Planning to spend a week in Boston and wondering how to make the most of your time? We’ve put together a great itinerary for 5 to 7 days in Boston that will show you the best of the city in just one week! From guided sightseeing tours and museums to historical buildings and beyond, Boston has a ton of fun things to see and do - we've grouped them by neighborhood.
Must-see places include:
- Fenway and Back Bay
- The Waterfront, & Noth End
- Cambridge, MA
- Salem, MA
Fenway and Back Bay
Fenway and Back Bay are two of Boston’s most vibrant and walkable neighborhoods, each offering its own unique charm. Fenway buzzes with creative energy and green spaces, while Back Bay — so named because it was once a bay before being filled in to create more land — is known for its elegant streets, boutique shopping, and lively dining scene.
Together, they create a perfect mix of culture, history, and city life, with plenty of opportunities to explore, wander, and soak up the local atmosphere.
Picture-perfect Back Bay, every corner feels postcard-ready!
Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is one of the country’s premier art institutions and a must-visit for anyone exploring Boston. Its vast collection spans centuries and continents, with everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts and Asian art to European masterpieces and contemporary works. Whether you’re into paintings, sculptures, textiles or photography, there’s something here to captivate every art lover.
Beyond the galleries, the museum itself is a work of art — its beautiful architecture and serene sculpture gardens provide a calm, inspiring atmosphere for visitors. There are also multiple dining options and a museum shop where you can find everything from books and prints to unique gifts.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Isabella Steward Gardner Museum is another popular museum space for Boston visitors. More than a museum, the building itself was the former estate of Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840-1924) herself before she gifted the estate to the museum.
You'll get to learn all about the fascinating and progressive lifestyle led by the art collector, philanthropist, and active member of Boston's high society, as you tour the picturesque mansion, complete with an indoor courtyard/garden. You'll even get to see the tragically blank walls where the pieces of art that were stolen during the infamous art heist of 1990 once hung.
With more than 2,500 works of art from masters like Titian, Rembrandt, Manet, Degas, Sargent, and more, you’re bound to find a favorite here.
Swan Boats of Boston
ne of Boston’s most beloved historic treasures, the Swan Boats have been gliding gracefully across the lagoon in the Boston Public Garden for over a century. These charming pedal-powered boats are a true local icon — part relaxing ride, part nostalgic experience — and a must for anyone visiting the city in spring or summer.
Hop aboard one of the elegant swan-shaped vessels for a peaceful cruise past weeping willows, floating ducks, and the famous “Make Way for Ducklings” statues nearby.
If there’s a line, don’t worry — it usually moves quickly, and the wait is a great excuse to wander the surrounding gardens. Take a leisurely stroll along the winding paths, snap a few photos of the blooming flowerbeds, and enjoy the quintessential charm of America’s first public botanical garden.
Pedal-powered charm in the heart of the Public Garden.
Boston Public Library (free)
The Boston Public Library is one of the most architecturally stunning buildings in Boston and worth stepping into even if just for a glimpse of their beautiful reading rooms.
A visit to the library is one of the top things to do in Back Bay.
Freedom Trail Walking Tour
You'll literally 'see' the trail winding through Boston, marked by a double brick line (or sometimes red painted line) that punctuates the sidewalk and takes you past major points of historical and cultural interest.
While visitors often walk along the line at their own pace, we recommend taking a guided tour to make sure you see all the major highlights so you can learn about each stop and its significance to Boston’s history as you go.
A walk through time with Boston’s best-dressed storytellers.
Faneuil Hall and North End area
Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market (free)
This busy shopping destination is a must for Boston visitors. Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market are both historic buildings. Faneuil Hall was where America's first town meeting was held, and is now home to souvenir shops and tourist information booths. Quincy Market was once a commercial center and is now home to tourist-friendly restaurants and popular stores.
Boston Children’s Museum
If you're traveling with kids to Boston, the Boston Children's Museum is a must-see. Designed specifically to entertain, engage, and spark curiosity about the world we live in, this museum is packed with tons of interactive and informative exhibits.
Cambridge area
Harvard University
Explore the grounds of the school that attracts some of the best and brightest students from around the world - Harvard University.
Get the most out of your visit by taking a walking tour, led by a current student, for a true insider's perspective on all the highlights and important history behind some of the campus' stunning architecture, beautifully landscaped green spaces, and famous sites.
Who better to show you around Harvard than the students who live it?
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Located on the Harvard University campus and showcasing earth science, and biology, this museum is packed with natural gemstones, fossils, skeletons, artifacts, and more. You'll get to see over 12,000 specimens from around the globe – including dinosaurs!
Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Located right next to the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology is another great museum to visit in the Cambridge area and focuses on exploring ancient world cultures. From Native American art to Mayan architecture, you’ll find a fascinating range of artifacts and ancient objects on display.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Tour
Explore the campus of another world-renowned school, guided by one of the students. This hub of innovation - where the internet itself was invented - served as the setting for Good Will Hunting, and it’s the place where Buzz Aldrin got his doctorate in astronautics. Get a glimpse into campus life, learn more about what studying at MIT is like, and see key locations throughout.
Where science meets stories — explore MIT with the pros.
Salem area
Explore historic Salem, known for the infamous witch hunts of the late 1600s.
Salem Witch Museum
Learn all about the evolution of witches, or the belief in witches, throughout history at Salem's most visited museum. The museum explores the presence of witches in various cultures with of course a particular focus on the witch hysteria of 1692 in a way that is both educational and entertaining.
Tip: check out the museum's gift shop - they sell tons of fun souvenirs, crafts by local artists, and some of the most fun Halloween costumes and decorations around.
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Witch way to the museum?
House of the Seven Gables
Built in 1668, The House of the Seven Gables is one of New England’s most iconic historic landmarks — and it’s most enchanting from the outside. You can explore the beautifully maintained seaside gardens and grounds that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous novel of the same name. Stroll through flower-lined paths, admire sweeping views over Salem Harbor, and soak up the atmosphere of this literary landmark.
If you’d like to step inside the mansion itself and learn more about its fascinating history, interior tours are available for an additional fee.
Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)
The PEM has a fascinating history of its own worth exploring. It’s home to a collection of one million artifacts and treasures, collected by sea captains who brought back interesting treasures and rare finds from their adventures overseas, and which make for a unique representation of world history.
In addition to its permanent collection, the PEM dedicates a lot of resources to its temporary exhibits – be sure to check the Peabody Essex Msueum website before you go to see what's going on.
Ready to go?
Whether you’re an art lover wandering through Back Bay’s museums, a history buff tracing the Freedom Trail, or a curious traveler hopping between Harvard and Salem, Boston offers an incredible variety of experiences packed into one unforgettable week.
So lace up your sneakers, grab your camera (and maybe a lobster roll or two) and get ready to explore Boston — a city where history, culture and coastal beauty come together in perfect harmony.
