Boston has impressive museums, beautiful neighborhoods and many reasons for sports fans to visit. Everyone can find a reason to visit it. We really enjoyed our three days there and I have many tips to share with you.
This complete guide includes everything you need to do in Boston, where to sleep, where to eat -including vegan options- and last but not least a very useful map with pins for all of that plus shops you can't miss.
This is how we spent three unforgettable days in Boston.
3 DAYS IN BOSTON ITINERARY: DAY 1
On the 4th of July, our plane landed at Boston Logan International Airport. We took the Silver Line bus -it's free- to South Station and from there we took the metro to our hotel. It was around 3pm when we checked-in the Boston Plaza Hotel. The hotel lobby is beautiful and luxurious and the staff were really kind and friendly, however our room was teeny tiny and we had to take turns to walk around it.After a short rest we headed out. When I create an itinerary, I always divide the city map in areas. We always visit the closest to our hotel first because the day of our arrival is when we are the most tired. So the closest place to the Boston Plaza is the Public Garden.
We have seen many parks and and gardens all around the world but we found the Boston Public Garden particularly lovely. Its swan boats, duckling statues, and pretty little bridge create it a charming romantic atmosphere. There were also adorable squirrels everywhere.
Make way for ducklings! This is Boston's most beloved sculpture in the romantic Public Gardens. Bostonians dress them up for special occasions like the 4th of July here.
Any Cheers fans out there? If you are, you probably know that the 80's TV show was filmed and set in Boston. Nowadays, you can visit the set and have a drink and some food at the iconic pub.
Our next stop was Boston Common, another green area of the city. It's a great spot to hang out, rest or work out and has great views of the city but we didn't find it as special as the Public Garden. Both are great for a picnic though.
If you walk north of the park, you'll find yourself in the beautiful Beacon Hill neighborhood. An exclusive residential area where it's worth wandering the streets. It's really quiet and lovely and here you can find amazing unique stores. Probably the most famous place around Beacon Hill is the highly instagrammable Acorn Street. This beautiful cobblestone lane with brick houses on both sides is one of the most photographed places in Boston but beware, there's a no trespassing sign on the street. Only professional photo shoots with a permit are allowed. However, you can still take a pic of the street without entering.
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long path through downtown Boston, that passes by locations significant to the history of the United States. You can choose to do the whole trail or divide it in parts which is what we did. On this first day we say the Old North Church, the State House and Granary Burying Ground.
We had dinner at 5 Guys. Not the fanciest spot but we had heard so many good things about it -apparently, they make Obama's favorite burgers- that we had to try it!
We were incredibly jet-lagged and tired but we still made it to the Fireworks Spectacular show by river Charles because you don't get to opportunities like this every day.
3 DAYS IN BOSTON ITINERARY: DAY 2
We had breakfast at Boston's best coffee shop, Tatte Bakery. It's popular among locals and tourists so it gets pretty packed. They have several locations around Boston but we went to the one in Back Bay which was the closest to the hotel. We loved it so much that we had breakfast there every day.With a satisfied belly, we headed downtown. We stopped at Copley Square where you can find three main Boston landmarks: Trinity Church, the impressive skyscraper John Hancock Tower and Boston's impressive Public Library. There's also a wonderful Farmer's Market in Copley Square.
Then, we went to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. This place is a bit further away but totally worth it. This Venetian-style house has one of the most impressive private art collections I've ever seen. General admission is $15. Fun fact: if you name is Isabella you go in for free! Go to their website to plan your visit.
Our next stop was MIT -look for the breathtaking building by famous architect Frank Gehry- and Harvard University. On our way to the latter, we stopped for lunch at Life Alive, a vegan cafe with delicious healthy food.
I love visiting American universities. One of my favorite things to do when I was living in California was to stroll around Stanford University. I just love the beautifully design campus, the architecture and especially the ambiance. Harvard has all of that as well.
On our way back to the hotel we stopped to grab some dinner at by Chloe, another great vegan option.
3 DAYS IN BOSTON ITINERARY: DAY 3
We crossed the Public Garden and Boston Common to get to the harbor, then we stopped at the bustling Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, probably the most touristy spots in the city. It's a great place to grab some lunch and buy some souvenirs.Our two last stops were the Old State House -part of the Freedom Trail- and the Tea Party Ships and Museum.
On our way back to the hotel, when we were around Downtown Crossing -a pedestrian shopping area east of Boston Common- it started pouring with rain so we got some shelter at Caffe Nero, one of the loveliest cafes in the city. It's a great spot for reading or working on your laptop, too bad we didn't have time for that!
That is how we spent 3 unforgettable day in Boston. As you can see our days were pretty full and we walked until our feet and legs hurt but felt so happy about all the things we saw and experienced. The following day we flew to DC but more on that next week.
Also, check out these posts for the ultimate 10-day east coast itinerary and tips for shopping in the USA.
BOSTON ITINERARY MAP
This Boston map includes all the things you need for your trip: what to do, what to eat, where to stay and where to shop. The blue pins are the sights, yellow pins mark places to eat and the green ones are the location for my favorite shops. Click on the star next to the title to save to your maps in Google.WEAR THIS HERE
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I've pinned this. Would love to visit Boston as we live very near the original Boston in England. Looks just my kind of city.
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish I would have known you were here - but so glad you had a great time! You visited some of my favorite places! Tatte has my favorite coffee! xo, Biana BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteA great schedule for a quick trip to Boston - pinned!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a wonderful travel... enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteHeidrun xxx
Glad you've joined this week's linky at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2019/07/pine-tree-versus-windshield.html
ReplyDeleteI'd have loved to meet you, Biana but as you can see our itinerary was so full we didn't have time for anything else.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. My favorite is the reflection of Trinity Church in the modern glass-clad building. Great combination of old and new.
ReplyDeleteMy post features berries, blooms, and more.
I love, love, love the photos! What a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteYour itinerary is excellent! I used to work in downtown and in Kendal Square (MIT), so I know exactly where you went. For a European to say a hotel room is tiny, it must be really small. I would recommend the Marriott Hotel, either in Kendal Sq or the waterfront. Both are super convenient. I haven't been to Union Oyster House in ages. I may be biased, but I love Legal Seafood. There have opened all over town now. They have the best clam chowder (and rolls to go with it), fish and lobster!
ReplyDeleteI know you packed a lot in 3 days. Another lovely neighborhood to visit is the North End. Great Italian food, and lots of history - Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church. Guess you have to go back and visit the Cape (my latest post) as well:-)
Lots of great tips and awesome photos!
ReplyDeleteYour post rocks at 'My Corner of the World' this week!
My Corner of the World
Looks like a really nice city.....love the tortoise and the hare bronze statues!
ReplyDeleteGreat guide Cristina! I've always wanted to go and I like how you've included a Google maps with colour coded pins as this is exactly how I plan my travel and always forget to add them to my posts for others! Will be referring back when I do finally go!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great 3-day itinerary. I've been to Boston a few times (mostly to visit family) and there is still a lot on this list that haven't had a chance to do yet! One day. <3.
ReplyDeleteBoston looks like an amazing City! I was there for about 6 hours many years ago, and have always vowed to go back. I love the thought of having a drink at the Cheers Bar, such an iconic set! Enjoyable read, thank you for sharing x
ReplyDeleteBoston looks beautiful! It is on my list of places to visit one day, my sister lived in Vermont for a while but I didn't get the opportunity to go then. Michelle x
ReplyDeletelove your squirrel shot!gorgeous Venetian house and the library #travellinkup
ReplyDeleteBoston is such a lovely city! It's one of my favourites on the East Coast! xx
ReplyDeleterhymeandribbons.com
What a great list of places to go! The family and I are planning a big trip to Boston/Salem in October to celebrate fall and Halloween. We love Boston and now I'll definitely have to add a few things to do ;) Visiting from Friday Favorites linkup!
ReplyDeleteKelly
We recently walked the whole freedom trail making frequent stops in the museums and things along the way and I tried so hard to get my kids to eat at the Oyster House but they were disgusted that all they had to offer was some seafood. Sounds like a wonderful three days.
ReplyDeleteBoston is easily one of my favorite cities to visit! This is such a great guide dear. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
Love this guide Cristina. How cute are those ducklings. I do need to visit Boston one day and now I have a guide too
ReplyDeleteBoston's a great city. I haven't been there in a long time, but there's so much to see and do.
ReplyDeletex, Julie | ThisMainLineLife.com
I'm sure you'd love it, Trish!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to go soon, Be! Boston is amazing
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Betty! Looking forward to the linkup this week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol!
ReplyDeletethanks!
ReplyDeletethanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I thought the same when I saw the reflection
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendations, Eileen! We were very surprised by the tiny room as well. We've always been to huge hotel rooms in the US.
ReplyDeleteLegal Seafood sounds great, I love clam chowder ;)
Welcome to All Seasons and hope you'll become a regular member:)
ReplyDeleteGreat touristic impression of Boston you gave All Seasons. I especially love the army band - somehow it reminds me on New Orleans, where bands can spring up at any time anywhere:) Curious how you got to know about All Seasons?
Since"Seasons" is thought of in the widest sense of the word, it can be a birthday, etc. because it's about "the experience of the season." Cheers:) Jesh
I hope you get to see all these places soon, Mandy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kerry! I hope you can go back to Boston some day
ReplyDeleteOh Vermont must be gorgeous during fall!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tanja!
ReplyDeleteIt's become one of my favorites as well!
ReplyDeleteBoston must look lovely in October, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Jess!
ReplyDeleteWalking the whole freedom trail must be a wonderful experience! I'm sorry your kids didn't like seafood, I'm sure when they grow older they will like it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neha! So glad you enjoyed the guide :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, Julie! Thanks for stopping by :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to visit New Orleans! Next time I'm in the US I want to tour some of the southern states.
ReplyDeleteI found All Seasons via another blog, don't remember which, sorry.