Everything we have written about Boston, in one place. Visiting? Start with the itineraries. Live here? Start with things to do.
The short answer
The 10 things to know before you explore Boston
01
Start here: the four Boston guides
Things to do
Ranked lists by mood, budget and season.
Food & drink
Lobster rolls, oysters, cafés, rooftop bars, brunch, cheap eats.
Neighborhoods
One page per neighborhood, plus a comparison table.
Challenges
A Freedom Trail route and a whole-city game.
02
Boston in brief
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Population | 675,000 in the city; 4.9 million metro |
| Founded | 1630, one of the oldest US cities |
| Size | 48 square miles |
| Neighborhoods | 23 official, plus Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline |
| T lines | Red, Orange, Blue, Green, Silver Line, commuter rail, ferries |
| Airport | Logan (BOS), 10 minutes by Blue Line or free SL1 |
| Best time to visit | Late September to October, or May to June |
| Don't miss | Freedom Trail, North End, Public Garden, MFA, Fenway, Harvard Square, Esplanade |
03
How to explore Boston
- By neighborhood. Day one: Beacon Hill, Downtown, North End. Day two: Back Bay, museums, Esplanade. See the neighborhoods hub.
- By interest. History: the Freedom Trail. Art: MFA, Gardner, ICA. Food: the food hub. Outdoors: Esplanade, Harborwalk.
- By time. A few hours: Common to North End. Longer: the weekend or 3-day itinerary.
04
Itineraries and pillar guides
3-day itinerary
Freedom Trail, then Back Bay and museums, then Cambridge and the harbor.
Weekend itinerary
Two full days of essentials, Saturday night and Sunday brunch included.
Solo travel guide
Where to stay, eat and spend an evening alone.
Boston bucket list
The things to do at least once.
New to Boston
Just moved? Neighborhoods, the T, winter, meeting people.
05
Getting around Boston
- Walk first. Downtown to the North End is 10 minutes, Copley Square 20.
- The T is $2.40 a ride, $22.50 for 7 days. Trains stop around 12:30am.
- Red Line to Harvard, Green to Back Bay and museums, Blue to the airport, Orange to the South End.
- The Silver Line SL1 is free from the airport.
- The Long Wharf to Charlestown ferry is the cheapest harbor view in town.
- Skip the car. Parking Downtown is $30 to $50 a day.
06
When to visit Boston
| Season | What it's like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Cold in March, lovely by May. Marathon Monday, Lilac Sunday, Swan Boats. | Marathon, blossoms, cheaper hotels |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Warm and humid. Hatch Shell concerts, Fourth of July, North End feasts, harbor islands. | Outdoor everything, Red Sox, the harbor |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | The best season. Foliage peaks mid-October, Head of the Charles. Hotels fill early. | Walking, foliage, first-time visits |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cold, some heavy snow. Tree lightings, First Night, lowest hotel rates. | Museums, food, budget trips |
FAQ
Exploring Boston: common questions
How many days do you need to explore Boston?
Two full days covers the Freedom Trail, North End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay and one museum. Three days adds Cambridge and the harbor.
What is the best way to get around Boston?
Walking, then the T. Central neighborhoods are 30 to 40 minutes apart on foot and the subway is $2.40. You do not need a car.
When is the best time to visit Boston?
Late September through October for foliage, or May and June before the humidity. Winter is cold but hotels are cheaper.
Which Boston neighborhood should a first-time visitor stay in?
Back Bay or Downtown: walkable to most sights, most T lines. Beacon Hill is quieter, the Seaport has harbor views.
Is Boston expensive to visit?
Hotels are the expensive part, especially in fall and May. Sightseeing is cheap: the Freedom Trail, parks and several museum nights are free.