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Boston is an intimate city, but its cultural breadth makes it feel like a much larger hub.

Time Zone

Eastern Standard Time (Daylight Savings Time, seasonal.

Custom House Tower District, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Boston, Massachusetts

Credit: John Coletti/Getty Images

Dates vary)

Best Time to Go

Thebest time to visit Bostonis from May to November.

Boston was the first U.S. city to build a subway line, the Tremont Street Subway built in 1897.

Another Boston first was Revere Beach, the first public beach in the country.

Encore Boston Harbor

Courtesy of Encore Boston Harbor

Today it’s a protected historic district, and its classic homes can be admired on a self-guidedwalking tour.

TheNational Park Servicemanages several of Boston’s popular tourist sites.

They also haveSilver Line busesthat go to Logan Airport from South Station.

Honeymoon in Boston

Richard Nowitz/Courtesy of Boston Harbor Hotel

Car service: Uber and Lyft are available in Boston, as are black car services likeMaster Livery.

The centrally located hotel is walking distance to South Station, Faneuil Hall, and State Street.

Encore Boston Harbor has a 24-hour casino and exemplary dining at Rare Steakhouse.

The lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Boston

The hotel is perfect for long-term stays or families.

The guest rooms were redone in 2019 and the property underwent a renovation of the public spaces in 2023.

The hotel was once the Charles Street Jail, and the common spaces really play into that theme.

Guestroom at The Newbury Hotel in Boston

A guest room at the Newbury.Courtesy of The Newbury Boston

you could also dine on-site at The Verb’s sushi restaurant, Hojoko.

And it’s close to both Harvard University and MIT.

Thankfully, it’s open seven days a week.

Dinner table at Mamma Maria in Boston, MA

Carlos Arzaga

Want something other than a cannoli?

Try their carrot cake, ricotta pie, or their delicate pizzelle.

It’s definitely worth crossing over the Boston bridges for this tasty treat.

Tatte Bakery Cafe Cheesecake Boston

Courtesy of Tatte Bakery & Cafe

They also have long-standing collections that delve into contemporary art and a stunning repertoire of global work.

The park dates back to 1634 and is considered America’s oldest park.

The artfully landscaped gardens are home to iconic artwork, like the Make Way for Ducklings statues.

Courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, MA

Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Trillium Brewing Company

Fancy an outdoor craft beer?

Highlights include Bobbles & Lace for women’s clothing and Rothy’s Newbury Street for the cult-shoe enthusiasts.

First opened in 1825, it’s “one of America’s oldest and largest antiquarian book shops.”

Marker on the Freedom Trail

Violet Smirnova/Travel + Leisure

The enclosed shopping center has more than 50 high-end boutiques, including coveted names like Louis Vuitton and Burberry.

The Beacon Hill boutique fuses luxury comfort, high-fashion, and academia.

Come for the classic Boston attractions, stay for the luxury, brick-facade row houses.

Night time in Quincy Market

Stephanie Hager/Getty Images

Cambridge:Cambridge sits directly across from Boston, with the Charles River separating the two.

Cambridge is, of course, home to Harvard University and MIT.

Think of it this way: Boston is to Manhattan as Cambridge is to Brooklyn.

A gallery room in Museum of Fine Arts

Violet Smirnova/Travel + Leisure

It’s a low-key neighborhood with residential charm, but still offers local shopping and trendy eateries.

Seaport:Southeast of downtown, nestled by the Boston waterfront is the chic yet laid-back Seaport neighborhood.

Nonetheless, fall brings mild temperatures and lovely foliage.

Two people walking their bikes on a path in Boston Public Garden

Violet Smirnova/Travel + Leisure

The following areaverageFahrenheit lows and highs by month.

Average annual precipitation 21.14 inches.

Bike path down the Charles River

Violet Smirnova/Travel + Leisure

The Brattle Book Shop in Boston

Jeffrey Dunn