Weekend in Boston: The Excellent 2 Day Itinerary for 2023

Even with simply 2 days in Boston, you’ll be able to cowl some severe floor and get really feel for town. Learn on for an in depth itinerary for easy methods to take advantage of out of a weekend keep within the Massachusetts capital.

Few cities within the United States maintain extra historic significance than Boston. When spending a weekend in Boston, you’ll get an perception into town’s storied previous by its numerous landmarks.

Throughout my first action-packed go to, apart from getting a historical past lesson, I made positive to take pleasure in the gorgeous surroundings of Boston in its parks and alongside its waterfront. Add in a singular and scrumptious delicacies, and I have already got an extended listing of issues to do for my subsequent journey to Boston.

This submit was up to date to incorporate new Boston points of interest and actions for 2023. 

Right here’s my itinerary for spending the right weekend in Boston.

The Excellent Weekend in Boston

Learn on for easy methods to spend a fun-filled 2 days in Boston. Moreover historical past and meals, there are many different choices as properly, from rooting for the house staff at historic Fenway Park to visiting the library of one of many nation’s most beloved presidents.

Boston can be house to world-class museums and you can too tour among the finest universities on this planet. And naturally, your tastebuds are in for a deal with if you indulge within the metropolis’s well-known seafood. Get excited for some mouthwatering clam chowder and lobster rolls (domestically generally known as chowda and lobsta).

Day 1 in Boston

For the primary day, we’ll give attention to testing most of the metropolis’s historic points of interest.

Alongside the way in which, there will likely be a number of alternatives to take pleasure in some window purchasing, seize a chunk to eat, uncover hidden gems, and loosen up with the beverage of your selection.

Morning

Talking of drinks… I don’t find out about you, however I’m fairly ineffective earlier than I’ve had a cup of espresso. Thankfully I had no bother discovering plenty of nice native cafes in Boston. Two handy choices are Considering Cup and Tatte Bakery & Cafe.

I selected these cafes because of their proximity to our first cease of the day — Boston Frequent. It’s been round since 1634, making it the oldest metropolis park in the US.

A pleasant stroll within the park is an effective way to start out off your weekend in Boston. Take a look at the gorgeous Boston Public Backyard or loosen up by the Frog Pond for a bit earlier than hitting the Freedom Path.

This 2.5-mile Freedom Path takes you to 16 completely different historic points of interest throughout town. It begins at Boston Frequent and passes by landmarks such because the King’s Chapel and Bunker Hill.

An effective way to expertise this vital piece of American historical past is by taking a Freedom Path strolling tour. Those that desire a DIY strategy can click on right here for a PDF map to make your individual strolling tour.

You may get an audio narration and a reside GPS in your smartphone for just some bucks for those who simply click on right here.

Lots of the sights alongside the Freedom Path are completely free to go to, however just a few of them require an entrance ticket, such because the Previous State Home Museum and Paul Revere’s home.

It’s value contemplating the Go Boston go if you wish to go to ticketed sights. They’ve just a few completely different choices and the financial savings are nice for those who plan to do numerous sightseeing.

Afternoon

Nevertheless you select to go to the Freedom Path, the right stopping level is Faneuil Corridor. I contemplate it a must-do in Boston and it was one among my favourite locations to spend a gradual afternoon.

As soon as upon a time, this was a gathering place for revolutionaries. That’s why it’s known as the “Cradle of Liberty” for its position within the independence motion.

Lately, Faneuil Corridor is a big market full of various retailers together with a number of eating places and bars.

There’s no time like the current to attempt among the metropolis’s well-known seafood at locations like Depraved Lobsta and Boston Chowda. Go forward and work in your Boston accent when you’re at it.

For a full listing of all of the choices at Faneuil Corridor, head over to their web site.

There’s loads of purchasing to be carried out right here as properly for those who’re seeking to take house a memento. Don’t go away earlier than taking in among the superb avenue performances that go on all through the time out entrance. 

From right here you will have just a few completely different choices. These shifting alongside on the Freedom Path can head to Paul Revere’s home, the USS Structure and eventually Bunker Hill. When you’re motivated, it’s positively doable to sort out the entire path in simply at some point.

For many who aren’t fairly as passionate about historical past, you’ll be able to head over to Boston Harbor as an alternative. One actually enjoyable choice down right here is hopping on a duck tour. 

This has nothing to do with the birds that quack however quite with the amphibious car of the identical title. On these excursions, you’ll cruise round by land and sea to soak up the views of Boston.

Simply click on right here to be taught extra about this highly-rated, tremendous enjoyable tour and guide your tickets.

Night

For many who completed up the Freedom Path, you’ll be able to simply spend the remainder of your night over there in Bunker Hill/Charlestown. Choices embody the legendary Warren Tavern in addition to the Brewer’s Fork beer backyard. 

I hit them each in the identical day, and so they supplied a pleasant style of the historic aspect of Boston’s nightlife. Plus the beer was first-rate.

Talking of beer, do you know that beer truly performed a big position within the historical past of Boston and the nation as an entire?

It was proper right here in Boston’s taverns that revolutionaries like Sam Adams and Paul Revere gathered to share concepts over just a few frosty mugs of beer. 

Hop on this historic pub crawl to go to among the metropolis’s oldest taverns. Each dates again to the 1800s and a few are even older.

Along with sharing tales, your information may also advocate some beers that you could solely get in Boston. Excursions run at both 3 or 7 PM. 

Beer lovers might need to contemplate including a tour of the legendary Samuel Adams brewery to their itinerary. It’s some of the well-known beers within the nation and you may bounce on a tour between 11-5 on Saturdays. Head to their web site to see the choices and guide your spot.

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Day 2 in Boston

With simply 2 days in Boston, you’re going to must make some selections. Throughout my first go to to Boston, it was on the second morning that I actually needed to contemplate easy methods to finest spend my time.

Sadly, you’ll be able to’t see all of it in only one weekend! That’s why I’ll current you with just a few choices for easy methods to spend day two. What you do will rely totally on the time of 12 months you go to and your pursuits.

Morning

Ease into one other huge day of exploring Boston with a leisurely brunch. Peregrine within the Whitney Lodge is a wonderful selection, as is The Emory. Name forward to make a reservation to keep away from disappointment and lengthy waits. 

After a giant meal and maybe a little bit little bit of the bubbly, you will have some selections to make. If you wish to proceed the historical past lesson we began yesterday, you’ll be able to take a look at the Boston Tea Get together Ships & Museum.

I’ll always remember how a lot enjoyable it was to relive some of the vital occasions within the nation’s historical past by dumping bins of tea overboard in protest. Tickets price round $30 and you may click on right here to guide them on-line upfront. 

Another choice for historical past buffs is the JFK Presidential Library. Study all in regards to the lifetime of the thirty fifth President of the US and Boston native by interactive reveals that embody an enormous assortment of non-public paperwork. Tickets price $14 and might be booked on their web site.

The Boston space is house to among the most prestigious universities on this planet, together with MIT, the College of Massachusetts, and Harvard. Two are named within the high 3 universities on this planet — making them high points of interest in Boston. 

You may discover the Harvard campus on a strolling tour led by college students. There’s the choice to tack on a go to to the Museum of Pure Historical past as properly for those who’re so inclined. 

It’s additionally doable to make your individual tour of Harvard. Simply click on right here to obtain a free map together with an accompanying audio tour.

Afternoon

Within the afternoon, it’s time to go to the Again Bay space of town, which is house to modern Newbury Road.

Stuffed with historic brownstones, this scenic avenue has tons of boutique outlets, cafes, eating places, and bars to select from. Click on right here for a rundown of all the varied choices.

I particularly loved some in depth looking in Newbury Comics. Right here you’ll discover a huge assortment of popular culture memorabilia, from comedian books to vinyl data.

Even when there isn’t a sport occurring, it’s properly value it to make the quick journey over to Fenway Park. House to the storied Boston Pink Sox baseball staff, that is the oldest ballpark within the nation.

Constructed over a century in the past, Fenway is named “America’s most beloved ballpark.” It’s positively a particular place to go to, and you are able to do so on an hour-long guided tour. These go on sale 30 days upfront and can be found on a first-come, first-serve foundation.

In fact, it’s preferable to go to Fenway Park for an precise ballgame. As a result of it’s one of many smallest parks with some of the profitable groups in latest reminiscence, tickets aren’t straightforward to return by.

When you’re planning a weekend in Boston and the Sox are on the town, it’s finest to safe your tickets properly upfront.

It’s properly value splurging on good seats to see a sport on this legendary ballpark. Seize some peanuts and Cracker Jacks and root, root, root for the house staff.

Must you strike out on getting tickets or if there isn’t a sport, another choice over right here is the Again Bay Fens park. Get pleasure from a peaceable stroll by a World Warfare II-era group backyard and a rose backyard. There’s additionally a WWII Memorial and a Japanese Bell right here.

I understand that not everyone seems to be excited by seeing a baseball stadium whether or not there’s a sport or not.

When you get lovely summer season climate in your 2 days in Boston, chances are you’ll need to spend your afternoon at Fortress Island. It’s house to the historic Fort Independence, which is barely open in the summertime. There are free excursions led by volunteers between midday and three:30.

You can even simply relax and loosen up on the scenic Pleasure Bay Seaside. I guess you weren’t anticipating a little bit seaside getaway in the course of your Boston weekend journey! I fell in love with the place through the afternoon I spent enjoyable within the sand.

One other enjoyable choice for a weekend afternoon is that this VIP brewery & beer tasting tour. It contains stopping at 4 completely different breweries to pattern some tasty craft beers, in addition to a hearty lunch or dinner.

You’ll get to pattern among the best suds within the metropolis and revel in a fantastic buzz for the remainder of your day.

When you didn’t take the Sam Adams tour on day one and nonetheless need to go to a giant brewery, Harpoon is positioned proper close to the harbor and likewise runs excursions till 5:30 on Sundays. You can even simply go to the taproom for some meals and some chilly ones.

Night

It’s been a fairly wild two days in Boston to date.

You’ve lined a ton of floor in a short while and completed up a whirlwind tour of town. That’s why it’s time to do no matter your coronary heart needs in your final night time on the town.

As an avid reside music fan, my private advice can be to go to a present. Boston has a thriving music scene with venues of all sizes and shapes. I all the time examine Jambase to see who’s enjoying in a metropolis after I journey.

Maybe you simply need to sit back and have a drink. It’s proper there within the title at Drink – a hip bar that’s “devoted fully to the craft of the cocktail.”

They’re so assured of their drink mixing talents right here that they don’t actually have a menu. Drinks are created particularly to your style with the freshest substances. 

Your weekend in Boston also can come full circle for those who head over to twenty first Modification. When you’re not well-versed in US historical past, the twenty first modification repealed the 18th one, formally ending the prohibition of alcohol.

They’ve a trivia night time on Sundays, which is a enjoyable technique to finish the Boston weekend.

Weekend in Boston for Foodies (high 5 experiences)

I’m going so as to add an entire part right here for a foodie’s weekend journey to Boston. I discovered some actually enjoyable, extremely rated, and reasonably priced foods and drinks experiences in Boston that you could take pleasure in within the afternoon, or night.  

1. North Finish Strolling Meals Tour – Eat your method by Boston’s North Finish (Little Italy) and uncover genuine spots to eat. Pattern meats and cheese within the oldest Italian Salumeria in Boston, go to an Italian bakery, and extra. Discover out extra right here.

2. North Finish Little Italy Pizza Tour – A pizza-forward tour that you just gained’t need to miss! When you’re into sampling among the finest pizzas the North Finish has to supply, this one is for you. Study extra right here.

3. Underground Donut Tour – Not solely will you pattern attention-grabbing (and engaging) donuts, however you’ll be strolling and studying in regards to the historical past of Boston from the native information. Study extra right here.

4. Seafood and Historical past Strolling Tour – Feast on a tasty lobster roll, clam chowder, recent oysters, jumbo shrimp, and extra. Benefit from the meals whereas strolling round Boston along with your information and studying the historical past of town. It’s a few 2.5-hour expertise. Discover out extra right here.

5. Brewery Tour with Lunch – On this enjoyable brewery tour, you’ll go to cider homes, breweries, and distilleries, whereas sampling drinks in any respect of them. Lunch or dinner is included (relying on which period of day you guide) in addition to transportation. Study extra right here.

Insider’s Suggestions for a Weekend in Boston

I hope you will have an superior time in Boston with the assistance of this itinerary. I’m positive you’ll have an excellent higher one for those who comply with the following pointers as properly, all of which served me properly on my fabulous go to to Boston:

Skip the winter – This itinerary is finest fitted to the hotter months. It gained’t be practically as pleasing within the typically bitter chilly Boston winter. 

Guide early for summer season – Summer time in Boston is nice. There’s little question about that. Sox video games, seaside days, outside concert events, beer gardens, and extra. You’re not the one one with the intense concept to spend a summer season weekend in Boston, although, so guide early.

Examine the calendar – There are many huge occasions occurring in Boston all year long. It’s finest to examine the calendar to see what’s occurring. If you find yourself there the weekend of a playoff sport or a giant music pageant, it is likely to be a little bit chaotic making an attempt to tug off this itinerary.

Discuss to the locals – This is applicable all over the place you journey, however I really feel like I must make it some extent right here. I solely spent a weekend in Boston however had a number of nice conversations with locals. They’re keen about sharing recommendation and proposals for his or her metropolis, and plus you get to listen to the superior Boston accent. 

Go to a sport – I do know not everyone seems to be excited by sports activities, however this metropolis is extremely obsessed with its groups. That is very true of the Pink Sox. Do your finest to make it to a sport, or not less than crowd into an area sports activities bar for those who can’t snag tickets. 

Getting Round Boston

These touring to Boston by aircraft will arrive at Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS). This can be a main hub with direct flights to all corners of the globe.

It’s positioned in East Boston just some miles from downtown. You could have just a few completely different choices for easy methods to get there.

Non-public Constitution Bus

GoGo Charters in Boston is an organization that provides a enjoyable and sensible technique to get across the metropolis. When you’re visiting Boston with a gaggle of individuals, why not rent your individual minibus, or full-sized bus to take you round?!

Whether or not you’re touring to Boston for a stagette or stag occasion, a company occasion, a household reunion, or only a enjoyable getaway with a gaggle of mates, having a bus is a singular mode of transportation.

See all of the sights in Boston in fashion, and don’t fear about consuming or driving if you head out for the night time. Take a look at GoGo Charters and get a free quote.

Taking the T (MBTA)

The “T” is brief for the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) and refers back to the metropolis’s environment friendly public transportation system. There’s a method to make use of the T regardless of the place you’re staying in Boston.

When you’re staying downtown, the Silver Line bus route will take you to South Station. Better of all, it’s completely free! These staying in different areas can use a free switch to the Pink Line as properly.

It’s additionally doable to take the Blue Line subway, however it’s important to get a shuttle simply to get to the station after which purchase a ticket for $2.75. My vote goes for the free bus experience.

For an in depth take a look at all of the choices, head to the MBTA web site.

By Taxi

Taxis are available as properly however there’s no flat-rate choice and there are some unscrupulous drivers about. When you insist on taking one, simply be sure that they use the meter and you may comply with the route in your telephone. Count on to pay round $20-25 for downtown.

Rideshare

Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft each work from Logan as properly. Notice that there’s a $3.25 airport price added to any journeys to or from the airport. 

By Prepare and Bus

Boston can be simply reached by way of practice or bus. Basically, it’s straightforward to maneuver up and down the East Coast and that is very true between the large cities.

Amtrak has a number of routes passing by Boston. You may simply journey to or from Boston by practice from NYC, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.

There are additionally a number of firms operating bus routes, together with Greyhound, BoltBus, and Megabus. I solely have expertise with the latter in Boston but it surely was high-quality and low cost. Guide early and it can save you lots in your tickets.

☞ SEE ALSO: 15 Greatest Issues To Do in Milwaukee 

The place to Keep With 2 Days in Boston

Within the curiosity of comfort and luxury, it’s finest to remain downtown on a Boston weekend journey. Doing so ensures you spend much less time in transit between the airport, which is vital for such a brief journey to town.

By staying downtown, you’ll be able to simply use the free airport bus and doubtless simply stroll to your lodging. I don’t find out about you, however I need to spend extra time exploring and fewer time in visitors. Boston in 2 days is doable, simply ensure you select lodging in location. 

Staying downtown additionally places you proper in the course of all of the motion. You’re proper there close to the Freedom Path and the Waterfront, which is the place you’ll be spending most of your time.

From right here, it’s additionally straightforward to entry locations like Harvard and Fenway Park by way of public transportation. There are many nice choices for locations to buy, eat, drink, and keep right here as properly. I stayed downtown throughout my go to there, and I strongly advocate you do to.

Listed below are just a few completely different choices for the place to remain in downtown Boston:

If you need these harbor views and don’t thoughts paying a premium for them, you’ll be able to seek for lodges on the Waterfront as properly. Again Bay can be a enjoyable space to remain in for its proximity to Newbury Road and Fenway. 

FAQs for a Weekend in Boston

Listed below are solutions to some steadily requested questions on spending a weekend in Boston.

Get pleasure from Your Weekend Journey to Boston

Whereas 2 days in Boston isn’t actually sufficient time to get beneath the pores and skin of town, it’s actually a pleasant introduction. I felt like I obtained really feel for town and had been in Boston for for much longer than only a weekend.

I’m positive you’ll have the identical thought that I did, and that’s “I’ll simply have to return again and do it once more!” There’s a lot to see and do right here to warrant a number of return journeys to this iconic American metropolis.

I personally had an absolute blast with my weekend in Boston, absorbing the historical past on the Freedom Path, digging into a giant ole’ bowl of clam chowda, and cheering for the Sox (which was powerful as a Tigers fan, consider me), and extra.

Must you come again out of your journey to town with any glorious suggestions of your individual, please drop a remark beneath and tell us. I hope you loved this 2 day Boston itinerary.

Pictures on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com. Click on right here to be taught extra about their royalty-free movies and pictures. 

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