The Boston Bucketlist

Boston, the birthplace of the American Revolution, has so much to offer, from thick Bostonian accents, unforgettable Italian food, to endless amounts of historical Civil War places. Here are some of my favorite things to see in the culturally rich city!

1) Walk the Freedom Trail

Whether or not you are a history buff or just an average human, the Freedom Trail is a fun and unique experience to see in Boston. You can choose to do the physical guide along the Freedom Trail, or you can download your audio guide (on the Freedom Trail app) and walk at your own pace. Some of my favorite sites along the route include:

• Bunker Hill Monument - The monument that commemorates the start of the Civil War. This obelisk is 221 feet tall (67 meters). You can choose to go inside the monument or check out the museum.

• Boston Common - Starting as a public place for public hangings, this public area has grown to become a symbol of free speech and assembly and is the oldest public park in the United States. You can find an array of gardens, sculptures (including one of MLK), and a pond where you can ride the swan boat (during the summer time). It is a fantastic green space to enjoy in the city!

• USS Constitution - the world's oldest warship that is still afloat. It is known for its unbeatable record in the War of 1812.

• Granary Burying Ground - the final burying ground for around 5,000 Bostonians, some of them famous revolutionaries such as Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and Benjamin Franklin.

2) Check out the Art Museums

If you are an Art History nerd or a lover of the arts, Boston has some amazing museums to see art. Here are a few of my favorite ways to see art in the city.

• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: A unique museum housed in the former home of an art collector, Isabella Stewart. There is a unique courtyard that houses many different plants and sculptures.

• Museum of Fine Arts: Known as the 20th largest art museum in the world, it holds a great comprehensive collection of art, as well as the largest collection of Japanese art.

• Harvard Art Museums: Free art museums that offer European and American art.

• Institute of Contemporary Art: an impressive art exhibition of contemporary art located in the seaport area of Boston

3) Check out the Food Courts

If you are a foodie, there are so many things to try in Boston. Some of those foods include: clam chowder, lobster rolls, cannolis, baked beans, Boston cream pie, and oysters. You can find many of these items in the different food halls, such as:

• Faneuil Hall - With over 80 businesses, this food hall is Boston’s iconic mixed-use festival marketplace. You can find dozens of restaurants, pubs, and in the world-famous Quincy Market Colonnade. You can also discover new musical acts and street performers there!

• Time Out Boston - Time Out Market Boston opened in Fenway in 2019. As a massive market with over 27,000 square feet, the dining hall has 15 eateries, two bars, a huge patio, and a video-installation wall, and offers theme nights for a great night on the town!

4) Take a day trip over to Salem, Massachusetts

Allison's Mansion (from Hocus Pocus)

If you are going in October or just love Halloween, I would recommend making a day trip to Salem, Massachusetts. If you do like Halloween, I would definitely encourage you to go to Salem on the weekends in October, where you can shop at the Halloween market, shop on Essex St, go on a DIY Hocus Pocus Tour, visit The House of the Seven Gables, and visit Witch House Museums. I will recommend getting your reservations weeks, if not months, in advance, as it can get extremely crowded.

5) Walk the Cobblestone Streets

Being one of the oldest cities in the US, Boston is one of the few cities where you can find original cobblestone streets and Federal-style houses. One of the most famous streets is Acorn St. Please keep in mind that this street is still a residential neighborhood, so be respectful when taking pictures!

6) Explore college campuses

Harvard

Boston has an impressive number of college campuses with over 50 colleges in the area. The most famous of the college campuses would include MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Harvard University, Northeastern University, and Boston College. If I were to choose some to explore, I would recommend Harvard as it does have plenty of free museums that you can explore, such as the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, and the Museum of the Ancient Near East. You can also find some amazing architecture at the MIT campus.

7) Attend a game at Fenway Park

Whether or not you are a baseball fan, one of the most iconic things to do in Boston is to go to Fenway Park. This stadium has been open since 1912 and seats over 37,000 people. Every April, the stadium hosts the four-college tournament between the elite colleges: Boston College, Harvard, Northeastern, and Boston University.

8) Throw tea in the Harbor at the Boston Tea Party Museum

One of my favorite museums in Boston is the Boston Tea Party Museum. It is an interactive experience where you can immerse yourself in the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party, as well as have the opportunity to throw environmentally friendly tea into the harbor! When you finish, you can also experience the tea shop, where you can try some of the teas. It is well worth the visit!

9) Go shopping on Newbury St.

Newbury St is a fantastic neighborhood full of pop-up shops, clothing stores, restaurants, and photo booth areas. It is a popular destination for college students and generally a cool place to explore.

10) Get some Italian in the North End

One of the most iconic neighborhoods in Boston is the North End. You can find the most authentic Italian places. If you have limited time, I would recommend going to Giacomo's and then getting a Canoli at either Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry!