The Perfect One Day In Boston Itinerary

Boston is one of the most beautiful cities on the east coast and the perfect place for a getaway year-round! Although it is a smaller city compared to others in the US, it does not lack things to do. You can learn about its history, walk along the water, visit museums, see a sports game, and enjoy delicious food!

And the best part? You can see many of the must-see attractions in Boston in one day! This guide has everything you need to know about the best itinerary for spending one day in Boston.

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Tips for Visiting Boston

Boston’s weather is unpredictable. If you visit in the warmer months, I recommend bringing a rain jacket. In the winter months, I recommend bringing many layers as it can be very cold.
Wear comfortable shoes. This one day in Boston itinerary has a lot of walking, so it is important to have comfortable and supportive shoes. I always recommend wearing supportive sneakers because they provide great support and comfy socks.
Get discount cards to help save money. Your one day in Boston does not have to be expensive. There are many ways to save money, including discount cards, discount codes, or purchasing tickets in advance to must-see sights in your Boston one-day itinerary. There are also many free things to do in Boston!

How to Get Around Boston

Although Boston is a smaller major city, I highly recommend mapping out your one-day itinerary to find the best transportation.

Walk: Walking around Boston is a great way to experience everything the city offers.
MBTA: The MBTA is a cheap and great way to explore the city. Boston’s subway system can be confusing, but you can use Google Maps to understand where a stop is and where the line will bring you. If you are flying into Boston Logan International Airport, you can take the MBTA into the city.
Bluebikes: Bluebikes has over 300 bike locations in and around Boston, so you can pick up and drop off bikes wherever needed!
Uber/Lyft: Uber/Lyft are great options for getting around without worrying about parking.
Car rental: I do not recommend renting a car. Although it is doable, traffic and finding parking in Boston can be a nightmare. Boston also has a lot of one-way streets, so it is easy to get lost.

Where to Stay for Your One Day in Boston

If you are spending a night during your one day in Boston, the best neighborhoods to stay in are Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway Kenmore, North End, and South Boston. These Boston neighborhoods are safe, beautiful, near many must-see attractions, full of restaurants and bars, and have plenty of hotels.

Back Bay/Fenway Kenmore

These Boston neighborhoods are in the western part of Boston along the Charles River. Back Bay and Fenway Kenmore are near many attractions in your Boston itinerary, including the famous Newbury Street, Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, and Fenway Park. Some of the best hotels are:

Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is more of an upscale neighborhood in Boston. It is near Boston Common and Boston Public Garden and has many cute cafes and pubs.

Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill
XV Beacon Hotel (on the pricier side)

North End

If you want to stay in the Little Italy of Boston, look no further! The North End is a place to eat, drink, and be merry because it has some of the best food and pastries in the city! The North End is also near many must-see attractions in your Boston itinerary, including Boston Harbor, TD Garden, and Faneuil Hall. Some of the best hotels are:

The Bostonian Boston
Kimpton Onyx Hotel
Boston Marriott Long Wharf (on the pricier side)

South Boston

South Boston is one of my favorite neighborhoods. I highly recommend staying in the Seaport section of South Boston because it is near the water and has outdoor beer gardens, rooftop bars, and delicious food. Some of the best hotels are:

Booking.com

The Best One Day in Boston Itinerary

Boston is full of history, delicious restaurants, and fun activities, so you will love spending time in Boston! I created two itineraries you can choose from for your one day in Boston.

One includes taking a tour through the city to see many must-see attractions, and the other includes walking along a famous trail to many historic sites. Since both options already have the routes planned out, they alleviate some travel stress since you do not have to plan your day. You cannot go wrong with either itinerary!

Pro Tip: Purchase a Go Boston Pass or a Go City Pass to get a discount on many must-see attractions in your itinerary.

Option 1: One Day in Boston Itinerary

The first itinerary option for your one day in Boston explores some iconic historic sites in Boston! You can walk to these sites along the Freedom Trail or take the subway to each. If it is nice out, I recommend walking along the Freedom Trail because it is a fun way to explore the city!

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile trail that brings you to historical sites throughout Boston, including the Boston Massacre Site, Paul Revere House, Old State House, and Old South Meeting House. I recommend beginning at the Old North Church and finishing near the Boston Commons. I recommend a self-guided tour on the red-lined trail and looking at the map ahead of time to familiarize yourself with it. I will also list a few highlights below!
- Time needed: 1-3 hours
- How to get there: North Stations or Haymarket subway stops
- Price: Free unless paying for a tour
- Buy Freedom Trail Tour tickets
The Paul Revere House was built in 1680 and was where Paul Revere lived during the American Revolution before he set out on his journey to warn the patriots about the British invasion. It is one of the only buildings from the 17th century still standing in a major city!
- Time needed: 30 minutes
- How to get there: Along the Freedom Trail or the Haymarket subway stop
- Price: $6 for adults, $1 for kids
- Buy Paul Revere House tickets
If you want to learn about Boston’s history, the Old State House is the perfect place to visit. It is considered one of the most important historical sites in Boston, and you can learn about colonial Boston and Revolutionary America.
- Time needed: 1 hour
- How to get there: Along the Freedom Trail or the State Street subway stop
- Price: $12 for adults, free for kids (also gets you into Old South Meeting House)
- Buy Old State House and Old South Meeting House tickets
On March 5, 1770, the Boston Massacre took place, where the Redcoats and Bostonians fought. Today, there is a marker on the ground marking where it took place. The Boston Massacre Site is a quick stop to add along the Freedom Trail after visiting the Old State House.
- Time needed: a few minutes
- How to get there: Along the Freedom Trail or the State Street subway stop
- Price: free
The Old South Meeting House was the iconic gathering spot for the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. It is an old Congregational Church and now a museum where you can learn more about the history of Boston and the building.
- Time needed: 1-2 hours
- How to get there: Along the Freedom Trail or the State Street subway stop
- Price: $15 for adults, $8 for kids (also gets you into the Old State House)
- Buy Old South Meeting House and Old State House tickets
The Boston Common and Boston Public Gardens are located in the heart of Boston and are at the end of the Freedom Trail. The beautiful parks offer gardens, picnic areas, ponds, Swan Boat rides in the summer, and ice skating on Frog Pond in the Winter. It is a great place to add year-round! Whether you want to enjoy lunch with a view or a seasonal activity, you will love the Boston Common and Boston Public Gardens!
- Time needed: 2-4 hours
- How to get there: At the end of the Freedom Trail or the Park Street or Boylston subway stops
- Price: Free entry to the parks; $4 for a Swan Boat Ride; $6 for ice skating

Option 2: One Day in Boston Itinerary

The second itinerary option for your one day in Boston includes a tour that brings you to many must-see attractions throughout the city. The Boston Trolley Tour allows you to get on and off at the stops along the route, so you can explore the attractions that interest you!

The Boston Trolley Tour is the perfect way to explore Boston in one day. It guides you around the city and allows you to get off and on whenever you want to explore the attractions. You can make the tour as long or as short as you want, and I recommend getting off at any stops that interest you! Although your original trolley tour will leave once you get off, you can get on another that passes by. I recommend seeing the list of attractions, so you can plan where you will get off! I will list some of the highlights below as well!
- Time needed: a full day
- Departure location: New England Aquarium
- Price: $40-$65
- Buy Boston Trolley Tour tickets
Faneuil Hall & Quincy Marketplace is an iconic place to visit in Boston and has stores, restaurants, musicians, and street performers. It is the perfect place to grab food and explore some historic sites!
- Time needed: 1-2 hours
- How to get there: On the Boston Trolley Tour or the State Street subway stop
- Price: free
The North End is arguably the best place to eat in Boston. It is said the area has some of the best pastries and Italian food in the city and is considered the Little Italy of Boston. You can spend your time dining at various restaurants or walking around the cobblestone streets.
- Time needed: 1-2 hours
- How to get there: On the Boston Trolley Tour or the Haymarket subway stop
- Price: free
The USS Constitution and Museum has two historic ships and an interactive museum. You can visit the museum or board the USS Constitution ship, but I recommend doing both!
- Time needed: 1-2 hours
- How to get there: On the Boston Trolley Tour or the North Station subway stop
- Price: A small donation for the museum and free for the ship on a first-come, first-serve basis
If you are looking to shop, the Prudential Center and Copley Place Mall are perfect for you! The area has a large mall, stores along the street, and many delicious restaurants. The Prudential Center is also home to the iconic Eataly. If you did not get enough Italian food in the North End, Eataly is perfect for you!
- Time needed: 1-2 hours
- How to get there: On the Boston Trolley Tour or the Prudential and Copley subway stop
- Price: free
Newbury Street is an iconic and charming street in Boston with boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and salons. It is eight blocks long and is a great place to shop or walk along while taking in beautiful buildings.
- Time needed: 1-2 hours
- How to get there: On the Boston Trolley Tour or the Copley subway stop
- Price: free
The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world, featuring over 450,000 pieces of art. Even if you are not a fan of art, I highly recommend adding the Museum of Fine Arts to your one day in Boston because it is an incredible experience. You will not be disappointed!
- Time needed: 1-3 hours
- How to get there: Museum of Fine Arts subway stop
- Price: $25 for adults, $10 for youth (7-17), free for kids under 6
- Buy Museum of Fine Arts tickets

Although you could spend years exploring everything Boston offers, you can see the must-see attractions in one day. This guide has everything you need to know about how to spend the perfect one day in Boston!