Top Destinations in Boston, United States

Use our realistic list of the Best Places to Visit in Boston to plan your next adventure in “Beantown”.

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Boston, MA is the capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is also the most populous city in New England.

Boston is the “Cradle of Liberty” of the US thanks to its role in the American Revolutionary War. The city has numerous historic sites.

Boston is among the oldest cities in the nation. Not surprisingly, Boston has numerous sights and attractions that claim the oldest title.

The oldest warship still afloat and the oldest university are in Boston. Some of the oldest buildings and house museums are also here.

Anyone looking for ideas for a weekend trip could use our list of the Best Places to Visit in Boston.

1. Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is a collection of historic buildings, museums, monuments, and ships. All of them are along the 2.5-mile (4-km) path through Downtown Boston and Charlestown.

As the name suggests, the trail’s sights played a key role in the nation’s fight for freedom. You can see the oldest warship in the world and several Old Houses along the trail.

It is free to walk the Freedom trail. However, some attractions charge admission fees. And others require a security check.

You need to do make a few decisions to make the most of your Freedoom Trail walk:

• Decide on the starting point;
• Pick northbound or southbound direction;
• Select places of interest;
• And budget about two to four hours to explore the Trail.

2. Gibson House Museum

Gibson House Museum is an excellent destination for architecture, history, and arts enthusiasts. This historic mansion once belonged to a wealthy family eager to display its wealth.

The museum is open only Thursday through Sunday. There are a total of three tours each day. The tour covers four out of the mansion’s five floors. You will also get a look at the basement.

Small number of visitors and admission times add to the feeling of exclusivity while visiting this house museum.

3. Whale Watching

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is an excellent destination for whale and marine wildlife watching. The tours start right in the city center in Long Wharf. Boston Harbor Whale Watching might be the easiest way to see humpback, fin, and mike whales.

The tours often sell out during the summer. Be sure to bring a waterproof jacket to withstand the Massachusetts Bay winds. And have backup plans if the weather affects the tour schedule.

4. Nichols House Museum

Nichols House Museum is among the oldest house museums in the United States. This red brick mansion offers a great way to go back in time 200+ years.

You can visit the museum on every day of the week but Monday. The tours run throughout the year. It sets Nichols House Museum apart from other Boston area house museums. Most of them close on weekdays and in winter.

You can explore the mansion’s layout on a 45-minute tour. Get ready to see countless pieces of art. And buy your ticket early to secure a place among the tour’s 10 visitors.

5. Boston Public Library

Boston Public Library in Copley square is Boston’s architectural landmark. The Library has several amazing architectural and art elements.

The Bates Hall, John Singer Sargent Mural, and a courtyard will be highlights of your visit.

Beautiful light fixtures and historic books round up a visit to the McKim Building of Boston Public Library. The library does not charge admission fees. You can visit it both with or without a guide.

6. Harvard University

Harvard University is a renown Ivy League university in Cambridge, MA. It is the oldest university in the United States.Harvard University has been open since 1636.

Harvard Yard is the University’s campus. It is a collection of historic halls, dormitories, and churches. Some of these buildings date back to the 1700s.

There are multiple ways to explore the Yard:

• You could reserve a spot on free student led tour.
• Or you could download an app to explore the campus without a guide.

Harvard Yard is a great place to visit if you like architecture. You would need a couple of hours to explore the campus.

7. Longfellow House

Longfellow House Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site in Cambridge, MA preserves a historic mansion. The house had a long history since 1759.

It had many famous residents throughout the years, including George Washington and Henry W. Longfellow.

• George Washington used the mansion as his headquarters during the American Revolutionary War.
• Henry W. Longfellow, a poet, lived in the house for nearly 40 years in the 19th century.

It is free to explore the grounds and the house. But you can also visit the house on a guided tour during the summer.

Takeaways: Best Places in Boston

Boston, MA is an ideal weekend destination. From battle fields and warships to mansions and universities, there are a lot of sights to see. Many of them are best places to visit in Boston.

You need to account for the city’s large local population and tourist crowds. It is best to plan in advance to make a trip memorable. You could look into getting tickets to exclusive attractions, like whale watching cruise or house museums tours.

Boston covers a large geographical area. But the MTBA public transport system makes its exploration seamless. The rapid transit system gives you options.

You no longer have to pick places to stay in the Downtown area or rent a car. Instead, you could venture to more distant neighborhoods and towns. Look for more affordable properties in Brookline, Cambridge, and Revere.

Take a look at our Best Places to Visit in Boston Video List and visit our YouTube channel for the latest videos.

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Safe realist travels!