I’ve Lived In Boston For Years. Here Is What I Recommend For First-Time Visitors

Boston is a city that reveals itself in layers. Sure, the Freedom Trail and Fenway Park are incredible , but there’s so much more beneath the surface.

I’ve called this place home for years, and I’ve walked, eaten, and explored my way through every corner of it.

So, take your time, explore beyond the obvious, and most importantly—leave room for a second round of lobster rolls. You’ll need it.

1. Explore The Mapparium

Most people visit Boston expecting to step back into American history. What they don’t expect is to step inside the world. The Mapparium is a massive, three-story stained-glass globe that lets you stand right in its center, completely surrounded by a brilliantly colored map from 1935.

It’s like seeing the world through a time machine—before World War II reshaped borders, before dozens of modern countries even existed.

But the real kicker? The acoustics. The spherical design creates a mind-bending sound effect where even the softest whisper bounces back with crystal clarity. Talk to someone across the room, and it’ll sound like they’re right next to you.

2. Take A Ghost Tour In Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is stunning during the day. But at night? It’s got a spookier side. And trust me, nothing makes history come alive quite like a well-told ghost story.

Boston’s past is packed with eerie tales. You can hear stories about mysterious murders, haunted mansions, and spirits that supposedly never left. One of the most chilling spots is the Charles Street Jail, now turned into a luxury hotel.

Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the tours are a fantastic way to see Beacon Hill’s hidden alleys and lesser-known corners. You’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the city’s past—and maybe a lingering chill down your spine.

3. Visit The Boston Athenaeum

Forget the noisy cafés and soulless coworking spaces! If you want to read, write, or just soak in the atmosphere of old Boston, this is where you go. The Boston Athenaeum is a private library that looks straight out of a historical novel.

It was founded in 1807 and this place has serious literary cred. It once housed George Washington’s personal books, and authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau were frequent visitors. Today, it still feels like a secret sanctuary, tucked away near the Boston Common.

Check out the first floor, but if you’re serious about getting the full experience, a temporary pass lets you explore more. Either way, step inside, breathe in that old-book smell, and lose yourself in a space where history and literature intertwine.

4. Go On A Lobster Boat Tour

Eating fresh lobster in Boston is a must. But catching one? That’s next-level. Instead of just ordering a lobster roll at some touristy spot, hop on a real lobster boat and see how it’s done.

Boston Harbor has been home to lobster fishermen for centuries, and many still use the same time-tested methods today. These tours let you get hands-on. Pull up traps, measure the catch, and learn about the different kinds of lobsters. Plus, you get to enjoy some incredible harbor views while you’re at it.

By the time you sit down for dinner later, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for the work that goes into that buttery, delicious lobster tail. And let’s be honest, bragging rights are included.

5. Drink At The Bell In Hand Tavern

If you want a drink with a story, head straight to The Bell in Hand. Opened in 1795, it proudly claims the title of America’s oldest continuously operating tavern. This place has been serving Bostonians since before the U.S. had a president from outside Virginia.

Jimmy Wilson, the founder, was Boston’s last town crier. He is basically the guy who announced all the news before newspapers were a thing. When he retired, he opened this bar, and ever since, people have been coming here to celebrate, complain, and swap stories over a pint.

Come during the day for a more relaxed vibe, or at night if you want to experience it at full volume. Either way, raise a glass to Boston’s past—and to the people who never stopped drinking through it.

6. Climb To The Top Of The Bunker Hill Monument

Most people know about the Battle of Bunker Hill, but few actually make the climb to the top of its monument. If you’re up for 294 steps of leg-burning, sweat-inducing effort, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best panoramic views of Boston.

It’s free, it’s historic, and it’s way less crowded than the Skywalk Observatory or other viewpoints. In addition, when you get to the top, the sense of accomplishment (and maybe a slight case of jelly legs) makes it all worth it.

The surrounding neighborhood of Charlestown is also worth a stroll—quieter than downtown, with charming old homes and waterfront views. Grab a coffee at a local café and take your time exploring.

7. Wander The Arnold Arboretum

Need a break from the city? Turn your navigation to the Arnold Arboretum! It is like an open-air museum of trees. It’s part of Harvard, so naturally, everything here is well-curated and beautifully maintained.

The arboretum spans over 280 acres, with winding paths that take you through landscapes that shift with the seasons. Spring brings cherry blossoms, summer is green, fall is an explosion of color, and even in winter, the snow-covered trees make for a peaceful retreat.

Best of all? It’s free, open to the public, and far less touristy than the Boston Common or Public Garden. Whenever I yearn for a little bit of peace and quiet I head to this place!

8. Eat Your Way Through A Chinatown Food Crawl

Boston’s Chinatown is often overshadowed by places like New York or San Francisco, but let me tell you—this neighborhood delivers when it comes to food. If you’ve never done a proper Chinatown food crawl, you’re missing out on an explosion of flavors, textures, and dishes you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

Start with dim sum at Hei La Moon or Winsor Dim Sum Café—grab a few dumplings, BBQ pork buns, and some shrimp rice rolls. Next, wander over to Gourmet Dumpling House for soup dumplings that are so good they should come with a warning label.

Need a pick-me-up? Chinatown’s bubble tea scene is top-notch, with spots like Tea Do serving up classic milk teas and adventurous flavors like taro and red bean.

9. Go Underground At The Warren Anatomical Museum

Want to see something truly unique? Boston has it! You’ve got to check out the Warren Anatomical Museum. This place is a collection of strange and fascinating medical oddities.

Ever heard of Phineas Gage? He was the railroad worker who survived an iron rod blasting straight through his skull, changing the way scientists understood the brain. His actual skull and the very rod that impaled him? They’re both here.

Alongside that, you’ll find antique surgical tools, preserved body parts, and other medical artifacts that give you a look at how far medicine has come (and how terrifying it used to be).

10. Take A Sunset Sail On A Historic Schooner

Instead of cramming onto a touristy ferry, why not sail into the evening on a historic schooner? These old-fashioned tall ships bring back the golden age of sailing. Think wooden decks, billowing sails, and the occasional sea breeze messing up your hair in the best way.

Several companies offer these sunset cruises, and most come with a laid-back, BYOB vibe. You’ll drift past the Boston skyline, spot the occasional lighthouse, and maybe even catch sight of a harbor seal.

It’s peaceful, it’s romantic, and it’s a completely different way to experience the city.