Boston in 1 Day: all you need to know

The northeastern United States is a land full of history and architectural beauty. Therefore, it is quite logical that you are interested in the alternatives available to you on what to see and what to do in Boston in 1 day. This considering that the downtown and surrounding areas of this important university city offer you plenty of plans to see and do in Boston during a stay that is equal to or much longer than a single day.

The following points are some activities that I have planned for you, following a route that you will find practical and convenient to walk the city in its most iconic points. This with the intention that after this quick visit you will be able to affirm without any doubt that you know a good part of the historical heart of Boston.

In the Beacon Hill neighborhood there is a trail of streets and alleys known as the Black Heritage Trail. This is a specific section of Boston that received the first arrivals from the slavery that took place in the North Country from about 1638 to the mid-18th century.

Knowing this part of the neighborhood is a good way to understand a little better the atrocities that took place at that time against the African-American community.

In addition, you can also better contextualize the cultural importance of the first communities of free people of color in that period before the American Civil War.

Some of Boston' s best tour buses can drop you very close to this set of streets on Beacon Hill. But it's best to walk there if you're already in the area. Plus, you'll be able to see the city's African-American history museum from the outside.

If we move a bit towards the center of the neighborhood, you will realize that, indeed, few neighborhoods in the United States have managed to preserve their cultural identity with as much care and detail as Beacon Hill.

The truth is that touring this famous site beyond the Black Heritage Trail is a decision that can not miss in your plans to see and do in Boston in 1 day.

The Massachusetts State House is one of the most important buildings in the area and therefore it is recommended that you visit it. However, Acorn Street is the real tourist epicenter of this neighborhood, at least for those looking for a more discreet and unusual beauty.

It is a narrow, cobblestone street that offers a realistic and very interesting perspective on what the city looked like during the early post-colonial period. That is, when the formation of the North American influence began and many aspects of its cultural identity were established.

Overall, the entire neighborhood is an excellently preserved area and has such a unique style that it can be equated with the unique image associated with Greenwich Village in New York or the Art Deco identity of South Beach in Miami.

From the previous point, south of Beacon Hill, you only have to walk a few minutes to reach two of the city's most important parks.

Separated by the famous Charles Street, both the Boston Public Garden and the Boston Common are the two parks that you should not leave aside when thinking about what to see and do in Boston in 1 day.

The former is a park that was created in the 19th century and stands out for the beauty of its landscaping and the diversity of attractions for the public. These include a lake full of swans where you can take a boat ride.

The Boston Common offers you a more significant extension, because within its 20 hectares there are a large number of historical elements surrounded by a characteristic greenery that can not miss among your plans to do or see in Boston if you visit in summer.

Both are references when it comes to public spaces in the United States. Particularly the second one is even better known for being one of the first urban parks in the country, considering that it was built in 1634.

Downtown Boston is another essential stop on your list of what to see and do in Boston in 1 day.

If you find yourself finishing the tour of the parks mentioned above, then it is an excellent idea to head north of the city through the shopping streets lined with skyscrapers that adjoin other historic buildings.

The Old State House is a good stop along this stretch of your route and if you continue north along Congress Street you will come across Boston City Hall, one of the most emblematic gems of brutalist architecture in all of North America.

A couple of blocks away, also heading north, is the Boston Public Market. It is a perfect opportunity for you to have a snack before proceeding to lunch in every sense of the word.

When you cross the Rose Kennedy Greenway you will find yourself at the north end of Boston's main street. Which means you'll have plenty of other iconic sites of the city's history and identity at your disposal.

On the other hand, if you are in front of Boston City Hall and start to feel very hungry, making it a matter of life and death to have immediate access to a complete meal, it is preferable to cross North St. You will walk east and a couple of blocks away you will have at your disposal the wide gastronomic variety of the Quincy Market.

It is a gastronomic bazaar located inside a historic building. Which in turn is also in the Faneuil Hall which is a bustling shopping center that is made up of a series of structures over 100 years old.

So a last-minute shopping spree to continue your sightseeing routine is prudent and necessary in a place like this. It is also known for having one of the best Christmas markets in all of Boston.

Choose a Lobster Roll for a taste of the essence of the city

If you go for this idea of eating at the Quincy Market, I advise you not to hesitate to try a Losbter Roll, the well-known lobster sandwich that has a different interpretation in most of the cities of the American east coast.

This would be a better decision if you are thinking about what to see and do in Boston during a visit in October, since this month is right in the middle of the fishing season for this delicious seafood.

By this point in the day you probably don't have time left to tour things that are too far from where you are.

So, touring the North End as dusk falls on the city is an excellent option if you still have energy left to make the most of your quick visit to Boston, Massachusetts.

There you will find a Boston version of Little Italy, where you can walk around, take pictures and appreciate the architectural identity of this area, which is so distinctive that it is considered one of the most authentic neighborhoods in the country.

If you have decided to follow the freedom trail on your own, or with a Boston history tour, at some point you will pass through the streets of this corner of Boston.

Also, keep in mind that the historical influence of this neighborhood is just as important as that of Beacon Hill. It is a place that played a decisive role during the times when the Irish-Italian mafias ruled the day-to-day life of the city.

Try a canolli at Mike Pastrys

On Hanover St is Mike Pastry's, one of the most important Italian pastry stores in Boston.

If you want a good dessert, we advise you to order a cannoli, although if you don't crave this, you can still take advantage of the street you are on, as it is a very coveted space among the best gastronomic tours in Boston. At least when it comes to authentic Italian-American food.

On a quaint corner of N Margin St., you can also find another gastronomic treasure of Boston. This is Regina Pizzeria, an establishment that has been winning the hearts and palates of locals for a couple of decades now.

This particular branch is very important due to the fact that it is located within the Italian district of the city. The warmth of a good pizza also makes this an extremely entertaining plan for those looking for ideas to see and do during a Boston winter.

Many of the plans I have been making for your trip to the city have been based on the assumption that you will prefer to head north after seeing the Public Garden and Boston Common. However, it's also valid for you to go for a shorter route in a perimeter closer to these Boston green spaces.

Trinity Church and Boston Public Library are good options if you are not tired of walking

If you are interested in visiting the area south of the Boston Public Garden, your best option is the neighborhoods of Back Bay, Back Bay Village and Back Bay East. Among their streets you will find plenty of gastronomic alternatives for lunch and snacks, while discovering tourist gems of the city such as Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library.

The church stands out for its architectural beauty and for being an Episcopal treasure in a city where Catholicism has always been the predominant branch of Christianity.

The library presents itself as a good escape from the demanding tourist routine that you have set for yourself as a challenge. It is also an excellent place to capture photographic memories.

Getting to Harvard and MIT is convenient if you still have time left over

If you feel that these neighborhoods are not enough and you need a drive to recharge your batteries for your next stop, then you can stop a cab to cross the river over the Harvard Bridge and see the impressive university campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A 30-minute stroll through the area is more than enough for you to get a sense of the magnitude of the influence this academic institution has on the global science scene.

At the same time, while you are on the other side of the city, you can take a private tour by car to take you to another even more iconic campus, Harvard University.

You have to remember that Boston is a city focused on academic excellence and this specific university is part of the mysticism that has formed around the educational identity of the city.

In this area, called Cambridge, you will find different buildings for museums, theaters and classrooms. Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School and all the buildings of the Harvard Yard should be your focal point of attention when visiting the campus.

If you have enough time left in your day, it wouldn't hurt to see if some of the history tours in Boston can offer you a short and concise tour to better understand the architectural magnitude of this beautiful corner of the city.

Say goodbye to the city at the Skywalk Observatory

If it's already dark and you still want another activity to remember your marathon 1-day visit to Boston, you can go to the Prudential Center to go up to the observation deck at the top of the skyscraper that completes this iconic commercial and corporate complex of the city.

The observation deck is located on the 50th floor of the Prudential Tower, which means you will be at a height of approximately 200 meters.

An infographic will explain some important facts about the historical figures of the city and is presented as the perfect opportunity to glimpse from the sky the streets of the city that you have been traveling throughout the day.

The ticket costs $20 American, but you can also find it in the Boston City Pass if you want to have at your disposal a privileged access to other attractions of the city for a convenient price in euros and under a single ticket.

By this point you are almost certainly too exhausted to continue learning the city's secrets. Therefore, my recommendation is that you retire to rest, or that you go to pick up your bags so that a transfer to the Boston airport will pick you up in time at the Hotel Lobby.

Boston subway fares are a good alternative, financially speaking, for getting around the city. You can buy a Charlie Card, recharge it for the number of trips you intend to make during the day and thus ensure an economical and sustainable mobility.

Prices for a trip on the subway are usually around 2.90 dollars per trip. You can also appreciate the fact that children under 11 years of age do not pay. Therefore, subway rides are a good idea to get from one point to another when you are making your plans to see and do in Boston with children.

However, it is recommended that you take advantage of the day if it is sunny and walk this city. It is one of the few metropolises in the United States that still preserves a good part of the original structure of its urban planning, making it a very accessible space for the average citizen and tourist.

Another very different scenario is if you are looking for a controlled and planned experience, just like the one offered by Boston's best tour buses.

Really, it's not a bad idea if that's the type of sightseeing you're betting on to enjoy your day in the city.

Although you must keep in mind that this is a structure of stops and routes that you can not adjust to the whim of your family. At least if you intend to comply with what is established by the company you hire regarding the time you must dedicate to each activity.