Boston has so much to offer– museums, music, ballparks, breweries, and so much more—however, if you find yourself with only one day to explore the city, what should you do in those 12.5 hours? While you can’t see everything (which just means you will just have to come back for another visit) here is my recommendations for a fun-filled day!! And by ‘filled’– I mean just the right amount of exploring historical side alleys and cobblestone streets, taste testing delicious foods, and sampling a few spirits (cocktails)…. there may even be some real ghost-spirits too!
Itinerary:
9:30am Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market
10:30am: The New England Holocaust Memorial
11am: North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour Sooo good!! A must do!!
2:00pm: Sightseeing Day Sail Around Boston Harbor
3:30pm: The Old State House or The Granery Tavern (you choose!)
5-5:30pm: Dinner? Bostonia Public House
7:30pm: Haunted Boston – Ghost & Pub Walking Tour
Start your day at Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market, wander around the old meeting hall and central marketplace– grab a coffee and a morning pastry to start the day. Faneuil Hall dates back to before the country was a country, opening its doors in 1742 as home to the town government as well as public hall for concerts and banquets. Quincy Market, next door, was later added in 1826 when a larger marketplace was needed. Both were thriving marketplaces until the mid-19th century, when it was set for demolition, but luckily an urban renewal project saved the dilapidated structures– turning them in to the tourist destination that they are today. Make sure to give yourself some time to check out the street performers, musicians, and shops that fill the space and surrounding square!
Make sure you don’t fill up too much on breakfast, as you’ll need to leave room for North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour! The tour starts downstairs at Modern Pastry (at least it did for me but double check your starting point to be safe!) and is a 10-minute walk from Faneuil Hall– as you make your way there, swing by the New England Holocaust Memorial. The outdoor memorial is open 24/7 and pays tribute to the six million killed and to honor those that survived. It is worth walking an extra block to reflect on the importance of human life.
After enjoying your first sampling of pizza, the North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour will take you along the Freedom Trail, past Paul Revere’s House to Paul Revere’s bronze statue (a pizza stop here), then the Old North Church and up to Copp’s Hill Burial Ground, before ending with the 3rd and final slice. And you don’t forget the cannoli at the end- yum! Your guide offers lots of interesting historical tidbits along the way– with a bit of Boston humor thrown in for added entertainment. 😁 Such a great tour!
Once you’ve wiped the cannoli cream from your face, walk (or waddle) the .5 miles over to the Long Wharf, crossing through Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park for your next stop– a Sightseeing Day Sail Around Boston Harbor! Grab a drink on board, relax and enjoy the view of the city from the water. While sunny skies are best, even with clouds you can’t go wrong.
Next you have one of two options– History or Spirits– decisions-decisions.
Depending on how you feel after the sail– you can either stop for a cocktail (perhaps a Paloma at the Granary Tavern) or squeeze in an hour at the Old State House— location of the Boston Massacre. (Well, the square just in front of it, not in it.) The house was not known as the State House until after the American Revolution, before it was center of Royal Government for the Massachusetts Bay Colony (built in 1713). Take a tour of the house and wander through their exhibits– such a wealth of history, I mean the Declaration of Independence was read aloud to the people of Boston for the first time from the balcony in July of 1776.
Next up– Dinner. There are so many great places, but my recommendation is Bostonia Public House— Sip, Sample, Be Social. Their menu is always changing, and their cocktails are sooo good! They have something for everyone– steak, seafood, sandwiches, raw bar– plus a great atmosphere. Might be worth putting a reservation in ahead of time so you’re not late for the ghost tour– the place can be pretty busy. For good reason.
End the night with trying to catch some spirits while sipping some spirits on the Haunted Boston – Ghost & Pub Walking Tour. The tour starts at 21st Amendment and takes you by Beacon Hill, Granary Burial Ground, and the Old City Hall. At each stop you can purchase a cocktail or beer of your choice and sip while you listen to the ghoulish tales. It is a fun way to explore the city and catch some spirits! The tour ends at Beantown Pub– the only place you can drink a cold Sam Adams’ while viewing a cold Sam Adams 😆 Stay for another beverage or call it a day– your choice!
Time Travel and Spirits... 