Compact, walkable and old by American standards: colonial streets, a river with universities on both banks, and a harbour you can cover on foot.
Free things to do
Free
Freedom Trail on foot
Follow the red brick line — 4km of revolution.
Free
USS Constitution & the Navy Yard
The oldest commissioned warship afloat, still crewed by the Navy and free to board.
Free
Harvard & Cambridge wander
Red line to Harvard Sq; rub the statue's foot like everyone else.
Where to stay
from $76
Boston Homestel
Dorm bed · per night
from $180
The Farrington Inn
Private room · per night
from $73
Backpackers Hostel & Pub
Dorm bed · per night
from $204
Boston Homestel
Private room · per night
Trips that take it in
North America · 11 days · 3 nights in Boston
The Northeast Corridor
Boston → New York → Washington DC
$1,019
plus flights · Dec 2026 dates