It’s almost leaf peeping season, which means droves of tourists will be flocking to New England to watch the changing of the leaves. One of the most popular places to do this is in Boston, Massachusetts, one of the oldest cities in America. It seems a shame to come to a place like Boston and only see the leaves though. With all of its American history and its rich culture, there are plenty of things to do during a visit. If you are interested in visiting one of the most iconic places in the US, now may be the perfect time to grab a last minute flight to Boston before the last leaf falls. And to help you with your itinerary, we’ve got our picks for the best places to go to elevate a leaf-peeping trip to Boston. And if you've missed leaf season, these are just more reasons to sign up for fare alerts and wait for a flight deal to show up!
Learn About the History of America on the Freedom Trail
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Boston was a central location during the days of the American revolution, so there is no shortage of historical sites to visit. Instead of trying to figure out what to check out on your own, you can walk the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile walk that will take you to many of the more significant landmarks. It starts at Boston Common, America’s oldest public park. From there, you can follow a guiding red brick line to places like Massachusetts State House, which has been in service since 1978, and the Old South Meeting House, which is where the Boston Tea Party began. Along the way, you’ll visit the site of the Boston Massacre, as well as many famous burial sites where fallen revolutionaries rest.
Catch a Game at Fenway Park
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Being a major city in the US, of course Boston has plenty of major league teams, and those teams need a place to play. That means that there are many venues for sports fans to visit and catch a game. The most iconic of these is no doubt Fenway park, which is the home turf of 9-time World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox. Fortunately, the end of the MLB season lines up with leaf-peeping season, so you may be able to plan your trip when a game is going on. Even if you don’t get tickets to the game, you can at least head to a local sports bar while the game is on and bask in the excitement as the locals watch and cheer on their team!
Explore the Aquarium and Several Zoos
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If you like zoos and aquariums, then you’ll be pleased to know that Boston is home to several that you can explore. The New England Aquarium is home to seals, sea lions, penguins, octopuses, seadragons, and hundreds upon hundreds of fresh and saltwater fish. For zoos, they have Franklin Park Zoo, Southwicks Wild Animal Zoo, Stone Zoo, and Capron Park Zoo. Since there are a few to choose from, we recommend Franklin Park Zoo, as it is the most well known and offers a large variety of exhibits. For instance, they’ve got a large tropical exhibit featuring gorillas and lemurs, an outback trail housing animals from Australia like kangaroos and emus, and a spacious habitat for a diverse collection of birds. That’s just a taste of what they offer, so you can imagine spending a full day here!
Awe at the Architecture of the Public Libraries
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Okay, heading to a major city and making a point to see their public library may seem like a waste of time. But you will understand when you step through the doors of the Boston Public Library. This unassuming structure that is pictured above sports some of the most awe inspiring architecture and art throughout its interior. Even if art isn’t your thing, you are liable to get stuck gawking at the gorgeous renaissance murals and inspired designs, everywhere from their atriums to their stairwells. You can also head to the JFK Presidential Library, which trades renaissance art for a more presidential sensibility, but with just as much architectural sheik as the Boston Public Library.
Shopping and Dining at Seaport
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For shopping and dining, Seaport is your one-stop shop. This is a newer part of the city that abandons the colonial era architecture for upscale shops and a plethora of restaurants to choose from. Since it is a port, you can stay on theme and grab some seafood at Row 34 for fine dining, or for something more casual, head to James Hook. There are several breweries as well, like Trillium, Night Shift Brewing, and Harpoon Brewery. Seaport also has some nice paths to walk along the water. If you can get up early enough, come by before the sunrise, so you can watch it come up over the Atlantic!
