Boston Travel Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Go

Everything YOU need to know before you travel to Boston Massachusetts in the USA. Boston is the hub of New England, in the Northeast of the United States. Visiting Boston is like a history class in person. Boston is the cradle of much of the US’s history including playing a significant role in the American Revolution, having the first public library in the US, and the first lighthouse. Boston is a city of Neighborhoods, with 23 distinct neighborhoods. Boston has lots of Parks -- public green space is 17 percent of the city. You are never more than a half mile from a park. Boston is very compact.. Downtown Boston is roughly 2 square miles. About 13% of Boston citizens commute by foot, giving it the highest percentage of pedestrian commuters in major cities of the United States.

2 - Top Attractions

Freedom trail
A red-brick path connecting the most famous sites. 2.5 miles long.
16 of Boston’s most historic sites including:
Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the Paul Revere House and Old North Church.

North End
The end of the Freedom Trail, and home to Boston’s Little Italy district.
Make sure to get a cannoli from Mike’s Pastry or Modern Pastry.

Boston Common was declared America’s first public park in 1634
Right next to it is the Boston Public Garden, America’s first Botanic Garden

JFK Presidential Library
All about the life of the US’s 35th president… a bit of the beaten path, but worth it for history buffs.

Beacon Hill
Known as Boston’s most “beautiful” neighborhood
Known for its charming, narrow cobblestone streets, federal style row houses and gaslit streetlamps. It’s also considered to be one of Boston’s most desirable and expensive residential areas in the city

Fenway Park
Home to the Boston Red Sox, built in 1912, it’s the Oldest Major League Baseball Stadium still in use.

3 - Food

Quincy Market
great gathering spot and place for lunch, with over 35 stands offering a wide food selection.

Seafood

Scrod - Catch of the day

Chowders, Lobster Rolls

Italian Food

Dunkin Donuts started here.. And yes, there’s one on every corner.

Beer: Visit the Sam Adams Brewery opened in 1984. Tours are free.. And with free beer tasting!

There’s **NO HAPPY HOUR**
Boston has banned after work drink specials. Time-of-day deals are limited to food. So you’ll find cheap food options from 4pm-6pm, but not alcohol.

4 - Getting In

You’ll likely be flying in to Boston Logan International Airport, which is just a short 3 miles away from Boston. 40 airlines that serve Boston, and 3 hotels onsite

You can also take the Blue Line Subway, but you have to take the Massport shuttle bus to get to the Subway stop.

Bus: Silver Line SL1 will take you in to the city along the waterfront to South Station -- it’s free for passengers arriving at the airpor

5 - Getting Around

Getting around Boston is like navigating a maze

6 - When to go

Summer is peak tourist season (June-August)
But locals recommend Fall, September & October. The leaves are changing color, and the weather is much more pleasant.
Winter is cold! And long! With lots of snow! You’ve been warned!
Spring often has lots of rain.
Biggest Holidays are St Patrick’s Day and the Boston Marathon
Re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party every year on DECEMBER 16

7 - Language

English.. But the Boston accent is pretty thick, and there’s some interesting local slang
Not everyone has the Boston Accent… but you’ll definitely hear it

8 - Wicked Wifi

I mentioned Wifi means good… Wicked Wifi is the cities metropolitan wifi network. The SSID is “WickedFreeWifi”

9 - Hotels

Boston is old, and so are the hotels and AirBNBs. If you are expecting an elevator and A/C, call to check in advance.

10 - Universities

More than 20 colleges in Boston alone… and Harvard, and MIT which are technically not in Boston, but in Cambridge across the river.

140,000 college students call Boston home.
Makes for lots of cheap eats, and nightlife options.

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[rubo]

I moved from LA to Boston 30yrs ego and never regretted.Best decision I made.I bought my house 25yrs ego while houses were still relatively affordable sadly not anymore house I paid 165k now its worth over 500k.Its a great city but expensive now to live.Lot of places he shows on this video are typical tourist trap spots where locals dont go.Try discovering where locals go avoid the tourists as much you can.Not saying it as there is wrong with tourists but to get the true feel for the city you got to get out of typical placed recommended by trip adviser.

[ireneannofficial]

The Earl of Sandwhich shop in the Commons is an old renovated restroom. No one from Boston eats there.

[katiemcteague]

Locals tip: You are much better off eating seafood at a seafood restaurant and avoid Quincy Market as it overpriced and not the best quality. A good lobster roll is loaded with lobster meat with just enough mayo to keep it together. Lots of add-ins reduces its value and taste. No local refers to a sandwich as a grinder. It’s either a sandwich made with sliced bread or it is a submarine (shortened to sub) if it is served on a long roll made for this purpose. Sub shops are everywhere and offer a variety of foods, mostly to-go. The North End is THE place for quality Italian food. Enjoy Boston as it’s a great small city and very walkable.

[maureencoyle]

You firgot the Swan Boats in the Public A Boston classic!!

[LaurenBoston]

As a native to the city you did a great job. Don't try to scare too many people about the winters though. Over the last two decades they have gotten much milder. This past winter we had such a small amount of snow and only 3 days of deep freeze.
The Boston Marathon is actually held on a state holiday called Patriots Day. Not for the football team but in recognition of the brave who fought for our independence in nearby Concord and Lexington. Schools, state and municipal offices are all closed for Patriots Day.

[roachtoasties]

Don't forget hotels near downtown Boston are very expensive. Fortunately, the subway/metro runs often. If you're comfortable staying slightly outside the city, pick a hotel near a subway stop and just commute in to see the city. You'll save money.

[eddonbordeaux]

I used to live just outside of the city, and this video definitely made me miss it!

[richardp]

Don’t forget about Chinatown, Boston’s got one of the largest Chinatowns in the US, probably top 3.

[brucevidito]

Dunkin Donuts was started in Quincy, MA on the Southern Artery. The very first store is still there.

[jpoc]

Current MIT student here! Thanks for the overview of stuff to do in Boston! Usually I just go into Boston and wander rather than looking at particular sites but I think I'll check some of these out.

[lisam]

When you mentioned Boston public garden you forgot the world famous Swan Boats that inspired the children's book Make Way For Ducklings.

[arthurhamlin]

As a native Bostonian, I have to say, this is a fairly accurate description of Boston. Though I am a little surprised there was no mention of all the museums in town.

[NostalgiaMan]

I have never been to Boston, but it looks amazing. Also, I shared your videos with the travel channel and a few other networks and I think you should be hired immediately. Best Travel Guide Host EVER!!!

[russellkule]

Great video, im from boston, and love this place (my home). Your explanation of the city shows the true beauty of it. Thanks!

[donrevie]

Superb 'need to know' video of Boston.
Chris is so polished, informed and professional yet personable and relatable.
Bravo...10 out of 10!

[Turtlehands]

It's usually called a sub, not a grinder. And the Boston Marathon is run on a state holiday, called Patriots day. (It is for the battles of Lexington and Concord during the revolutionary war.)

[jeis]

Hands down, the best Boston travel video we saw. Thank you so much! We will definitely check out your others!

[meghasawhney]

What a thorough Professional you are, Chris! Super impressed by this video. Thank you for making it, great help😅😅

[PostcardCathy]

Logan is in Boston proper, in the East Boston neighborhood. It isn’t 3 miles from Boston, as it is in Boston! It is however, about that far from downtown Boston.