It’s where a watershed event in 1773 set the course for the USA as we know it. Boston is one of America’s most historic cities and also one of its most photogenic.
Harvard University is one of the top reasons why many international travellers make the four-hour drive from New York City. But there’s more to Boston than just history and its iconic educational institutions.
From a thriving dining scene to some of America’s most engaging museums, there’s more than one reason to spend a weekend (and beyond) in Boston.
Harvard trails
Cambridge, a suburb in the Greater Boston area across the scenic Charles River, is home to Harvard and MIT.
Begin your Harvard trail at Harvard Square and make a stop at Harvard Coop, a popular bookstore where you can also find official Harvard merchandise. Check out popular student hangouts like the Tatte Bakery & Cafe, with its popular mocha latte.
Almost every visitor to Harvard University walks past Harvard Yard, the oldest and most significant part of the campus. This land was first purchased in 1637 soon after Harvard was founded—first as New College in 1636.
Another popular photo stop is the John Harvard Statue, where most students still follow an old Harvard tradition—they rub the foot of the statue for luck.
Museum hopping
If you are a museum buff, we’d recommend three museums to add to your Boston itinerary. The Harvard Art Museum combines over 50 galleries of art and is one of the best free museums anywhere in the US.
An hour is all you need to cover the key highlights, including paintings by European masters like Van Gogh (look for his 1888 self-portrait dedicated to his friend and artist Paul Gauguin) and a contemporary collection that features modern masters like Andy Warhol.
My pick here is 'October's Gone ... Goodnight' by American artist Barkley L. Hendricks, a triptych (one that shows the same figure from the side, front and back), with its unique blend of the techniques of Old Masters with the aesthetics of pop art.
Keep a date with 19th-century Calcutta
The Museum of Fine Arts is home to nearly 500,000 works and prides itself on its diverse perspectives. It offers one of the finest collections of South Asian and Islamic Art.
I saw a sneak peek of one of its 2026 exhibitions, ‘Divine Color: Hindu Prints from Modern Bengal’, that showcases how lithography was used to reinvent devotional art in 19th-century Calcutta. On until May 31, 2026, this exhibition features 38 vibrant lithographs.
Also, make time to visit the Institute of Contemporary Art that is located along Harbour Shore Drive.
Travel back in time
The Boston Tea Party in 1773 began as a protest to boycott tea from the British East India Company and became one of the sparks for the American Revolution.
You can relive that historic moment (and even throw a box of tea overboard) as part of an engaging, multi-sensory experience that includes interactive exhibits and 18th-century sailing vessels.
You can dive deeper into Boston’s revolutionary history with the ‘Heart of the Freedom Trail’, a one-hour walking tour that takes you through stories about events that took place in the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, King’s Chapel and the Old South Meeting House.
Great for the 'gram
One of our favourite Boston experiences is the one-hour Historic Boston Harbor that takes you through some of the most stunning views of the city, with the Boston Harbor providing the perfect setting.
That’s not the only experience that’s great for your social media feed. Explore Boston’s unique culinary culture and legendary seafood.
The Union Oyster House is billed as America’s oldest restaurant and is housed in a heritage building that dates back to the pre-revolutionary days. Then there’s Legal Harborside in the Seaport District: a popular family dining destination in Boston that serves local favourites like the Clam Chowder and Lobster Rolls.
My favourite meal was also the last meal of my trip: an Italian-inspired brunch at Contessa, an opulent rooftop restaurant with sweeping city views. The perfect setting to take in the views and relive some of the best moments at one of America’s most beautiful cities.