The 18 things to do in Boston

Discover the cradle of the United States by visiting Boston. All the essentials not to be missed are gathered in this article!

What to do in Boston? The vibrant city of the coast is full of varied activities among which everyone can find his happiness. Starting with the historic visits, since Boston is one of the oldest North American cities and a true cradle of the United States. But the city of Celtics has also managed to cross the eras to become the dynamic metropolis it is today.

She lives at the rate of her cosmopolitan population, among which students are highly represented. But also at the pace of the baseball or basketball calendar, as the local teams are excellent in both sports. Open to the sea, Boston is also a human-sized city where it makes good living, strolling, and practicing all kinds of activities. Here's an overview of unmissable visits and other things to do in Boston.

1. Make a boat trip

The East Coast ambassador, the capital of Massachusetts embraces the bay of the same name. The sea is therefore very present in the city which has several ports and marinas. There, all kinds of boat trips are offered to visitors, who are one of the most essential activities.

For example, it is possible to make a cruise off Boston at sunset. Or offer you a little thrill by borrowing a quick outboard. You can also enjoy historical visits or try to navigate. Finally, catamaran exits are organized to observe whales that populate the bay!

2. Visit Harvard University and MIT

Boston is one of the largest university cities in the country. In fact, its suburbs have two of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the United States: Harvard University and MIT ( Massachusetts Institute of Technology ).

Both are located in the nearby city of Cambridge. A visit to discover the American campus life, especially since the two establishments house several museums.

3. Flâner à Beacon Hill

In the pretty neighborhood Beacon Hill , you may have the feeling of walking around England rather than in America . It is normal: this historic quarter was one of the first founded by European settlers.

Still today, its old brick houses line up along the small wooded streets where it makes a good stroll. If the hill has become a high-end residential area, it remains one of the must-see visits to Boston.

4. Browse the Freedom Trail

You will have understood it: Boston is rich in a long history, which we see today still many testimonies. Founded in 1630 by British Puritans, it was an epicentre of the American Independence War in the 18th century.

The best way to relive this enlivened past is to borrow the Freedom Trail . Long 4 kilometres , this path marked with a red line will take you to discover the symbolic places of the city. Also know that many guided tours are offered around the Freedom Trail .

5. See a baseball game at Fenway Park

What to do in Boston to fully immerse yourself in American culture? See a baseball game! The Fenway Park , baseball stadium of the city, is one of the great places to meet the Bostonians.

Inaugurated in 1912, he has been hosting home games from the local team, the Boston Red Sox. All you have to do is put your hand in foam, buy a hot dog, and let yourself be carried by the overvolted atmosphere of the stands.

6. Lunch at Quincy Market

Perhaps you will have seen it by browsing the Freedom Trail : the Quincy Market is one of the most emblematic places in Boston. Inaugurated in 1826, this large covered market was somehow the attic of the city, and sold all kinds of food to the inhabitants.

Today, behind its proud colonnades facade, there is a multitude of echoes and delis . It is possible to have lunch on the inch alongside the inhabitants and visitors in one of the epicentres of Bostonian social life.

7. Admire monuments

A city full of history, Boston naturally houses a good number of monuments worth the visit. Among them, do not miss the Massachusetts State House , which is one of the key stages of Freedom Trail . Its golden dome and brick walls welcome the governor’s services as well as the State General Court.

Among the monuments to be seen in Boston are also the Trinity Church . This richardsonian Romanesque church is all the more spectacular because it is surrounded by contemporary skyscrapers.

In the same spirit, Old State House is another place to visit in Boston. Built in 1713, it was surprising in the middle of the towers of the financial district.

8. Walking on the seafront

Who says visiting Boston, says walk on the seafront! Indeed, there is no better place to take a bowl of fresh air while taking advantage of the city’s stronghold. In addition, activities are not missing on the ocean.

Thus, the Boston Aquarium is a must-see for families, while culture lovers will enjoy themselves at home Institute of Contemporary Art . But for all, the seafront is above all a place of relaxation. You can also relax in the parks as well as enjoy local fishing products at the restaurant terraces.

9. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts

We have already mentioned Institute of Contemporary Art . But Boston offers another visit, even more essential, to the esthetics and cultural enthusiasts.

Indeed, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is one of the largest and most renowned in the country. You will especially enjoy its antique department and the rich collections of French painting of the nineteenth century. Van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne or Gauguin are some of the great names in it.

10. Aerate in Boston Common

Are you more lover of nature than culture? No worries: you'll also have a lot to do in Boston. The city is home to beautiful green spaces, including the Boston Common , which is the oldest park in the United States.

Founded in 1634, it is still a green lung for the city, where the inhabitants come to aerate and have fun. In winter, you can try ice skating before visiting neighboring antiques. In the summer, we stop there for a picnic under the eye of the famous chipmunks (big squirrels) American.

11. See a Boston Celtics game

Famous for his baseball team, Boston is also the cradle of one of the largest basketball teams in the United States. Indeed, the Boston Celtics won the NBA championship seventeen times! If you have the opportunity to see them play “in real” during your stay in Boston, we can only recommend you the experience.

12. Explore the USS Constitution

Here is another must-see and unusual visit to be made in Boston for history lovers. But she will also delight the curious, adventurers, or children.

The USS Constitution is a frigate of the United States Navy which was launched in 1797. Today, it is the world’s oldest military ship still floating. Open to visitors, the frigate is accompanied by a museum and is the final point of the Freedom Trail .

13. Displacement in Chinatown

In each large American city, especially on the east coast, the successive diasporas have created particularly displacing neighborhoods. So we recommend a detour by the " Chinatown Boston." In an effervescent atmosphere, you can taste all kinds of dim sum and admire the monumental doors inspired by traditional Chinese architecture.

14. Shopping on Newbury Street

To change cultural and heritage visits, we offer you to join the useful to the pleasant by shopping on Newbury Street . There you will find many brands, sometimes accessible, sometimes high-end. But with his brick houses to bow-windows , the street offers above all a charming setting where it makes a good stroll. What to offer a nice coffee break between two shops!

15. Dinner at North End

North End is both the oldest neighborhood in Boston, and the one where the melting was probably the richest. Indeed, inhabited since 1630, he saw various diasporas: Irish, Jewish, then Italian in the early twentieth century.

So, North End is still the equivalent of a “ Little Italy » for Boston, and houses many transalpine restaurants. So we can only recommend you to spend an evening there: you will enjoy yourself!

16. Visit Presidential Museum John F. Kennedy

Among the great figures that marked the history of Boston, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy is included. The family of JFK is indeed from the city, which was able to pay a nice tribute to him.

Thus, a whole building was dedicated to him, which houses a museum and a library. The life of the murdered president is traced through films, reconstructions and souvenirs. And to ruin anything, the place offers a beautiful view of the city!

17. Admire the panorama from the Prudential Center Observatory

To enjoy the most spectacular view of the city, it is towards the Prudential Center that you must be led. Indeed, this high tower of 52 floors and 229 metres houses a shopping center but also and especially an observatory, the Skywalk Observatory . From there you will enjoy a stunning 360° view of Boston. Audioguides will help you find the city's most iconic sites.

18. Party with students

With around 30 academic institutions, Boston’s agglomeration brings together about 150,000 students. As we can imagine, the nightlife is so rather overvolted in the city’s student districts! Celebrate with the Boston students can therefore be a memorable experience.

On the other hand, you will have to put yourself at the local time: here, it is not rare to have dinner at 5 p.m., and the party starts (very) early.

In addition, if you want to drink a drink in an unusual place, we recommend it Samuel Adams Brewery . Guests can enjoy brewed beer on site, but also visit the brewery's backstage.

How to get to Boston?

L’ Boston Logan International Airport is served by several companies directly from Paris. To find the flight at the appropriate date and fare, we recommend that you use a flight comparison as well. Skyscanner . To reach the city centre from the airport, you can take the metro, but also taxis.

It is also possible to reach Boston from other major cities in the United States. For example, the city is connected to New York in train (3h30), in bus (4h30) or by car (4h). It can therefore be an interesting step to add to your trip if you plan to stay in New York.

Where to stay in Boston?

Among the best areas where to stay in Boston, the tourist and charming neighborhoods are Beacon Hill and North End In good place. Indeed, they offer both a pleasant setting and a convenient location, close to many attractions. Likewise Downtown , around Quincy Market .

However, accommodations may be expensive in these areas. To find the best offers, we recommend using one Compare hotels or go to the platform Airbnb .

If you like animation and night outings, the theatre district is a good alternative, which is still quite central. For a more maritime experience, the modern district of Seaport is full of hotels of all kinds. I mean, South End , although more excited, will offer you a more authentic atmosphere and cheap accommodations.