Is Boston Worth Visiting in 2025? Here Are 14 Reasons to Go

Wondering if Boston is worth a visit?

Boston is New England’s largest city and one of the most historic and iconic cities in the U.S.

I was in college when I paid my first visit to Boston and traveled there several times after that. Each time I fell more in love with the city. Little did I know that one day I would call Boston home.

But is Boston worth all the hype? Short answer: Yes.

I think Boston is one of the coolest cities in the country. I’ve been to almost all U.S. states and experienced a lot of cities, but for me, Boston tops them all.

Keep reading for some of the best reasons to visit Boston!

⏰ SHORT ON TIME?

TOP THREE THINGS TO DO IN BOSTON
🚶🏻‍♀️Walk the historic Freedom Trail
🍕 Eat at Regina’s Pizzeria and Mike’s Pastry in North End
🌸 Explore the Boston Common and Public Garden

🛌 WHERE TO STAY
Omni Parker House or Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor

What’s so special about Boston?

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the U.S., so it’s filled with historic charm. There are areas that still have cobblestone streets and buildings dating centuries back.

At the same time, its a hub for cutting-edge universities and tech companies that make you feel like you’re racing into the future.

Mix that with a passionate sports and foodie culture and the Atlantic Ocean only minutes away, and you basically have the best of all worlds in one place.

That might sound like a bit of an exaggeration, but I do think Boston has something special about it.

It’s by no means a perfect place. There are aspects of living here that drive me nuts (literally, the driving here is nuts), but all it takes is seeing the Boston skyline along the Charles River during golden hour, and I’m smitten with this place all over again.

What is Boston known for?

Boston is known for a lot of things:

• Its revolutionary history, where the story of America’s past comes alive
• Beloved sports teams like the Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins
• Its one-of-a-kind accent — wicked smaht
• Delicious seafood, including lobstah, oystahs, and clam chowdah (sorry, that accent holds on)
• Its proximity to world-class universities like MIT, Harvard, Boston College, and Tufts
• The Boston Marathon

One of the things I love most about Boston is that there is something for everyone. Whether you’re into sports, history, art, or food, there are plenty of options to choose from.

14 reasons to visit Boston

1. Rich history

Get an up-close look at some of the most significant sites that played a role in the American Revolutionary War from 1775-1783 by walking the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile trail that weaves through Boston and stops along 16 key sites, including Faneuil Hall, Old State House, Boston Common, and Old North Church.

There are several other historic sites in Boston that can’t be missed either:

• Museum of African American History: Learn about the history and culture of African Americans in New England at the birthplace of the Boston abolitionist movement.
  
  
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: This popular museum has over 2,500 works of art from well-known artists such as Rembrandt and Michelangelo. The Venetian-style building where the museum is located is a work of art in itself.
  
  
• Boston Public Library: See one of the oldest municipal libraries in the country, established in 1848. Be sure to visit the stunning Bates Hall!
  
  
• Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum: Learn all about this historic event that ultimately led to the American Revolution.

2. Beautiful public parks and gardens

Boston is home to the most beautiful city parks, several of which make up what’s called the “Emerald Necklace” chain of parks.

Boston Common and Public Garden: These adjacent parks are part of the Emerald Necklace.

• Boston Common is the oldest public park in the U.S., established in 1634. It has large green spaces, paved trails, and the popular Frog Pond.
  
  
• The Public Garden is America’s first public botanical garden and is known for its more manicured flower gardens and hedges. Boston’s famous Swan Boats can also be found here.

Arnold Arboretum: This large park in Jamaica Plain is also part of the Emerald Necklace and is co-sponsored by Harvard University and the City of Boston. It’s a peaceful place to escape from the noise of the city and enjoy the many trails and gardens.

Piers Park: This park is smaller and lesser known by tourists, but it’s one of my favorite places in Boston. There is a large playground and splash pad for kids, but the best part is the pier that juts into the Boston Harbor and provides stunning views of the Boston skyline.

3. Fenway Park

See a Boston Red Sox game at the oldest major league ballpark in America. Fenway Park first opened in 1912 and still retains some of its original features, like the “Green Monster,” the 37-foot-high left field wall, and the manual scoreboard.

The Red Sox are known for having the most loyal and passionate fans, and this is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss when coming to Boston.

4. Fun shopping scene

The Back Bay neighborhood has some of the best shopping areas in Boston, including the charming Newbury Street, with its dozens of stores, restaurants, and cafes lined up on either side of the the street. The buildings themselves are in the traditional brownstone style that is iconic to Boston.

Not far from Newbury Street is the Prudential Center, a large mall with more than 60 stores and restaurants, including the giant Italian marketplace, Eataly.

To explore smaller boutiques, stroll along Charles Street in Beacon Hill. Even if you’re not that into shopping, this street is so quaint and historic — it’s one of my favorite places in Boston.

5. Boston Harbor and surrounding beaches

The Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is a collection of 34 islands and peninsulas around Boston.

The Spectacle, Georges, and Peddocks islands are some of the most popular, which can be visited via ferry from Boston’s Long Wharf or the town of Hingham. Check out the ferry schedule here.

Another great thing about Boston is its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and beautiful beaches. The “North Shore” is the part of the Massachusetts coastline that stretches north from Boston and is comprised of many picturesque towns and beaches.

Some of the best beaches include:

• Revere Beach (closest to Boston and known as America’s first public beach)
• Dane Street Beach, Beverly
• Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester
• Crane Beach, Ipswich
• Singing Beach, Manchester-by-the-Sea

6. Diverse food experiences

Boston is known for its amazing food. You’ll find all different ethnic and stylistic varieties here:

• North End is the place to be if you’re craving authentic Italian food. Regina’s Pizzeria and Monica’s Trattoria are two great restaurants I’ve tried but there are dozens more, too.
  
  
• Chinatown is where to go for delicious Chinese food. The Q has rave reviews for their hot pot.
  
  
• Back Bay is home to several popular restaurants like Saltie Girl (seafood), Buttermilk and Bourbon (New Orleans-inspired cuisine), and La Voile (French fare). I also really love CAVA for their quick-and-tasty Mediterranean bowls.
  
  
• Two must-try restaurants in Beacon Hill are Tatte and Figs.
  
  
• And I hear that The Monument is one of the best restaurants in Charlestown.

I’ll stop here, but this list is only scratching the surface of all the amazing restaurants to try in Boston. If you visit only for the food, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

7. Boston Marathon

Boston is home to the oldest annual marathon in the world, the Boston Marathon, dating back to 1897. It takes place on the third Monday of April on a state holiday called Patriots’ Day.

It’s hard to qualify to participate in the Boston Marathon (and not sure if you even want to 🙂 ), but it’s worth coming as only a spectator to experience the excitement of this world-famous event.

8. Views along the Charles River

The Charles River Esplanade is a three-mile trail along the beautiful Charles River that stretches from the Museum of Science to the Boston University Bridge.

Along the way, you’ll come across a number of playgrounds, grassy lawns, and scenic lookout points. It’s one of the most popular places for people take a leisurely walk or bike ride on a nice day. The views along the Charles River can’t be beat!

9. Historic and charming Beacon Hill

I briefly mentioned Charles Street in Beacon Hill in #4 above, which is a must-see part of the neighborhood, but there is more to explore in this historic area of Boston as well:

• Louisburg Square: Some of the loveliest brownstone buildings can be found here, and if you visit in the spring, you’ll see the most gorgeous wisteria climbing up the buildings.
  
  
• Rouvalis Flower Shop: I love browsing through local flower shops, and Rouvalis is one of my favorites. They have a beautiful selection of plants and flowers, as well as other trinkets and gifts.
  
  
• Acorn Street: Stop by one of the most photographed streets in America. This cobblestone street will have you feeling transported back to colonial Boston.

10. Family-friendly experiences

Boston is a very child-friendly city with an endless list of things you can do with your kids. A lot of places offer free or discounted admission for young children.

Some of the best things to do with your family include:

• Boston Duck Tours: Tour the city on an amphibious Duck Tour vehicle that travels on both land and water.
  
  
• Boston Common and Public Garden: These neighboring parks are great places to let kids run and play. The Frog Pond in Boston Common becomes a fun splash pad in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter. The Swan Boats in the Public Garden are an iconic Boston experience to enjoy during the warmer months.
  
  
• Boston Children’s Museum: Geared toward younger kids, this interactive museum has a variety of exhibits for learning and exploration. The museum’s scenic location near the Boston Harbor is an added bonus.
  
  
• Boston Museum of Science: This is another high-quality museum with more than 700 exhibits covering a wide range of topics, from biology and physics to space exploration and more.

11. World-class universities

Most cities have one or two famous universities, but Boston is stacked with 16 of them, including:

• Harvard University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Boston College
• Boston University
• Tufts University

Harvard, in particular, is the oldest university in the U.S. (founded in 1636!) and it’s worth taking a guided tour of the beautiful campus. Be sure to also stop by the Harvard Bookstore and Harvard Square.

12. America’s oldest bookstore

Bibliophiles will get lost inside Brattle Book Shop, which has been in operation since 1825. It’s one of the largest antiquarian bookstores in the U.S., consisting of three stories of over 250,000 books, maps, prints, and more.

It’s definitely worth a stop if you’re near Downtown Boston.

13. A coffee lover’s paradise

If you enjoy artisan coffee, Boston will not disappoint. While you will likely spot a Dunkin on every corner of the city (the famous donut shop was founded in Massachusetts and is a beloved New England chain), there seems to be an endless number of local coffee shops as well.

Some of my favorite coffee shops and bakeries in and around Boston include:

• Tatte
• The Thinking Cup
• Clover
• Area 4
• Flour
• Render Coffee

I have yet to go, but I’ve heard the historic Caffe Vittoria in North End is also a must-try.

14. Amazing festivals and celebrations

There seems to be a never-ending list of things Bostonians celebrate. No matter what time of year you choose to visit, there’s bound to be something exciting going on downtown. Here are just a few popular festivals to check out:

• First Night: Boston’s spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration, with a concert from the Boston Pops Orchestra and a stunning fireworks show over the Boston Harbor.
  
  
• Boston Wine & Food Festival: The Boston Harbor Hotel has hosted this beloved, 12-week-long festival since 1989, where guests can sample some of the most exquisite wine in the world along with New England culinary specialties.
  
  
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade: This giant, colorful parade takes over South Boston on the Sunday closest to March 17.
  
  
• Boston Calling Music Festival: This multi-day music festival takes place over Memorial Weekend in Harvard’s Athletic Complex, featuring some big names along with up-and-coming indie artists.
  
  
• Boston Seafood Festival: In September, Boston’s Seaport hosts this popular festival to celebrate the local seafood industry.
  
  
• Boston Book Festival: This festival happens in October and is a book lover’s dream, with booths from a variety of booksellers.

Best time to visit Boston

There’s no doubt that fall in Boston is beautiful, but my favorite season in the city is spring. It could be because seeing the gorgeous blossoming trees after a long, cold winter feels especially rewarding. The city comes alive in the spring when everything looks fresh and green.

Summers in Boston are also really nice, but it’s also high season for tourists and the city gets extra crowded. The weather is the most reliable in the summer; you’ll just want to be prepared for heavy traffic and longer lines in restaurants and shops, especially in more popular areas like Back Bay and Beacon Hill.

Are there reasons not to visit Boston?

If you want to avoid traffic and crowded areas, you may not enjoy Boston as much. It’s a densely populated city with poor traffic flow especially during rush hour and on the weekend. You can somewhat avoid traffic if you use the T to get around, but even the T breaks down at times, requiring you to use shuttle buses instead.

Boston is also one of the more expensive cities in the U.S. While there are free activities available, you’ll likely find that food and hotels are more expensive than other parts of the country.

FAQs

How many days do you need in Boston?

If all you have is one day, you can still cover a lot of ground. In fact, I’ve written a detailed post on how to spend 24 hours in Boston. This might work well if you’re adding Boston to a larger New England itinerary.

But you could easily spend two or three days, or even a week, in Boston and still not run out of things to do. I’ve lived here for almost two years and am discovering new places all the time!

Is Boston or New York better to visit?

I think both cities are worth a visit, but having spent time in both places, I personally enjoy Boston much more. New York is too big and overwhelming for me. I love how Boston is still a big city but each neighborhood feels like its own small town with special features.

And Boston’s preserved history is fascinating. There are still so many areas of the city that feel like you’ve gone back centuries in time. If you enjoy history, you’ll love Boston.

Is Boston worth visiting in the winter?

Boston has a special magic to it in the winter. Seeing the snow falling in front of the old brownstone buildings is a beautiful thing to witness. If you can tolerate cold temperatures, I think winter is a great time to visit Boston. You’ll likely find cheaper accommodations and can avoid the crowds of the warmer months.

There are also certain activities that are only available in the winter, like the ice skating rink at the Frog Pond in Boston Common or the Wine & Food Festival.

Just note that the weather can be unpredictable this time of year. It’s not unheard of for Boston to get huge snowfalls, which makes driving and parking more difficult. But if you plan to use public transportation, that shouldn’t make too much of a difference.

Is Boston worth visiting for the food?

Boston is a foodie’s paradise. There are so many different types of restaurants to choose from! Check out #6 in my list of reasons to visit Boston above for some of the best places to try.

Is Boston worth visiting for the atmosphere?

Yes, Boston has a really fun energy, especially in the spring and summer. This probably has to do with the fact that everyone is so excited to escape the winter cold and finally be outside.

You’ll see plenty of smiling shoppers along Newbury Street, passionate sports fans getting ready for a big game near Fenway Park, and tons of families enjoying a sunny day in Boston Common or the Public Garden.

After a long, busy week of work, one of my favorite things to do is head downtown to enjoy the contagious energy of everyone else taking advantage of the weekend.

Is Boston expensive to visit?

Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. but there are ways to save money when you visit:

• Spend your time doing free activities — there are plenty of options! The Freedom Trail, Boston Common, Public Garden, Charles River Esplanade are just a few of the many places you can explore at no cost.
  
  
• Reserve tickets ahead of time. Whether it’s for a hotel or tickets to a show or museum, you’ll likely pay a lot less by reserving online well in advance rather than waiting until the last minute or buying tickets on site.
  
  
• If you visit Boston during the off-season from November-March, hotels are usually much cheaper.

Wrap-up: So is Boston worth visiting?

Yes, 100%! Boston is an exciting city with so much to do. My husband and I have lived here for almost 2 years and feel like we have only scratched the surface of all there is to see.

You’ll never run out of restaurants to explore, festivals to experience, historic sites to learn about, and scenic places to discover. It’s one of the most unique cities in the U.S. and one you may find yourself wanting to return to again and again.