There’s nowhere like Boston. Jam-packed with history, sports fanatics, and outrageously delicious food, it’s a city that continually delights travelers. Throw in plenty of green spaces and a tough-but-humorous local population, and it’s not hard to see why it continually ranks as one of the most visited cities in the US.
If you’re planning a trip to the city in the not-too-distant future, then you’re right in the place. We’ve rounded up our best Boston travel tips to ensure that your trip is an out-and-out success.
When to Visit
Don’t get us wrong: you can have a great time in Boston during the frigid winter months, but it’s slightly more difficult. It’s less straightforward to see the city in all its glory when there’s ice on the floor and subzero temperatures. As such, we’d only really recommend visiting Boston during the winter if you love cold climates or if you’re visiting around the holidays. In general, the best time to visit is late spring or fall. Summer can also be an excellent time to visit, though there are more crowds and prices tend to be higher.
Understand the Weather
It’s famously difficult to predict the weather in Boston. It might be a blue sky, sunny day when you step out of your hotel, but there could still be a pretty severe downpour within a couple of hours — and that’s just as true during the summer as any other period. The best approach is to pack clothing for all weather, including some layers just in case it gets chilly. If you’re really packing light, then at the very least snag yourself a poncho so you can stay dry while you’re out exploring.
Take the Duck Tour
If you didn’t know already, Boston is full of history. And what better way to learn all about it during your trip than by taking a ride on the ‘duck,’ a pretty fun World War II vehicle that can go on roads and in the water. It’s the most popular tour in the city and is an excellent way to get a sense of all the major sites that are worth visiting. We’d recommend taking this tour on your first day in the city so that you can quickly develop your understanding of which attractions are where.
Bring Your Walking Shoes
Boston is an outlier among US cities in that it’s highly walkable. And that’s good news for travelers, since, well, there’s no better way to explore a city than on foot! You’ll likely walk a lot during your trip, so think ahead and make sure that you’re in a position to explore the city on foot. Bringing a comfortable pair of walking shoes is essential, as is ensuring that you’re not carrying heavy bags. A small day bag with a water bottle and other necessities will suffice, while you can also use Radical Storage Boston to store your luggage after you’ve checked out of your hotel if you’re planning to explore before taking your departure flight. We’d also recommend taking periodic breaks throughout the day to give your legs and feet a chance to rest.
Stay Central
Boston is more compact than you might think, and it is possible to stay a little further away from downtown without worrying that you’ll be spending all day traveling to and from the hotel. Still, as with most places, booking a hotel that’s centrally located is an easy way to score some additional travel points. It’s simply a lot more convenient to visit all the attractions and appreciate the city’s nightlife when everything is within easy walking distance of your hotel room. If possible, book your stay in Back Bay, which is generally considered to be the best neighborhood in the city.
Book Main Attractions Ahead of Time
Boston has plenty of attractions, many of which are related to the Freedom Trail and its role in the Revolutionary War. Given how old they are, many of those attractions are actually quite small, which means getting inside to take a proper look can be a little more challenging during the summer months than you might think. While you might be able to visit these attractions (and others) if you just turn up, if you’re dead-set on visiting, then we’d recommend making a reservation ahead of time. The same goes for any high-end restaurants you’d like to visit; while you don’t need to make a reservation months in advance, it’s best to give yourself at least a couple of weeks.
Bring Your Appetite
You don’t need to go to the city’s fancy restaurants to try Boston’s delicious food. This is a corner of the US that very much has its own food identity, so yep, if you love food, then be sure to bring your appetite! As you might expect, seafood is big in Boston. You can pay a visit to any well-established seafood restaurant in the city and be reasonably confident that you’re going to eat well! If you need some inspiration, here’s a list of the best food that Boston is known for.
Make Space for Museums
Boston is home to some of the best museums in the country, so even if you’re not normally a culture vulture, we’d highly encourage you to make space in the schedule for a few museum visits! There are more than five dozen museums spread across the city, so there’ll be at least one that you’re interested in. If in doubt, stick to the big hitters, which include the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. If you’re an art lover, then be sure to swing by the Harvard Art Museums and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Consider a Day Trip
Finally, if you’re visiting for more than a few days, then consider taking a day trip to areas just outside Boston. Cambridge, home to Harvard University, is a must-visit, while anyone interested in the witch trials should make an extra effort to make it out to Salem, which is around thirty minutes from Boston.
