Updated: June 17, 2023
So, I will start out by saying that I have traveled to Massachusetts probably two dozen times in the past 4 years. Sadly, it wasn’t until recently that I tacked on a day to my work trip and explored this historic US city. Since that first trip, I have extended my work trips to Boston several times and the city never disappoints. This post will share exactly how to spend 24 hours in Boston.
Where to Stay
First, after doing a bit of research I determined where I wanted to stay. Obviously, I wanted to ensure that the area would be both safe and close to the attractions I wanted to see. I have stayed at the Residence Inn Downtown/Seaport, The Courtyard Boston Downtown, and Boston Marriott Long Wharf.
I try to stay loyal to Marriott whenever possible as I’m able to rack up points to redeem for free rooms. I would highly recommend becoming a Marriott Bonvoy member.
The Residence Inn Downtown Seaport is close to the water, the famous location of the Boston Tea Party, and had restaurants plenty within walking distance. It is worth mentioning that the area felt very safe and even walking around at night, I never got a bad vibe.
The Courtyard Boston Downtown was a bit dated but the location is fantastic, a short walk to Boston Common, and a lot of good shopping.
The Boston Marriott Long Wharf is my favorite Boston hotel to date. It is a little more pricey, but the location overlooking the harbor is amazing. Plus, I’m a Bonvoy member so I actually redeemed points and stayed at this hotel for free! It is also a super short walk to the North End and tons and tons of delicious Italian eateries. Additionally, you can access the Freedom Trail which is just a stone’s throw away. Don’t miss the hotel bar here, I had a delicious gin cocktail before heading out to dinner.
Getting Around
On that note, Boston is certainly a walkable city. In fact, during one visit, in just 24 hours I hit the streets and ranked up 15 miles! Walking is one of my favorite ways to experience a new city and a great way to stay active.
If you prefer a more relaxing city tour, there are plenty of hop-on-hop-off trolleys and other options to take in the history. On a rainy day in Boston, this would probably be an awesome idea! Another idea is to take the ferry or a dinner cruise. After miles of walking, I took the ferry back toward the neighborhood where my hotel was located.
The Freedom Trail
One great way to see the city is to hop on the Freedom Trail. The trail is 2.5 miles long in total and will take you through 16 historic sites along the way. What I really loved about the trail was the double red brick line that serves as a guide for where to turn next. You can’t go wrong with leaving your phone stashed away to truly experience the iconic sites.
According to the official Freedom Trail website, more than 4 million people per year visit these sites! I was amazed to read that number but after walking the trail, I can understand why! If one thing is for certain, I would have paid a lot more attention to US History back in my school days if I had seen these sites sooner. From learning about the Boston Massacre in 1770 or Paul Revere and his 1600s-era home, I got a lot out of this stroll and would absolutely recommend it to anyone spending time in the city.
What to Eat
Firstly, I prioritize how to find good coffee while traveling and the place I found did not disappoint! Ogawa Coffee certainly goes down as one of my favorite coffee experiences as of late. Be sure to look across the street from Ogawa, you’ll be at the site of Benjamin Franklin’s birthplace!
If you are looking for a sit-down brunch, I would head to Frenchie Wine Bistro. They have brunch Thursday-Sunday and it surely doesn’t disappoint. The place is on the smaller side so I would recommend a reservation on the weekend.
Next, if you skipped brunch, what better way to feed your appetite after a nice long walk than some New England-style cuisine? There is no lack of amazing seafood establishments with choices such as fresh lobster, scallops, New England Clam Chowder, and shrimp. Since I am typically only in Boston for such a short time, I didn’t bother buying groceries which is something I typically do while traveling.
For dinner in Boston, it is usually more seafood for me, check out this amazing assortment! Raw oysters, clams, an out-of-this-world scallop Crudo, and fried calamari did the trick.
Don’t like seafood or you are allergic? Not to worry, there are plenty of other options around. The North End is an Italian foodie’s dream come true. From fresh, hand-made pasta to some of the best meatballs around, you can’t really go wrong!
What to See
Some of my favorite places to see include the site of the Boston Tea Party, Boston Common, Acorn Street, the site of Cheers, and so many beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and golden autumn leaves during the fall months.
To be honest, I am a little disappointed that it took me so long to spend time in this city. It was an incredible experience with fresh seafood, lots of walking, and tons of American history. Finally, while I typically can jam a lot into 24 hours, Boston left a really good impression and I look forward to visiting again very soon!
24 Hours in Boston
- walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail
- window shop north of Boston Common
- enjoy some New England-style cuisine
- take the ferry or dinner cruise
- sightsee on the hop on hop off tour
- take a walk in Boston Common
- have a beer at Cheers
- visit Acorn Street
- head to Newbury Street for great shopping
- visit the North End for delicious Italian cuisine
- stroll through Quincy Market
If you are looking for another awesome city to explore in 24 hours, check out my post How to Spend 24 Hours in Uptown Dallas. Safe and healthy travels!