Boston, lovingly referred to as Beantown, is the capital of Massachusetts. It’s mainly known for its history and role in the foundation of the US, but it’s also a hot spot for restaurants, shopping, and more. The city is home to over 30 different colleges and universities, which means that there’s always something to do. We’ve collected our top tips below so that you can get the most out of your trip and leave feeling like a local.

    The Inside Scoop

    1. The T tends to run behind schedule, so make sure to allot for extra travel time.
    2. You might think that Mike’s Pastry is the best in the North End, but Modern Pastry is just as good.
    3. Cambridge (home of Harvard) is actually across a bridge which makes taking public transportation not impossible, but kind of difficult. We’d recommend taking an Uber to save time.
    4. All the cross streets in Back Bay (Boston’s downtown neighborhood) follow the alphabet from A-G, which makes finding things easy.
    5. If you don’t want to pay big bucks for Boston parking, park outside of the city at the end of the T line. We’d recommend Alewife and Ashmont on the Red Line.
    6. The most luxurious Newbury Street shops are closest to the Boston Garden, with more boutiques and chain stores as you head towards Mass Ave. 
    7. We love our sports (maybe because we’re the best), so when there’s a game… prepare for a packed city, both on the streets and on the T. Watch out for Fenway and North Station!
    8. You can actually kayak down the Charles River to get the best Boston skyline views.
     

    Boston's Best by Neighborhood

    We talked to a few locals and compiled their favorites into a quick guide for you to follow as you make your way through the city. 

    Back Bay/Newbury

    Must Eat: Joe’s American Bar and Grille

    Must Visit: Boston Public Gardens

    Must See: The Prudential Rooftop

    Seaport

    Must Eat: Committee

    Must Visit: The ICA

    Must Drink: Harpoon Brewery

    North End

    Must Eat: Mamma Maria

    South End

    Must Eat: Frenchie

    Must Visit: SOWA Market

    Fenway

    Must Eat: Tiger Mama

    Must Visit: Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum

    Must See: Time Out Market

    Government Center

    Must Eat: Mariel

    Must See: The Freedom Trail

    Cambridge

    Must Eat: Longfellow Bar

    Must See: Harvard

    Top 5 Historical Spots

    Boston is so packed with history that around every corner there’s something to learn. Even though it’s called the walking city, we don’t expect anyone to actually walk the whole thing, so here’s a cheat sheet. Visiting these spots is like a history class… with the fun professor who doesn’t give you any tests.

    1. Paul Revere’s House

    Revere is best known for his midnight ride, but he was also a silversmith! Learn all about Paul Revere’s life on an informative self-guided tour.

    2. Fenway Park

    Need we say more.

    3. Boston Tea Party Museum

    Float and find out about the unlikely relationship between taxation and tea.

    4. Old North Church

    A notable stop on both the Freedom Trail and Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride that will
    shed some light on the American Revolution.

    5. Granary Burying Ground

    A cemetery that is the resting place of many notable historical figures including John
    Hancock, Paul Revere, and Sam Adams.
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