Boston is a city that’s small enough to explore without a car, yet big enough to offer plenty for travelers to do, from world-class museums to great restaurants and award-winning bars.
The city has a rich history intimately tied to the American Revolution, as English Puritans settled in Boston in 1625, and the historic landmarks have been well-maintained and have become one of the main draws for tourists. As New England’s largest city, fall is a particularly great time to visit, as the weather cools down enough for pleasant walks and the leaves start to turn color, painting the town red and yellow. To help plan your next trip, check out our guide to the best of Boston, from restaurants and bars to museums and shopping.
Where to Eat in Boston
For New England seafood
With plenty of seafood restaurants in the city, Row 34 in the Fort Point neighborhood is one of the go-tos for many reasons. The restaurant is spacious and, unlike another popular restaurant in town, you can make a reservation. There is always a large selection of oysters and other raw bar items, and they serve one of the best lobster rolls in town. Row 34 is owned by the same people who own Island Creek Oysters farm, so be sure to order some bivalves that came straight from the source.
For modern Mediterranean
Sarma is a colorful spot in Somerville that serves modern Mediterranean small plates and is easily one of the best restaurants in the Boston Metro area. There’s always a large menu of boldly flavored foods from snacks like eggplant keftedes (meatballs) with black truffles to larger plates of Harissa duck and more. With plenty of vegetable options, this is also a great choice for vegetarians and vegans.
For rooftop and vibes
One of the hottest restaurants in town is Contessa, a stunning rooftop restaurant with its jewel-toned velvet chairs and banquettes and views of the city and the Public Garden. The menu is Italian-American and comes by way of New York-based Major Food Group, co-founded by Mario Carbone. Contessa also has solid Italian cocktails with Italian influences, from Negronis to a refreshing Sgroppino.
For Somali cuisine near the airport
Somali cuisine is still a bit hard to find in the U.S., but Tawakal Halal Cafe in East Boston, just a few blocks away from the Boston Logan Airport, is one of the best spots to get it. Try egg nafakha (potato fritters with hard-boiled eggs), biryani with braised lamb shank, and chapati wraps. Tawakal also has a very good—and strong—shaah, or Somali tea. All the meats served at Tawakal are halal, and they also have a number of vegetarian options.
Where to Stay in Boston
Luxury stay with a view
The Newbury is Boston’s latest luxury hotel. It opened in the summer of 2021 in a historic property that first opened in 1927 as The Ritz-Carlton. The guest rooms’ muted tones and custom furnishings offer a relaxing and calming space, and all rooms feature a rainforest shower. It is conveniently located across the street from the Public Garden, and some rooms offer a view of the garden. There is a dimly lit bar with classic cocktails and bar fare, as well as a vibrant rooftop restaurant with modern Italian-American cuisine.
For music lovers
The Verb Hotel is a boutique rock & roll-themed hotel set in a restored 1959 motor inn. Thanks to its proximity to Fenway Park, the hotel attracts both music and Red Sox lovers alike. The guest rooms and the common areas showcase rock & roll memorabilia. There is a heated outdoor pool and sundeck as well as a large collection of vinyl that guests can borrow to play on their in-room record player. Find neat design touches like a hole in the shower glass partition, placed so that guests can adjust the water temperature before stepping into the shower.
For a hip hotel with unique history
A visually stunning hotel with a rich history, Liberty Hotel is set in what was formerly Charles Street Jail, a national historic landmark built in 1851 that once housed some infamous inmates including Malcolm X. Worry not, the 298 rooms have all been renovated for the utmost comfort and the only remnants of its prison days can be found in the decorative elements. The hotel offers quite a few amenities, from a champagne welcome and entrance to weekly events at the hotel to seasonal perks, including bicycle and kayak rentals and Saturday morning yoga classes.
For a waterfront view
A five-star and AAA five-diamond hotel, Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf is Boston’s premier waterfront lodging. Even Bostonians who have not stepped foot inside the hotel would recognize the iconic 60-foot stone arch at the center of the hotel. The spacious rooms feature marble bathrooms and rainfall showers, and there is a 60-foot indoor lap pool and eucalyptus steam rooms on the property. Be sure to request a room overlooking the harbor for the best view.
Where to Drink in Boston
Best for unique tropical drinks
Blossom Bar is the reincarnation of Sichuan Garden and is now one of the best cocktail destinations in Brookline. Ran Duan’s parents have been running Sichuan Garden in Brookline and Sichuan Garden II in Woburn for many years, and Duan initially opened a small cocktail bar in the same property as the Woburn location and was named America’s Best Bartender by GQ in 2014. Now, Sichuan Garden has rebranded into Blossom Bar in the same space, keeping the same well-loved food but adding Duan’s intricately crafted, tropical cocktails to the menu.
For an intimate cocktail lounge
Backbar might have gained quite a bit of popularity and is no longer a hidden gem, even with its hidden alleyway entrance these days, but that does not diminish the experience once you manage to enter. It’s a small and casual space with a few bar seats and a lounge area, and the cocktail menu is fun and ever-changing. They have serious cocktails but also have fun with Star Wars and anime nights, and they offer a baijiu tasting you can reserve for their closet bar, a tiny bar within a bar that used to be a closet.
For natural wines with a bold attitude
Rebel Rebel is a female-owned natural wine bar tucked inside the Bow Market in Somerville. It’s a cozy bar mostly lit by neon lights and aims to provide an inclusive and approachable space for natty wine lovers, and the wine-by-the-glass list rotates continuously, sometimes on the same day. There’s no full menu, but they do offer snacks and cheese trays, and customers are welcome to bring food from the other food businesses in Bow Market.
For local craft beers
Boston has a great beer scene, and Night Shift Brewing is one of the leading craft breweries in the area, offering a selection of hoppy IPAs, light lagers, and sour ales. It started as a homebrew operation, but has expanded significantly after opening their taproom in Everett, just north of Boston, back in 2012. Now they have a large taproom at Lovejoy Wharf near TD Garden, as well as operating a handful of outdoor beer gardens in the area.
Where to Shop in Boston
For vintage shopping
SoWa Vintage Market, short for “South of Washington”, is known as Boston’s art and design district and also lends its name to this large vintage market featuring over twenty vendors offering everything vintage from fashion to furniture. SoWa Vintage Market takes place in the basement of a warehouse complex and is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (coinciding with SoWa Open Market, which is open seasonally) as well as the first Friday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. The latter aligns with SoWa First Fridays, when artist studios and galleries open their doors to the public.
For boutique hopping
Newbury Street in the Back Bay neighborhood spans eight blocks and is known for its upscale shops, galleries, and restaurants. It’s a popular shopping destination for both tourists and locals. The shops close to The Boston Public Garden tend to be on the higher end, including Cartier, Brunello Cucinelli, and more. But Newbury Street is not just for the one-percenters. Further west towards Massachusetts Ave, there are more affordable independent boutiques and locally made brands like Bobbles & Lace.
For one of the largest selections of hats
Even non-hat lovers may be impressed by the selection at Salmagundi, a hat shop with two locations in Boston. They stock over 12,000 hats in the Jamaica Plain location and 4,000 at the North End location. Salmagundi works with independent hatmakers and milliners to create classic hats for men and women in a range of prices, many of which are their own designs. They will also adjust the hats to fit each customer when they purchase.
For edgy fashion and lifestyle goods
December Thieves is a boutique shop that curates emerging, independent designers from around the world. The collection reflects the edgy aesthetics of the owner, Lana Barakat, who hand-selects every item in the store. December Thieves has two locations right next to each other, with one focusing on fashion and the other offering jewelry and lifestyle products.
Things to See and Do in Boston
The museum with the best architecture
There are a few outstanding museums in Boston—including the Museum of Fine Arts with its extensive collection—but the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is the locals’ favorite thanks to its architecture. The museum is an example of Venetian Gothic Revival architecture and incorporates elements salvaged from grand Venetian palazzos. The most striking element is its central courtyard, which blooms year-round thanks to seasonal displays that are rotated nine times a year. The museum’s collection now features art from ancient Rome all the way to contemporary artists.
For an adrenaline rush
Getting out on the water is one of the top things to do in Boston, and there are a number of dinner cruises and other sailing trips, but Codzilla is the only thrill boat ride in Boston. The high-speed boat has 2800 horsepower and takes passengers up to 40 mph with hairpin turns and 360-degree spins out in open sea. While heading out of the harbor, passengers also get to see some of Boston’s landmarks from the water. It’s a quick and thrilling 40-minute ride, allowing time to explore the wharf area for the rest of the day.
For a history lesson
Yes, all Boston guides probably list the Freedom Trail as one of the things to do in the city, but it is hard not to. After all, Boston’s rich history is one of the main reasons to visit. The Freedom Trail is 2.5 mile-long and passes through various historic landmarks. Some of the highlights include the Old North Church, where you can also visit the crypt underneath where 1100 bodies are buried, Old State House, and Faneuil Hall and its adjacent Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
To view fall foliage
The Esplanade is a park that stretches along the Charles River. Fall is one of the best times to visit Boston, and there is no shortage of beautiful spots to see the leaves in peak fall color, but The Esplanade should not be missed, as there is something magical about seeing the vivid orange and crimson colors of the trees right next to the river. There are also floating docks that locals like to frequent for picnics or to enjoy the river views.
