48 hours in Boston: The perfect two-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   
   1. Morning

      Step back in time from Boston Common to Beacon Hill (1 hour)

      

      Get some coffee to go and, starting on Boylston Street, work your way through the city's green acres and step back to 1634 in America's oldest public park, Boston Common. Pass by the Frog Pond, and emerge onto Beacon Street. The Beacon Hill area is perfect for a snapshot of the red brick row houses on avenues like Acorn Street, a charming cobblestone alley pegged as the most photographed street in the USA. Feeling more energetic? See Boston’s highlights on this 2.5-Hour City View Bike Tour.

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   2. Explore the city from road and river (1.5 hours)

      

      Boston's Duck Tours depart from outside the New England Aquarium. You can cruise the historic streets on land before taking in the city's compact skyline on the water, without changing vehicles. Pass by the State House, Bunker Hill, Copley Square, and other famous landmarks in this amphibious former military vehicle. If the Duck Tours have stopped for winter, check out other cruises or hop-on, hop-off trolley tours.

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   3. Afternoon

      Stop for lunch at Quincy Market (1.5 hours)

      

      Combine two stories of shopping, dining, and historical exploration at Quincy Market. This national historic landmark is in the heart of downtown Boston, near the revolutionary-era Faneuil Hall. Once you're done sourcing uniquely Boston wares, it's time to grab lunch. Take your pick from 30 restaurants and try local dishes like clam chowder, Boston baked beans, and fresh-caught seafood. In good weather, street performers make the square outside the marketplace their stage, so get your lunch to go and enjoy the entertainment.

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   4. Walk back in time on the Freedom Trail (2.5 hours)

      

      Boston's best historical showcase is found on the Freedom Trail Walking Tour, a 2.5-mile city trek through 18th-century Boston. On a journey that passes 16 significant landmarks in the history of the United States — from the Old South Meeting House and the Old Corner Bookstore to the King's Chapel and the Old Granary Burying Ground — you'll be guaranteed to walk away with a deeper understanding of Boston's long history. At the Paul Revere House, you will learn about the Boston Massacre while standing at the site pivotal to the start of the Revolutionary War. The trail ends at the North End of Boston's Little Italy area, perfect for the start of your gourmet adventure.

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   5. Evening

      Savor the Italian flavors of the historic North End (2 hours)

      

      Not only is North End one of Boston's oldest neighborhoods where you can continue your sightseeing with places like the Old North Church and Copp's Hill Burying Ground, it's the perfect place to refuel. This neighborhood is home to many of the city's best Italian restaurants and delis, although here's one local tip –– just don't call it Little Italy. Wherever you choose to eat, be sure to save room for dessert because the classic Italian pastries of the North End are legendary, especially the cannoli at Mike's Pastry. To avoid the lines, you can also head to Modern Pastry, which some argue tastes even better.

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2. Day 2

   
   1. Morning

      Go whale watching (4 hours)

      

      Take to the Atlantic's open waters and enjoy the rush of a high-speed boat ride from downtown Boston's Long Wharf as you head out to spot the whales, dolphins, sea birds, and other marine life. On a Whale-Watching Catamaran Cruise, you'll have a choice of three outside viewing decks on board for the best view of the action. Professional researchers from the Whale Center of New England join you to answer your questions and ensure you have the whale-watching experience of a lifetime. Wildlife enthusiasts who miss the March-November whale-watching season can get their fix at the New England Aquarium, where African Penguins live alongside a four-story Caribbean coral reef, and the replica Amazon Rainforest habitat.

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   2. Afternoon

      Go back to college at Harvard (1.5 hours)

      

      Getting used to Boston's distinct accent yet? Well, get ready to pahk your cah in Hahvahd Yahd. That's the local lingo for "park your car in Harvard Yard." You don't have to drive, but you can explore the Ivy League campus to admire the architecture and visit the Museum of Natural History onsite. The best time to visit is between March and December when, like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, you can wander the halls with a real student as your guide. Book this Harvard tour for exclusive access to some of the private spaces in the US’s top university, like Memorial Hall and Widener Library.
      For some winter magic and quiet time, take the MBTA Orange Line to the southern end of the campus at Forest Hills and visit The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. This major botanical research center is open daily year-round with free entry.

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   3. Grab a bite in Harvard Square (1.5 hours)

      

      After your morning of studying at the US's oldest university, take a seat one of the historic restaurants or trendy coffee shops of Harvard Square, before browsing the independent bookstores and other unique shops in this lively and off-beat city square. Once you find the perfect read, stroll to your next stop while taking in the views and sounds along the Charles River.

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   4. See art or no art at MFA and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (3 hours)

      

      The Museum of Fine Arts, or MFA, is one of the world's largest art museums, with a collection that spans everything from American greats to Monet and Egyptian art. But while the MFA is best known for its vast selection of paintings, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is better known for the 13 paintings stolen in 1990 during the single largest art heist in history. Even though the frames for the stolen works remain empty, you can still enjoy an otherwise complete collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts inside this striking Venetian-style building. If you are lucky with the timing of your visit, you might catch a live performance from the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the museum's gardens. Tickets can be booked in advance, or save time and money with a Boston City Pass Boston: Go City All-Inclusive Pass that includes entry to both museums and over 40 other attractions.
      

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   5. Watch the Sox at Fenway Park (2.5 hours)

      

      A trip to Boston isn't complete without visiting one of the nation's oldest ballparks: Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. If you can't see the Red Sox in action, you can still get a first-hand view of the park with a guided tour that's also included in the Boston: Go City Explorer Pass. Tour-goers can marvel at Pesky's Pole, the Green Monster, and the Fenway Park Living Museum collection that features Red Sox memorabilia. The tour only takes about an hour, but you'll want to take some extra time to walk around Kenmore Square next door, where you can pop into one of the sports pubs or souvenir shops that dot the pedestrian-friendly streets.

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   6. Evening

      Feast in style on Newbury Street (2.5 hours)

      

      If you're not lucky enough to be in Boston when you can catch a Celtics or Red Sox game and enjoy a Fenway Frank for dinner, take a walk along the restaurant-lined blocks surrounding nearby Newbury Street. For the Michelin-starred eats, you'll have to reserve your table in advance, but there's plenty on offer if you haven't. Newbury Street might only take you 20 minutes to wander from one end to the other, but you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury shopping. Just in case you wanted to fit in some last-minute spending before leaving the city.
      

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