There are so many museums in Boston! No matter your fancy, you’ll find a museum showcasing something of interest. Some of the most well-known include the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, Boston Children’s Museum, and JFK Presidential Library & Museum.
Shopping is a popular activity for cruise passengers visiting Boston. The city is home to a variety of shopping districts, from the upscale Newbury Street to the eclectic Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Visitors can find everything from designer clothing to local souvenirs. There are also plenty of opportunities to find unique items at the city's many flea markets and antique shops.
Dining is a popular activity for cruise passengers visiting Boston. The city is home to a variety of restaurants, from upscale seafood spots to casual pubs. Visitors can also sample the city's famous seafood chowder, lobster rolls, and Italian cuisine. There are also plenty of opportunities to find unique ethnic restaurants, from Chinese to Mexican.
Boston is considered a “walking city.” While you won’t be able to cover everything, you can see a good deal of Boston in a day. You can start in the Seaport district and on to the Financial Center. Then you can make your way through Faneuil Hall to the North End. From there, cross Boston Commons to Newbury Street and its many high-end shops. If you have the time and energy, make your way down Comm. Ave to Fenway Park. Maybe not all in that order, but you get the point. Many of Boston’s landmarks can be seen by foot in a span of a few hours. Grab a map, some comfy sneakers, and have fun!
Founded in 1630, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. Over those hundreds of years, the city has done some pretty cool stuff. And much of that stuff is available to explore while at port. Whether choosing an organized excursion or self-guided tour, some of your many options include: Paul Revere’s house; Old North Church; Boston Public Library; USS Constitution; Bunker Hill Monument; Old State House, Boston National Historical Park and Plymouth Plantation. See specifics below.
There aren’t many cities with more avid sports fans than Boston. Between the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots, there are more trophies than the small city can handle. If you’re fortunate enough to be visiting during a game, we highly recommend this option. Even if there’s not an event during your trip, consider touring one of these iconic venues and surrounding areas anyway. In addition to the professional teams and events, there are also dozens of colleges with quality teams to check out. You’ll find their sporting events on their many web sites.
Boston has lots of beautiful outdoor attractions to relax, take a nap, people-watch, or whatever else you’d like to do on a nice day. Some of the most popular amongst our outdoorsy-cruisers include Boston Commons, Rose Fitzgerald Greenway, Boston Public Garden, and Bunker Hill Monument.
This is another shopping option that’s as valuable for its scenery as retail options. Not surprisingly, the marketplace is within Harvard’s campus area. Tour the iconic institution then make your way up and down the romantic streets for while browsing the small shops. You’ll find more interesting trinkets than brand-name items. Some claim to have become smarter while shopping in Harvard Square just via osmosis. Test this theory for yourself and let us know if it works.
Newbury Street starts at the corner of the Boston Public Gardens. The retail corridor is one mile long and lined with brownstones and other architectural highlights reminiscent of days past. One very unique characteristic of this shopping strip… the stores range from super-high-end (near Boston Public Gardens) to less expensive on the opposite end of Newbury Street (which is where we hang out).
Situated just off Boston’s waterfront, this historic landmark is where the US declared its independence from the British. Today, you can watch street-performers flip around while eating a cannoli and shopping for a new pair of kicks. According to Forbes, Faneuil Hall is the 4th most visited attraction in the country. While it’s not the best shopping venue for variety, it’s certainly the most scenic.
Carson Beach is a popular beach located in South Boston, Massachusetts. It is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. The beach is also home to a variety of restaurants and shops, as well as a boardwalk and amusement park. The beach is easily accessible by public transportation, making it a great spot for a day trip from Boston.
Revere Beach is the oldest public beach in the United States, located just north of Boston in Revere, Massachusetts. It is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. The beach is also home to a variety of restaurants and shops, as well as a boardwalk and amusement park. The beach is easily accessible by public transportation, making it a great spot for a day trip from Boston.
Nantasket Beach is a popular beach located in Hull, Massachusetts, just south of Boston. It is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. The beach is also home to a variety of restaurants and shops, as well as a boardwalk and amusement park. The beach is easily accessible by public transportation, making it a great spot for a day trip from Boston.
Of all Boston’s historic landmarks, this is one of the coolest things to do while in port. Within Charleston Navy Yard you’ll find the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned naval ship (originally launched in 1797).
Above we mentioned that “walking” is one of our favorite things to do in Boston. For a pre-planned route, this is your best bet. The Freedom Trail will take you through Historic Boston on a 2.5-mile trek including landmarks, museums, churches, cemeteries, parks, and more. For a self-guided shore tour, you can start at the Visitor Center in Boston Common where you’ll find maps. If you’d prefer a guide, check out the Boston Freedom Trail Walking Photo Tour here.
Constructed in 1713, the State House is one of Boston’s oldest buildings. The national landmark is made of brick and easily spotted among the towering skyscrapers surrounding the monument. You’ll find a handful of artifacts from the Revolutionary days, including actual tea from the Boston Tea Party. Tours are offered daily.
If there’s a game that fits your schedule while you’re in town, you’re incredibly lucky. Don’t think twice and grab that opportunity. Otherwise, still make your way down to the Fenway Park district while in port. The surrounding area is alive with the 100+ year history of the team. Oh, and it’s packed with wicked cool bars… er, “bahs.”
Seriously, it’s still there. Paul Revere’s home is the oldest house in Boston, dating back to 1680. For history-buffs out there, this has to be on your “things to do” list. You can explore the home on your own, or go with a guided tour. You’ll also find a small gift-shop to prove to your friends that Paul had you over to his place.
Get into the cruise-mindset with this buffet of attractions. For those looking to capture as much of Boston as possible, this is your best option. For a reasonable rate, you’ll get access to dozens of the city’s most popular attractions. This includes a smorgasbord of options from a Fenway tour to the Children’s Museum. From Six Flags to Swan Boats. Your pass covers literally thousands of dollars in admittance fees. You can see more on the Boston One Day Go Card here.
Boston Harbor Cruise Terminal is a smaller cruise ship terminal located in the Seaport District. It is a modern facility with a single cruise terminal and a variety of amenities. Boston Harbor Cruise Terminal is the home port for many smaller cruise lines, including Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line.
You’ll be departing and arriving from Flynn Cruiseport Boston aka Black Falcon Cruise Terminal situated in the city’s Seaport District. The port handles all cruise traffic in and out of the city throughout the year. Like the rest of Boston, Cruiseport has a rich history. Formerly a WWI warehouse, it’s since had a complete makeover and is one of the more interesting terminals you’ll visit. With 30 foot ceilings and original beams exposed, you’ll get a sense of awe as you exit or arrive.
Cruiseport Boston is the largest cruise ship terminal in Boston, located in the Seaport District. It is a modern facility with two large cruise terminals, a parking garage, and a variety of amenities. Cruiseport Boston is the home port for many of the world's largest cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line.