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Boston Itineraries
- Boston Highlights in 5 Days
- A Taste of Everything
- The Charles & Cambridge
- Cityscapes & Culture
Channel that early-morning energy into a walk along the Charles River. On most pleasant days, the crew shells are out early, and so are the joggers. The view of Cambridge and east to Beacon Hill with the State House's golden dome is at its best early in the morning and late in the day.
Whiz up to the top-floor observation level in the Prudential or "Pru" Tower to see how Boston is laid out geographically. On a clear day, you can see the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the outlines of the Berkshire Mountains to the west. (Use the telescope for the Berkshires.) Mostly, you'll get a sense of how the Charles River organizes and divides Boston from its irascible neighbor Cambridge, and you'll get a feel for the layout of Boston neighborhoods. We're always struck by the profusion of color: redbrick buildings, inky blue river, and green grassy parks.
Walk down Newbury Street and pop into a few shops and galleries, perhaps wrangling a seat at one of the sidewalk cafés. You will want to visit one or two of Boston's museums during your stay, and we recommend a short stop at the Mapparium at the Mother Church of Christ Scientist with its reflecting pool (especially good if you are traveling with children), followed by a longer visit at the Museum of Fine Arts or at "Mrs. Jack's Palace," a.k.a. the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. (Both museums have first-rate cafés.) For dinner, try one of Boston's small chef-owned bistros sprinkled all over Back Bay and downtown Boston.
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