Best things to do in Boston on a grown-up getaway

Sarah Rodrigues

Sarah Rodrigues

"It's more than a feeeeee-ling" - is it even possible to walk the streets of Boston without this song as the soundtrack in your head? It's not, but that's okay because the song is, at least, entirely appropriate.

Boston* is so much more than a feeling, it's American history at its best; it's contemporary American society at its most liberal and progressive; it's Harvard (and Good Will Hunting, of course); it's the Red Sox and it's Cheers.

And, like New York City, it's just a short hop over the pond, with direct flights from both London and Edinburgh. Unlike The Big Apple, though, The Hub (it's only tourists who call it Beantown) wears its appeal in a way that's less flashy, less overwhelming, more compact and more navigable, making it the perfect long weekend destination.

Getting there: fly direct to Boston from London Heathrow with British Airways* in under eight hours for less than you might think with current online offers on flights to the USA* from the UK's national flag carrier.

Walk the Freedom Trail

It's incredible how much history you can fit into a mere two-and-a-half miles. The red brick line of the Freedom Trail snakes through the city, taking in no fewer than 16 sites relevant to the American Revolution.

Start at Boston Common, and wend your way past an eight-foot high statue of Benjamin Franklin, the only person to have signed all four of the documents key to establishing America as a democracy (The Declaration of Independence, The Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, The Treaty of Alliance with France, and the Constitution of the United States).

Other notable spots include the Massachusetts State House (which is also open for free tours, each lasting around 40 minutes) and Granary Burying Ground, where three signatories of the Declaration of Independence are buried, as well as five victims of the Boston Massacre.

A tip: walk the trail in reverse, and you'll not be far from the Bull & Finch Pub, the exterior of which starred in every episode of Cheers' 11-season run. The interior bears no resemblance to the show's beloved bar, but it's a great spot to pose for a photo outside, or to quench your thirst with a nostalgia-flavoured beer.

Marvel at the idiosyncrasies of the wealthy

How can one describe the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum other than 'utterly bonkers'? Not that a love for travel and for art is anything to be sniffed at, but Isabella Stewart Gardner took her passion to the next level when her father passed away, leaving her a fortune.

Her collection grew to the extent that she had a property built, to her specifications, of course, to house it. At the time, the Fenway neighbourhood had little in the way of development, but Fenway Court, as Stewart Gardner named it, has become a focal point for the area.

Relatively unprepossessing from the outside, to step into the interior is to step into a cave of wonder: four wings surround a lushly planted central courtyard, and every inch is crammed with artworks from all four corners of the globe. Pieces in the collection were consciously left unlabelled, but expect to see Titian, Velázquez and Giotto as well as some incongruously empty frames.

Why? When Stewart Gardner bequeathed her gallery to the public, her will insisted that nothing should ever be moved or sold, and that anything contrary to this requirement would see the immediate dissolution and donation of the collection.

During a 1990 heist, thieves took just 81 minutes to make off with 13 works of art, including Rembrandts, a Vermeer and several drawings by Degas. The works have never been recovered, and the empty frames remain in situ, in accordance with Stewart Gardner's instructions.

Attend a Red Sox game

Plan your trip between late March and late September, and you'll catch baseball season in full swing (get it?!). The Sox are one of the best-known teams, even to those who know little else about baseball, and their home plate, Fenway Park, makes for a fabulous day out.

Grab some overpriced merch from one of the stallholders outside the stadium, load up at one of the many food stands with a soda and hot dog and enjoy the atmosphere. Even if you don't fully understand the game, the sing-alongs, people watching and general buzz are not to be missed. Individual and group tours of the park are also available.

Explore the city from the water

Waterways are integral to Boston's history; just imagine those boxes of tea bobbing around the harbour after the Boston Tea Party! So, why not explore the city from its aqueous side?

Paddle Boston guides you on kayaking trips along a nine-mile stretch of the Charles River, taking in the city's skyline and learning about the history and various architectural features as you go. It's a fun and immersive way to get to know Boston.

For those less keen on exerting themselves, book in on a Boston sailing tour aboard a classic schooner; you'll not only have all of the work taken out of the journey for you, but you'll also be treated to a selection of drinks as you cruise.

Increase your IQ by osmosis at Harvard

The main hallowed grounds of Harvard University can be found in the Cambridge neighbourhood of the city, and much of the 85-hectare space is open for the public to explore, whether on a student- or self-guided tour. Highlights include the majestic Memorial Hall and Widener Library, as well as Harvard Yard and the Lowell Bell Tower.

Feeling inspired? End your exploration with a trip to The Coop: Harvard's official merchandise store, where you can find, amongst other things, an enormous range of books, some of which will guide you in writing the perfect entrance essay.

If you don't fancy your chances, head to the Boston Public Garden and take a pew on the Good Will Hunting bench. Your move, chief.

Tuck in at the country's oldest food hall

You're not likely to go hungry in Boston, where the cafe and restaurant scene is as varied and as cosmopolitan as you'd expect from a city like this. But for a slice of history, head to Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which is home to Quincy Market.

Established in 1826 to accommodate Boston's growing food shopping needs, the market had a multi-million dollar glow-up in the seventies, and has become both a market and food hall, offering shoppers produce to take home, as well as places to sit and eat in a heritage setting.

Lobster rolls, oysters and clam chowder are must-tries during your stay, but you'll find sushi and pizza alongside Indian and Greek food, as well as vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Climate in Boston

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
1°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Boston1
3°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Boston3
8°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Boston8
14°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Boston14
20°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Boston20
25°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Boston25
28°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Boston28
27°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Boston27
23°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Boston23
17°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Boston17
11°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Boston11
4°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Boston4
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
11 days with some rainfall in January in Boston11
10 days with some rainfall in February in Boston10
11 days with some rainfall in March in Boston11
11 days with some rainfall in April in Boston11
11 days with some rainfall in May in Boston11
11 days with some rainfall in June in Boston11
9 days with some rainfall in July in Boston9
10 days with some rainfall in August in Boston10
8 days with some rainfall in September in Boston8
9 days with some rainfall in October in Boston9
11 days with some rainfall in November in Boston11
12 days with some rainfall in December in Boston12
Sea temperature °C
4°C sea temperature in January in Boston4
3°C sea temperature in February in Boston3
3°C sea temperature in March in Boston3
5°C sea temperature in April in Boston5
9°C sea temperature in May in Boston9
14°C sea temperature in June in Boston14
18°C sea temperature in July in Boston18
18°C sea temperature in August in Boston18
16°C sea temperature in September in Boston16
13°C sea temperature in October in Boston13
9°C sea temperature in November in Boston9
7°C sea temperature in December in Boston7

The above guide shows the climate in Boston. Find out more about conditions across the state in our complete guide to the climate in Massachusetts.

Ready to explore historic Boston? Browse the latest offers and sales on flights with BA.

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Sarah Rodrigues

Sarah Rodrigues

Posted in: City Culture North America

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