Boston in 7 days

Revolutionary history, redbrick charm and college-town energy: America's most walkable historic city. Best time to visit: May-June and September-October. Average daily budget: $150 to $280 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Beacon Hill & Downtown, Gaslit cobblestone streets, the State House, Boston Common and the start of the Freedom Trail.

Morning: Walk the Freedom Trail. A 2.5-mile red-brick line linking 16 Revolution-era sites from Boston Common to Bunker Hill.

Afternoon: Explore Beacon Hill & Downtown, Gaslit cobblestone streets, the State House, Boston Common and the start of the Freedom Trail.

Evening: Explore the North End. Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church, then cannoli at Mike's or Modern Pastry.

Eat: Clam chowder and a lobster roll on the waterfront

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: North End, Boston's Little Italy, narrow lanes, cannoli, classic trattorias and Revolution-era sites.

Morning: Cross the river to Harvard & MIT. Wander Harvard Yard and Square, then MIT's campus and the Charles River esplanade.

Afternoon: Explore North End, Boston's Little Italy, narrow lanes, cannoli, classic trattorias and Revolution-era sites.

Evening: A Red Sox game at Fenway Park. The oldest ballpark in the majors, even non-fans love the atmosphere and the Green Monster.

Eat: Cannoli and pasta in the North End

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Back Bay & South End, Elegant brownstones, Newbury Street shopping, the Public Library and the city's best brunch.

Morning: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. A Venetian-style palazzo packed with art around a glorious indoor courtyard garden.

Afternoon: Explore Back Bay & South End, Elegant brownstones, Newbury Street shopping, the Public Library and the city's best brunch.

Evening: The view from the free Skywalk-style observation areas and the harbour islands ferry.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Oysters at Union Oyster House, America's oldest restaurant

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Cambridge (Harvard & MIT), Across the river, the two famous universities, bookshops, cafés and Harvard Square.

Morning: Sunset along the Charles River esplanade with the Hatch Shell and sailboats.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Cambridge (Harvard & MIT), Across the river, the two famous universities, bookshops, cafés and Harvard Square.

Evening: Bookshops and cafés tucked around Harvard Square.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Craft beer from a local Boston brewery

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Seaport & the Waterfront, The modern, glassy harbour district with the ICA, seafood and harbour cruises.

Morning: Quiet, leafy strolls through Beacon Hill's Acorn Street, the most photographed lane in the US.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Seaport & the Waterfront, The modern, glassy harbour district with the ICA, seafood and harbour cruises.

Evening: Dinner at Clam chowder and a lobster roll on the waterfront, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Seaport & the Waterfront.

Eat: Clam chowder and a lobster roll on the waterfront

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Beacon Hill & Downtown, Gaslit cobblestone streets, the State House, Boston Common and the start of the Freedom Trail.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Beacon Hill & Downtown, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Beacon Hill & Downtown, Gaslit cobblestone streets, the State House, Boston Common and the start of the Freedom Trail.

Evening: Dinner at Cannoli and pasta in the North End, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Beacon Hill & Downtown.

Eat: Cannoli and pasta in the North End

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: North End, Boston's Little Italy, narrow lanes, cannoli, classic trattorias and Revolution-era sites.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in North End, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore North End, Boston's Little Italy, narrow lanes, cannoli, classic trattorias and Revolution-era sites.

Evening: Dinner at Oysters at Union Oyster House, America's oldest restaurant, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in North End.

Eat: Oysters at Union Oyster House, America's oldest restaurant

Hidden gems

The view from the free Skywalk-style observation areas and the harbour islands ferry.
Sunset along the Charles River esplanade with the Hatch Shell and sailboats.
Bookshops and cafés tucked around Harvard Square.
Quiet, leafy strolls through Beacon Hill's Acorn Street, the most photographed lane in the US.

Getting around

Boston is one of the most walkable cities in America, and the historic core is best explored on foot. The 'T' (the oldest subway in the US) plus buses and commuter rail cover the wider area and reach Cambridge, the airport and the suburbs. A car is a liability with narrow colonial streets, aggressive traffic and pricey parking, so skip it unless you're heading out of town.

Safety

Boston is one of the safer big US cities and very comfortable for solo travellers, including women, by day and in busy evening areas. Use normal urban caution on the T late at night and in quieter areas, watch for pickpockets in tourist crowds, and take care crossing the famously assertive Boston traffic.

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