It's not New York or Chicago, so quit comparing them and appreciate Boston for what it is. This city is charming and legitimately historic, from the cobblestoned streets of Beacon Hill to the authentic Italian restaurants and food purveyors of the North End. Its size and legacy bolster its appeal: The oldest ballpark in the MLB, Fenway Park is smack in the middle of the city, which even non-baseball fans can get excited about, and cozy Cambridge is as accessible to visitors as the sprawling waterfront. So many of its parts feel lost in time, plus there's a diverse food and drinks scene, a smart offering of places to stay, and more cultural activities than you might expect in a place this quaint. And that's why we love it.
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Boston Travel Guide
Plan Your Boston Trip
Where to Eat and What to Do in Boston's South End
Stroll by the city’s most beautiful architecture before sitting down to enjoy its best food.
By Andrew Sessa
Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Nantucket
Proof that New Englanders take summer very, very seriously.
By Alex Erdekian
Featured
Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Cambridge and Neighboring Somerville, Massachusetts
Camberville—the local portmanteau for neighboring Cambridge and Somerville—offers a playful alternative to Boston’s brusque beauty.
By Shaan Merchant
Where Locals Go Along Boston’s Freedom Trail
Exploring the Boston of yesteryear through today’s best restaurants, shops, and outdoor scenery.
By Todd Plummer
What’s New on Nantucket
Despite the rising crowds, this island is still a haven—with plenty to do in what's set up to be a comeback summer.
By Todd Plummer
15 Best Hotels in Boston
An eclectic mix of old and new, from skyscrapers to a restored motor inn.
By Todd Plummer and Shannon McMahon
Editor Recommendations
- Omni Boston Hotel At The SeaportUnited States, Boston, 450 Summer St
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston$$ | Boston, 215 Charles St.The old Charles Street jail transformed.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Marriott - Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston$$$ | United States, Boston, 1 Dalton StreetThe 724-foot-high, 61-story One Dalton is the third-tallest skyscraper in Boston.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - Raffles Boston$$$ | US, Boston, 40 Trinity PlRaffles’ splashy North America debut hits all the right notes.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Booking.com - InterContinental Boston, an IHG Hotel$$ | United States, Boston, 510 Atlantic Ave.A picturesque waterfront option for comfort and location alike on downtown Boston's Fort Point Channel.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: IHG - XV Beacon$$ | United States, Boston, 15 Beacon St.The vibe is sexy, but the ethos is undeniably Boston.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Gold List
Powered By: Expedia - The Langham, Boston$$ | United States, Boston, 250 Franklin St.In the heart of the Financial District, truly opulent yet thoughtful digs.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Hot List
Powered By: Expedia - Boston Harbor Hotel$$ | United States, Boston, 70 Rowes WharfFive-star waterfront luxury, with wonderfully spacious rooms.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - The Colonnade Hotel$$ | United States, Boston, 120 Huntington Ave.The Colonnade has set the standard for customer service in Boston for decades—all while delivering a sense of fun.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - Encore Boston Harbor$$ | United States, Everett, 1 BroadwayWynn's maximalist luxury in a Red Sox hat.Read full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- The Envoy Hotel, Autograph Collection$$ | United States, Boston, 70 Sleeper St.A new hotel defining the new Boston seaport.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - Mandarin Oriental, Boston$$$ | Boston, 776 Boylston St.There is an elegant minimalism here that has long made this Back Bay hotel a Boston favorite.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Expedia - The Verb Hotel$ | Boston, 1271 Boylston St.This hotel pays homage to Boston's unique musical history—and its proximity to Fenway doesn't hurt.Read full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- The Dagny Boston$ | United States, Boston, 89 Broad StreetThis recent retrofit helps remind us that the financial district is, in fact, a desirable vantage point from which to experience Boston’s best.Read full review
The Best Things to Do in Boston
- 12 Best Things to Do in BostonAspire to the Ivies, discover new neighborhoods, and feast like a local.By Todd Plummer and Paul Rubio
- 12 Best Museums in Boston You'll Want to VisitYou can nab a world-class education visiting these fine institutions.By Andrew Sessa and Elizabeth Wellington
- 4 Best Day Trips From BostonWhere to stay, eat, and drink—and what to do—in Provincetown, Newburyport, Salem, and Kennebunkport.By Todd Plummer
Editor Recommendations
- Guerlain Spa at Raffles Boston$$$ | USA, Boston, 40 Trinity Pl, Fourth FloorA wellness haven on the fourth floor of the first Raffles in North America, and one of only a few Guerlain spas in the country.Read full reviewPowered By: Raffles.com
- MassArt Art MuseumUnited States, Boston, 621 Huntington AvenueBoston’s only free contemporary art museumRead full review
- Boston AthenaeumUnited States, Boston, 10 ½ Beacon St.Stately repository of Boston history, this private library and event space holds more than books.Read full review
- MIT MuseumUnited States, Cambridge, 314 Main Street, Building E-28Built for tinkerers, techies, and curious-minded folks, MIT Museum waxes visual poetry about the research that underpins this famous institution.Read full review
- Otis HouseUnited States, Boston, 141 Cambridge StreetThe rare Federal-era building in the city to still have its original interiors almost entirely intactRead full review
- Harvard Art MuseumsCambridge, 32 Quincy St.Three museums in one at one of the most revered Academic institutions in the world.Read full review
- Boston Tea Party Ships & MuseumUnited States, Boston, 306 Congress St.An interactive opportunity to relive the Boston Tea Party.Read full review
- Museum of ScienceBoston, 1 Science ParkThis sprawling institution is one of the world's largest science museums.Read full review
- Museum of Fine Arts, BostonUnited States, Boston, 465 Huntington Ave.The crown jewel of Boston's art scene.Read full review
- Museum of African American History (MAAH)Boston, 46 Joy St.Honoring the life and work those who propelled the abolitionist and civil rights movements forward.Read full review
- John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumBoston, Columbia PointDeepening visitors' understanding of one of the Boston's most famous sons.Read full review
- Boston Children's MuseumBoston, 308 Congress St.One of the biggest children’s museums in the world, with a permanent collection that includes some 25,000 items.Read full review
- The Paul Revere HouseUnited States, Boston, 19 N. SquarePainstakingly recreated former home of the famous silversmith.Read full review
- Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (ICA Boston)United States, Boston, 25 Harbor Shore DriveBoston’s answer to New York City’s MoMa, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (known locally as the ICA), is housed in a contemporary building, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro.Read full review
- Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumUnited States, Boston, 25 Evans WayVenetian-style palazzo packed with one of the world's most impressive private art collections.Read full review
Where to Eat, Stay, and Play on Cape Cod
From the Bourne Bridge to the tip top of Provincetown.
By Alex Erdekian
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Boston
- 19 Best Restaurants in BostonLobster rolls and clam chowder barely scratch the surface.By Todd Plummer and Shannon McMahon
- 15 Best Bars in BostonA prelude to you belting “Sweet Caroline” while waiting for your Uber driver.By Todd Plummer
- 11 Best Seafood Restaurants in BostonShucking and cracking its way to seafood immortality since 1630.By Andrew Sessa and Elizabeth Wellington
- 10 Best Places for Brunch in BostonA microcosm of the Boston food scene itself, these 13 inventive brunch spots go way beyond Bloody Marys and eggs Benedict.By Nathan Tavares, Paul Rubio, and Elizabeth Wellington
- 10 Best Pizza Spots in BostonThis New England city has pies that can compete.By Andrew Sessa and Elizabeth Wellington
Editor Restaurant & Bar Recommendations
- Celeste$$ | United States, Somerville, 21 Bow StThis Peruvian spot proves that Boston has an enormous appetite for global flavors.
- Amar$$$ | United States, Boston, 40 Trinity PlaceThe kind of obsessive attention to detail that a Raffles hotel demands
- Toro$$ | United States, Boston, 1704 Washington StA buzzy, Barcelona-style tapas bar in Boston's South End that's evolved into a full-blown global phenomenon, ideal for getting in your pintxos fix.
- SRV$$ | United States, Boston, 569 Columbus Ave.This South End Italian spot is more elevated than your typical neighborhood joint, yet more approachable than fine dining.
- No. 9 Park$$$ | United States, Boston, 9 Park St.If you're going to invest in one big dinner while you're in town, this is a prime candidate.
- O Ya$$$ | United States, Boston, 9 East St.Sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and Japanese small plates carried poetically outside convention in the Leather District.
- Fox & The Knife$$$ | United States, Boston, 28 W. BroadwayInspired by Karen Akunowicz's time in Modena, Italy, the menu offers subtle takes on classic Emilia Romagna cuisine.
- SarmaUnited States, Somerville, 249 Pearl St.A wide-reaching meze spot well worth the journey out of Boston.
- Cafe Sushi Shoten$$ | Cambridge, 1105 Massachusetts Ave.One of Boston's best omakases snuggled between a shoe repair shop and a dry bar.
- Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks$$ | United States, Boston, 75 Beacon StThis Boston institution is back, and a dining destination all on its own.
13 Best Things to Do in New England in the Fall
Foliage makes a fabulous backdrop for hiking and witch-storied towns, from Salem to Maine.
By Paul Rubio and Todd Plummer
More from Boston
Places to Stay
My Favorite Airbnb: A Boston Yacht Named Carpe Diem
A stay where you won't mind hitting the deck.
By Kat Chen
Destinations
Where to Watch the 4th of July Fireworks in Boston 2024
Nobody does the fourth like Boston.
By Todd Plummer
Places to Stay
17 Best Airbnbs in Boston, From a Beacon Hill Townhouse to a Charlestown House Boat
Plus, a studio that dates back to 1789.
By Andrew Sessa and Todd Plummer
Destinations
A Runner's Guide to Boston for the Marathon and Beyond
The trails, run clubs, route-adjacent hotels and spas, and pasta dinners to know for the event and well beyond marathon weekend.
By Todd Plummer
Destinations
Boston's Creative Seafood Scene Shines Brightest in Winter
Must-try restaurants are easier to get a table at, certain fish are more readily available, and famed lobster rolls and fried clams enjoy a welcome rest.
By Todd Plummer
Destinations
Where to Celebrate the Boston Pride Parade This Year
This year marks the city’s first Pride parade since 2019—here are the best block parties, drag shows, and fundraisers to check out.
By Todd Plummer
Destinations
These Boston Bars Are Reinventing the City's Drinks Scene
Despite some seriously outdated liquor laws, now may be the best time yet to imbibe in Boston.
By Eric Twardzik
Places to Stay
My Favorite Airbnb: A Downtown Boston Loft With Unbelievable Natural Light
It was the perfect place for two to explore everything Boston has to offer.
By Meaghan Kenny
Destinations
Where to Watch the July 4 Fireworks in Boston
From the iconic Boston Pops Spectacular to a rented kayak on the Charles.
By Todd Plummer
Destinations
Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Boston
From glitzy rooftops to self-guided canoes.
By Andrew Sessa
News & Advice
Currently Obsessed With: The Weekend-Only Donuts at the Fairmont Copley Plaza
You need these impossibly light crullers in your life.
By Noah Kaufman
News & Advice
We Planned Your First Trip to Boston: Travelogue Podcast
Historical sites, the best dive bars, and (of course) the Green Monstah: We cover it all.
By Sebastian Modak
Places to Stay
This Boston Hotel Lets You (Literally) Walk Off Your Stay
Walk 10,000+ steps a day, pay less for your room that night.
By Cassie Shortsleeve
Destinations
Beyond the Basics: Boston
A complete guide to Boston, compiled by Condé Nast Traveler editors.
Sponsored Content
Old-School and New-School Boston in One Long Weekend
By The Bon Appétit Editors and CNT Editors
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