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Boston in a Day

Growing up in the New York City area, Boston was always a quick day trip away. I’ve visited Boston on many occasions. It’s an ideal place to learn about US history, take in a baseball game, get some authentic New England clam chowder, or if you’re a high school student, tour a bevy of amazing colleges. Seriously, you can’t throw a rock in Boston without hitting a college. Not that you should throw rocks in Boston. Mess around and find out.

Should you spend more than a day in Boston? Of course! But if all you have is a day, I’m here to make it the best darn day you can possibly have. So get ready for the best things to do in Boston in one day.

When to Visit Boston

If you only have one day in Boston you want to make the most of it. The best time to visit Boston is June through October. You’ll have great weather and should have great weather for your Boston day trip.

How to Get to Boston

If you’re flying, you’ll want to catch a flight to Boston Logan International Airport. From there it’s a 15-minute drive to downtown Boston. Alternatively, you can take the Blueline subway from the airport to downtown which runs from 6:30 am to 12:30 am seven days a week. Another option is to take the Silverline rapid transit bus, which operates from 5:30 am to 12:30 am seven days a week.

Amtrak is also an excellent option for exploring the east coast, with trains running between Washington, Philadelphia, Wilmington, New York, New Haven, and Boston several times a day. For more info, visit the Amtrak website.

Where to Stay in Boston

If you’re spending one night in Boston, I recommend getting a great, centrally located hotel. Below are my favorite hotels with accessible room options.

Luxury

Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street - Stay in the heart of Boston at the five-star Four Seasons. The hotel offers free bike rentals, a restaurant, a spa, and an indoor pool and fitness center. The hotel offers Braille signage and features accessible rooms with a lowered sink and raised toilet with grab rails. Common spaces are wheelchair accessible.

The Newbury Boston - The Newbury is a five-star hotel located nearby The Boston Public Garden, Boston Common, and Hynes Convention Center. The hotel features 2 onsite restaurants offering a variety of vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options. The Newberry also offers bicycle rentals and features an onsite spa. Braille signage and auditory guidance are available throughout the hotel. Accessible rooms offer a lowered sink, raised toilet, and bathroom grab rails. The common areas are all wheelchair accessible.

Mid Range

Boston Park Plaza - Located in the theater district, The Boston Park Plaza is a four-star hotel near all the best sites. Located mere feet from Boston Common and The Boston Public Garden, the hotel offers an on-site restaurant and two fitness centers. Rooms are accessible by elevator and common areas are wheelchair-accessible.

Battery Wharf Hotel, Boston Waterfront - Located on the waterfront, the Battery Wharf Hotel has a spa and on-site fitness center. The hotel is within walking distance from the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. The hotel offers accessible rooms and wheelchair-accessible common areas.

Budget

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Boston - Located under 2 miles from the New England Aquarium, the Bunker Hill Monument, and Boston Common and minutes from public transportation, the Holiday Inn Express offers good value for those seeking a budget hotel. The hotel offers accessible rooms.

How to Get Around Boston

Boston has a great mass transit system. It’s also a small city and easily walkable. However, if you’re like me, walking all day turns your body into a big bag of mush and wreaks havoc on your joints. Fortunately, you can reach most of Boston’s biggest attractions by using the T (Boston’s subway). If you plan to use the subway during your stay the best value is to purchase a Link Pass. This gives you one day of unlimited rides for just $11. If you’re in the city for a longer stay, you can purchase a 7-day pass for $22.50.

A Boston 1 Day Itinerary Overview

We’re going to pack a lot into your one day Boston Itinerary. I know not everyone will be able to keep up with a full day of activities and attractions, but I wanted to include as many options as possible in my travel guide. Feel free to take your time and omit any activities that don’t interest you. I want you to enjoy your time and not feel pressure to rush around the city seeing Boston landmarks and pushing your body to its limits. While it’s possible to see a lot of Boston in 24 hours, it’s always important to listen to your body. With that said, some may need to alter this itinerary or consider spending more than a day in Boston. Most of these sites follow the Freedom Trail, making it fairly easy and accessible.

Freedom Trail
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Boston Massacre Site
Old State House
Old South Meeting House
Benjamin Franklin Statue
Granary Burying Ground
Massachusettes State House
Boston Common
Boston Public Garden
North End
Paul Revere House
Old North Church
Skinny House
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Beacon Hill

24 Hours in Boston Itinerary

Boston Freedom Trail

Your Boston one-day trip begins at the start of the Boston Freedom Trail. This 2 1/2 mile path connects 16 United States historical sites from Boston Common downtown through the North End to the Bunker Hill monument in Charlestown. I’ll go over some of the main sites below, but the Freedom Trail is the easiest way to take in all the famous Boston landmarks.

The Freedom Trail follows the sidewalks and streets of Boston, so it is mainly wheelchair-accessible, however, visitors should be aware that there are patches of uneven pavement and cobblestone in older areas. There are also two segments that involve stairs. It is important to note that one can modify their path to go around these areas. I will note below the specific sites that may be problematic.

To complete the freedom trail it’s about a 90-minute walk.

Want to take a guided tour? I recommend this wheelchair-accessible guided tour of Boston’s Freedom Trail.

2. Faneuil Hall Marketplace

A great way to start your day, this foodie paradise showcases over 25 local eateries. There are also retail specialty carts and street performers in this historic Boston meeting location. Built in 1742 as a meeting hall and central marketplace, Faneuil Hall provided a platform for the country’s most famous orators. It also became home to the town government as well as a public hall for banquets, concerts, and ceremonies.

In 1826 Quincy Market was added to the space to provide for a larger marketplace. In 1976 the entire space was renovated and became the first urban renewal project of its kind.

Today more than 80 retailers occupy the space selling everything from souvenirs to comic books.

Faneuil Hall is wheelchair-accessible. Enter from the side of the Quincy Marketplace Building where there are ramps. For wheelchair-accessible restrooms, take the elevator down to the lower level.

If you’re visiting later in the day, be sure to check out nearby Union Oyster House, America’s oldest restaurant. Located at 41 Union Street, the restaurant dates back to Pre-Revolutionary days.

Location: 1 South Market Street, Boston, MA 02109

3. Boston Massacre Site

Keep going along the Freedom Trail and you’ll come upon the site of the famous Boston Massacre. If you harken back to those thrilling high school history lessons you’ll recall this was some of the first bloodshed in the years before the American Revolution. The event marked a dramatic escalation in disputes between British soldiers and the colonists.

In 1768 the British army first arrived in Boston to help control the colonial resistance. From the start, the colonists and the soldiers had a nasty relationship which only deteriorated until the violent conflict was unavoidable. The actual Boston Massacre itself was not a massacre per se, but an instance of mob violence between soldiers and colonists. Five Boston residents tragically lost their lives in the conflict. The event was subsequently used by patriots to rally other colonists against British rule.

Location: 206 Washington Street. Boston, MA 02109

4. Old State House

Just outside the plaque marking the site of the Boston Massacre is The Old State House. The Old State House is the oldest surviving public building in Boston. In 1960 the building was named a National Historic Landmark. It was also named a Boston Landmark by The Boston Landmarks Commission in 1994.

One of the most famous landmarks in Boston, The Old State House was once the seat of the colonial government. It then served as the Massachusetts State House before entering a period of commercial use, and finally being converted into a museum. Today guests can visit the museum and learn about its use in colonial times.

Unfortunately, the museum is NOT wheelchair-accessible. There are 4-5 steps at the entrance and another 2-3 inside.

Location: 206 Washington St, Boston, MA 02109

5. Old South Meeting House

See the spot where the Boston Tea Party began at the old South Meeting House. One of the earliest museums in American history, The Old South Meeting House has been a public museum since 1877. It was originally constructed as a Puritan meeting house in 1729.

During the colonial period, members of The Old South’s congregation included African-American poet Phillis Wheatley, and patriot leaders William Otis, Samuel Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. Old South eventually became the hub for public protest meetings against British rule. The most important debate took place on December 16, 1773, when over 5,000 men came to the House to debate the highly controversial tea tax. When negotiations failed, it was Sam Adams who gave the signal to start the famous Boston Tea Party.

The Old South Meeting House was eventually auctioned off in the early 1870s and slated for demolition. It was fortunately saved by the “twenty women of Boston” whose efforts not only saved the building but allowed it to be converted into a museum and meeting place.

The museum is wheelchair accessible.

Location: 310 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108

6. Benjamin Franklin Statue

The next stop on the Freedom Trail is this 8-foot statue of Benjamin Franklin. It has the distinction of being the first public statue of a person ever erected in Boston. The statue has been in this location since 1856. The statue commemorates one of Boston’s most famous native sons and a key founder of American democracy.

Location: 45 Freedom Trail, Boston, MA 02108

7. Granary Burying Ground

The final resting place of an estimated 5,000 Bostonians, Granary Burying Ground is the final resting place of such notable people as John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Samuel Adams. Fun fact, the headstones used to be scattered around the grounds and out onto Boston Common, but during the Victorian era the headstones were arranged into neat rows to make way for a new invention of the time, the lawnmower.

The area is wheelchair accessible via several paths.

Location: Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108

8. Massachusettes State House

The Massachusetts State House is home to the Massachusetts General Court and the offices of the Governor of Massachusetts. This historic Boston building was designed by architect Charles Bulfinch who completed the building in 1798. It is one of the oldest state capitols in current use and is widely considered a masterpiece of Federal architecture. It has also been designated a National Historical Landmark.

The State House is wheelchair-accessible.

Location: 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133

9. Boston Common

Considered the oldest public park in the United States, Boston Common actually played an important part in the American Revolution. The Colonial militia mustered here for the revolution. In 1768 the British Redcoats started an eight-year encampment. To this day Boston Common continues to be a space for free speech, public protests, and other public assemblies.

On a darker note, the Commons were also used to be used for public executions. Those executed included criminals, Indians, captured pirates, military deserters, and most famously, a group of Quakers known after their deaths as the Boston Martyrs.

If you visit today you’ll find gorgeous park space, a frog pond, softball fields, and a children’s play area. A much more peaceful surrounding than the park’s darker days.

Location: 115 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

10. Boston Public Garden

The first public botanical garden in America, The Boston Public Garden has maintained its Victorian tradition and is filled with gorgeous, vibrant floral patterns. The garden features winding paths decorated by statues, fountains, a variety of trees and plants, and a massive six-acre pond with those famous swan boats. Best of all the garden is free to visit!

The Friends of the Public Garden offers free walking tours of the Public Garden, from May through September.

Paths throughout the garden are wheelchair-accessible, however, there are a few sets of stairs throughout the garden. Visitors can check out the Visitors Information Center for a map of the park and more information.

Location: 4 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02116

11. North End

The country’s oldest residential community, The North End has been inhabited since the 1630s. The area is a one-square-mile area jutting into Boston Harbor. Known for its Italian community and many Italian restaurants, this Little Italy is a great neighborhood to stop and grab lunch.

Hanover Street is the North End’s main drag, and a great place to wander around and check out the many sites, shops, and restaurants.

Salem Street is another great street to wander down in the North End. At its intersection with Cross Street, it is the gateway to Boston's historic North End neighborhood. This quaint street features a few of those iconic narrow street houses, historic buildings, and an assortment of coffee shops and eateries.

If you’re looking for suggestions on where to eat in the North End I recommend:

Tresca - 233 Hanover Street - This Italian eatery was opened by Boston Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque in 2005. The Homemade pastas and lobster stuffed mushrooms are not to be missed.

Bricco Ristorante & Enoteca - 241 Hanover Street - Another amazing Italian spot, Bricco features brick oven pizzas, sophisticated Italian fare, and delicious desserts.

Caffé Vittoria - 290 - 296 Hanover Street - A must-visit spot for anyone visiting the North End, Caffé Vittoria is the oldest Italian café in Boston. Opened in 1929, this landmark has an amazing four levels, three liquor bars, and a cigar room. It’s also an ideal spot to capture your Boston Instagram snaps.

12. Paul Revere House

No matter how poor a student you were, you’re sure to remember revolutionary war hero, Paul Revere. Revere purchased this home after the war where he lived with his wife Sarah and 5 children. After Sarah died from complications of childbirth, Revere remarried to second wife, Rachel Walker, and together they had eight children. Revere eventually sold the house in 1800 after which it became a sailor’s boarding house. In 1908 the house was restored and converted into a public museum.

The Paul Revere House is the oldest residential building, still standing, in downtown Boston. The building is also one of our National Historic Landmarks.

The house is accessible on the first floor via the courtyard ramps. The second floor is accessed by taking the elevator in the visitor center and then connecting to the house via the walkway.

Location: 19 North Square, Boston, MA 02113

13. Old North Church

Boston’s oldest church is most famously known for the midnight ride of Paul Revere and being the site that launched the American Revolution. Guests can take a self-guided tour of the church which includes a tour of the crypt below the church containing over 1,100 bodies. Guests can also admire the 17th-century angels flanking the church’s 1759 organ, and engage with knowledgeable guides. Admission is $5 per person.

The church is wheelchair accessible, however, the crypt tour is not wheelchair-accessible. Due to uneven surfaces and low lighting, it is not recommended for guests with mobility issues.

Location: 193 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

14. Skinny House

Maybe I’m petty, but I love a good spite house. There is perhaps no better example of a spite house than Boston’s Skinny House. This extremely narrow four-story house was reported by the Boston Globe as having the "uncontested distinction of being the narrowest house in Boston.” Spanning only 10.4 feet the Skinny House is narrow enough inside for an adult to spread their arms and be able to touch each opposing wall.

According to legend, the house was built shortly after the Civil War when two brothers inherited the land from their father. While one brother was away serving in the military, the other built a large home, leaving the soldier only a tiny sliver of property that he felt was too tiny to build on. When the soldier returned, he was surprised to find he’d been slighted and left with virtually nothing. In return, he built the narrow house to spite his brother by blocking the sunlight and ruining his view. Touche’.

Location: 46 Hull St, Boston, MA 02113

15. Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

Have a short stroll near the waterfront and take in the beautiful views at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. If you’re traveling with kids, the park has an excellent playground where they can run off some energy. The park also contains a beautiful rose garden, a dedication to Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy who was born nearby.

Location: 100 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110

16. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Voted the number one patriotic attraction, The Boston Tea Party Ships, and Museum allows guests to climb aboard one of two tea ships and take part in the patriotic destruction of the tea. This multi-sensory experience includes live actors, interactive exhibits, and full-scale replicas of 18th-century sailing vessels. Explore the open-air decks and interact with actors portraying the Sons and Daughters of Liberty.

Click here for tickets to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.

The ship Eleanor is ADA accessible with ramp access to the top deck. The museum building includes an elevator. Wheelchairs are available upon request.

Location: 306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

17. Beacon Hill

Our day concludes in the ritziest neighborhood in Boston. Beacon Hill is well known as the most desirable place to live in Boston. Unfortunately, while utterly charming, many of the narrow streets lined with federal-style row houses and gaslit streetlamps are paved with cobblestone and may be difficult for some to navigate. Still, if you can manage, there is much to see. Like The Museum of African American History and African Meeting House, New England’s largest museum dedicated to black history. Located at 14 Beacon Street; open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

You can also take an Old Town Boston Trolly Tour or a Boston Ghost Tour.

Beacon Hill is also home to an assortment of great restaurants, making it an ideal location for dinner. Choose from Mediterranean, French, Italian or contemporary American restaurants.

Have More than 1 Day in Boston?

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to do more than just a one-day trip to Boston, I have a few more attractions and landmarks in Boston to add to your list.

Museum of Fine Arts Boston - The museum has the largest collection of works by artist John Singer Sargent. It also features works by Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Winslow Homer, Edgar Degas, and more. The museum is wheelchair accessible. Address: 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115

Boston Public Library - The first free municipal library in the United States, the Boston Public Library is wheelchair-accessible. Address: 700 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116

USS Constitution - Located at the end of the Freedom Trail, “Old Ironsides” as the ship is known, is now a museum. The museum tells the story of the ship and the people who designed, built, and sailed her. The museum is also home to the Samuel Eliot Morison Memorial Library. The museum is wheelchair accessible. Address: Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA 02129

401 Park Drive Boston, MA - 401 Park is a hub of business and entertainment. 401 Park is home to an ice rink, Time Out Market, Fenway Taproom, and tons of retail shopping.

Newbury Street - Speaking of shopping, if you’re looking for some retail therapy, head to Newbury Street. Located in the Back Bay area of Boston, it runs roughly east–west, from the Boston Public Garden to Brookline Avenue.

A Boston Duck Boat Tour - These iconic amphibious vehicles will give you a wheelchair-accessible tour of Boston by land and by sea.

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