In this post, I tell you what to do in Boston, on a 2 or 3 day itinerary, which takes you through the main tourist attractions of the capital of Massachusetts.
I was in Boston three times during my time in the United States and without a doubt, this was one of the cities I liked the most, even though I visited during the winter!
Boston is modern, at the same time as it has a lot of history. It was where the American Revolution began in the 18th century and was the center of the abolitionist movement during the Civil War in the 19th century. It is also the birthplace of important figures such as presidents Benjamin Franklin and John Kennedy; in addition to Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone; and writer Edgar Allan Poe.
Furthermore, the city has a lively cultural life, good restaurants and cool attractions. Not to mention that nearby are two of the largest universities in the world: Harvard and MIT.
How many days to stay in Boston?
Considering all the tourist attractions in Boston, the ideal is for you to stay in the city for three days. This way you can see everything at your leisure, get to know all the museums, neighborhoods and the university area.
Of course, you can spend less time, or even stay in the city for a week. Below we have put together a travel itinerary around Boston that helps you organize your trip regardless of how much time you have.
What are the Main Tourist Spots in Boston, USA?
- Freedom Trail
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace e Quincy Market
- Parque Boston Common
- Boston Red Sox Fenway Park
- View Boston in Prudential Tower
- Various Museums: Sciences, Fine Arts, Contemporary Art, Archaeology, Technology, etc.
- Harvard University Campus
- Campus do MIT
- Chinatown
- Waterfront / Seaport District
- Bairros de Downtown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, North End e South End.
- Boston Harbor Boat Tour
- Roundtrip in Salem
Boston Accommodation Tips
We list the best accommodation options in Boston for different traveler profiles. If you want to understand which are the best neighborhoods in Boston to stay in or see more hotel suggestions, check out our complete guide on where to stay in Boston.
What to do in Boston in 3 days: Travel Itinerary
Below we have put together an itinerary of what to do in Boston in 3 days. You can do the tours on foot or using public transport.
Do you have 1 or 2 days in the city? Just choose the tour days you like best, or swap one attraction for another. Do you have 4 days in Boston or more? Below we list more ideas for tours and day trips to do.
1 day in Boston: History and Culture in Downtown
- Freedom Trail
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace e Quincy Market
- Beacon Hill
- Boston Common
- Newbury Street e Back Bay
The first day in Boston will cover the tourist attractions of the city’s historic center (Downtown Boston), and will also include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill and Back Bay.
Freedom Trail
You can start the tour at any of the two points indicated on the map. The idea for the first day is to walk the Freedom Trail. It is a path of approximately 4 km, which passes through the most important historical points of the city.
Below I’ve listed the most interesting ones, but you can check the full list on the official website.
If you want to discover more about the city’s history and understand each tourist attraction, it’s worth taking a guided tour along the Freedom Trail. The tour passes through the points listed below and other places important to the history of the United States.
Start (or end) the tour at the USS Constitution, an old ship that participated in various parts of the American Civil War and Independence. The ship belongs to the US Navy and the visit is free (Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm). It is also possible to visit the USS Constitution museum, which tells the naval history of the United States.
Continue the tour passing the Old North Church, the oldest church in the city and the place where the American Revolution began, and also the Paul Revere House, the oldest building in the city center and home of one of the USA’s leading patriots.
It is possible to enter these buildings, but I only recommend that you do this if you have time to spare.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace e Quincy Market
Stop at Faneuil Hall Marketplace which was built in 1742 as a market area and meeting place. The location served as the scene for protests. Today, this is where Quincy Market is located, a very organized and cute central market, with great and not very expensive food.
A bar tip in this area is The Bell In Hand Tavern, the oldest pub in the United States! The place has live music daily.
For those who want to sit down and have lunch (or maybe come back at dinner time), the Union Oyster House is the oldest continuous restaurant in the United States. It specializes in seafood and traditional dishes, which cost around 9 to 20 dollars.
Beacon Hill
After eating and browsing the craft stores, continue your historic tour through the Beacon Hill neighborhood, passing by the Old State House and the Boston Massacre Site (a public building from 1713, which was marked by a conflict between the English and Americans and was a catalyst for the revolution) and Massachusetts State House.
If you want to get a little out of the way, Charles St. and Acorn St. are some very charming streets in the neighborhood.
Did you like this region? You can do this entire tour, including beer, on this Historic Pub Crawl along the Freedom Trail.
If you don’t want to take a tour, an unmissable pub tip in this area is Cheers, a bar made famous by the television series with the same name. It has a cozy atmosphere and decor inspired by the series.
Boston Common e Newbury Street
Finally, the trail ends at Boston Common, the oldest public park in the US. A beautiful and peaceful place, summer or winter, where you can relax, watch squirrels and enjoy the scenery.
To end the day, explore Newbury Street and the Back Bay region, a beautiful and famous street, with 18th century buildings and several stores (including a huge Apple store), charming cafes and several restaurants (from burger joints to refined spaces ).
Day 2 in Boston: Universities and Science
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Boston Museum of Science
- Amphibious Bus Tour
- North End (Little Italy)
Start the day by going to Cambridge, a kind of satellite city of Boston. This is where the campuses of two of the largest and most important universities in the world are located: MIT and Harvard.
You get there by subway (Harvard station).
Harvard campus
The Harvard University campus (Harvard Yard) is beautiful, and you can stroll peacefully among the historic buildings and gardens. The streets in the region where the students live are also a great walk, full of cool little shops and cafes.
You can also enter one of the museums, such as the Peabody Museum of Archeology, or the Museum of Natural History.
If you want to learn more about the history and interesting facts about the University, you can take a guided tour with one of the students! Click here to book.
Campus do MIT
Continuing the tour, head (on foot or by subway to the MIT station) to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Campus. There, the MIT Museum (free entry) exhibits some technological innovations created by students, including robots and other cutting-edge technologies.
Don’t miss the Great Dome, an impressive historic building that houses a library, with free entry. It is also possible to take a guided tour with a student from the Institute.
Boston Museum of Science and Amphibious Shuttle
Continue the tour towards the Boston Science Museum: the tour is just fun! It has several dinosaurs and large animals, as well as interactive exhibits with scientific experiments.
Leaving in front of the Boston Science Museum is one of the most curious tours in the city: an amphibious bus tour.
It is a historic bus from the Second World War that travels not only through the streets, but also through the waters of the Charles River, passing through the city’s main tourist attractions, with the option of an audio guide in Portuguese.
North End – Little Italy
To end the day, head to the North End neighborhood, Boston’s Italian neighborhood – also known as “Little Italy” – because it has several typical Italian tractor shops and pizzerias.
I’ve listed some of the best restaurants in the region below, for varying budgets:
If you want a different experience, check out this North End dining experience with pizza, meat and cheese (included in the tour price).
Day 3 in Boston: Cosmopolitan Sights
- Waterfront – Seaport District
- Boat ride
- Chinatown
- View Boston
- South End
Waterfront – Seaport District
Start the day exploring the modern Waterfront – Seaport District. There you will find several huge buildings and views of the Boston skyline from Fan Pier Park.
You can also follow the Harborwalk, a public waterfront trail that stretches more than 60 kilometers along Boston’s coastline.
This region also has some varied museums, such as the Institute of Contemporary Art, a contemporary art museum; the Boston Children’s Museum, with interactive and educational exhibits; and the New England Aquarium (purchase tickets in advance): an aquarium with a variety of marine exhibits.
The area also has several restaurants and bars. A good tip is Trillium Brewing Company, which has two locations, both serving excellent craft beer and a good beer garden.
Boston Harbor Boat Tour
An excellent option for a trip to Boston in this region (if you travel in summer or spring) is to take a boat trip along Boston Harbor. Several short cruises depart from the port.
We selected the best ones for you:
Chinatown and Panoramic View
After the tour, head to Boston’s Chinatown, one of the largest in the United States. The region is famous for its restaurants: it’s a great place to try dim sum and other Chinese delicacies.
If you don’t like Chinese food, there are several typical American restaurants and fast food chains nearby, in Downtown.
After lunch, head to View Boston at the Prudential Center (a shopping mall), where you have spectacular panoramic views of Boston. You have to buy the ticket online.
South End
End the day in the South End, a charming neighborhood with Victorian architecture. Explore the art galleries, independent shops, parks and squares.
In this region you will find several restaurants serving food from all over the world. There are also good cafes and bars.
What to do in Boston: in 4 or 5 days?
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – an impressive mansion housing an eclectic art collection, including paintings, sculptures and objects from around the world.
• Fenway Park – iconic baseball stadium for the Boston Red Sox. Take a guided tour of the stadium or check to see if there are any games taking place during your visit.
• Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) – the fourth largest art museum in the United States, housing a wide collection of art, from Egyptian antiquities to contemporary art.
• Museum of African American History – museum with interactive and informative exhibits about slavery and the civil rights movement.
• Day Trip to Salem: A day trip to the city of Witches is very easy. It’s about a 30-minute train ride from Boston. Salem is famous for its witch stories and offers several related attractions, such as the Witch House, the Peabody Essex Museum and the Witch Dungeon Museum. Furthermore, it has a charming historic center. To discover more about the history of the city, I recommend this 1692 Witchcraft Trials Walk tour.
Traveling across the United States?
Be sure to check out our best travel tips for the USA:
Attention: It is not a good idea to travel to the United States without international health insurance, as hospital costs there are very high. Read here how to find cost-effective insurance (and with a discount!)
