Best Of Boston: Sights, Bites And Delights

Check Out Boston Before or After Your Cruise

By Mary Luz Mejia | Published on September 29, 2023

I love Boston. This city has everything — steeped-in-history city landmarks, like the country's oldest public park, ballpark and even restaurant and so many things to do including food tours, ghost tours, cultural attractions, architecture and more. Spend some time before or after your cruise vacation to explore the best of Boston.

Boston Is A Big City With A Small Town Feel

Boston's population is still well below a million, making it a fairly small-sized city, though it does boast amenities that would make many of its larger neighbors green with envy. What can you expect from a visit to Boston? A diehard sports culture, check! Arts and culture? Absolutely! With over 50 museums, without even counting all of the historical buildings scattered around the city, there's something for everyone. Food? Boston's got it covered — with literally thousands of restaurants, the city is famous for Italian food as well as the wide-ranging menus on offer throughout Chinatown. The best Boston tours will show you what the city is all about.

Before I dive right in, there are a few things to consider before getting the best of Boston: This is a historic city, by North American standards, and as such, there are numerous, well-preserved old buildings. When making plans for visits to specific sites, make sure to ask ahead if you have questions about the level of accessibility.

Boston is also a compact town, dotted liberally with cobblestones on many winding roads. Expect to walk a lot — especially as traffic can be very heavy — and bring comfortable shoes. Boston proudly founded North America's first subway, and transit is still very good, though you'll still find yourself walking in between stations and other points of interest. Get yourself a "T" pass for the subway if you're staying longer than seven days, otherwise opt for the CharlieCard and still save on each subway trip with these reloadable cards. And yes, water transit is a thing, so look out for options to travel along Boston Harbor or even further afield. Car rentals aren't recommended unless you are headed out of the city (in which case, pack your patience for the drive out toward the city limits).

Take A Bite Out Of Boston

History And Nature On Foot

Not all walking tours necessitate a guide, and the Freedom Trail is likely one of the best walking tours in Boston and is free if you choose to make it a self-guided one (note that some sites may charge an admission fee). This 2.5-mile walk covers all 16 historically significant sites in the area, including the Paul Revere House, USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, Boston Common and the Massachusetts State House. Conveniently, the path is clearly demarcated as a physical red line embedded into the pavement, so it's really easy to ensure you see all of the sites on your estimated 90-minute walk. You can also experience it in the way that best suits you as the route is not chronological. Should you prefer to partake in a guided public tour, you can purchase tickets in advance.

Boston's Emerald Necklace offers nature lovers a chance to breathe in the sounds and scents of nature. This 1,100-acre series of parks is connected by waterways and parkways and was designed by Frederick Olmsted, a landscape architect, in the latter part of the 1800s. The charming name comes from the way the chain of parks seems to hang from the neck that is the Boston peninsula. The 7-mile necklace is open to walkers and cyclists, and you can even take a guided tour with a Conservancy docent from May to October. The guided tours are free of charge, though a small donation of $10 is recommended.

It's All About The View

A city viewed from a body of water is unforgettable, and there are plenty of water-based Boston excursions. There are so many Boston harbor cruise options leaving from Long Wharf that your only limitations are how much time you have to spend and what you'd most like to see. For those on a limited time window, the best Boston tour option is the one-hour historical tour, a great way to get the highlights of Boston's colorful history while getting up close to the USS Constitution and the Boston Tea Party ships and seeing an impressive view of the skyline. There are multiple departures each day, so you can catch one at your convenience.

For the less time-strapped and more adventurous traveler, look out for whale-watching tours. Typically taking about four hours, these are guided tours, which should have you spotting humpback and fin whales, as well as Atlantic dolphins. Some cruises offer high-speed catamarans for an extra adrenaline rush and a faster outing while offering snacks and drinks for purchase onboard. To experience these best of Boston tours and more, cruise from Boston for a mix of old, new, and, as locals say, something "wicked awesome!"