Boston may be small but it certainly packs a punch and is brimming with a big personality that will surprise you at every turn.
We always advocate having as much time as possible in Massachusetts’ bustling capital—where modernity meets history, but if you are pressed for time and only have 24 hours in Boston, take a look at our handy guide on the best way to spend 24 hours in Boston.
Early morning
Whether you have just arrived or are an early bird that catches the worm. Start your 24 hours in Boston by catching a beautiful sunset from the picturesque Charles River.
Or why not rent a kayak or paddle board and soak up the rest of the sunlight from the river?
If you prefer to stay on dry land, the walk along the riverside is one of the best ways to admire the city and it’s an ideal way to work up an appetite for breakfast!
From traditional Bostonian fare for breakfast to diner hangouts and something a little bit fancier, there’s plenty of fantastic places to enjoy breakfast in Boston. How about the retro-inspired casual eatery South Street Diner? or the Veggie Galaxy, where you can enjoy your typical breakfast fare, but without any animal products.
The menu is a marvel of meatless innovation. From vegan house-made tempeh bacon and ‘chick’n and waffles to the fluffiest vegan pancakes, this is an unmissable stop for anyone plant-based or vegan.
Late morning
Grab a coffee to go from The Well coffee house and get ready to explore the Freedom trail which is an essential part of your 24 hours in Boston.
This 2.5-mile red brick pathway takes you from the Boston Common—the oldest park in the U.S.—to the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown.
It’s really easy to navigate the Freedom Trail on your own, but if you need a helping hand, you can take a guided tour tool.
The Freedom trail can be completed in any time between an hour to two hours, but it’s worthwhile taking your time to really embrace the sense of history.
Lunchtime
Head on over to the stylish Legal Harborside for lunch where you can enjoy some seriously fantastic fish-focused menus from three restaurants and sweeping views of Boston Harbor.
Specialising in upmarket seafood, this contemporary chain also serves steaks & cocktails on the rooftop.
From the 12 varieties of oysters and the shellfish platters to a more casual option of a white-clam pizza, baked cod and the Portuguese seafood stew, you will be deliberating over your menu choice for hours.
Don’t forget you only have 24 hours in Boston, so try not to linger over lunch too long.
Mid afternoon
You can’t spend 24 hours in Boston without exploring one or two of Boston’s many museums.
From the child-friendly Boston Children’s Museum to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, or the Museum of Fine Arts, there’s literally a museum for everyone.
We really love the Museum of Science which has more than 500 interactive exhibits to peruse.
Late afternoon
Enjoy a cooling cocktail on the rooftop of the Colonnade hotel which is just one of the spectacular rooftop bars that you can visit in the city.
We appreciate you only have 24 hours in Boston, but it’s certainly worth carving out an hour to relax and admire the magnificent views from the 12th-floor pool deck.
Its fantastic location has dozens of attractions and inviting businesses within walking distance.
If you have the time, head over to Fenway Park to catch a ball game. Catching a Red Sox game is always a treat, but they can last a long time, so if you really are short on time, it might be better to take a tour of the stadium instead.
Early evening
If you only have one night out in Boston, you’d better make dinner a good one!
It’s possibly one of the most important meals during your 24 hours in Boston and whether you want to eat by culinary style or location, take a look at our roundup of the best restaurants in Boston for some serious foodie inspiration.
From Seaport and North End to Fort Point and Cambridge, these neighbourhoods have plenty of fantastic restaurants to choose from.
Whether you have an hour or more, make the most of your final dining experience in Boston.
Late evening
Even if you only have 24 hours in Boston, we are sure you will want to make the most of the best of the nightlife in Boston.
Whether you are craving cocktails and comedy, diving into dive bars, a sophisticated sunset cruise along the Charles River, some stellar live music or a night out of pure unadulterated clubbing, the dynamic and diverse city of Boston is waiting for you.
So there we have it, that’s your 24 hours in Boston. Sorted! All that’s left for you now is to head to your hotel (which we know you will have booked via your Orbzii app!) for a cheeky nightcap and a good night’s sleep!
There’s always so much to do in the beautiful city of Boston, but if you only have 24 hours in Boston, then let Orbzii can help.
Whether this is a standalone trip to Boston or if you are planning to visit more than one city via a USA road trip, make sure you download the Orbzii app to book your trip to Boston pronto.
