Top Things To Do – Boston Weekend Trip

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Boston, is the capital the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the New England region. I recently made a short weekend trip to Boston to explore the New England culture, see a lot of the American Revolution sites, and eat amazing seafood. There’s so much Boston has to offer for you and there are things you should also know to be well-adversed with Boston. Seafood tour is a must and I have done a food tour myself! I was very excited to visit this city because it was my first time here! Also my first time in the state of Massachusetts and the New England region!

If you have are planning to go somewhere for a quick weekend trip, specially if you’re located in the Northern East Coast of either Canada or U.S., this is the perfect itinerary. Also, for you who are taking long trip who want to spend a couple of days in Boston!

Explore Downtown Boston

The centre of Boston. This is where you should start your exploration. It’s a pretty walkable downtown district so you are able to see a lot of great landmarks, historic sites, markets, and public gardens that made Boston for what it is today. I’ve make a list for you of the best places to check out in Downtown Boston and what to do there.

Boston Public Market

I love exploring local eats, crafts, and goods and there’s no other place to find that in Boston but in Boston Public Market. Here you can enjoy fresh and locally sourced ingredients and goods great to explore more of New England heritage. It is open all-year around Monday to Saturday from 7:00 – 20:00 and Sunday from 10:00 – 18:00. It features over 35 New England food producers and artisan goods so make sure you go here and stop by for some amazing New England things!

Rose Kennedy Fitzgerald Greenway (Big Dig)

One of the newest park in the city, it is a linear park full of fountains, public places, and lawns for relaxation if you’re tired from all that walking. This linear park has a history as the location for one of the most expensive transportation projects in the country called the Big Dig.

Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall

These two historic sites are beside each other and are very important landmarks in American history.

Faneuil Hall, known as the ‘cradle of liberty’, is ranked #4 as the Most Visited Tourist Sites in America. It is where Samuel Adams, one of the Founding Fathers, started his cause against the British. Now, it’s been converted and open to visitors. It is now used as a meeting hall and a marketplace of restaurants, souvenir shops, retail, and gourmet shops.

Quincy Market is another great place to get more New England dishes, Boston Cream, and handcrafted goods by local artists. As you walk inside this roman architecture building, your nose will smell that amazing seafood and you’ll go hungry even if you’ve eaten already! Outside, is more open air market with over 120 stores, pubs that are full during the day and even so at night, and buskers and street performers in the street offering live entertainment.

Downtown Crossing

You should definitely shop while in America, so even in Boston, you should go to the shopping district called Downtown Crossing. What’s so great about this district is the pedestrian power it has. It is right in the middle of streets Summer St. and Washington St., it is completely blocked off to traffic so you stroll around without the worry vehicle-free. While you here, shop at Macy’s, Primark (which I love and reminded me of the time in England), and the biggest Walgreens I have ever seen in my life (so far). You will also find Luke’s Lobster right across Walgreens which is one of the best places to eat while in Boston.

Educate Yourself with American History at Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is a neighbourhood in Boston that is rich in American colonial architecture and history. There’s plenty of sites here to see and it’s home to the start of the Freedom Trail.

Freedom Trail

One the main things to do in Boston and should be in your bucket list to do on one of your America trip. The Freedom Trail is a walking tour where you will see the major historic sites that shaped America. You will get to know Boston a lot and see the important 14 sites that contributed to the American History. Starting from Massachusetts State House in Beacon Hill, the tour takes you to Boston’s prominent neighbourhoods ending in North End at the Bunker Hill Monument. Each site will make you experience what it was like back in American colonial era and the ambience of the American Revolution.

Boston Common

Boston Common is a garden park located right across from the Massachusetts State House crossing Beacon Street. It is the beginning of the historic Freedom Trail alongside Massachusetts State House. Here you’ll see Boston open art of Make Way for Ducklings, a burial ground, and a status of George Washington on a horse. Perfect to sit down and admire local and visitors alike enjoying the green space at this eloquent neighbourhood.

Massachusetts State House

This national historic landmark architecture is a state building that still operates for the government. Another important site that is part of the Freedom Trail, it attracts many visitors and admire the great huge dome at the top and the pillars. You can tour the inside of the building and see the state library, the President of the Senate’s office, stained glass hallways specially the Women’s Hall of Fame hallway. The inside is gorgeous so make sure to call in advance to schedule a state tour if you have 45 minutes to dedicate.

Acorn Street

Considered as one of the most visited street in the word, this cute little street in the neighbourhood is amazing for some picturesque American scene. It is one of the most photographed street in Boston because of its part in the American history during the American Revolution. Now you’re wondering what is its part, right? It is actually where trade and artisans did their business back in the 1800s which made it an important part of the Boston trade. This cobble-stoned alley is so popular to visitors that the tenants wanted privacy so unfortunately, unless you’re a professional photographer, you cannot walk on the alley. There’s a no trespassing sign.

Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum

Dig deeper into how America is formed at the Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum. It tell you that important event of December 16, 1773: the political protest against the Tea Act leading to the American Revolution.

This deserves a header on its own because I deem this to be one of the sites you definitely should not miss out. Why? History enthusiast or not, this place is very famous for a good reason: it was the first of the series of events that triggered the American Revolution. If, it wasn’t for this and Boston’s role in the revolution, there wouldn’t be America, the land of the free. It is located in Boston’s harbourfront surrounded by many fishing vessels and yachts. You can even experience and be do a reenactment of the protest as visitors can toss tea overboard at the Boston Tea Party Ship.

Feel Like an Elite – Day Trip to Cambridge

Cambridge is doable quick day trip if you’re looking to see the big elite schools Harvard University and MIT. It is located across the Charles River from Boston. This vibrant city has so much energy and youth from the country and all over the world that is has so much amazing international restaurants, cafes, bookstores, retail, and arcades. Basically all the things young crowds love. I love exploring and universities so I could not pass the opportunity to visit elite schools while I’m in the area. I did a day trip here while I was in Boston and I highly recommend you do as well. It’s super accessible from Boston via Red Line that goes on the Longfellow Bridge that connects the two cities.

Eat Seafood

Boston being in a harbour and an important trade port back in the 1700s and even now, you would definitely expect quality seafood served here. Oysters, clams, crabs, shrimps, squids, mussels, and lobsters, you name it! They have it! I had an amazing seafood experience in Boston and I have compiled an ultimate food tour to let you know the great places in the city!

Eat Boston Cream

Boston Cream dessert is from Boston so I highly push you to eat this dessert while in the city. It’s found in bakeries, supermarkets, and on dessert menus, this dessert is a true Boston staple. I got to try it as a donut from Dunkin’ Donuts because I love Dunkin’ Donuts. Whenever I’m in America, I stop by one all the time. I also tried it in a cake form from Mike’s Pastry. They’re both so good, they’re in my ultimate food your in Boston!