Looking for a weekend getaway that combines rich history, captivating culture, and delectable culinary delights? Look no further than Boston and Cape Cod, the perfect duo for an unforgettable weekend escape. Boston, one of America's oldest cities, is steeped in historical significance, boasting iconic landmarks like the Freedom Trail and Harvard University.
Its vibrant cultural scene offers world-class museums, theater productions, and historic neighborhoods to explore. And when it comes to cuisine, Boston offers a tantalizing array of options, from fresh seafood to innovative farm-to-table cuisine. After experiencing the allure of Boston, make a stop at Cape Cod to soak up the charming coastal vibe. Indulge in fresh seafood, relax on pristine beaches, or visit quaint seaside towns for a taste of New England charm.
Join us as we uncover the charm and appeal of Boston and Cape Cod as a weekend getaway destination, where history comes alive, culture thrives, and flavors tantalize the senses.
Top things to visit in Boston
Here are some of the best things to see and do in Boston in two days.
Freedom Trail
Walk the historic Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route that takes you to 16 significant sites, including the Massachusetts State House and Paul Revere's House. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the American Revolution. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the city's history. But most of the stops are so centrally located that you can take a detour along the way and explore the heart of Boston at your leisure.
The Boston Common: Founded in 1634, this huge green lung is the oldest urban park in the United States. The Freedom Trail begins here, and tours start from the visitor center.
Massachusetts State House: Massachusetts State Capitol
The Park St. Church: It is a church founded in 1809 that has a curious ex-record: its bell tower, with a height of 66 meters, was the tallest building in the United States, until 1846, when Trinity Church was built in New York.
Granary Burial Ground: This cemetery, founded in 1660, is the resting place of heroes of the Revolution such as John Hancock, Paul Revere or Samuel Adams. But do not limit yourself to them: the cemetery is full of tombs with inscriptions and engravings of the most curious.
Kings Chapel: Tour the cemetery and enter this Anglican chapel, the first founded by the English in New England.
Boston Latin School: In front of the site of the Boston Latin School, the first public school in the United States, you will see the statue of Benjamin Franklin.
Old South Meeting House: In this meeting place the colonists gathered to decide what to do with the tea anchored at the Boston docks, which led to the famous Tea Mutiny. Today, it is a pay museum, and visiting it is the only way to see it from the inside.
The Old Corner Bookstore: This is the oldest commercial building in Boston but, unfortunately, today the publishers and bookstores that occupied this site throughout the 19th century no longer exist.
Old State House: The Old State House, a place of government for centuries and a symbol of the Revolution, is one of the most picturesque stops on the Freedom Trail.
The Boston Massacre: Next to the Old State House, on the ground you will see a plaque marking the site of the 1700 Boston Massacre. This confrontation between the English Redcoats and the colonists, who were protesting taxes, ended with 5 Americans dead and a nascent desire to become an independent country.
Faneuil Hall: It was in this market and meeting place that the Sons of Liberty made several speeches against English oppression. Today, it is a visitor center with exhibits, souvenir stores and toilets.
Paul Revere House: From 1770 to 1800, this house was the home of patriot Paul Revere. He is known for his midnight ride just before the battles of Lexington and Concord, the first engagements of the Revolutionary War, in which he alerted the colonists that British troops were approaching. Today, the interior of the house is a fee-based museum.
Old North Church: Before Paul Revere set out on his midnight ride, he asked that lanterns be hung from the spire of this church to alert patriots across the river of British troop movements.
Copp's Hill Burial Ground: In this cemetery, the second oldest in the city, rest the artisans, merchants and patriots who lived in the North End.
USS Constitution: After crossing the Charles River, you can detour to visit the USS Constitution, one of the first frigates of the U.S. Navy, which played a leading role in the War of 1812.
Bunker Hill Monument: The last stop on the Freedom Trail is the Bunker Hill monument, a large obelisk atop a hill that commemorates the first major battle of the Revolutionary War fought there in June 1775.
We did part of it on our own and also joining a tour organized by a local non profit association that leaves from the Boston Common Visitor Center, and in which they told us a thousand and one curiosities about the city and its celebrities.
The price of this tour is $12.00.
Boston Common
Besides being the base from which the Freedom Trail starts, this huge park is the green lung of the city and the center around which the streets are distributed. Strolling through it, taking a nap or improvising a picnic (being careful not to let the huge squirrels devastate your snack) is a real treat.
And if that's not enough, just cross the street to find yourself surrounded by more trees in the Boston Public Garden.
Quincy Market
This market was built in 1826 and today, after a restoration, it is full of prepared food stalls of all kinds: cafes, sweets, ready meals....
Although it is very touristy, it is worth a walk inside. Around the Quincy Market you will find a thousand and one souvenir and craft stalls, terraces, street artists ... In the months of good weather, it is an area with lots of atmosphere.
Beacon Hill
The charm of Beacon Hill lies not in any one attraction, but in losing yourself in its narrow, sloping alleys. Some of the streets we loved most about Beacon Hill were Pinckney St and Mount Vernon St. And, of course, the photogenic and famous Acorn Street, a cobblestone alley that looks like something out of a fairy tale.
Eating a lobster roll, one of the best things to do in Boston
It was clear to us that we were not going to leave Boston without trying a lobster roll, however the prices are quite high. So doing some research we found this restaurant with good reviews and lobster roll for less than 20$:
James Hook & Co: 440 Atlantic Ave, Boston
Opened daily from 10-4pm
Stroll around North End
Known as Boston's Little Italy, a neighborhood full of pizzerias, bakeries and small shops.
Explore Back Bay
Another charming neighborhood, where Victorian houses alternate with luxury shops and the occasional skyscraper. The essential stops here are:
The Boston Public Library, a beautiful library, founded in 1848, is the first public library in the United States and has more than 15 million books. Be sure to visit the Bates Hall reading room.
Trinity Church, a beautiful Romanesque Episcopal church.
Newbury Street, one of the most interesting shopping streets of the city, full of stores, bars and restaurants (although many of them have quite high prices).
Close to this area you'll find the famous bar of the Cheers series. A good place to stop for lunch or a drink, and remember for a moment one of the cult TV series of the eighties.
Boston's Chinatown
Boston has one of the largest Chinatowns in America, where the city's large Asian population is concentrated and where you can find almost anything!
Exploring the Best of Cape Cod: Top things to visit
Cape Cod is one of the quintessential summer resorts on the east coast of the United States. It was one of the first places in North America to be settled by the English pilgrims who arrived aboard the Mayflower in the fall of 1620.
Today it is an ideal place to travel by car, stopping in the different localities or making a route through its numerous lighthouses and idyllic landscapes where the coastline presents in many cases its wild state since the strong erosion generated by the ocean does not allow the construction of large hotel complexes.
Plymouth
Although Plymouth is not technically on the cape, many guidebooks include it as one of the Cape Cod towns, due to its proximity and historical connection to the pilgrims who arrived aboard the Mayflower. Plymouth is home to one of the most controversial monuments, Plymouth Rock, supposedly the first place where the pilgrims from Europe set foot on land, although it was discovered 150 years after their supposed arrival.
Cape Cod National Seashore
Experience the natural beauty of Cape Cod National Seashore (inside the National Parks), featuring pristine beaches, dunes, and scenic trails. Take a leisurely stroll, enjoy a picnic, or simply relax by the ocean as you soak in the serene coastal atmosphere.
Eastham
In Eastham is the Nauset Lighthouse, undoubtedly a tourist icon in Cape Cod and an essential stop. The town also has a good atmosphere and its beach, although taking care not to approach sharks, is one of the busiest.
Provincetown
Visit the charming town of Provincetown, known for its vibrant art scene, eclectic shops, and picturesque streets. Explore art galleries, browse unique boutiques, and witness stunning sunsets from the beach
Recommendation: Visit this area in summer as in winter is cold and windy and most of the things are closed. We went in March and not everything was opened. The good thing is you don't have to pay for parking at Provincetown!
