For a neighborhood I didn’t really plan on exploring beyond the Prudential Tower, Back Bay quickly became one of my favorite parts of Boston. My host in Charlestown suggested I visit Copley Square and Newbury Street on my way to Fenway Park, and I’m so glad I took her advice! (If you use airbnb, always ask your hosts for tips.)

Having done very little research on the area, I took the train down in the morning with plans to see Boston Public Library, Trinity Church, and as much of Newbury Street as possible before taking the train to Fenway. Turns out, Boston is MUCH smaller than I thought, and I was able to see those sites, walk the length of Newbury (even ducking into a couple shops!) and walk to the stadium with time to spare.

The most beautiful library, and it even has a gorgeous private courtyard!

 

Trinity Church is simply beautiful, and the juxtaposition to the John Hancock Tower makes for great reflections and photography.

The cutest shopping district I’ve ever seen!

Have you been to Back Bay? What’s your favorite part?

As a history nerd, one of my absolute favorite parts of Boston – and the first thing I did after ditching my bags at the condo I was staying at – was walking the Freedom Trail. Established in the 1950s, the Freedom Trail winds 2.5 miles from the Boston Common to the Charlestown Navy Yard. It leads past 16 significant historical sites, places where crucial moments occurred during the American Revolution.

It is ridiculous how cool it was to be standing there, walking paths our forefathers walked and looking at the buildings where they gathered.

Boston Common

I spent a lot of time in America’s oldest park as the days wore on, but I first visited it as the starting point of the Freedom Trail.

Massachusetts State House

I spotted this building from across the common and planned to walk over to check it out anyway, before realizing that it was the next stop! Isn’t the dome just gorgeous?!

Park Street Church

Granary Burial Ground

I started my walk around 5 p.m., so most places – including these burying grounds – were already closed for the day.

King’s Chapel

King’s Chapel Burying Ground

Benjamin Franklin Statue & Boston Latin School

Old Corner Bookstore

Now a Chipotle.

Old South Meeting House

Old State House

Site of Boston Massacre

Faneuil Hall

I ducked in here to grab postcards for my family – it seemed to be mostly gimmicky touristy shops but still fun to check out! Quincy Hall is right behind and is a great spot to grab food. (Yes this photo is of the back of the building. I didn’t know!)

Paul Revere House

I somehow didn’t get a picture, but here’s his statue!

Old North Church

Copp’s Hill Burying Ground

Bunker Hill Monument

USS Constitution

I didn’t go this far because I was meeting someone for dinner, but the ship was closed for restoration anyway. Besides, I think it’s best to leave some things unseen so there’s a reason to return!

If you want to visit the Freedom Trail, this site is a fantastic resource. I’ve heard people advise to allow 3-4 hours to do the whole thing, but it took me 3 and a half without being able to duck into any of the museums!  If you’re like me and stop to read every plaque, this could easily take half a day or more.

Happy travels!

I’ll be honest: When I started planning my trip to Boston, Cambridge wasn’t very high on my priority list. It looked far away from everything else and truthfully, I was just hoping to spend all of my time exploring Boston proper. But I crammed in more than I expected in my first three days and so ended up with a morning completely free before my bus trip back to New York.

It turns out Cambridge isn’t all that far from Charlestown, where I was staying – Boston is much smaller than New York, geographically, and I never quite got used to it! It was a pleasant 20 minute ride on the bus or train, but felt as though it was a world away.

Cambridge is mainly universities (Harvard and MIT) as well as Harvard Square, which is where I did most of my exploring. Honestly, half a day was plenty of time to get a feel for the town. I poked through the shops at Harvard Square, roamed the campus (they offer free tours but I opted to explore on my own) and then headed back to Boston after about two hours.

When I was younger I had big dreams of going to Harvard, so it was fun to see the campus and live vicariously for a bit. Plus, what girl in the mid-2000s didn’t want to be Rory Gilmore in the Ivy Leagues?!

If you’re interested in visiting Cambridge, the Red Line on the T serves Harvard Square, and several bus routes cut through as well!