5 days in Boston

Day by day

1. Day 1: Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market

   Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market and Boston Common and Public Garden, then Fenway Park in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Freedom Trail

      Walk it north from Boston Common in the morning and break for lunch in the North End; most sites can be seen from outside for free, and a few charge entry. (3–4 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market

      Quincy Market is fine for a quick cup of chowder, but the North End and the Boston Public Market nearby are better for a proper meal. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: New England clam chowder

      Union Oyster House near Faneuil Hall, open since 1826 and among the oldest restaurants in the US, and seafood restaurants all over the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Boston Common and Public Garden

      The Swan Boats run from spring to late summer; in winter, the Frog Pond on the Common becomes an ice rink. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Fenway Park

      Arrive early to walk Jersey Street and Lansdowne Street, which fill with food stands and bars before the first pitch.

2. Day 2: Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

   Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Old North Church and Paul Revere House, then Fenway and Lansdowne Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museum of Fine Arts

      Look up in the rotunda and main staircase at the murals Sargent painted for the museum in the 1920s. (3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

      Anyone named Isabella gets in free, as does everyone on their birthday. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Lobster roll

      Neptune Oyster in the North End is known for its warm buttered version; seafood shacks on the waterfront and in the Seaport serve the cold style.

   4. Afternoon

      Old North Church and Paul Revere House

      Visit the two back to back, then walk to Hanover Street for a cannoli. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Fenway and Lansdowne Street

      Sports bars, the House of Blues and the MGM Music Hall around Fenway Park, packed on game and concert nights.

3. Day 3: New England Aquarium and USS Constitution

   New England Aquarium, USS Constitution and Harvard Yard, then Faneuil Hall and the Financial District in the evening.

   1. Morning

      New England Aquarium

      Whale-watching trips to Stellwagen Bank take about three to four hours; take seasickness precautions if you need them. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      USS Constitution

      Adults need photo ID for the security check at the ship; the MBTA ferry from Long Wharf to the Navy Yard doubles as a short, cheap harbour cruise. (1.5 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fried clams

      Clam shacks on the North Shore, especially in Essex and Ipswich, and seafood counters in the city in summer.

   4. Afternoon

      Harvard Yard

      Take the Red Line to Harvard, walk the Yard, then browse the bookshops of Harvard Square. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Faneuil Hall and the Financial District

      Irish pubs with live music and after-work bars near Quincy Market.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Salem

   About 30 minutes by train each way. Getting there: Commuter rail from North Station; seasonal ferry from Long Wharf.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Salem

      About 30 minutes by train (Commuter rail from North Station; seasonal ferry from Long Wharf); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      Salem

      Known for the witch trials of 1692, Salem has the Witch Trials Memorial, the House of the Seven Gables that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne, a historic maritime waterfront and the Peabody Essex Museum, one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the US. Best for culture and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Boston

      Dinner: try Oysters.

5. Day 5: Boston Public Library, Central Library and Trinity Church

   Boston Public Library, Central Library, Trinity Church and Mapparium, then Seaport District in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Boston Public Library, Central Library

      Sit in the courtyard on a sunny day; it is one of the calmest spots in Back Bay. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Trinity Church

      For the reflection shot, stand on the south side of Copley Square and look back at the church against the tower. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Oysters

      Raw bars across the city, from Union Oyster House's historic counter to Seaport and South End restaurants; many have weekday happy-hour deals.

   4. Afternoon

      Mapparium

      Combine it with a walk around the long reflecting pool of Christian Science Plaza outside. (45 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Seaport District

      Rooftop bars, waterfront terraces and lounges in the new towers along the harbour.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Fenway Park and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Back Bay keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Beacon Hill ($$$$) suits couples, quiet stays and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 21–26 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.1 hours in December to 15.3 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Boston
• 2 days in Boston
• 3 days in Boston
• 4 days in Boston
• 7 days in Boston

Questions travellers ask