The Ultimate Self-Guided Tour: Boston

Fall is here – the weather is just right, pumpkin spice is in the air, and people are planning their holiday travels. While making a list of must visit places for Fall foliage, Boston should be on the top. Worth a visit any time of the year (except, maybe, winter), Boston is very easy to get around on a budget and exceptionally gorgeous during Fall. Use this quick list to check out the best attractions on your self-guided tour of Boston.

• The Freedom Trail

No tour of Boston is complete without dedicating a whole day to walk the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile pathway, guided by a red line connecting 16 historical sites prominent during the city’s revolutionary era. Wear some good walking shoes and take the MBTA to Park Station to start the Freedom Trail at Boston Common, America’s first public park.

• Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is a beautiful neighborhood that almost takes you back in time with historical landmarks, brick row houses, and antique lanterns. You will visit this neighborhood as part of the Freedom Trail (stop 2 – Massachusetts State House).

• Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Whether you come here as part of the Freedom Trail or do it separately, plan to get here around lunch time because Faneuil Hall, along with Quincy market, North market and South market is one of the most visited marketplaces in America with plenty of indoor and outdoor eateries. Try an Oyster shot or Clam Chowder.

• North End

One of the oldest residential neighborhoods, North Ends is a lovely neighborhood lined with Italian restaurants, cafes and pretty houses decorated with the colors of Fall. The pizza and Arancini at Galleria Umberto come highly recommended.

• Old North Church

The 18th century church was the location where two lanterns were held high to indicate the arrival of the British by sea, thus marking the start of the American revolution.

• Union Oyster House

A visit to Union Oyster House is highly recommended, for many reasons including and not limited to – it is one of the oldest restaurants in America, a National Historic Landmark, it was visited by some prominent revolutionaries, and of course, they have amazing oysters.

• Back Bay

Back Bay is one of Boston’s wealthiest neighborhoods with rows of Victorian buildings. Here you will find Copley Square and some famous landmarks – Trinity Church, Boston Public Library and Prudential Center, among others. If you’re in to spend some cash, you could go up to the Sky Walk Observatory in Prudential Center for 360º views of Boston.

• Newbury Street and Commonwealth Ave

To watch some that famous Boston Fall foliage, walk down from Prudential Center to Newbury Street. Spend some time at the park near Commonwealth Ave underneath the red, orange and green trees, walk around exploring the unique boutiques or grab a bite at one of the quaint cafes on Newbury St.

• Boston Museum of Fine Arts

As with any good museum, this one can take anywhere from a few hours to an entire day but it is definitely worth the visit.