Fill your next visit to Boston with loud rock, quiet galleries, and some great meals, too
As someone who graduated from high school nearly 20 years ago , the lineup for this year’sBoston Calling , New England ’s great and most influentialmusic festival , is utterly giving mellow school company . Do n’t get me wrong , I really do love Dave Matthews Band and Fall Out Boy as star . But it ’s important to commemorate that beneath our bro - y exterior , Boston has inscrutable rock - metropolis credibility .
Boston is well - represented in polish at large : Our storied university learn ( and make ) history , actorstry on the urban center ’s iconic accentin megahit picture show , and Boston is stamp all across the backup trophies ofevery major sport . Our medicine history is a little more hidden , but it ’s immense and meaningful once you cognise where to look .
For an entry stop into my favored metropolis , I turned thing up to 11 with a rock-and-roll and roll - themed Boston travel plan . Here are all the best things to do in Boston for a music - satiate weekend , from the good concert venues in town to vinyl boutiques — with a little theater of operations , a few museums , and plenty ofgreat spot to use up and drinkmixed in too .
Faneuil Hall in Boston|Maremagnum/Getty
Who I am : I’m a native Masshole , and I formally moved to Boston 11 geezerhood ago from Vermont . I ’ve been cover the city ’s food and beer scene , and New England civilisation more broadly , since 2015 . I ’m also an esurient concert - leaver , sports fan ( it ’s in the urine ) , and card - carrying art museum member .
Before you go
Need to know : Boston is a small city of 23 distinctive region . much speaking , neighboring cities of Brookline , Cambridge , Somerville , and Quincy are also part of the metro field . While contrive your tripper , weigh what activities you require to do and anchor yourself in that part of town . Or , if you ’re on a budget , just pluck the punk hotel ( it can get expensive here ) .
summertime , when scholarly person are back home alternatively of filling student residence and apartments across town , tend to be quieter in Boston — except on Fenway Park nights . In increase to 81 one-year Red Sox game , the historic ballpark is also aconcert venue , so give the schedule a coup d’oeil to facilitate you plan your trip .
How to get around : you could hoof it just about anywhere you want to go in Boston . Check out the free map and resources fromWalking City Trails , a grassroots urban path system through Boston city park and residential neighborhood .
Downtown Boston from a view above the Charles River|Cavan Images/Getty
To get further afield , rideshares and public transportation are good option . you’re able to use your tap - to - earnings visiting card or your phone to bear for thyroxine trains and bus . It ’s also worth consideringBluebikes , a regional organization of bicycles and e - bike , which you could charter for a single ride or for the whole solar day .
Where to Stay
Two Days in Boston
Day 1
Morning: Wake up and rock out
Mid-day: Learn from a local musician
Afternoon: Spend some peaceful time with fine art and flowers
Evening: Catch a concert, or maybe a home run ball
Day 2
Morning: Browse one of Boston’s lovely pedestrian-only streets
Take This Home
Mid-day: Check out some English muffins and Continental art
Afternoon: An indie market with a killer record store
Evening: Hit a rock venue and get some classic New England cuisine
Late-night: Cap off the trip at a film-famous pub
If you have three days
All of the above, but add…
Downtown Boston from a view above the Charles River|Cavan Images/Getty
A rock concert at Fenway Park|Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty
The courtyard of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum|Paul Marotta/Getty