My next adventure to the United States of America takes me to Boston, Massachusetts.
Perfect starting point for exploring New England and its stunning coastline.
On this trip, I will explore the city of Boston and share my must-see attractions with you.
Boston has loads to offer visitors, from its unique seafood cuisine, incredible sports history, long-standing university culture, iconic American history locations and being a city hub for the rest of New England region.
Here is my travel guide on what to do around the city of Boston:
1. Take the high-speed Acela Express train from New York to Boston
Another alternative to reaching Boston is taking the train and flying into Logan International Airport.
Why not fly into New York and take the new high-speed Acela Express service to Boston?
Travelling from the newly opened New York Penn Station Moynihan Train Hall to Boston South train station is easy.
Enjoy the scenic New England coastline as you travel to Boston in as little as 4 hours of journey time.
Taking the train is a great way to travel, and you can fly out of Boston, making it an easy way to visit two iconic cities in one trip to the States.
What I liked most about the Acela service was that you would get a more comfortable business class seat and a quicker journey to Boston, so you could get some more laptop time before you arrived.
2. Stay at the The Dagny Hotel whilst in Boston
The hotel that makes you feel right at home is The Dagny Hotel, Boston. I loved my stay in this incredibly well-designed hotel with its excellent central location.
It didn’t feel like a hotel; it was more like an apartment.
The Dagny Hotel Is a playful mix of glamour and luxury, all within proximity of Boston’s many downtown and waterfront sites and attractions. When The Batterymarch Building opened in 1928, it was the first Art Deco skyscraper in the city.
The highlight of my stay at The Dagny was ordering the stay-in cinema package experience, which included drinks, snacks and a bucket of popcorn to turn your room into a private cinema, which was great fun after a busy day exploring Boston.
Breakfast was also rather good here, with many American breakfast classics on offer to get you started on the right track for your day.
3. Take a guided walking tour of the Freedom Trail
Step back into American History and walk on the Freedom Trail of Boston.
Your tour will start from Boston Common, and it’s relatively easy to follow with a bricked line that will take you along the trail with markers along the way.
Many ways to enjoy the freedom trial. You can either follow a self-guided map, listen to an audio guide from U.S. national Parks Service, or, why not, take a guided tour.
A 2.5-mile walk that winds through downtown Boston and Charlestown, the Freedom Trail marks 16 sites of historic importance through Boston.
You can access the free self-guided National Park Service audio tour or pick up a Meet Boston site-by-site guide and map from the welcome centre on Boston Common.
I opted to join a guided group tour and let a local guide wear a triangle that brings history to life.
It’s a fun experience, and the guide does an excellent job of covering as many historical facts and information along the trail as possible in a two-hour period.
It’s nice that you have free options. Combining the two can work well, as the guide can only cover so much of the freedom trail in two hours.
You can take the audiobook after the tour and continue to the other stops if you want to delve more into the history of the Freedom Trail.
The Freedom Trail is a great starting point for your visit to Boston, and I recommend following the route on your first day as it’s a great way to gather your bearings and understand the city’s historical foundations.
4. Try some classic Boston dishes at Hook & Line
If you want to try some classic New England dishes in Boston, check out Hook & Line for the perfect introduction.
Restaurateur Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli shares a delicious menu offering a modern take on New England’s seafood classics. Paired with a gorgeous waterfront setting and patio seating, all offered with award-winning neighbourhood hospitality.
Here is what I ordered:
Start with half a dozen East Coast oysters; don’t hold back on the horseradish. The New England clam chowder has a beautiful creamy texture and is served in a mug with a bag of oyster crackers. Then, make your way over to a Maine Lobster roll—two ways with chips (the kettle-cooked kind). Before you go, try the cookies’ n creme, double chocolate with sea salt, so you don’t miss it.
I had a sensational meal at Hook & Line, an excellent introduction to New England cuisine in the heart of Boston.
5. Go Whale Watching from Boston Harbor with City Cruise
Did you know that you can go Whale watching in Boston?
Head to Boston Harbor, where you will find the company City Cruise. City Cruise offers whale-watching trips on a High-speed catamaran that departs from Boston.
Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary is a rich feeding ground for whales, dolphins, sea birds and other marine creatures.
This was the highlight of my trip as we managed to spot a pod of three humpback whales, and it was an absolutely phenomenal experience.
Extremely lucky to see whales up close and personal, which was a special moment.
Our whale-watching boat went out just off the coast of Cape Cod to spot the whales, and I highly recommend this trip. It was well worth the time, and it was great to be out at sea and explore the Boston coastline.
6. Head out on a guided tour of the Innovation trail around Cambridge
It’s said that Cambridge has the most innovative square mile on the planet, and after my Innovation trail tour, I have to agree.
The Innovation Trail focuses on what happened after America became an independent nation and after some of Boston’s early schools, such as Boston Latin (founded in 1635) and Harvard (established in 1636), were established.
Independence and access to education began to build a foundation for innovation.
Having a desire to make the world better and money from investors, universities, and government agencies to set up labs and run experiments—and hey presto, you get a thriving innovation ecosystem that has helped shape the modern world.
I enjoyed exploring the many MIT campuses where you can walk around freely. I discovered many parts of the Innovation trail and learned about the importance innovation has played in the area.
7. Grab lunch at Sumaio Hunan Kitchen
In the bustling, tech-driven Kendall Square, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen is a contemporary Chinese restaurant and bar that introduces authentic Hunan Cuisine.
Creatively melding tradition with modernity to bring forth an unmatched dining and social experience.
My favourite dish here has to be the duck, served with bao and delicious.
8. Take a guided tour of Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox
Regarding Boston, nothing is more loved than the Red Sox and Fenway Park.
Why not take a guided tour of Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox.
Since 1912, fans have flocked to Fenway Park to watch the home team play in the heart of Boston. Major League Baseball and sports enthusiasts call it “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark.”
Take in the magnificent view atop the fabled Green Monster, standing 37 feet 2 inches high, overlooking left field.
Let our experienced tour guides lead you through the hallowed walls and legendary moments of historic Fenway Park.
You can even see a signed Babe Ruth baseball in the museum at the end, signed from his time playing for the Boston Red Sox.
9. Grab a bite to eat at Time Out Market Boston
If you’re looking for a bite to eat and are within walking distance of Fenway Park, then be sure to check out the Time Out Market Boston location.
From BBQ to Mexican, you can have fun trying different flavours from each stand.
I went for the Ms Clucks dumplings with a twist of truffle oil, and the dish went down as a real treat.
Fantastic selection of spots to grab something to eat, and outside, you can find the beer garden for Trillium, a local beer brewery that is also worth trying.
10. Head to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
If you are visiting Boston, you must visit the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum.
It’s a must-visit attraction in Boston and offers a tremendous interactive visitor experience.
I knew nothing about the history and had only heard the name Boston Tea Party, and that much good tea was lost that day.
Learn how the famous Boston Tea Party event forever changed the course of American history.
Walk through a guided experience by costumed interpreters telling the story of that fateful night in 1773.
You also get to tour one of the two 18th-century replica vessels that have recently been restored.
You can also view the Robinson Tea Chest, the only known surviving tea chest from the Boston Tea Party.
You even get to Dump the tea into the sea at the end, how about that!
Thank you for reading my guide to Exploring Boston
Thank you for passing by and reading the blog post about exploring Boston.
I hope you found this blog post guide helpful for planning your trip.
If you have any further questions about Boston, please email me or reach out on social media.
Have a fantastic time exploring the city of Boston, and have loads of fun!
Before you go, be sure to watch my YouTube guide on my trip:
The post Exploring Boston: Top 10 Must See Attractions appeared first on Travel Dave.
