Boston 3-Day Itinerary
Before we dive into the details, here are some helpful tips for your trip! If you have an early flight and don’t want to lug around your luggage until check-in time, consider using Bounce Luggage Storage for only $5 per bag per day. It’s a real game-changer! Additionally, the Go City Boston pass includes nearly every activity on this list, and I highly recommend it as it can save you over 50% and allow you to do more for less money. So, let’s pack our bags and get ready for an adventure in one of America’s most historic cities!
Day 1:
Welcome to Boston! I arrived in Boston extremely early (for me), around 8 AM. Because I arrived so early I
started my day off dropping off my bag at Bounce luggage storage (only $5 a day and was cheaper than arriving the night before and having to pay for an extra night stay!). Now I’m gonna be honest, I don’t really eat breakfast so the suggestions for breakfast are mostly going to be from recommendations of locals. To start, The Friendly Toast is a great option for breakfast / lunch, serving pancakes and omelets that I heard will blow your mind. I also would stop by and grab the Hop on and off bus pass for you to go ahead and use for day’s one and two, this pass is included in the Go City Boston ticket so why not take advantage? Especially if you don’t want to have to walk the entire time.
Then, head over to Isabella Stewert Gardner museum. Sound familiar? You may have heard of it as being the home to one of the most famous art heists in history. In this art museum you’ll find the empty frames of the stolen work as well as a beautiful courtyard full of flowers, vines, and plants galore! Next, I made a stop at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. I highly recommend visiting the Monet exhibit, as it’s one of the biggest collections of Monet’s in America. Another couple notable exhibits were the musical instrument exhibit and the Ancient Egyptian exhibit; it’s not every day you get to see a mummy! Before you grab lunch make a quick stop at the Mapparium and take in the truly magnificent sight of the world around you.
For lunch, grab a roast beef sandwich from Cusser’s, and don’t forget to add a cup of New England clam chowder! This classic New England dish will make your taste buds dance with joy! After lunch, head in the direction of the Boston Commons, stop by the Boston Public Library and the Trinity Church, both of which are very old, and stand out in the modern Boston city. Take a stroll through the Boston Public Garden & Boston Commons, a beautiful park filled with flowers, fountains, and statues. You might even spot the famous swan boats gliding across the pond!
Just up the street from the Boston Commons, take a gander at Paul Revere’s grave site located at Granary Burial Ground. Getting a little hungry? Grab a Boston Creme Pie from Omni Parker House while you’re in the area! You won’t be sorry! I didn’t think I’d be a fan since I don’t really like cream / icing texture but this filling was more like cream cheese. Super good surrounded by fluffy cake, and a nice layer of crunchy chocolate (not icing) on top!
Lastly, before dinner, grab a cruise on Harbor Historic Cruise. I learned some incredible facts about Bunker Hill & Sybil Ludington (look her up!!). Afterwards, head to dinner at Eataly, there are so many options for everyone to enjoy!
Day 2:
If you’re from the south like I am, it’s a great idea to start your day with some Cream of Wheat from The Neighborhood Restaurant near Cambridge. Since you’re already in Cambridge area, head towards Harvard! Harvard offers student led tours, and they are well worth it. So much information and stories from someone who lives it every single day!
Then, take the MBTA to the end of Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile walk that takes you through 16 historical sites.
Now you’re probably thinking “end? Why the end?” and I’m here to tell you first, because the things at the end of Freedom Trail typically close earlier than the rest. Second, if you did everything mentioned on day one, then you already did basically the first half! First head towards the Bunker Hill Monument. If you’re feeling athletic, make the 294 step trek to the top; you’d be braver than me! Next stop on freedom trail, and one of my favorites: USS Constitution. You can climb aboard this vessel for free and be sure to watch your head below deck! It was definitely not designed with tall people in mind. Then follow Freedom Trail down to the road and visit Old North Church where Paul Revere started his famous ride. Which leads us to the next stop, the Paul Revere House located in North End. Which means it’s time to stop for some snacks!
North End is famous for its Italian food and culture. Definitely be sure to stop and grab a pastry from Mike’s Pastry as well as Modern Pastry. Pro-tip, get a cannoli from Mike’s, they’re SO GOOD! And from Modern Pastry you could also get a cannoli, however, I went for a Boston Cream Cupcake and it was INCREDIBLE. After grabbing a snack, continue on to explore more of Freedom Trail. Stop by Faneuil (Don’t ask me how to pronounce that) hall & Quincy market, a historic marketplace filled with over 50 restaurants and food vendors. Enjoy a variety of cuisines, from seafood to Mexican, and everything in between. I grabbed a delicious hot butter Lobster Roll and another cup of New England clam chowder cause I just couldn’t resist! There’s a ton of places to get a Lobster roll here so it’s totally up to your preference, you really can’t go wrong! I got mine from Boston & Maine Fish Co.
Finish up Freedom trail, stop by the Boston Massacre site, Old State House, and Old South Meeting House. Tip – If you have the Go City Pass visit the Old South Meeting House first as they have to scan your barcode and give you your tickets for both Old South Meeting House and Old State house. After these, pass by the Old Corner Bookstore (now a Chipotle which I don’t know why but I find that hysterical), grab a picture with the Ben Franklin statue outside Boston Latin School and wrap up freedom trail sites with King’s Chapel where Paul Revere’s son attended church! Grab dinner to wrap up Day 2 at Giocomo’s in North End. The fresh pasta was literally amazing and the fried mozzarella was definitely worth it. Such a nice atmosphere. ***Note that Mike’s Pastry, Modern Pastry, and Giocomo’s was all cash only, as were many places in the North End. I bought fresh pasta from the local Italian market Salumaria and they take card!
Day 3:
Some of you may not know, I sure didn’t until I was researching, but Salem (the famous town where the witch trials were held) is a train ride away from Boston! I highly recommend taking the train (only $10 round trip if you take the commuter rail) to Salem to explore the city. Get there early to visit all the witchy shops and the Salem Witch Memorial Site! I highly recommend going to the wand shop in Salem! If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, you’ll absolutely love the vibes of this shop!
Stop by the Salem Witch Museum to hear about the interesting origins of the Witch Trials. Learn about the people that started it, the accusers, the accused, and how it all came to be. It’s extremely fascinating. Head over to the Peabody Essex museum if you need a break from all the witch talk to ponder on some art! Don’t touch it though, some of it was made with real human hair! Salem also has more to offer than witches though, head over to the Pirate Museum and get a feel of what it was like to be a pirate in Salem!
Don’t miss out, definitely stop by the Satanic Temple. Now, I know what you may be thinking. But honestly, this was probably one of my favorite stops of this entire trip! Everyone was so friendly and kind, and it was overall a fun experience and very different than what other museums have to offer. Lastly, before you head out, be sure to get a Ghost tour of Salem. One of the most haunted towns in America, you definitely have to hear the stories! Grab a frappe from Melt on your way there, it’s super creamy and delicious. Almost like a more milky milkshake!
When you’re back in Boston, stop by Bell in Hand! One of America’s oldest taverns, and such a life saver for late night bites when everything is closed! The food is delicious, make sure to get another cup of New England Clam Chowder!
Boston 3-Day Itinerary Recap
Day 1
Breakfast: The Friendly Toast
Grab tickets for Hop on & off bus
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Mapparium
Lunch: Cussers
Boston Public Library
Trinity Church
Boston Public Gardens & Swan Boats
Boston Commons
Paul Revere Grave @ Granary Burial Ground
Boston Cream Pie @ Omni Parker House
Historic Cruise!
Dinner: Eataly!
Day 2
Breakfast: The Neighborhood Restaurant
Harvard Tour
Freedom Trail
Bunker Hill Monument
USS Constitution
Old North Church
Paul Revere House
North End for Mike’s Pastry & Modern Pastry
Freedom Trail
Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market
Lunch: Boston & Maine Fish Co
Boston Massacre Site
Old South Meeting House
Old State House
Old Corner Book Store
Boston Latin School
King’s Chapel
Dinner: Giocomo’s
Day 3
Salem Day Trip!
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Salem Witch Museum
Shopping!
Peabody Essex Museum
Pirate Museum
Satanic Temple
Grab a Frappe from Melt!
Ghost Tour
Dinner: Bell in Hand Tavern
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