 hours north of the city, so we came down at least once a year. That became multiple times when I started having health problems – I’ve been a patient at Massachusetts General Hospital, and before that Children’s Hospital of Boston, since 2007 – and then my parents moved down in 2012. All that experience plus my own of living here full-time since 2014 means that I really know Boston. I’ve talked before about things to do in the city (see below), but today is more specifically what I would recommend you do if you took a weekend trip to Boston.
See my post from last year about what to do in Boston in the summer!
Museums
Museum of Fine Arts – They have a great selection, a bit for everyone. My favorite is the impressionist room, but I also love their American historical section. Their website says, “Today the MFA is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world; the collection encompasses nearly 500,000 works of art” (x). They are open 7 days a week. Monday and Tuesday, they’re open from 10 AM to 5 PM; Wednesday through Friday, they’re open from 10 AM to 10 PM; and on weekends, they’re open 10 AM to 5 PM. For all information to plan your visit, check out their website.
Museum of Science – Have kids? Go here! Also fun for adults. Their website says, “The Museum’s mission is to play a leading role in transforming the nation’s relationship with science and technology” (x). Saturday through Thursday, they are open from 9 AM to 5 PM, and on Friday, they are open from 9 AM to 9 PM. Learn more about their schedule and exhibits here.
New England Aquarium – Penguins, sea lions, turtles, oh my! I love the aquarium. The aquarium “is a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation. With more than 1.3 million visitors a year, the Aquarium is one of the premier visitor attractions in Boston and a major public education resource for the region” (x). The aquarium’s hours depend on the season; check out this page to learn more.
Fun things to do in Boston: a 3-day guide
Food
The North End – This area of Boston is known for authentic Italian food. Like, Italian food by Italians. You should especially go to Mike’s Pastry and enjoy a cannoli for me since I can’t eat them.
Quincy Market – The market itself has every type of food you can possibly imagine, and outside the market there are so many different restaurants.
Some great gluten-free places: Sonsie, Aquitaine, Stephanie’s on Newbury, Stephi’s, Parish Cafe, b.good, Joe’s American Bar and Grill, and Flour. There are so many more, but these are the ones I go to the most.
A Bostonian’s favorite South End restaurants | Best coffee shops in Boston
Historical Sights
USS Constitution – It’s a ship (and the ship’s museum) that was launched in 1797. Yeah, you read that right.
Faneuil Hall – This is at the same location as Quincy Market, so get some food, do some shopping, and see some history.
Old North Church – Remember “One if by land, two if by sea”? This is the place!
Shopping
Newbury Street
Copley Place and The Shops at Prudential
Faneuil Hall
Cambridgeside Galleria
Other Things
Fenway tour and/or Red Sox games
Bruins or Celtics games
Sam Adams Brewery Tour
Theater District – Catch a show! This area is where the Broadway productions on tour head.
Duck Tour – See Boston through a guided tour that heads over land and water.
Enjoy! Is there anything about Boston you want to know?
Like this post? Check out:
What To Do in Boston this Fall, What To Do in Boston this Summer, What To Pack for a Weekend Trip
Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.
So jealous of your recent trip! I moved to upstate New York from West Virginia over a year ago and despite being only a little over 3 hours from Boston, I have yet to make it there. It’s definitely something I have on the to-do list this year! These suggestions are great, especially the food. Though I definitely have to find a lobster roll!
Darrian // http://www.ohshiftyall.com
Actually not a recent trip! I’m lucky enough to live here full-time. This is more what I would tell people to do if they came here. As for lobster rolls, you can probably get those at Quincy Market. They have every possible food you can imagine. The seafood is wonderful here. Since it’s Boston, you can get good seafood pretty much everywhere.
I did a weekend trip to Boston back in September and fell in love with it. There’s a few on your list that I didn’t hit so I need to go back!