Boston Bucket List
I’ve been in the Boston area for 4 years now. When I first moved here, a friend gave me her ‘Boston Bucket List” and I have added and checked off places as we have visited them.
Here is my list, let me know if you have any additions!
– Top of the Hub – went just for a drink at sunset. It was lovely. I don’t recommend paying the high prices for dinner since I’ve heard the food isn’t great.
- New England Aquarium – you can just visit the seals swimming outside, or go inside and see the walk-around aquarium, laugh at the penguins and check out the amazing tropical frogs!
– Improv Boston – super fun improv comedy
– Isabella Steward Gardner Museum – this is a ‘house’ built solely for the extensive art collection of a trophy wife in the late 1800s. It has a center atrium full of plants that are changed based on the season. It also houses one of my most favorite art pieces – James Whistler “Nocturne, Blue and Silver: Battersea Reach”
– Museum of Science – give yourself a full day (if not more) to come here. There is a TON of things to see and plenty of hands-on activities. We even got to meet a porcupine! We need to go back to spend more time in the Math Room
– Museum of Natural History – free for MA residents on Sundays before 12. This place is a collection of 4 different museums – the natural history with stuffed animals from all over the world, the glass flower collection of over 3000 flowers (very impressive to see), Mineralogical museum (with a ton of amazing minerals and gems), and the Peabody Museum of archaeology and ethnology. You get admission to all 4.
– Boston Garden and Boston Common – You can pick up the Freedom Trail in Boston Common and you can watch the swans and ducks in the Boston Garden. A perfect place to eat lunch outside (except during the winter)
– Freedom Trail – this is the quintessential thing to do when first coming to Boston. You start in Boston Common and take a leisurely 3 mile walk through Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall, the North End and end up at the USS Constitution. The only problem is at the end of the trail, you have to make your way back to the starting point without public transportation.
– The North End – just walking around the cobblestone streets, stopping at little Italian markets for bites to eat and then finishing your walk at Mikes Pastry (local tip – don’t stand in line, just walk in and get served), I recommend the Chocolate coated cannoli and the Florentine Lace Cookies
– Boston Harbor Islands – a super east getaway from Boston. The ferry gives you great views of the city and there are multiple islands to choose from. (check out my post on Spectacle Island)
– JFK Presidential Museum/Library
– Red Sox game – Fenway is laid out like a huge museum, with historical items placed throughout the stadium. There are tons of delicious foods to try and you get to watch a baseball game!
– Whale watch – go up to Gloucester (just under an hour drive from Boston) and hop on one of the whale tours. It’s amazing how enormous these gentle animals are!
– Mark Twain House and Harriet Beecher Stowe Center – both in CT
– Franklin Park Zoo though I’ve heard the Southwick’s Zoo is better
– Sam Adams Brewery – with tours most days, it is a fun way to spend a few hours. Super easy to get to on the Orange Line (subway), but make sure to buy your tickets in advance!
– Franconia notch – a few hours north of Boston is a hiking destination of the “Old Man of the Mountain” (though he is no longer there due to erosion) and a beautiful drive
– Arnold Arboretum – a park in Jamaica Plain with great views of Boston and a wonderful collection of plants
– More hiking destinations around Boston: Middlesex Fells (in Winchester) and the Blue Hills (in Milton) – both with great views of Boston (one from the north and one from the south)
– Portland, ME – drive or take a train to Portland for the day/weekend and experience the wonders that is Portland: great food, drinks and entertainment!
– Portsmouth, NH – a few hours drive from Boston you get to a super cute little town with a great brewery.
– Apple cider donuts – a MUST TRY!!! I get so excited every time I drive north of Boston to NH or VT and go out of my way to get an apple cider donut
– Cambridge Carnival International – it’s, ummm, interesting to say the least. People in costumes, dancing (though the dancing is super scandalous and I probably wouldn’t want to bring kids to see it) and delicious food!
– Revere Beach Sand Sculptures – amazing sand artists create ridiculous pieces of art! The beach is also a great escape and a good place to go swimming (easily accessible on the Blue Line)
– Kayaking on the Charles River
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