Planning a day trip to the charming city of Boston is a perfect way to spend the day. The glamour of old architecture mirroring in the clean glass front of fancy new corporate buildings attracts thousands of visitors every year. The city offers plenty of things to do, but with one day in Boston, we’ll narrow it down so you can have a pleasant day without too much stress. As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston brags green spaces, historical sites, and vibrant culture.
It is also the only American state capital with a coastline, where you can walk for 69 kilometres along the Boston Harborwalk. If I sparked your interest, then continue reading for the perfect Boston day trip itinerary whether you’re in town on business, sight-seeing, or just need a change of scenery for a day. It is easy to get around on foot if you are focusing just on the downtown area. Boston’s subway or metro system is also a great option if you need to go far, or you can also get a rental car for more convenience.
One Day in Boston: The Complete Guide
There are plenty of things to do in the historic city of Boston. However, this being a one-day itinerary, you won’t have time for it all. So, we have tried to list as many great things for you that aren’t too far away from each other. The following are the top things to do in Boston in one day.
Start with a Morning Stroll through Boston Public Garden
Are you an early riser? If yes, then start your Boston day trip itinerary with a lovely walk in Boston Public Garden. It is only a 15-minute walk if you come from South Station. The place is a wonderful little getaway, where you can go for a Swan boat ride in the lagoon around Mallard Island. If you are visiting with kids, then make sure to see Make Way For Ducklings statues. It is Mrs. Mallard with her ducklings located near the corner of Charles St and Beacon St area of the park. The statues are inspired by the famous children’s book about Mrs. Mallard, the duck, who hatched her eight ducklings and brought them to the park.
Wander around Boston Common
Another excellent spot to start your tour is Boston Common, as it is the most central area of the city and a beautiful park. It also happens to be the oldest city park in the United States, established in 1634. Boston Common has served as a meeting place for the people, a grazing spot for cows, and even the site of public hangings up until the early 1800s. Today the area is a great place to go for a walk, run, or play ball games in the green oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Here, you can also find the Frog Pond, which is perfect for ice skating along with other fun activities to do around the pond.
Also, make sure to walk over to see the Massachusetts State House along the Beacon Street side of the park. With its dome that is gilded in gold, it’s a gorgeous building as it should be since it is the state capital.
Freedom Trail
It is a 4 km long path that takes you on a trek into America’s history seeing the most notable landmarks in downtown Boston. The trail takes you through 16 important sites from the American Revolution War in 1775. Some of them are the Old South Meeting House, Faneuil Hall, the Old State House, and the Old North Church.
Most people start the walk at Boston Common and end it at Bunker Hill, although you could easily do it in reverse. Walking the Freedom Trail is going at your own pace unless you are taking a tour. If you plan to stop and go inside some of the attractions then it would take between 4–6 hours, including a stop for lunch. So, you can either skip it or just visit 3 to 4 sites that interest you.
Explore Faneuil Hall
Constructed in 1742, Faneuil Hall is popular for the fact that it is the site of America’s first town meeting, which is also known as the home of free speech. Today, the place serves as a marketplace with places to eat and plenty of shopping to do as there are many options to choose from.
The Quincy Market is right behind Faneuil Hall and all part of the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Although the Market is much newer than Faneuil Hall, it is still an outstanding building to admire. Also, if you are a seafood lover, then with a cup of clam chowder or fresh oysters, you are in for a treat.
Also, make a stop to see the grasshopper copper weathervane on the top of Faneuil Hall. Built by Peter Faneuil, it is the replica of the one above London’s Royal Exchange that signifies commerce, which has taken place at Faneuil Hall all these years.
Fenway Park
If you are visiting Boston between April and September, then seeing a live Boston Red Sox baseball game at the iconic Fenway Park is a must. While Fenway Park, built-in 1912 is not as old as some other sites in Boston, some would argue it is just as historic as it is the oldest ballpark in the United States and has nostalgia for it. It has also been nicknamed as America’s Most Beloved Ballpark.
You can walk around the ballpark and take in the history of this famous landmark even if there are no games during your visit. If you want to take a tour and learn about history, tours are offered year-round, but times vary depending on the game schedule, and the ticket price is $20, which is subject to change.
About a 10-minute walk from Fenway is the Back Bay Fens, which is an urban park. So, if you are still looking for more of nature this is the place as there is also a rose garden to stroll in.