The ultimate Boston travel guide for every visitor
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The Custom House Tower rises above Boston's Financial District as seen from Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park in Boston. Photo: Getty Images
Boston has a lot more going on than lobster rolls and the Red Sox.
- Come see us and find out.
Why it matters: Metro Boston is a sprawling collection of historic neighborhoods in dozens of cities and towns. Each has its own flavor, rich history and things to do.
- We rounded up some of the region's best we think you should hit, grouped by the type of traveler you are.
Super tourist
🐧 New England Aquarium: More than 1.3 million people visit this waterfront staple every year.
It's got harbor seals, penguins and tons more.
- Before your visit, stop at one of our legal cannabis dispensaries for an extra-enlightening experience.
🦆 Boston Duck Tours: Opt for the iconic amphibious vehicle to see the sights and city skyline right from the Charles River.
🦞 Lobster rolls: Maybe we were a bit dismissive of them just now, but in Boston's tourist sectors, they're as ubiquitous as Dunkin'. And they're delicious.
- James Hook is the tourist go-to, but we're partial to Paulie's in the North End.
Of note: Guided walking tours of the Freedom Trail, where the American Revolution began, run daily.
Sports fan
⚾️ Red Sox: You can spend a whole day drinking and eating on Jersey Street before heading inside Fenway Park to watch the Sox.
- The Bleacher Bar has a giant view of the field and was just named one of the best bars in the country.
🏀 Celtics & Bruins: The beloved clubs play at TD Garden in the West End, not far from the tourist headquarters and Freedom Trail.
- The pubs along Canal Street are where diehards go before, during and after the games.
🏟️ The Sports Museum: It's located right on the premium levels of the Garden.
The academic
🎓 Harvard Yard & Square: Walk through the historic gates of America's oldest university in Cambridge.
- Rub the shoe of the John Harvard statue for good luck before exploring the indie bookstores and cafes in the Square.
- Challenge one of the chess masters to a game outside the Smith Campus Center.
🧬 MIT & Kendall Square: Check out MIT's iconic Great Dome and explore the cutting-edge MIT Museum just down the river.
Of note: The surrounding Kendall Square neighborhood is the undisputed epicenter of global biotech.
🦅 Boston College: Take the Green Line out to Chestnut Hill to take in the collegiate-Gothic architecture of "The Heights."
🖼️ Harvard Art Museums: A world-class collection combining three distinct museums under one modern glass roof right on the edge of the Harvard campus.
Fitness buff
- New England is the healthiest region in America, so pack your sneakers.
🥾 The Boston Harborwalk: Explore nearly 40 miles of scenic paths along our city's waterfront. You'll see stunning harbor views and public art, and get to watch the seagulls rob people.
🏃 The November Project: Join locals for a legendary, grueling early-morning workout at Harvard Stadium.
🚴 Boston Bike Party: The monthly group bike ride is hundreds-strong and pushes off on the second Friday of the month.
History nerd
👀 Walking Tour: Walk the 2.5-mile red-brick Freedom Trail to see 16 nationally significant historic sites, from the Paul Revere House to the Old North Church.
- You'll learn how Boston went from a port full of religious outcasts to the birthplace of the American Revolution and beyond to become one of the nation's first industrial cities.
⚓ Dorchester Heights: Trek out to the South Boston neighborhood to see the monument where George Washington's cannons forced the British to evacuate Boston in 1776.
- Conveniently located near Southie's many bars, restaurants and Good Will Hunting shooting locations.
Also worth checking out: The USS Constitution Museum in the Charlestown Navy Yard, home to "Old Ironsides" herself.
🏛️ Black Heritage Trail: Walk the streets of Beacon Hill to explore the history of Boston's 19th-century free Black community.
- The Museum of African American History offers incredibly smart exhibits right on the trail.
Arts lover
🎨 Museum of Fine Arts: The city's heavyweight arts museum has more exhibits than you can count and a massive collection of global and local works.
- The MFA has everything from Egyptian sarcophagi to van Gogh and Monet paintings.
🎭 Boch Center Wang Theatre: Catch a live music performance or touring Broadway show at this spectacularly restored 1920s venue.
🖼️ Indies: See what's on display at the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and other arts spaces.
Political animal
🏛️ Massachusetts State House: Don't skip the historic "Sacred Cod" hanging in the House of Representatives chamber.
- Come say hi. I'm in Room 455.
🍻 J.J. Foley's Cafe: Maybe the best pub in Boston and the spiritual home of city politics.
- But don't confuse this pub with J.J. Foley's Bar & Grille downtown.
⛵ JFK Presidential Library: Dive into the former president's legacy out on Columbia Point.
🇺🇸 Edward M. Kennedy Institute: The facility next door offers a full-scale replica of the U.S. Senate chamber.
The tourist who's seen it all
🦪 Neighborhood dining: Ditch the downtown tourist traps and head out to Lower Mills or the South End for a dozen fresh New England oysters.
🌎 The Mapparium: There's a stunning three-story, stained-glass globe at the Mary Baker Eddy Library.
👟 Bodega: Head to Back Bay to shop at this high-end streetwear boutique hidden behind a functioning convenience store.
🍝 North End feasts: Skip the famous pastry lines and spend your time hunting down hidden-gem Italian trattorias.
Do:
🤳 Take your photo at Acorn Street, a famous cobblestone view in Beacon Hill that's one of the most photographed streets in the country.
🚇 Ride the Silver Line from the airport to South Station. The bus is free from Logan and gets you right to the T. (That's what we call the subway.)
Don't:
🚫 Call it Beantown. No one calls it Beantown.
- Don't imitate the accent, either.
🚚 Drive a moving truck on Storrow Drive. You will get stuck under a bridge, and you will be mocked online.
🅿️ Drive if you're staying in downtown, Back Bay or the North End. Use the T, rideshare or your own two feet.