Top Five Things To Do In Boston

We will be traveling to Boston next week for the first time, and I%26#39;ve been trying to read up on some of the top things to do. I%26#39;ve been a little overwhelmed with all the options, so I was wondering what locals would consider some of the ';must-see'; things to do. We will be there for about a week, from 10-12 thru 10-18. Is there a best way to see the city? Any harbor cruises? And any tips on a place for good chowder?

Any info is appreciated.

Top Five Things To Do In Boston

While not currently a resident, I am a native so I%26#39;ll go ahead and put in my two cents:

For clam chowder: Legal Seafood. Although it%26#39;s now a chain, it got its start in Inman Square in Cambridge as a fish market with a small takeout window.

Things to do: Go to the top of the Pru. The view is great plus you get a free audio tour with admission. The audio is great because it explains just what you%26#39;re looking at plus gives you some local history. BTW, there is a Legal Seafood in the shopping center at the Pru.

If you were here during warmer weather, you could have taken a ride on the swan boats at the Public Garden. They are unique to Boston.

You could check out some of the sights on the Freedom Trail---so much history there.

Go to the North End and have a great Italian meal. We like La Summa on Fleet Street. Also, have pizza at Regina%26#39;s. Just note that if you arrive during peak lunch or dinner hours, the line for Regina%26#39;s is literally out the door.

Top Five Things To Do In Boston

As an Out of Towner although I now consider Boston my second home. I%26#39;d recommend taking the Trolley tour, it%26#39;s a great, comfortable way of seeing all the Historical sights without too much leg work and you can get on and off as you please when you see something you%26#39;d like to look at in more depth. Failing that, walk the Freedom Trail. The top of the Prudential centre is a must, fantastic views of the city and then you%26#39;re close to the great shops there and also to Newbury street, more shops and great eateries.

Screw a crummy trolley tour. WALK!! You can walk the entire length of downtown Boston from the Pru Center to Christopher Columbus Park (at the harbor waterfront and edge of the North End) in a hour. But you%26#39;ll want to take longer as you stop along the way to browse and dine and just absorb the surroundings. From the Pru, meander right down Boylston Street. Maybe opt for a few blocks browsing the shops and cafes and Brownstones along parallel running Newbury Street or Commonwealth Ave. They all lead right to the Public Garden. This is where the swan boats are. Exit the Public Garden and proceed straight across the street and thru Boston Common. You can sidetrack up towards the Capital Building on Beacon Hill or go straight thru and proceed to downtown crossing, then down Washington Street to the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market area. Walk the long food court of the middle market building. It%26#39;s not a mall food court, but more like a microcosm of Boston dining. Mostly unique dining options. Proceed straight thru Quincy Market and on to Christopher Columbus Park on the waterfront (next to Marriott Long Wharf). From there, the North End is off to the left. Enjoy, but take it all in by WALKING the city.

Understandably ';overwhelmed'; as you are, I hate to put anything back on you but, yes, there%26#39;s plenty to do for everyone -- could take months. But, (a) Boston is a wonderfully walkable and safe (knock wood) city, and/but (b) depends on the ages, interests, and ';go-go'; factors of your party. There%26#39;s sightseeing: history (Freedom Trail), maritime (Charlestown Shipyard and the USS Constitution -- history there too). There%26#39;s ';culture';: the most unique to Boston, I%26#39;d say, are the more ';academically-oriented'; things like amazing bookstores, small theatres, etc., plus a bunch of pre-(or post-)Broadway big-production shows in the Theatre District. There are world-class museums (and not ';stuffy'; ones), like MFA (Museum of Fine Arts), Gardner Museum, Aquarium, Science Museum). Tons of shopping of all kinds (from chain malls to used record -- excuse me, CD -- stores and back) of course.

There%26#39;s rub-elbows with the natives areas, with coffee shops, eclectic food, fun bars.

The specific examples are deliberate: things I%26#39;ve taken my out-of-town guests to see; but if you break it down to how much time you want to spend on ';overview,'; and how much on specific interests or aspects of Boston%26#39;s uniqueness, I%26#39;m sure we can deluge you with ideas:)

If you%26#39;re going to be there for so long I recommend getting a go boston card to see the sights around the area. It%26#39;s includes two harbor cruises, duck tours, freedom trail walking tours. Depending on your interests and who is with you, you can really plan a variety of activities. For example: If you%26#39;re interested in sightseeing and local history I would take a

1. Freedom Trail walking tour with guide

2. Visit the sights on the way (they charge admission which is why I recommended the Go Boston Card) There is the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, State House, USS Constitution) The tour starts in Boston Common and works it%26#39;s way to Charlestown where the USS Constitution Museum is.

3. JFK Museum

4 Beacon Hill (great writers used to live here, the streets are quiet and beautiful. Robert Frosts old home is here)

5 Gibson House (refurbished victorian home on beacon street)

If you%26#39;re interested in Museums, Art and Fashion

1. I would start at the end of Newbury Street at the Public Garden where it%26#39;s absolutely beautiful during the fall (the weather has been AMAZING here!) I would walk down Newbury taking in the sights--expensive shops--beautiful streets (I might even walk over a street to Commonwealth and check out the gorgeous homes) As you get half way down Newbury the shops tend to be closer together. Lots of fashion, housewear, the beautiful people. I would eat lunch outside if the weather is nice.

2. Visit Institute of Contemporary Art on Boylston Street (right near the end of Hynes)

3. Backtrack up boylston and visit the Copley Mall for moderate to expensive shopping. You can also check out the view from the SKYwalk in the Prudential Center

4. Get on the T and Copley and take the E green line to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA stop on the green E line)

Great Orientation Tours to take:

(To get to know the city!)

Duck Tours -best if you have children. Takes you by land and by water

Beantown Trolley Tour

Other places

Harvard Square: Shopping and Atmopsphere. Great tours available here too.

Coolidge Corner: Wonderful neighboorhood. Located on the C line COOLiDGE Corner Stop. Lots of good resturants. Independent Movie Theater.