Find cheap flights to Boston

Whether you’re interested in food, sports, history, art, or architecture, Boston caters to a wide range of travelers and offers plenty to see and do. The Greater Boston area, which is home to world-renowned institutes such as Harvard and MIT, also attracts a sizeable student population that lends Boston a young and energetic vibe. To decide when to visit the city, you may want to look at not just the weather, but also the college terms and break schedules which may contribute to large crowds while visiting popular attractions.

From summer through fall, Boston hosts numerous festivals and events including Boston Pride, the Boston Film Festival, Boston Harborfest, and several other culinary and sports events. With average temperatures around 70 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit, June – October is a good time to visit Boston. Do note that in August – September the city sees a huge influx of student communities and their parents, who arrive just before the start of the new academic year. From November – February, the city is often covered in snow. If you don’t mind average temperatures of 40 – 50 degrees Fahrenheit, then visit Boston during this time and take advantage of the cheap hotel rates. You can also plan your visit around events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade or the Boston Marathon in March – April.

Boston’s downtown area is not just compact and walkable, but also quite scenic, especially along the waterfront. Many of the popular attractions are within a short distance of each other. To cover further distances, you can rely on the city’s excellent public transport network.

Public Transportation

Boston’s public transport is run by MBTA, which operates a large and efficient network of buses, subways (called ‘T’), and water taxis. A single ride fare is $2.75 USD for subway rides and $2.00 USD for local buses. A day pass costing $12.00 USD allows unlimited travel on subways, buses, commuter rail in Zone 1A, and the Charlestown Ferry. Water Taxi fares range from $3.50 USD – $18.50 USD based on the route.

Taxis

Taxis are widely available and can be flagged down in the street. Ride-share options such as Uber and Lyft are also easily available throughout Boston.

Cycling

Boston’s bike-sharing program, Hubway, offers access to over 100 bike stations across the city. For a 24-hour pass that costs $8.00 USD you can enjoy unlimited 30-minute rides.

Things to do and places of interest in Boston

Boston’s beautiful blend of modern and traditional reflects in several aspects. Charming and historic mansions sit alongside glossy skyscrapers, tiny boutiques compete with massive shopping malls, and the vibrant and lively Theatre district offers a stark contrast from the chic and sophisticated Back Bay neighborhood.Here are a few suggestions on what to see and do when you visit Boston.

• Tour the popular sights such as the North End, Quincy Market, the USS Constitution, the Bunker Hill Monument, Chinatown, the Theater District, Boston Public Gardens, and the Prudential Center building’s Skywalk Observatory.
• Art lovers should visit the iconic Institute of Contemporary Art, while museum lovers will enjoy visiting Boston Children’s Museum, the Mary Baker Eddy Library, and the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum.
• Learn about Boston’s history and hear stories of the American Revolution when you opt for a Freedom Trail Walking Tour. You’ll pass popular sights such as the Old State House, Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, the Bunker Hill Monument, and several other monuments and churches.
• Stroll along the waterfront, enjoy street performers and musicians, and sample the freshest seafood at popular restaurants in this area.
• Enjoy some retail therapy at Newbury Street, Boylston Street, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
• Catch a baseball game at Fenway Park, the oldest Major League Baseball park.
• Head to Cambridge in the Greater Boston Area, for campus tours of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Tips and tricks for visiting Boston

Invest in a Go Boston Card

The Go Boston Card offers an all-inclusive pass for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days, which is worth considering when visiting Boston. The pass gives you significant savings on over 40 sights and attractions, and the price ranges from $57.00 USD for a 1-day pass, to $175.00 USD for a 7-day pass.

Avoid driving

If possible, avoid driving within the city. The streets are narrow, traffic jams are common, and parking is both scarce and expensive. Instead, rely on the excellent MBTA operated public transport network, or your own 2 feet.