Best Things to Do in Boston

An open, industrial dining area sets the tone for fresh oyster platters and a great selection of local beers. 

A South End neighborhood mainstay, they’ve got oysters from both coasts alongside a menu of other seafood classics. You can even take an oyster shucking class. 

Boston’s classic, authentic Irish pub, serving pints of Guinness, shots of Jameson, shepherd’s pie and other Irish staples. 

A sleek and stylish lounge with creative and locally-renowned cocktails. 

Another cocktail landmark, one built around community. And there’s no menu. Just tell the bartender what you like and they’ll whip up a personalized beverage. 

The namesake of America’s original craft brewer has inspired a generation of local craft beer pioneers like Harpoon Brewery, Cambridge Brewing Co. and Dorchester Brewing.

SoWa (South of Washington) is the right brain to MIT’s left brain — it’s artistic and expressive, a thriving nerve center of creativity. Hop between contemporary art galleries, design showrooms, boutiques, restaurants and food markets. If you’re in town on a Sunday, don’t miss the SoWa Open Market, a regionally acclaimed gathering of farmers, chefs, artists, musicians and more. 

One of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, Harvard is perfect for sightseeing too. Spend an afternoon wandering the campus admiring some of its Victorian architecture. In Harvard Square you’ll find shopping, eating, drinking, live theater, movies and more. 

If you get tired of busy city streets and crowded restaurants, you might need a dose of green space. Boston Common, located in downtown Boston, was established in 1634, making it the oldest American city park. Today, it’s a tranquil escape from city life, complete with walkways, baseball diamonds and a frog pond. You might even find yourself at a wedding.

Google “historic baseball parks” and Fenway should be at the top of that list. Boston Red Sox fans have been listening to the crack of the bat here since 1912, making it America’s oldest active ballpark. You might even get a seat atop the “Green Monster,” Fenway’s exceedingly tall left-field wall and popular home run target. 

Africa is nearly 15 times larger than Greenland, but you’d never know it by looking at a flat world map. The Mapparium, a three-story-tall, stained-glass globe, accurately portrays the relative sizes and locations of countries and continents. And you walk through the map, so you step right into a 360-degree view of Earth and literally see the world from a new perspective.

Ask about candlepin bowling outside of New England and you’ll only get confused looks. That’s because no one else plays it. But ask New Englanders and some will argue that tenpin bowling can’t hold a flame to candlepin (pun absolutely intended). It’s played with a grapefruit-sized ball and tall, thin pins that resemble — you guessed it — candles. 

This “American history crash course” walking tour is 2.5 miles long and takes you through the heart of downtown Boston, passing 16 revolutionary icons, including the Paul Revere House, USS Constitution, Massachusetts State House, Old South Meeting House, Bunker Hill Monument and Old North Church (of “one if by land, two if by sea” fame). You have the option to take a guided tour or plot out your own trail.

An affordable North End sub shop with seafood and Italian menu options. They call their lobster roll a “symphony of shellfish.” 

Owned by a long-time fishing family, they’ve got all kinds of Boston seafood classics and local beers. 

It might look like a waterfront fishing shack, but this family business is still serving up incredibly fresh whole cooked lobsters (and showstopper lobster rolls) after several decades.

The Verb is a hip but affordable boutique hotel in the shadow of Fenway Park that feels like a midcentury music lounge. It’s perfect if you are looking for uniquely designed lodging on a budget or are a die-hard Red Sox fan wanting to stay as close to Fenway as possible.

Also see:

The Verb Hotel

Located right on Commonwealth Ave., at the edge of Boston University’s campus is the Paradise.  It’s intimate, 933-person room has hosted shows since 1977. Alt-rock legends like R.E.M. and Phish, hip-hop stars like Denzel Curry and Playboi Carti and many more have played here. 

A Cambridge mainstay that’s hosted live music since the 1975, the Middle East is a local icon for rock, indie rock and hip-hop shows. It’s a former Lebanese restaurant that’s expanded into five adjacent dining and live music venues, which makes the vibe unique and completely its own.