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Boston is one of our favorite cities for a weekend escape. This is in large part because unlike other sprawling urban centers, the highlights of Boston are easily navigated in a short time frame. Even better, you can explore much of Boston on foot, and those attractions that are a bit farther out are easily accessible via public transportation.
Yet while Boston might be small (relatively speaking), it doesn't sacrifice on great cuisine, historic attractions, beautiful parks and neighborhoods, and a fantastic merging of old and new. So if you're in a time crunch and looking for a great place to explore, head to Boston. Here are our top tips for a weekend getaway while you're there:
Take A Boston Food Tour
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The culinary scene in Boston is exploding with great flavors and trendy restaurants. But with only a weekend, your best bet at experiencing the foremost of Boston cuisine is to sign up for a food tour. Chocolate tours, cupcakes tours and Little Italy tours are just a few of the options available. Bites of Boston offers a particularly interesting tour through the South End, complete with plenty of tidbits about the neighborhood's unique history.
Go To A Game At Fenway Park
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Red Sox fan or not, the opportunity to experience the energy of a baseball game at historic Fenway Park is not to be missed. The oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, Fenway Park dates back to 1912-the same year as Titanic's maiden voyage. If a game is not going on during your weekend of choice, you can still take a tour of the legendary park.
Walk The Freedom Trail
Photo by timgolden via Flickr
Besides being a beautiful way to spend a few hours sightseeing Boston on foot, this 2.5-mile walk takes visitors past some of the most important historic sites of the Revolutionary War. Download a map on your device of choice so you can take your time walking as much or as little of the red brick trail as you like.
Particularly noteworthy attractions along The Freedom Trail include the house of Paul Revere and the Old North Church. If you prefer to learn about the rich history of Boston on a tour, there are Free Tours On Foot that cover one mile of the trail and are pay-what-you-wish.
Explore Copley Square
Photo by Carlos Pacheco via Flickr
This public square in Boston's Back Bay boasts numerous historic sites and stunning architecture, making it the perfect base to pick and choose the cultural attractions of your fancy. A few noteworthy sites include:
The Boston Public Library: With a collection of over 23 million items, you would need much longer than a weekend to fully explore all that the Boston Public Library has to offer. However, a visit to this historic building should not be missed. Not only is the architecture beautiful (particularly the Reading Room at McKim Building), but there are also notable murals and artwork to explore.
Trinity Church: One of the country's most significant architectural landmarks, Trinity Church dates back to 1733. Stop in for a service or take a tour of the magnificent building.
The John Hancock Tower: This is the tallest tower in New England and makes for an enjoyable spot to view the city from up above.
The Museum of Fine Arts: It's easy to get lost in this impressive art gallery, which boasts a wide array of collections. You'll need more than one visit to explore all that is on display, so start with the permanent collection or one of the special exhibits.
While a weekend in Boston is enough time to get a snapshot of the city's primary attractions, if you're anything like us, you'll quickly find the urge to return and explore more of this uniquely vibrant and historic place.
Have you visited Boston before? What were the highlights from your trip?
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