United States

Boston travel guide

Where Revolutionary history meets rebellious food culture

A day-by-day plan built around local spots, ready in about a minute. Free.

What Boston is like

Boston rewards walking. Start in the North End—narrow streets, cannoli from Mike & Patty's, brick townhouses that feel older than they should. The Freedom Trail connects colonial sites, but skip the crowds and wander instead. Back Bay's brownstones and Newbury Street's indie shops feel less touristy than you'd expect. Hit a Red Sox game at Fenway even if you don't care about baseball—the energy is genuine, almost tribal. The food scene has shed its reputation: Myers + Chang for Sichuan, Row 34 for oysters and beer, Neptune Oyster for queues worth joining. Walk the Charles River at sunset. Take the T everywhere; it's charmingly broken. Bostonians are direct and self-deprecating. The accent is real, the attitude is real, and despite its compact size, the city punches way above its weight.

American History
Red Sox Baseball
Seafood Chowder
Ivy League Universities
Colonial Architecture

Before you go

Best time to go: Visit in September to October when fall foliage peaks, temperatures are mild (50-65°F), and summer crowds diminish.
Cost per day: $100 budget · $180 mid-range · $350 comfortable
Currency: USD ($)
Plugs: Type A, B
Time zone: UTC-5

A few local spots in Boston

A taste of the places Kairo plans Boston around. Your plan has many more, with insider tips for each.

Cambridge

Harvard Yard
historic site
Free to explore: see Harvard Hall, statue of John Harvard (rub his shoe for luck—locals do it!), and lawns.
Harvard Square
neighborhood
Browse the historic Harvard Coop (university bookstore) and street-level indie shops.

Back Bay

Newbury Street
neighborhood
Boston's most famous shopping street: high-end and indie boutiques, bookstores (Trident Booksellers & Cafe), street performers.
Trinity Church
historic site
Romanesque church (1877) open for tours 10am–4:30pm, $8 entry.

Around the city

Pao Arts Center
activity
Pao Arts Center in the south neighborhood is a vibrant community performing arts venue hosting theater, dance, and cultural events.
Viga
restaurant
Viga is a counter-serve Italian spot serving authentic hot and cold sandwiches, pizza, and daily pasta specials in the center neighborhood.

See all of Boston's local spots in your plan

Pick your dates, pace and interests. Kairo plans each day around the spots that fit you, with insider tips, then links you to flights, stays and tours.

Plan a trip to Boston