Boston was always one of those cities for me that flew under the radar. I didn't know much of what the modestly small capital of Massachusetts was about, until a series of events and work functions just so happened to bring me there. While I was in Boston mainly for work, I had roughly a day to explore the city and make the most of the time I had there.
Thinking about my time in Boston, I could not have been more impressed with how diverse the neighbourhoods were and the warmth of the coastal atmosphere, not to mention that I loved how everything is relatively close together, making it easy to navigate my way around.
This is how I spent my 24 hours, learning what one of the oldest cities in America had in store for me in my time there. The places and things I've included in this itinerary was designed intentionally so that everything can be easily accessed using the Boston subway system (MBTA). The subway system will be your friend for the day as the city's extensive transit lines make it very convenient to hit all of the stops we mention in today's blog post.
Without further ado, here is how I spent a day in Boston, which can easily be done in under a day at an enjoyable pace!
Breathe in the fresh morning air at Jamaica Pond.
Begin your day in what became my favourite neighbourhood of Boston, that is, the Jamaica Plain. Take the Orange Line on the MBTA to arrive at the closest subway stops, such as Roxbury Crossing or Ruggles station. The neighbourhood of Jamaica Plain feels very warm and homey as the streets are lined with locally-owned shops, food stops, schools and walls decorated with colourful artistic murals.
As Jamaica Plain became a part of Boston, the rate of growth continued to increase. The triple decker house, a defining image in urban New England architecture, first showed up in the 1870s, and spread rapidly in the 1890s.
Get your daily dose of greenery as you walk through the fresh air and breeze of the nearby Jamaica Pond, listening to the sound of ducks making their way through the serene waters, surrounded by hundreds of crisp vibrant trees, and maybe relaxing on one of the benches, taking it all in and starting your day on a peaceful note.
Head on over to the Boston Public Library in Back Bay.
After you've explored through the Jamaica Plain, take the subway to Back Bay station and observe how your surroundings vastly change as soon as you step outside the subway. Back Bay is known as one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Boston, home to numerous shopping stops such as Newbury Street and historical institutions. One landmark to definitely check out is the Boston Public Library, founded in 1848. If you're thinking that studying and reading books at a library may not be very high on your list of things to do while in Boston, let me change your mind.
The Boston Public Library isn't just any ordinary library, it's one that is brimming full of history and some of the most gorgeous architectural design you'll ever see within a building, let alone a library. Choose between walking through this historical masterpiece at your own pace or opt for a complimentary hour-long architectural tour, then return for a guide through the library’s surprisingly robust art collection.
Serve yourself up some of Boston's classics for lunch.
Eat your way through Boston's classics for lunch, whether it's stopping over for a hearty bowl of clam chowder or grabbing a good ol' slice of pizza. Try hitting up Santarpio's Pizza, an old-fashioned, family-run restaurant most well-known for their simple, but oh-so-delicious slices of pizza sure to satisfy your appetite. Consistently top-billed as one of the best pizza stops in all of Boston, the restaurant itself was one of the original pizzerias that opened to cater to Italian Americans who had emigrated to East Boston and still remains a staple for local Bostonians today.
Cross the Charles River to Cambridge.
You can't make a visit to Boston without exploring the city's famed universities. Highly regarded as an international city of exemplary education and innovation, come walk through the stunning campuses of Harvard and MIT and pretend to be a student for the afternoon. As I made my way from Back Bay to Harvard, the transit ride was super convenient, with the trip itself not taking more than 20 minutes. Take the MBTA Red Line where MIT and Harvard are conveniently just a few stops away from each other.
Have a gander around the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Yes, can you believe something like this exists in the small, old city of Boston? Inspired by the design of a 15th-century Venetian palace, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum houses over 7000 artifacts, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and more that will keep you busy in awe. Gaze at the grand architecture of the building while learning about the history of the various artifacts and galleries. Did you know that all 7000+ artifacts displayed in the museum were collected all by one woman?
In fact, Isabella spent a significant portion of her life dedicated to learning and acquiring select pieces and adding them to her collection. After her death in 1924, she specified in her will that the museum she built would be open to the public for shared enjoyment and education, but that her collection should be preserved in the exact order and way that she had originally designed.
End your day at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
As the day comes to a close and the bright city lights glow in the night sky, this is your opportunity to explore the famed Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Make your way through the countless food stops while browsing through some shops to get some evening shopping done. And you may just happen to stumble across a street artist or musician performing on the streets along the way!
Although I was able to only spend a few days in Boston, I could feel a sense of old-fashioned, yet modern charm that emanated from the streets, buildings, and the people themselves. The best part about it is that I almost forgot I was walking through the streets as a "visitor", because no matter where you come from in the world, some part of Boston somehow feels like home to you.
For those of you who have been feeling the itch to visit Boston or for those who have never thought about it, I say -book your flight! You'll come to Boston and leave already planning your next trip back, because one day is definitely not enough in this wondrous, historical city!
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