What To Do For a Weekend in Boston

WHAT TO DO FOR A WEEKEND IN BOSTON

Ever since moving to Massachusetts, I’ve been fascinated with?Boston. It’s one of the most?intimate, coziest, beautiful and historic cities?I’ve been to and it never disappoints when visiting for a weekend. Boston is home to delicious food (clam chowder anyone), open spaces and greenery, first-class museums and welcoming locals. As one of the most historic cities in the United States, it attracts people from all over the country and the world to get a taste of this iconic place.?

Unlike other larger cities,?Boston is an awesome place to visit?if you’re looking to do a weekend trip,?as you can cover a lot at once. The city is very easy to navigate because everything is so close together. With great public transportation such as the Subway system or using Uber it makes everything easier. I always love coming here on the weekends because there’s so much to do and I learn something new about the city every time I visit. I never feel overwhelmed or like the city is too busy either, unless there’s a large sporting event or something.

Between the?historic buildings, walking tours,?food-scene,?Boston sports,?shopping,?waterfront activities?and?ambiance, you’ll have an amazing time. The city has a strong sports culture, as you probably already know, so the energy is high and the accents are strong. Some of the popular things to do include visiting?The Freedom Trail, Boston Public Garden, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market, The Museum of Science, The Museum of Fine Arts, The New England Aquarium, Bunker Hill, The Skywalk Observatory, The Charles River and The Boston Public Library.??

Below you’ll find unique and authentic things I suggest doing by location in the city.

WHAT TO DO FOR A WEEKEND IN BOSTON

BACK BAY

CITRUS & SALT

Citrus & Salt?is a?trendy coastal Mexican restaurant?with delicious food and drinks. It combines inspiration from?Southern California beach vibes and Mexican culture, offering an aesthetically-pleasing atmosphere and an instagram-worthy experience. There’s a plethora of delicious brunch, lunch and dinner items as well as the tastiest and most?beautiful cocktail arrangements.?

FLOUR BAKERY + CAFE

Flour Bakery + Cafe?is a?local bakery chain?with a fresh and delicious menu of?sweet and savory baked goods. They have a variety of breakfast sandwiches, scones, muffins, cinnamon buns, cake slices, regular sandwiches, avocado toast, specialty coffees and so much more. Located right next to The Friendly Toast, you’ll find a busy atmosphere with locals grabbing a pastry and coffee to get their day started.

THE FRIENDLY TOAST

The Friendly Toast?is a?hip retro-kitsch diner & bar?serving up hearty breakfasts and brunch, comfort classics, soda-fountain treats, mimosa flights, bloody marys and more. I ordered the?avocado toast dish with eggs, sliced avocado and a delicious aioli on top with a side fresh fruit.?It was an awesome and up-beat dining experience with great music and pleasant vibes both indoors and outdoors. The line gets long to put your name down for a table, so I suggest getting there early!

THE LOEWS BOSTON HOTEL

As the?former Police Headquarters,?Loews Boston Hotel?caters to history buffs, families, friends, couples, corporate and pets! Between the?blend of historic charm, sophistication and New England hospitality, there’s something for everyone. I especially loved the on-site restaurant,?Precinct Kitchen and Bar?and the surrounding area, overall. It’s a great option for those looking for a Boston getaway in a prime location with a more laid-back city experience. I suggest this hotel to anyone who wants a comfortable and more intimate city experience but plans to do a lot of exploring around the city. Other than the amazing restaurant, there isn’t a ton more to do at the hotel, so it’s the perfect place for a packed schedule.

SERAFINA

Serafina?is a?vibey Italian restaurant?in Back Bay serving up?brunch, lunch and dinner. Many of their dishes and pastas are made my hand, adding to the authenticity and experience of the restaurant. We went for the full brunch experience on a Saturday which came with?frittata, avocado toast, brunch pizza, focaccia alla nutella?as well as endless?mimosas and bellinis.?

TERRA

Terra?is the?iconic Italian restaurant & rooftop?located at?Eataly?in Back Bay. This epic rooftop serves up?brunch, lunch, dinner and fabulous cocktails, year-round. Not only is the atmosphere on point between the greenery, decor and lighting, but the food is absolutely delicious.

For brunch, we went with?Terra toast, UOVO Benedict with lobster, Crostone Di Avocado and a wide array of housemaid sweet pastries and coffee.?As for cocktails, we went with the?mimosa, Bellini and espresso martini,?but the selection doesn’t stop there. Plenty of?rum teas, vodka tonics, aperol spritz and bloody mary’s?to go around.

Terra is open 7 days a week and offers brunch on the weekend.?I highly recommend this rooftop to locals and visitors of Boston!?

BEACON HILL

ACORN STREET

Acorn Street?in Beacon Hill is?the most famous street?for photographers in all of Boston. It perfectly captures the?New England charm?with its brick and cobble-stone accents, street lamps, greenery and fall foliage. You definitely want to make a stop here as the walk around Beacon Hill is absolutely beautiful and picturesque. Beacon Hill happens to be one of my favorite parts of Boston, as it has a very?European feel to it.?

In fact,?I had a video featuring Acorn Street go viral on Instagram Reels?between people saving and sharing for their future travels. It’s a mist-visit, for sure!

BEACON HILL CHOCOLATES

Beacon Hill Chocolates?is a?classic, quaint, authentic chocolate and candy shop?with delicious imported sweets with artisan chocolates from around the world and victorian vibes throughout the shop. These chocolates are heavily used and admired locally as gifts and make for the perfect gifts for loved ones as well.??

BOSTON COMMON

Located just outside of Beacon Hill is?Boston Common, another?iconic place to visit?during your trip to Boston. Here you’ll find?trees, gardens, statues, lakes, entertainers, events and seasonal activities?throughout the year. It’s a great way to?experience nature in the city?and getting a feel for everyday life here.?

COBBLESTONES A BEACON HILL EATERY

Cobblestones A Beacon Hill Eatery?is a?cozy, corner-shop?in the heart of Beacon Hill serving up?breakfast sandwiches, coffees, smoothies, acai-bowls and croissants,?making it one of the most ideal places to grab breakfast on Charles Street. The staff was incredibly kind and the breakfast wraps were delicious.?

FOLLAIN

One of the cutest and most?high-end beauty?shops I’ve stumbled upon. I heard about?Follain?by experiencing their face masks and lip balm when staying at?The Whitney Hotel. If you want to try different beauty products and be taken care of by kind staff members, you’ll want to check it out.?I highly recommend getting the lip balm, it is my absolute favorite!

FREEDOM TRAIL

The Freedom Trail?is one of the most recommended things to do in Boston, so if you’re into?history, statues, graveyards, ships, parks?etc, you’ll definitely want to do the walk, especially because it leads you to a lot of cool places around the city. The Freedom Trail formally starts at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center and is about 2.5 miles long. It can take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours long depending on how many stops you make and how much time you spend there, but it’s?a great way to see a lot of attractions at once. I also recommend making a stop at the?Sam Adam’s Boston Tap Room?for a beer!

J.P. LICKS

If you’re looking for?a tasty ice cream treat, you’ll want to hit up?J.P Licks. They have all different signature flavors and toppings you can pick from. I chose the pumpkin cheesecake ice cream with marshmallow sauce and chocolate chips. So delicious!?

THE PARAMOUNT

Whenever I pass?The Paramount?in Beacon Hill, the line is always out the door.?This restaurant is small, intimate and cozy.?They serve fabulous?brunch?options eggs, omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, as well as delicious?lunch?items like wraps, burgers and salad bowls.?

THE SEVENS ALE HOUSE

The Sevens Ale House?is a lively,?classic pub?to stop by and visit whether you’re looking for lunch, to watch a game or grab a few beers.

TATTE BAKERY & CAFE

Tatte Bakery & Cafe?is a?quaint and European-like?restaurant with seating both indoors and outdoors. They serve brunch foods like traditional American breakfast foods, croissants, tartines, plates, bowls, sandwiches and soups. We loved the food and the atmosphere here!

TOSCANO

One of the most beautiful and delicious restaurants in Beacon Hill.?Toscano?has many?Tuscan?influences and flavors in their dishes which makes for a truly unique Italian restaurant experience. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, the staff is kind and accommodating and the food is amazing!

FENWAY

GO TO RED SOX GAME

As a Yankee fan it kills me to say this, but I do suggest hitting up?Fenway?Park for a?Red Sox game?as it’s one of the best ways to be engulfed in?the Boston culture.?It’s a great stadium and the surrounding area is a ton of fun too.?You’ll find a great deal of energy and nightlife here.?

GRAB A DRINK AT BLEACHER BAR

Bleacher Bar?is a?classic spot in Fenway?that allows you to watch the game and have a great view of Centerfield. As one of the oldest and most historic stadiums in the country,?Bleacher Bar carries the Boston nostalgia?as being the previous batting cage for the visiting teams. It now caters to locals, visitors and events serving up food, drinks and iconic views of the game. Even if you aren’t visiting during a Red Sox game, I highly recommend checking out the bar!

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Boston Public Library?was established in 1848 and is?a pioneer of public library service?in America! They have a?variety of spaces to enjoy both indoors and outdoors,?whether you’re looking to read, study, work, grab a drink or simply admire the stunning architecture.

VICTORY GARDENS

The Fenway Victory Gardens?is a large space with?seven acres of produce and flowers taken care of by Boston’s very own residents. This garden is the?oldest surviving victory garden in the United States,?established in 1942, by President Franklin Roosevelt. It originally served as a vegetable garden planted during WWII in order to ensure an adequate food supply for civilians and troops.

EAT DINNER AT YARD HOUSE

Yard House?is another classic spot in Fenway. It’s known best for its?great food, 160 taps of domestic, local and import beers as well as its classical rock music. It’s also famous for its?yard beers that are long and bulbed shaped at the bottom.?The menu also has a wide variety of items to choose from including pizza, tacos, burgers, sandwiches, steaks and seafood. There’s definitely something for everyone!

LORETTA'S LAST CALL

Loretta’s Last Call?is a classic?Country Bar?located in the heart of Fenway serving up food drinks and live music for those who can’t get enough of country music. The venue is?spacious, lively and has a comfortable atmosphere.?

THE VERB HOTEL

The Verb Hotel?is a?Rock and Roll themed hotel?located in Fenway with?classic music, record players, fresh cold-brew on tap, balconies,?a?heated pool?and an onsite?restaurant. It’s a great place to stay if you’re a music lover and are looking for an authentic experience in Boston.?

DOWNTOWN BOSTON

HIGH STREET PLACE

High Street Place?is a food market offering delicious small bites from amazing food and drink vendors around Boston, a great cultural vibe, and a champagne vending machine! We came here the first weekend it opened and was pleasantly surprised with the high-quality options and ingredients. It’s a great spot to grab some food and enjoy a nice atmosphere.?

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

THE LANGHAM BOSTON HOTEL

Located in the financial district,?The Langham Hotel?is known as one of?the most historic buildings in downtown Boston. It has a rich history being built as the?Federal Reserve Bank of Boston?in the early 1900s, inspiring several decor elements in the hotel today. The hotel is said to?“celebrate its landmark heritage, while re-imagining service and tradition through a genuine, unpretentious and distinctly modern lens.”?This couldn’t be more true. What I love most about this hotel is it’s?laid-back luxury?feel with staff and guests that are as kind as ever. You immediately feel like you belong here and are welcomed in several ways throughout your stay.

Check out the full hotel review here.?

NORTH END

JOE'S WATERFRONT

Joe’s Waterfront?is an excellent?family-friendly waterfront restaurant?in North End offering delicious American-pub meals from breakfast to dinner. If you want to experience?some of the best views of the Boston Harbor?while enjoying a nice meal outdoors, this is the place to do it.?I highly recommend their brunch specials?as they have a wide range of breakfast plates like eggs Benedict, pancakes, chicken and waffles, lobster rolls and more.

MAMMA MARIA

Tucked away in a?19th-century row house?amongst the cobblestone streets of the oldest public square in America, you’ll find?Mamma Maria?with?regional Italian cuisine and ingredients grown in New England.

We ordered a plethora of dishes including the?Venetian-style carpaccio, Duxbury, MA oysters with Prosecco zabaglione, lamb ravioli, lobster agnolotti pasta with Maine lobster, canoli & biscotti and the chocolate torta. The restaurant features five unique, private dining rooms – from the intimate Piccolo room that seats 2 guests to the elegant Verdi room, which can accommodate up to 50 guests. Mamma Maria is also the only Italian restaurant in Boston to have?AAA Four-star Diamond Rating?and was also voted as?OpenTable’s Most Romantic Restaurant of 2022.

It was such a fun evening with good vibes, a busy restaurant and delicious wine.?I highly recommend getting a reservation as it fills up quickly!

TRATTORIA IL PANINO

North End Boston?is famous for?historic buildings, authentic Italian restaurants, cafes, espresso bars, pizza and sandwich shops. While there are so many great restaurants to visit,?Trattoria Il Panino?is one of the very bests with indoor and outdoor seating. They offer amazing appetizers, salads, house specials, homemade pastas and classic wines. Some of the dishes are served directly from the pan it was used to cook in and everything is melt in your mouth delicious.?

PARLA

As a suggestion from the staff at The Langham Hotel, after Trattoria Il Panino, I highly recommend stopping by?Parla, a?speak-easy inspired bar with custom cocktails and a whiskey emphasis.?It was a great atmosphere with unique and tasty cocktails.??

TRESCA

Tresca?is an authentic?Tuscan-inspired, high-end Italian restaurant?with multi-level seating both indoors and outdoors. They offer exceptional dishes, a variety of wines and seasonal cuisines. We ordered?fresh bread?for the table (included),?pumpkin beer?with a cinnamon rim, the?roasted Brussels sprouts, the amazing?pumpkin risotto?and the?creamy lobster raviolis. Absolutely delicious!

SEAPORT DISTRICT

While the?Seaport District?as we know it now is still a newer part of the city, I see it making its way to the favorite list soon.?There’s so much to do here between the views, proximity to the water, retail shops, restaurants and bars.?It’s one of my favorite places to be and I can’t wait to see what else pops up here.

BARTACO

If you’re a?Mexican food lover?like I am, then you’ll want to get your fix at?Bartaco. It’s an?upscale?Mexican restaurant with?street tacos, homemade chips and guac, speciality cocktails, beers and a cozy coastal environment.?What I especially like about Bartaco is there?no-contact method of ordering?from your phone as you go. It makes the experience more pleasant and efficient!

LOLA BURGER

Just a few steps away from the water, you’ll find?Lola Burger?which is actually a spin-off restaurant of Lola 41, originating in Nantucket. Here you’ll find?25-30 craft beers, delicious appetizers and of course their famous burgers.?We ordered the nachos (absolutely delicious) as an appetizer and the Lola Burger (comes with aged cheddar, red onion compote & foie gras sauce in an English muffin + truffle fries. Highly recommend getting a black and white shake to go for dessert.

LOOKOUT ROOFTOP

Seaport, Boston is one of the most beautiful and up & coming parts of the city?and what better than to experience it from up top. As one of the best best rooftops in all of Boston,?Lookout Rooftop and Bar?serves up fresh cocktails, a lively atmosphere and insane city views. It’s definitely a must-see.

NAUTILUS

Located at Pier 4 is the new restaurant?Nautilus?where they offer the concept that everything is better when shared. All the dishes are served?tapas-style?and include cuisines of?traditional New England dishes, seafood and Asian flavors?and inspiration. The original restaurant is on Nantucket and now The Seaport District gets its own dose.

I loved the vibes, the decor, the location and of course the food.

We ordered the?shiso hand rolls, crab fried rice, steamed pork buns, Thai sausage lettuce wraps and the Brussel sprouts a la pancha.?For cocktails we enjoyed the?Tequila Mockingbird?which comes with tequila, roasted grapefruit, chilis and rosemary and the?Me n’ you Bubzz?which comes with Hendrick’s, St. Germaine, Prosecco & cucumber.

SOUTH END

BLACKBIRD DONUTS

If you’re spending some time in South End, you’ll want to make a stop at?Blackbird Doughnuts. They have a plethora of specialty donuts including?classic flavors, seasonal flavors, ice cream, cakes and specialty coffees. I highly recommend the?everything bagel donut?which tastes like a bagel with a donut texture!

COSMICA

If you’re into intimate, indoor and outdoor dining experiences and love?authentic Mexican food, you’ll love?Cosmica. Here you’ll find amazing tacos, margaritas, chips & guac and more.

STAYPINEAPPLE HOTEL

One of the most?interesting, funky and fun?hotels I’ve stayed at to date.?Staypineapple?is a unique collection of boutique hotels with locations in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Portland and San Diego. Their vibe attracts a tribe of the young, young at heart, savvy travelers and seekers of something different. Staypineapple is described as?a badass experience?where all your wants and desires are met.?That includes the hotel being?dog-friendly! If you’re a dog mom or dad, you can bring along your pup as they highly encourage it and accommodate here at Staypineapple. More and more hotels are becoming dog-friendly and it’s about time!?

Check out the full hotel review here.

THEATER DISTRICT

ROCK & RYE

Rock & Rye?is an?American bar?serving up tasty?appetizers, fun signature drinks and the best music. If you like lively atmospheres with?early 2000s jams, you’ll LOVE this bar! For appetizers we ordered the?Buffalo Brussels Sprouts, mac & cheese and the sliders.?They have a variety of specialty drinks with fun elements added including?Adult Capri Sun, Champagne Sangria, Pink Flamingo and Espresso Martini.

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