Heading to Boston? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
QUICK FACTS
- The capital of Massachusetts, Boston has a population of ~710,000.
- Founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists, Boston is the oldest city in New England.
- Many crucial events of the American Revolution happened in the city, including the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, and Paul Revere’s “midnight ride.”
- Known for its baseball and football teams, the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, as well as its Italian and Irish neighborhoods.
- Nicknames: Beantown, Hub of the Universe, Athens of America, The Walking City, The City on a Hill, The Puritan City, America’s College Town. Locals are called Bostonians.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: US Dollar (USD)
- Spoken languages: English.
- Best time to visit: it has been said that Boston’s four seasons are “pre-winter, winter, post-winter, and sweaty” (or more positively: cold winters, pleasant springs, warm summers, and colorful autumns).
- While the weather can be hit-or-miss anytime of the year, your best bet is to visit in May, or between September and November.
- Arriving via airport: the MBTA offers Blue Line Subway and Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit between Logan Airport and Downtown Boston.
– The Blue Line goes to the Back Bay, Fenway, Downtown, Boston College, and Boston University.
– The Silver Line goes to Harvard, Cambridge, MIT, and downtown Boston.
– The trip will cost you under $3.
– Taxis from Logan to Downtown Boston average $25.
WHERE TO STAY
- Best hostel for solo travelers: HI Boston.
– Offers free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, laundry facilities, bike storage, and bike rental.
– Located just steps from Boston Common and the Freedom Trail, a 10-15 minute walk to most downtown attractions.
– Book ahead, as all accommodation in Boston fills up quick. - Great areas to stay in include: the Back Bay, Boston Common, downtown, North End, Financial District, and the waterfront.
- Cambridge and Somerville offer cheaper lodging options with good public transit connections.
GETTING AROUND
- Boston has the oldest subway system in the country, and it is still in operation.
- The MBTA is responsible for running all the buses, trolleys, subways, ferries, and the commuter rail (which provides services as far down as Providence, Rhode Island).
- Boston bus fares are $1.25 with a Charlie Card, and $1.50 with a Charlie Ticket. T Fares are $1.70 with a Charlie Card, and $2 with a ticket.
- MBTA passes:
– Weekend Commuter Rail pass: $10 for unlimited travel
– 1-Day Zone 1A pass: $11.00 (includes subway, local bus, and Charlestown Ferry)
– 7-Day Zone 1A pass: $22.50
– 5-day Flex Pass: $21.60-$119.25 (available only in mTicket app)
– $10 Commuter Rail Weekends: Take unlimited Commuter Rail trips on Saturdays, Sundays, and select holidays for $10. - Taxis are available almost everywhere. The main taxi companies are: Top Cab (617-266-4800), Boston Cab (617-536-3200), I.T.O.A. Cab (617-825-4000), City Cab (617-536-5100), and Metro Cab (617-782-5500).
- Drivers in Southie are pretty aggressive, and double-parking is very common. If you’re parked in Southie, give yourself a little extra time to make sure you can get your car out..
- The bike sharing system is called Bluebikes. The system has 520 stations with over 5,500 bikes across 10 municipalities including Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Arlington, Chelsea, Watertown, Salem, and Everett.
BOSTON NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 21, and last call is 1 AM (a few bars serve alcohol until 2 AM).
- For the student crowd, check out the areas around the main universities (Boston University, Harvard, MIT, and Tufts) have many bar and restaurant options.
- Casual / relaxed bars: Bukowski Tavern, Silvertone, Brendan Behan Pub (dive bar), Saloon (Somerville), The Red Hat, The Sinclair ($$ – live music).
- More great bars for solo travelers: The Union Oyster House (since 1826), The Hawthorne (elegant cocktail bar in Kenmore Square), Neptune Oyster (since 1856).
- Proper clubs: Royale, House of Blues (live music), Middlesex (Tues/Thurs EDM, Fri/Sat Hip Hop).
- Artisanal cocktails: Drink ($$$ – cocktails), Alibi ($$$$ – Lounge), Brick & Mortar ($$ – cocktails), Saloon ($$ – Somerville)
- Great live music venues: The Middle East in Cambridge and The Paradise Rock Club.
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- The Paul Revere House in the North End was built around 1680, and owned by Paul Revere from 1770 to 1800. Revere owned the house at the time of his famous midnight ride.
- Make sure to check out the Arnold Arboretum. Harvard University was given a thousand-year lease on the land (a portion of James Arnold’s estate) in an agreement with the City of Boston. As trustee, Harvard is directly responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of the 281-acre Arboretum. There are a number of events, tours, and art shows that happen in the Arboretum regularly.
- Boston Public Garden and Common: iconic places to relax and enjoy the scenery.
- The Nichols House Museum is located on Mount Vernon Street, and is the former home to suffragist Rose Standish Nichols. Built in 1804, this four-story townhouse is one of the earliest Beacon Hill houses.
- Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor holds the second oldest lighthouse in the United States. Boston Light was originally constructed in 1716, and was the site of a conflict during the American Revolution. Boston Light is the only lighthouse maintained by the United States Coast Guard.
- Faneuil Hall, possibly the best-known stop on Boston’s Freedom Trail, historically served as a marketplace and a space for town hall meetings and was frequently a site of protests against taxation on the colonies. Today, the shops on the building’s first floor, as well as the nearby conglomeration of restaurants and bars, are very popular with tourists.
- Institute of Contemporary Art: a popular museum, known for its innovative exhibits and waterfront location.
- Depending on season, catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park followed by drinks at nearby bars.
INTERESTING WALKS
- Disasters, Dirty Deeds, and Debauchery is a self-guided walking tour of Boston organized by Walk Boston. Tracing the legendary happenings of the Great Molasses Flood, the Common’s 17th century Hanging Tree, and the Brinks Robbery, the walk starts in Chinatown and ends at the Boston National Park. You will pass by the New England Holocaust Memorial.
- The Freedom Trail as an essential walk, providing rich context and historical depth (perfect for solo exploration).
- Go for a stroll through the Financial District to check out the Government Center, the Old State House, the Stock Exchange Building, the Grain and Flour Exchange, and the Old Corner Bookstore.
- Enjoy historic Beacon Hill. One of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods in Boston, Beacon Hill is full of Federal-style row-houses, narrow streets, brick sidewalks, and gas lamps. Beacon Hill has been home to several famous people including: Louisa May Alcott, Sylvia Plath, and David Lee Roth. The Beacon Hill Neighborhood Association has organized a fabulous self-guided walking tour.
- Charlestown is the oldest neighborhood in Boston, and its residents maintain a strong Irish-American identity. Walk through Charlestown and take in a number of sites of historical interest including: Bunker Hill, the Charlestown Navy Yard, and Warren Tavern.
- Walk along the Charles River Esplanade, a park situated in Boston’s Back Bay area. The park’s trails include an 18-mile loop along the basin on both sides of the river.
- A walk through Cambridge’s Harvard and Central Squares will take you past dozens of shops, cafés, and bookstores, while letting you bask in the intellectual atmosphere of the Harvard and MIT campuses.
- Harborwalk: a scenic pathway that runs along the waterfront and provides beautiful views and access to various attractions
- Visit the Boston Public Library in Copley Square for both its architectural beauty and free events.
WHERE TO EAT
- Great Boston restaurants that locals love:
– RUKA ($$$ – sushi)
– Bar Mezzana ($$$ – Italian)
– Row 34 ($$$ – seafood)
– Myers+Chang ($$ – Chinese)
– La Famiglia Giorgio’s ($$ – Italian)
– The Beehive ($$ – American)
– Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe ($) - Recommended dining spots specifically for solo travelers:
– Beacon Hill Books & Cafe
– Eataly’s La Pizza & La Pasta
– Little Whale
– Shy Bird - Great Vegetarian restaurants to try in Boston: Veggie Galaxy ($$), Life Alive Organic Cafe (multiple locations), Clover Food Lab ($), True Bistro ($$ – Somerville).
- Where to find good cheap eats: Dorchester has just about every kind of cheap food you could want. Chinatown is the place to go for Asian cuisine of all kinds, and Roxbury is where you want to go for African American, Soul Food, and Hispanic food.
- Something you may hear about is American Chop Suey. Not in any way related to Chinese food, this is a concoction of elbow macaroni with hamburg (ground beef), tomato sauce, and some green pepper and onion. Random fact (I know).
- Many people dine solo in Boston, especially in the North End, Central Square, and Back Bay. Sit at the bar for full menu service and potential conversation. Many restaurants in Harvard Square offer communal seating.
LOCAL WISDOM
- Tip: If you ask for a “coffee regular” or “regular coffee” you’re likely to get a caffeinated coffee with cream and sugar. If you want it with nothing added, order a black coffee.
- Have more time? The most recommend day trip: Plimoth Patuxet and Mayflower II combination ticket (available on the All-Inclusive Go City Pass).
– Go City Boston Pass: Provides access to 45+ attractions for one low price (Explorer Pass from $69 for adults, All-Inclusive Pass from $134). - For a guaranteed good time, catch a comedy show at Improv Asylum, Laugh Boston, or The Comedy Studio (Somerville, near Cambridge).
- Free experiences: Boston Common, Freedom Trail, Harvard Yard, and window shopping on Newbury Street cost nothing!
- Boston is a year-round walking city, so be sure to bring comfortable and appropriate footwear.
- Looking to do some shopping while in town? Head to Newbury Street to see the best local offerings. If you’re visiting on a Sunday from May to October, make sure you stop by SoWa (food trucks, artists, and everything in between).
- Dangerous areas: avoid Mattapan, Dorchester, The Combat Zone (Boylston/Chinatown), and Roxbury at night.
Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days