Nick and I each moved to Boston for school thinking it’d be temporary, but the charm of this small, historic city (with no shortage of seafood…yum) grew on us tremendously over time.ย We often get questions on what to do and where to eat, so finally pooled our favorites into this mega post! I’ll be keeping this updated and will add any new or forgotten favorites. Let me know if you guys have any questions, and be sure to check out my map at the bottom to see where everything mentioned here is located! When traveling we like to visualize where all the places we want to hit up are located, then find somewhere to stay central to those.
Things to do
Walking
Boston is very much a walking city, so pack your flats! One of my favorite paths to walk is starting at Hynes or Copley subway station on the green line, going along Newbury Street (our biggest shopping street) all the way to the Boston Public Garden and Boston Common. There you can also have a picnic, take kids on the (very slow-moving) swan boats or merry-go-round, and eat soft serve from the Boston Frosty truck. There is a week of gorgeous tulips in mid-spring, foliage a-plenty come Fall, or you can ice skate on the “Frog Pond” in the winter. From the Boston Public Garden, you can walk to either the small boutiques in charming Beacon Hill, grab a bite in Chinatown, or follow the Freedom Trail through Quincy Market to Charlestown.
Shopping!
Clothing and shoes under $175 are exempt from sales tax in Massachusetts, so I see many visitors shopping their merry hearts out. For individual items priced over that amount, the first $175 is still tax-exempt. Newbury Street is an outdoor shopping area with a range of stores from my affordable favorites like H&M, Uniqlo, and Zara to splurge spots like Burberry, Chanel, and much more. Other popular stores include Rothy’s, Reformation, Abercrombie and Allbirds. I also like the Copley Place & Prudential Center malls, which are right nearby, which is really one large indoor mall with department stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks, a variety of high end designer boutiques, and shops like Sephora, Banana Republic, Club Monaco, Stuart Weitzman, etc.
Picking
Fruit
We have a delicious variety of pick-your-own farms in MA, however most are a 30 minute + drive outside of Boston. If you happen to have a rental car, be sure to check out what’s in-season for picking! Berries (strawberries, blueberries, cherries) start late spring through the summer, peaches ensue in late summer, and then apples, pears, and pumpkins are in full swing come fall. Here are a few of my posts at local farms: Tougas Farmsย (also here), Honey Pot Hill, Parlee Farms, Verrill Farm.
Flowers
For lovers of fresh blooms, Tip Top Tulips North of Boston and Wicked Tulips in RI can be picked April – May,ย Parlee Farms up north has gorgeous zinnias & dahlias in August – September, and Colby Farms has a field of sunflowers that peak briefly in September. Note though that Colby Farm’s flowers are for viewing, not for picking! Each of these farms are about an hour outside of the city, in different directions.
Boating
If the weather is nice, you can walk or run along the Charles River on the Esplanade path. You can rent kayaks or canoes from a small stand stationed near the Hatch Shell. From the river, you can see Boston on one side and Cambridge on the other. Pack some sandwiches and drinks to refuel while out on the water! There are also several awesome playgrounds for a variety of ages right along the Esplanade path that my kids really enjoy!
Other Popular Activities:
– Visit Harpoon brewery for a flight of beer, or more importantly, their freshly baked soft pretzels (the cinnamon sugar one with cream cheese icing dip … droool). I also love to drink Downeast Cider but haven’t yet been to their tasting room. It’s located in East Boston, near the airport, and is open Thurs – Sun. If beer is your main objective, though, Nick’s favorite in the city is Trillium Brewing (multiple locations, all w/ outdoor seating).
– Stop by the Copley Square farmers market open on Tuesdays and Fridays, from Spring to Fall. Or if you’re by the south end, visit theย SoWa marketย which is open Sundays May – October, featuring food trucks, a vintage market, and tents run by small artisans.
– Pop into the historic Boston Public Library. Pinkies up for their tea setย of savory sandwiches and sweet treats, and of course your own potful of tea. The BPL is one of my most favorite spots in the city, although I’m a little biased since we got married there!
Afternoon tea set w/ matcha green tea lattes at Boston Public Library
-For the little ones: as a free stop, you can pop into the children and toddler’s room at the Boston Public Library. Other family-friendly activities are visiting Boston Children’s Museum ($1 Sunday afternoon tickets, and Martin’s park playground is right around the corner), New England Aquarium, and the Museum of Science.
ย – Take a Duck Tour which is an amphibious vehicle that hits up most of the city’s major landmarks, then plops into the Charles river to show a bit of Boston via water.
– Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, then chow down at one of the many nearby food options on Peterborough Street (Rod Thai Family Taste, El Pelon Mexican, Basho) afterwards.
– Explore the Boston Harbor islands via ferryย or boat tour. Recommended for history buffs (hotspots include war forts and a historic lighthouse) or hikers, not those seeking beachy sand to sunbathe on.
– Check the Bostonย Calendar for a list of local happenings, events, classes, or other things to do.
– Visit the Museum of Fine Arts or the Isabella Stewart Gardner art museum (indoor courtyard pictured below).
Getting Around
A rental car is not necessary while in Boston unless you want to do a lot of day trips to the outer areas. In fact, finding and paying for parking is quite a burden, so I always suggest visitors take Uber, Lyft, a cab or try public transit on our MBTA train system.
Where to Eat and Drink
Breakfast & Brunch
– Jugos – Tiny, tiny to-go spot located centrally near Copley Square, so on a nice day you can enjoy your food on the benches there (they also have a slightly bigger location with more food options in the South End). Grab a fresh smoothie or juice, frozen acai or pitaya (dragonfruit) bowls, or their chicken salad avocado toast.
Acai bowl from Jugos
– Tatte – A cute, Instagram-able local bakery/cafรฉ with multiple locations all around town, easily some of the most Instagram’d spots in the city.
– Dim Sum – we go to Hei La Moon for bigger groups, Winsor Cafe for takeout, or if it’s just the two of us or if it’s a weekday, we usually do Great Taste which is a small hole in the wall. Great Taste also has this traditional dish we love which is braised beef brisket & tendon over seared rice noodle rolls (pictured in the iron pot below) – it’s not on the menu so I try to show this photo! And if you’re in Chinatown, you’ll definitely want to stop at one of the many bakeries to pick up some buns to snack on later. 101 Bakery is our favorite for egg tarts and Portuguese tarts.
Dim Sum faves: shrimp & chive dumplings for me, sweet custard buns for Nick
– Cafes & Dessert – I’m more a tea person but Nick also loves his coffee! His favorite local coffee shops are George Howell in downtown crossing and the Thinking Cup on Newbury Street (right by all the shopping). For sweet treats, weย like Coco Leaf for Viet-inspired desserts, and Fomu (multiple locations) has some of the best non-dairy ice cream around – I even like it better than most regular dairy ice cream!
Lunch & Dinner: Loosely ranked in order of a super casual to a nicer ambiance
– None of these places are right in the city, unfortunately, but if craving Vietnamese we usually order from the following: Pho Viets in the Allston or Newton area. Banh Mi Ba Le for Banh Mi sandwiches and rice plates, or Pho Le for noodle soups, fish sauce fried chicken wings, and more traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Pho Viets beef stew over egg noodles, grilled pork & cold cut banh mi sandwichesย
– Chicken & Rice Guys – for a quick grab & go lunch. Modeled after NYC’s popular “Halal guys” (which is now also in the Boston area) but C&R Guys actually tastes like real meat and is way better than the Halal Guys Boston location, imo. A small combo (chicken & lamb gyro over rice) is usually plenty to fill me up – don’t forget to douse it in their yummy sauces!
– Taiwan Cafe – Decent soup dumplings in town, which doesn’t say much if you have a Din Tai Fung near you…but most of us don’t. What to get:ย juicy soup dumplings (transfer to your soup spoon carefully, nibble a hole off the top, and sip the soup out slowly to avoid a traumatic mouth-scalding experience), regular pan-seared dumplings, scrambled egg with beef & tomatoes rice plate (Chinese comfort food), Szechuan style white fish in spicy broth (“shui zhu yu”).
– Futago Udon – One of our family FAVES (Nori included) that we always bring visitors to. If you dine in, it’s a smaller but baby-friendly restaurant with a changing table. The fried chicken curry udon isn’t something I thought I’d like, but it is surprisingly delicious (ask for the chicken on the side to keep it crispy). In the summer Nick always gets the Mad Tiger (room temperature dish) and I like the hot version, their Dan Dan Noodles.
Lobby rolls, steamers, and fried shrimp from Tony’s Clam Shop
– For good ol’ New England seafood in a casual setting, there’s the fisherman shack James Hookย where you can grab a roll to-go orย Yankee Lobster Coย (right by Harpoon Brewery), both of which are a bit toursity.ย If you’re in Quincy (neighboring town to Boston),ย Tony’s Clam Shop has lobster rolls, fried seafood & steamers right by a small strip of water and a size-able kids playground. If you haven’t had steamer clams before, they are so big & tasty when in-season…our out-of-town visitors can never get enough!
For a different take on the classic lobster roll, Eventide is in the Fenway Park area and serves a tasty but small lobster atop a pillowy “bao” bun with brown butter. Also, Luke’s Lobster is a chain that is conveniently located for visitors near Newbury Stret and I’ve always enjoyed the seafood rolls there!
– Shabu Zen (2 locations) – my weekly go-to for comfort food, especially in colder weather. If you haven’t had shabu or hot pot before, your ingredients come raw and you cook them quickly yourself in a boiling pot of broth, then eat with a dipping sauce that you mix up in your little sauce cup. What to get: combos (their #A5 beef, boneless shortrib, or the tontoro pork combo) that come with veggies, rice or udon noodles; plus a sake or a watermelon smoothie.
– Spring Shabu is a great spot for all you can eat veggies and carbs (and green tea soft serve ice cream!), and you order the proteins a la carte.
Hot pot feast
– Salty Pig – Restaurant with large patio near the Newbury Street / Copley area focusing on charcuterie, pizzas, and a nice craft beer selection … aka the express path to my husband’s heart. I do appreciate that they make a lot of their own charcuterie and pasta. Sundays are “red sauce Sundays” with cute checkered table cloths.
– Holly Crab – Boston isn’t known for its cajun-style seafood boils, (Houstonians, no need to get it here) but if you haven’t tried it before, this place hits the spot! Shellfish comes in plastic bags smothered in garlicky, spicy, buttery and citrusy goodness. Put on the bib and rubber gloves, and leave your white silk blouse at home. Their crawfish here are very small, so our go-tos are the shrimp, mussels, and king crab legs (a splurge but so good) in holly crab medium sauce with sides of corn and sausage in the bag. Shaking Crab is a Boston chain that is also popular, with one location by the Public Garden!
Spread at Holly Crab (don’t be deceived by my photo staging…the boil comes in a big plastic bag)
– Oyster happy hour spots (note: these happy hours are OFTEN subject to change, so please call ahead to ask) – You can’t come to New England without indulging in fresh oysters, but they can add up at the usual prices! Black Lamb in the South End has $2 oysters as of Summer 2023.
–ย The Daily Catchย (multiple locations) – small, “cozy” Italian seafood pasta spots known for their lobster fra diavolo dish made for sharing. We also love the aglio olio, which is their house-made squid ink pasta (you can substitute this noodle in most of their other pasta dishes too, for a small charge) tossed with oodles of garlic and ground calamari. I keep highlighting the spots with fresh house-made pasta, as some of the most popular Italian spots here don’t make their pastas or even their sauces! We prefer the Brookline location for this restaurant, as the North End one has rushed and at times, rude service (neither take reservations).
Daily Catch Lobster Fra Diavolo for 2; various squid ink pasta dishes
–Douzo by the Copley and Back Bay train stations is our favorite for “elevated takeout” sushi aka date night at home. Dining in ambiance is nothing special, but our go-to takeout is the chef’s sushi dinner (12 piece nigiri for ~$45). We also like the chef’s nigiri dinner or special rolls from Basho (same ownership as Douzo)! Update 2022: our current favorite sushi spot is Sakana in Cambridge! All of their nigiri and specialty maki rolls (except the one with beef – wasn’t a fan) have been fresh and delish. My usual order: nigiri dinner, sakana roll, hokkaido roll & crimson roll.
–Momi Nonmi – It’s pretty pricey here but Chef Chris is super passionate about the food. If you are a vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions, they ask that you make a reservation and let them know a couple of days in advance as many of the components of the dishes are made from scratch in-house.
– Neptune Oyster in the North End (little Italy) is an iconic Boston spot for a big, hot, buttered lobster roll (market price on average is $35). Their food is usually yummy, but it’s a small restaurant and a wait could easily set you back a few hours unless you go at non-peak times. Now that I’ve had both Neptune Oyster and Saltie Girl on Newbury St several times, I have to say I prefer Saltie Girl which takes reservations!
Lobster roll, oysters, littlenecks and fried clams from Neptune Oyster
– Barcelona Wine Bar – love this tapas spot! 2 locations in Boston. Great, bustling place to go with friends or to just sit at the bar. This is actually a chain restaurant from CT, but they do a great job with ambiance and catering to local tastes (their bread from a local bakery is heavenly, always hot and fresh). Make reservations if you can!
– Toro – another tapas spot, by one of my favorite chefs in town. What to get: The cheesy Mexican-style corn, seafood paella (better than others in town; half size is plenty for sharing!), roasted cauliflower, bone marrow topped with braised oxtail. It’s so yummy, we’d eat here more if they took reservations.
– Drinks – Nick and I have opposite tastes in alcohol (he’s a beer, whiskey and scotch man, and I prefer anything but) but one thing we can agree on is we both like the drinks at Shojo. Nick also likes the menu-less bar Drink where you blab out what types of things you like in a beverage and the bartender makes you something, while you munch on their complimentary buttery popcorn.
I moved away from Boston in January to San Francisco. Personal favs/recs in Boston = Flour, Sam Adams brewery, Blunch (omg, the chocolate chip cookie is to die for), TASTY BURGER (imo better than in-n-out… it was my last meal of Boston), mei mei food truck, Ogawa coffee (Famous latte artist from Japan), Primark (haha), walking around Boston Common and stopping by Earl's sandwich for a bite, and of course Harpoon.
this is awesome. thank you for this! i will be referencing this whenever we finally get chance to visit!
This blog came at the most perfect time! Going to Boston next week with my family and we are foodies!! Thank you for the customized Google Map too! I can't wait to try out some of your suggestions!
Wow, no sales tax under $175? I'd have a field day. I haven't been to Boston before, and I'd love to visit. Definitely on my travel list!
Julia // Little Miss Haute Couture
Thank you so, so much for this post! I am moving to Boston in a couple months to attend school, so this wonderful little guide is definitely making its way into my main bookmarks ๐ On a related note, you mentioned your new hairstyle in your previous post (your hair looks gorgeous, by the way), would you mind letting me know where you get your hair cut/colored? Having a trustworthy hairstylist in the Boston area would be unbelievably helpful!
Love these tips!
http://www.eatwearwander.com
Bookmarking this post for when I eventually travel to Boston (it will happen one day!). What a great roundup of things to do. Tea at the library sounds amazing!
Also, no sales tax below $175 on clothes? That's AMAZING. Living in Chicago, where everything has the highest sales tax in the country, I couldn't be more jealous!
Lifestyle by Joules
Great recommendations! You didn't mention sushi, but I know you're a fellow Douzo fan – any other good places you've tried?
Great post! As a fellow Canto (and relocated from Cali), I loved seeing your rec for Chinese and Viet dishes! However, I will have to disagree with you on Taiwan Cafe's soup dumplings. I've only had them once, but it was obvious they were not fresh (my mom taught me you can tell they've been frozen by the pink goop that appears in the dumplings). Dumpling House are still my favorite, but I like everything else at Taiwan Cafe!
Also, have you tried Double Chin in Chinatown? I think they're fairly new, but it's a really cute HK Cafe and the food was delicious (except their cha siew… i would go across the street for that). Their desserts look amazing, but havent tried yet. Would love to hear your thoughts!
All the food here looks amazing, I really want to make a trip here now.
http://ohduckydarling.com
I moved away from Boston years ago and your post reminds me of how much I miss it! I'm very happy to see Shabu Zen make your list, as it is one of my comfort foods as well. I would recommend getting cannolis from the North End, at both Mike's and Modern…let the rivalry continue! ๐
Amazing blog!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to check out the places you recommended!
Thanks for the recommendations Jean! Living in Cambridge, I'm sometimes not as familiar with restaurants on the Boston side of the river, so always great to hear about new places ๐
A few recommendations I have for the cambridge area for those who have more time to spend in the Boston area (would also like to add +1 on Flour and Giulia mentioned in above comments):
1. Bagelsaurus (porter sq) for the sea salt bagel with honey rosemary cream cheese! I could eat that cream cheese straight out of the tub. I promise you it's worth the trip to Porter!
2. Alden and Harlow (Harvard sq) – small plates style, excellent food, fun with a group
3. Harvard's museum of natural history for the glass flowers
Hope you get to try/visit if you haven't yet!
Going to Boston next month, this was very helpful! Love your blog btw ๐ xx
Sam from http://eclecticelite.com
LOVE the daily catch! This is a very thorough and helpful guide! I had no idea what I was missing. I am bookmarking it for my future trips!
Love love love this post. Can't wait to check these out next time I'm in Boston. Thanks for the recommendations! ๐
Oh cherry blossoms! What a lovely roundup of spots to visit. Thanks for the visual and culinary treats! Your blog is always just what I need to start my day Jean… that and an occasional Thinking Cup Vanilla Ginger latte!
I just have one question … how do you stay so slim?
I'm visiting Boston this coming weekend so this article couldn't have been more perfectly timed! Can't wait to try out these places ๐
My boyfriend and I were just in Boston yesterday! We visited the public library, public garden/common, stopped for a drink at a Thinking Cup, and had an early dinner at Taiwan Cafe. Guess we did pretty well! ๐
Jen | affecionada
I've never been to Boston but it's definitely a city that I'd like to visit one day! It looks so beautiful and I look forward to trying the food since I love seafood so much!
Polly
http://gemsandjoy.com
I still know it since it's the only way to communicate with my grandparents (who are pretty active on Chinese social media and write daily posts, haha). I think Chinese Sunday schools are plentiful in Cali and definitely a good option, but continuously using it at home is the best way to reinforce it. You could have your kids read fun books in Chinese geared more towards their interest, also there are fun games too for learning foreign language reading and writing that can be played on a phone or iPad.
Hi S! Congrats again to you lovebirds and I only wish we had the chance to chat more last night! Hope you two enjoy the rest of your honeymoon! xo
Thanks! Updated about Common and your description of Giulia had me at pasta-making. Sounds reasonably priced too for the 5 courses! I had thought Tatte entered "chain"-dom when they joined forces with Panera…it's interesting to see what they will do next!
Oleana is a good one! And Nick would definitely second Flour and their chicken avocado & jicama sandwich : )
I would love to visit Australia some day! I hope you have an amazing time here if you do visit. xo
Yum, I also love the Island Creek / Row 34 family! Am booking an oyster tour of their farm in Duxbury with some friends… can't wait!
Hi Jeanette – what is your budget per night for a room? Given that info, perhaps others can share lodging recommendations per their experiences. Also have you looked into Air B&B; or other similar sites? I know several friends and family members chose route that when they came for our wedding and were happy with their stays.
Hi Jean
I'm pretty curious where and how you learn your Chinese? My son is fluent in both English and Mandarin, but not good at reading or writing. I need to do something so he can start learning early.
Jean
Can you read Chinese? I'm from Taiwan and live in California now. Think about taking my son to Chinese School once a week so he can learn it.
I've always wanted to visit Boston, it look like such a lovely place.
I went to college in Boston, for me it was temporary. It's funny how just yesterday a couple of friends, who also went there, talked about visiting and seeing it with fresh eyes. Reading your list brings me nostalgia, reading about newbury, the walking, the boats, the southend, and the baseball games. Thankfully, you don't have one restaurant I recognize. Taste palettes should change in seven years. Now, I can't wait to go visit and taste a new side of Boston.
http://www.convdesobremesa.com
Definitely bookmarked your guide for when I go and visit Boston!!
Meghan | BeyondBasicBlog.com
I did not know about the sales tax exemption in MA! Good to know ๐ Really helpful.
http://www.dressupchowdown.com
As a Boston gal myself, I agree on all your recommendations! I mean how amazing is Sweet Cheeks!? I could eat those biscuits and honey butter on the daily ๐ Love this post!
xoxo
Tess | Sequins are the New Black
Sales-tax exempt shopping?? I'm on my way! lol
http://www.maggiealamode.com
Boston looks so beautiful!! Looks like such a lovely time ๐
Enclothed Cognition
This is the best what-to-do post ever. Thank you!!
So great meeting you at Shojo last night! This guide is perfect timing for us, as we are in Boston this week for our honeymoon. We've been having a lovely time in your city! Meeting you was the cherry on top! Cheers! ๐
Great guide! I'm originally from Connecticut and have friends/family in Boston, I would say that I have only done about half of these things! Can't wait to check out the rest!
xoxo
Sharan
http://www.MyGoldenBeauty.com
Jean – What a great compilation! I've lived in Boston my whole life (third generation French/Irish!) and was so happy to see some new spots I haven't tried on your list. If you and Nick haven't tried Giulia in Cambridge (Mass Ave between Harvard and Porter), you should! The chef owner almost makes me cry with his flavor combos (pasta making begins daily at about noon) and they have a 5-course tasting for $65. Two side-notes… Boston Common is singular, as is The Public Garden. Tatte is owned by a friend of mine – not a chain – but she has a few shops from Beacon St. to Beacon Hill! Also Joanne Chang's Flour (and her drool-worthy sticky buns) would be a great addition to the list! Can't shake my Boston love! ๐ Yaay!
As a fellow Bay Stater living in Cambridge across the river, I'd like to recommend Oleana (amazing Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food) and Flour Bakery. There are so many great places to eat!
Amazing!! thanks so much for introducing me to Boston!! Looks like I'll be going to Boston this September. Love from Australia, Melbourne.
Great list! I recommend most of the places you listed. I would only add a few places.
I recommend Row 34 in the Seaport for their oysters, burgers and lobster roll. In my opinion, it's the best lobster roll in town. More oyster options include island creek oyster and B&G; oyster. I like the selection of local and west coast oysters.
Love these outfits! Beautiful pictures!
-Cheyanne
http://www.lifeofcheyanne.blogspot.com
A parfait get around guide for the city. I love the Vietnamese Pho noodles, they are the best. I think that's where I'll be for the whole duration if I visit Boston. Great post! ๐
La Bijoux Bella | by mia
What a timely post! I'm heading there this weekend for the Paul McCartney concert and haven't planned anything (other than a hotel) yet! Thank you!!!
Thank you for this post! We are really wanting to visit Boston for the first time sometime soon, and I'm saving this for future reference. We are looking for a place to stay where we won't need a car, but is also affordable. So far, all the hotels we find are out of our price range. We are open to visiting any time of year, whatever offers the best in terms of affordability.
Love that you include food for different eaters! And the blossom photo is amazing!
xx
Margaret
http://www.maleemaleehong.com
Now I really want to visit Boston! Thanks for the wunderful guide <3
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com