Boston is an amazing place to live as a European!
From what I have seen in the us (and so far as I write that review, I’m at 23 states on 50 ;D) it is the closes to Europe in style and mentality.
This place is super international, hosting to great universities, MIT and Harvard, people from all over the world come there to study.
I had the chance to live there 6 months, doing my master thesis at MIT and went a couple of times back to that city. Still feels like home even after some years past.
This city is full of life, restaurants, bars, places to go out and is very well connected with buses and trams. You literally don’t need any car to go anywhere you want within the city.
To know more about the tram system check here!
Culturally, the city also has a lot to offer.
Among the must do in Boston, you have to look at the Freedom trail!
You will find the detailed map here. You can do it self-guided (as I did , roughly 7 times with different friends that came for visit) or take a guided tour that you can book online or simply join while walking around.
The freedom trail consists of a 16 historical points along a well defined walking path. Simply follow the red bricks on the ground which will guide you to your destinations.
If you don’t have time to do the full tour I would recommend following places:
- Old state house, where the freedom trail center is located and the famous plaza of the freedom trail
- Faneuil Market, a beautiful market (and building) with a lot of food shops (fast food and take away)
- Have a walk at Boston Common and Public park! Specially in summer or spring it’s beautiful !
- Massachusetts State House, where the famous movie “The Departed” takes place ;D
- Have a look at the USS Constitution ! a beautiful sail boat
- Bunker hill… yes.. bunker hill is the place you want to go ! a monument you can climb up and have a beautiful view over Boston and North End!
- Make sure to go to the top of Prudential tower! You will have the view over the whole city!
- MIT is also quite nice to see once ;D or Harvard.
- Specially in the summer, have a walk along common wealth avenue!
If you have a couple of days:
Add a walk to Castle Island Park and Joe Moakley Park
For historical reasons – are worth seeing – Salem a city north and Saugus Iron Works
(need a car) and Plymouth a city south (need a car)
If you can you SHOULD include Cape code which is a beautiful national park. Drive all the way to Provincetown, a surprising and nice city in the summer.
When the weather is bad
Aside from the breweries (see list below) you can go to New England Aquarium that is very nice !
Close to that place you will find the Liberty fleet as well and have a view on the beautiful “Mariott Custom house”, a tower that you can’t miss
Faneuil market is a nice place and you have the freedom trail museum there as well.
Museum of science is the place you want to go if you have kids =)
MIT Museum is also quite nice for kids and for grown ups!
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, loved that place ! if you like art and furniture this is the place you want to go ! very beautiful
HIGHLIGHT: Harvard Museum of Natural History
Ok this is the place you want to have a look at. Specially, don’t miss the glass sculpture area about flowers and botanics, it will blow your mind!
Places for good food shopping?
If you never went to the US, try Trade joe, my favorite place ! beautiful, organic, clean, friendly people! Just loved it, felt like home there.
Whole food, a bit more expensive but very nice place to shop!
Close to central square there is a liquor store which is the best in town. You can buy a re-usable 6 pack and take individual beers which is not the case in other liquor stores (you end up buying 6 times the same because you can’t open the packaging)
Places to eat Lobsters, Bars and Restaurants
Boston is known for its Lobster rolls, Clam chowder and Boston pie so please do me the favor to try alteast one of these =) specially the 2 first ones!
Not too expensive
There is “No Name” which is in the harbor district. Quite good, not too expensive. But not a classy restaurant
If you want a bit better or with a nice harbor view go to “Legal test kitchen” or “Legal Harborside”
A bit pricier, still ok but I think one place you have to go if you had to pick only one
“Union Oyster House” , a beautiful and probably the oldest restaurant in Boston. They have a gallery with paintings of all the freedom trail historical monuments. .. a must see ! even if you don’t eat.
Right next to that place there is a nice bar “The Bell in Hand Tavern”
Places for fast food:
Have a look at Tasty Burger
Grafton Street Pub & Grill
Cheese cake factory
My favorits:
Yard House ($$$), Longhorn and Outback ($$), all steak houses which you HAVE to try.
Where to party?
The Phoenix Landing a bar during day, a club at night, entry fee
Hong Kong, 3 floors: one bar, one restaurant and one club – sound system is crap but it’s free and fun
If you are into beer
Yes USA are heaven for beer lovers. Despite the poor reputation that beers such as B** and M** gave to American beer (yes sorry ^^ it’s the case) they also have some amazing brewers.. probably way more than in Europe and with a choice which will blow your mind.
In Boston I would for sure visit:
Samuel Adams Brewery – a free (based on donation) brewery tour which is very nice, includes beer tasting and a gift glass
Harpoon Brewery tour – you have to pay for that one – it’s quite nice and beer is good. They also have a really cool tap house if you just wanna go for an evening beer
Somerville Brewing American Fresh Brewery and Taproom Boynton Yards Is also pretty amazing and good ! go there !
Looking for other hiking or travel destinations? Check here!
Looking for other places to stay ? check here!
Or do you simply have a question? Contact me!
