Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Boston, Massachusetts! I love Boston and am always excited when I get to come back here for a visit. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Boston vacation.
Hate #1: Fake History in Boston
There are tons of historic things to see in Boston, but a lot of history has been exploited in the name of tourism. Places like Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall are historic buildings that look cool from the outside, but inside it’s basically a mall food court. Then there’s the “Cheers” bar, which is a replica of the original. There are a lot of “replica” destinations in Boston and it gets old after a while.
Eight Don’ts of Visiting Boston
Love #1: Historic Sights in Boston
While there’s a lot of “fake” history in Boston, there’s so much real history that you can’t help but be amazed. One of the most popular Boston tourist attractions is the Freedom Trail, which is a self-guided walking tour of the best historic sights in Boston. You get to see Paul Revere’s house, several historic government buildings, churches, and graveyards. The “real” history in Boston far outweighs the “fake” history.
Hate #2: Boston Winters
If you visit Boston in the winter, you’ve been warned. The winters in Boston are terrible. They don’t just get snow in Boston, they get tons of snow at a time. When it’s not snowing, it’s still freezing cold and windy and just overall unpleasant. Any other time of year is perfect for visiting Boston, but I don’t recommend winter.
Love #2: Getting Around Boston
While Boston is a huge city with lots of diverse neighborhoods, the majority of Boston tourist attractions are very centrally located in a compact area. This makes it easy to see a lot of Boston in a short time. Fortunately, it’s very easy (and preferable) to visit Boston without a car. If you want to go outside of the city center, the “T” system is affordable and easy to use.
Hate #3: Driving & Parking in Boston
Boston has existed for nearly 400 years, so the city pre-dates cars by a couple of hundred years. This means that Boston is not on a grid system like more modern cities, so driving is frustrating. There are a lot of one-way streets and dead ends; even with GPS, driving in Boston is confusing and frustrating. Affordable parking does not exist in Boston, but even trying to find any parking is a nearly impossible task. It’s best not to have a car at all on your Boston vacation.
Love #3: Boston Sightseeing
Besides all the great historic sights, there are many other fun things to do in Boston. There are zoos, aquariums, parks, museums, and sports teams. Fenway Stadium, home of the Boston Red Sox, is one of the most iconic baseball stadiums in the country. You can ride the swan boats at the Boston Public Garden, or take a cruise on the Boston Harbor.
Hate #4: Boston Jaywalking
Bostonians take jaywalking to the next level. If you are a driver in Boston, be on high alert at all times. If you are a pedestrian, don’t just blindly follow someone else who steps out into the street.
Love #4: Boston is Safe & Kid Friendly
For a city of this size, Boston is very safe. Of course, there are bad neighborhoods to avoid, but as a tourist, I’ve not had to worry about my safety while sightseeing in Boston. You don’t hear much about pickpockets or traveler scams like you do in other large cities. If you are visiting Boston with kids, it’s very family-friendly. There are tons of fun activities for the whole family, including the Boston Children’s Museum.
Safety Tips for Travel in the USA
Hate #5: Cobblestone Streets of Boston
Sure, the cobblestone streets add to the historic feel and look of Boston, but after a few hours of walking on cobblestones, your feet will begin to hate them. Most Boston activities involve a lot of walking, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. If you have ankle or foot problems, you’ll need to be extra careful when you are walking around.
Love #5: Eating & Drinking in Boston
Boston has some fantastic restaurants and bars, and the food is fantastic. Clam chowder and lobster rolls are two local specialties that you have to have in Boston. The North End has amazing Italian food. Boston cream pie and Sam Adams beer are other local specialties to try when you are in Boston.
Boston is such a cool city with so many things to see in Boston. The “hates” are all really just things to avoid, rather than a reason not to take a Boston vacation. Want more tips for planning your USA vacation? Check out these other blog posts: