Boston has my heart. I lived there for 3 years. Being a local in one of the oldest and most historical cities in the country meant I was able to experience, learn, and discover so much about this part of the world. And I am forever grateful to that chapter in my life. 

If you haven’t been to Boston, or are wondering how to be a tourist in your own town, start with saving this post, heading to the Public Gardens or a Tatte Bakery (where I met my fiancé) and reading the list below.

Quick heads up though, almost everything on here will require walking. Grab some good shoes -sneakers are expected in a city like Boston- and a water. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or a sports fan, there is something for everyone. 

1. Explore the Freedom Trail. A 2.5-mile path through historic sites like Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s House, and the USS Constitution. You can go alone or check the visitor center to hire a paid guide.

2. Catch a game at Fenway Park, the iconic baseball stadium and home of the Boston Red Sox, or TD Garden where the Celtics and Bruins play. 

3. Take the T to Harvard University: basically a very mini Hogwarts easily accessible by train. Enjoy Harvard Square as well; beautiful little city-center hub with a lot of modern amenities. 

4. Check out the Boston Commons + Public Garden. Historic parks perfect for strolling or a picnic with Uppercrust Pizza (so delicious.) Complete with a beautiful pond, swan boat rides (skippable in my opinion) and a frog pond that turns into a public skating rink in the winter months. 

5. Eat in Quincy Market. A vibrant marketplace with shops, restaurants, and street performances. Very touristy for a reason. 

6. Expand your mind at the Museum of Fine Arts which is home to lots of artworks from different cultures and times in history. You could spend 2-3 hours, or more, here.

7. Enjoy the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. A Venetian-style palace/art museum created by an incredible woman in the early 20th century. This is my favorite museum in the entire world. It is also free to explore from 3pm-9pm on the first Thursday of every month. 

8. Cool off or warm up in the New England Aquarium. Home to thousands of colorful creatures and unique animals like penguins and seals. It’s quaint. And the perfect activity during a sweltering hot summer day or freezing cold winter. 

9. Learn from the Boston Tea Party Museum. They promote an interactive experience right on the Charles River. Great for kids. You can watch other tourists throw the “box of tea” off the side of the ship replicated to resemble the 1770 style from the nearby bridge as well. Honestly, that is even cooler than getting into the museum itself. 

10. Explore all the small neighborhoods. Beacon Hill is my favorite, and rich with history. As is little Italy in the north end and Backbay with its extravagant shopping areas. Seaport is extremely modern and relatively new, but full of activities, dining, and upscale bars. 

There are countless other things to do as well. You could walk the Charles River Bike path until you stumble upon the Boston Sailing Club. After taking the kayaks out you could catch a show at The Hatch and end the night at Trillium Brewing Company. The list goes on. 

The biggest thing to remember when visiting Boston, is how much longer it has been here than either you or I. And how many people have walked the same brick steps, for hundreds of years. It truly is the greatest place in America to find history, culture, tradition and infrastructure so perfectly preserved in todays world. 

Enjoy every moment for me, so I can live vicariously through your next trip. And share your favorite parts with me on Instagram! I would love to hear how it went.