48 Hours in Boston
Discover the best of Boston’s history, culture, and cuisine
Boston has New England charm, big city life, a waterfront, and centuries of history. The city makes seeing it all easy with The Freedom Trail, a literal line in the pavement that, if followed, will take you past all the major historical sites. A visit to Boston is recommended for foodies, history buffs, and families alike.
Boston Skyline Logan Airport Arrival. Photo by SPO123/iStock.com
FRIDAY
Land at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Consider staying in the historic Boston Park Plaza Hotel, now under Hilton’s flag. This Lower Back Bay hotel is adjacent to Boston Common, The Freedom Trail’s first stop.
After checking in, cross into the park. You'll be at its far west point, so head east toward downtown. Those who remember reading Make Way for Ducklings as a kid will enjoy seeing those ducks sitting in the park's northwest corner.
Before The Freedom Trail takes you back in time, you arrive at the Massachusetts State House, the current state capitol, on the park's eastern edge.
Tour the State House if you wish, then follow The Freedom Trail downtown. Pass by sites or stop in as your interests guide you. Consider tickets to the Old State House or Old South Meeting House. Including these, you'll pass eight historic sites after the State House before arriving at Faneuil Hall.
Faneuil Hall was and still is a marketplace and a great place to stop for food, to watch the buskers, or to buy souvenirs. If you want something less chaotic, Union Oyster House, another excellent food choice, is a block away. Along with whatever you order, make sure to try the Clam Chowder.
North End shopping and restaurants in Boston. Photo by Pgiam/iStock.com
SATURDAY
This morning, explore the Back Bay. From your hotel, head west, away from the park. For coffee and breakfast, visit Flour Bakery + Cafe. The Sticky Sticky Buns are an excellent treat. You can even take them home frozen, or as a kit if you want to learn to make them yourself.
As you meander west from Flour, you'll find many shopping options on Newbury Street and the adjacent roads. Pause at the Boston Public Library's Central Branch. The entire building is of architectural interest, but Bates Hall gives that quintessential library feeling.
Further west, you'll reach Prudential Center. In addition to shops, you'll find View Boston, a 360-degree observation deck on the 52nd floor. Visit the observation deck, "dine among the clouds," or come back for drinks at the bar in the evening.
At the far western end of the Boston Back Bay, you'll find The Mapparium. You can enter a stained-glass globe at this museum to experience the world in 1935. Other exhibits highlight more recent events in our world and showcase the life of Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science. You can also tour the Christian Science Mother Church, which is of interest for its architecture and 13,384-pipe organ.
For the afternoon, pick up where you left off with The Freedom Trail. After Faneuil Hall, there are three more Freedom Trail sites to visit. Old North Church and Paul Revere's House are both sites worth visiting.
Following the rest of The Freedom Trail east from Faneuil Hall will put you in the North End, right on the waterfront. The North End is home to Little Italy and, therefore, a great place for drinks and dinner. If you can't pick just one place to eat, don't! You can sample something from all the best restaurants in one evening with a North End food tour.
SUNDAY
Today, cross the final two Freedom Trail sites off your list. Instead of a rideshare, take the ferry. In a ten-minute ride from Long Wharf, you'll see the city from the water and be dropped off at Charleston Navy Yard. Here, explore the USS Constitution, a 1700s warship that fought in the War of 1812, and its adjacent museum.
Museum of Fine Arts APCortizasJr/iStock.comMONDAY
If you have time before your flight home, visit the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Search out Monet and other famous works in its world-class collection.