Welcome to Beantown. The Hub. Titletown. The City on a Hill.
No, Boston is not actually where the World Cup games will be played—that would be Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, the home of the New England Patriots and Revolution. But Boston, in addition to being one of America’s most historic cities, is also where all the fun is at.
Here’s what to know and what to do if you plan on staying in Boston when you’re not watching the action down at the pitch.
Foxborough’s only about 25 miles south of Boston. You can get there from Jamaica Plain—my neighborhood—in about 30 minutes on a weekday when there’s no traffic. But that’s the problem: there’s always traffic, and it’s a million times worse on event days at Gillette. So don’t drive if you can help it. Take it from your guy.
Do yourself a favor and take the MBTA commuter rail, which will run special event-day service on the Foxboro/Forge Park line. They’re going to be $80, which isn’t cheap. But the alternative is spending two hours in traffic, so…pick your poison.
If you plan to drive, buy your event parking in advance. We did it for the Kendrick Lamar show at Gillette last year, and it was a lifesaver.
- Patriot Place—the complex around the stadium—has everything you want for an all-day: restaurants, a movie theater, a gaming spot, and even a Trader Joe’s. Plus, there are parking lots all over the place if you want to spend the day tailgating.
- Gillette Stadium does have a clear bag policy, and they will not let you slide if you don’t comply. Diaper bags and medically necessary bags are exceptions, but not much else.
First off: Boston is actually a very walkable city. If you stay anywhere near Boston’s Back Bay area or downtown, you can get anywhere without hopping on a bus or train if you have time to walk. Also, Boston has BlueBikes you can rent and ride throughout the city.
Boston’s MBTA subway system—affectionately (or sometimes not) known as the “T”—can get you most places in the city and its neighborhoods with its combination of buses, trains, and ferries. Is it great? Not exactly. But it beats the traffic, and, thanks to some upgrades, they don’t spontaneously combust anymore! A CharlieCard will get you on buses and the subway, but you’ll have to buy separate train tickets for the commuter rail that takes you out to Foxborough and other suburbs. (Word of advice: the trolley-like Green Line looks fun, but you can out-walk it on some days. Don’t take the Green Line anywhere if you’re in a hurry. Same goes for the Red Line.)
One underrated option: ferries from the Seaport District to the Boston Harbor Islands. In summer, it’s one of the best and most affordable escapes in the region—beaches, hiking trails, historic forts, and some of the best views of the city skyline you’ll find anywhere.
Boston Common and the Freedom Trail
Boston Common is so old, it literally predates America. In addition to being a solid spot to relax, roam, and take walking tours of the city’s historical sites, it’s also right near the Downtown Crossing area where you can get your shopping in. (You can also cross the street to the Boston Public Garden and do boat tours on the pond.) Within the Common, you’ll find monuments to the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment—the all-Black Civil War regiment immortalized in the film Glory, for you history/movie buffs—and The Embrace, the famous monument honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, who first met in Boston. The latter is one of the most spectacular photo spots in the park—and I’m not just saying that because the organization I work for built it!
You can also pick up the Freedom Trail from the Common: a 2.5-mile walking path that winds through 16 Revolutionary War-era sites, including Faneuil Hall, known as “The Cradle of Liberty.” Just find the lines of red brick winding along the sidewalks. You can’t miss it.
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
Feeling revolutionary? Toss fake boxes of tea into Boston Harbor just like Sam Adams and his band of rebels did. I’ve never done it myself, but it looks fun!
Come down to my neck of the woods to one of Boston’s most storied breweries. It’s actually in a complex that used to be one big brewery itself and now houses a bunch of stores, a weekend farmer’s market, and a solid restaurant called The Haven. Just hop off at the Stony Brook stop on the Orange Line and take a five-minute stroll through the park to get there. (And stay for a bit: Stony Brook is a chill place to hang out, especially in the summertime.)
The Red Sox might be trash right now, but that shouldn’t stop you from catching a game at one of the coolest ballparks in baseball history. I used to be a season ticket-holder, and the Fenway Park experience never disappoints (even when the team does). I’ve never sat in the Green Monster seats, so try it out and let me know what you think.
Museum of Fine Arts and ICA
Think of these as two sides of the same coin. The MFA leans more historic and includes catalogs you seriously won’t find anywhere else. (Plus, there’s always some kind of activity or event going on there.) The Institute of Contemporary Art obviously feels more…contemporary, with rotating exhibits in a stunning waterfront building in the Seaport. And if you catch yourself here for one of their First Friday bashes, you have to do it.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
You want to see some old art? This is where you want to be. Isabella Stewart Gardner amassed an insane collection during her life, and even the building itself (including her old rooms) is a work of art.
African American History Museum
Being there is a different kind of history. Once known as the African Meeting House, people like Frederick Douglass and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have given talks and speeches there, and it was even a stop on the Underground Railroad. It’s only a short walk from the Boston Common.
Got the kids with you? Boston Children’s Museum, the Museum of Science (my daughter’s favorite), and the New England Aquarium are all strong choices for families. If you’re willing to get out of the city and into the “Greater” part of Boston, you can roll up to Cambridge for a trip to the Harvard Museum of Natural History, which has a charming little dinosaur section, a shark exhibit, and a hall of gems everyone can enjoy.
Pro tip: the Boston City Pass can save you up to 45% across many of these attractions. If you’re planning to hit three or more, you might as well invest in it.
Take it from someone who just spent six hours there last weekend: the vibes are immaculate. You can grab an early five-star, tapas-style dinner and stick around until the place turns into a dance floor, or just show up around 11 when the place starts getting busy. Either way, you’re going to enjoy yourself.
Along with serving some of the best Puerto Rican cuisine you’re going to find in Boston, this Cambridge spot has a back end that becomes a club at night. Plus, if you go there on a weekend, you can catch some stellar live music that will have you out of your seat and on the dance floor.
If you just want to try out some lobster rolls and clam chowder, you can just hit up Quincy Market downtown and roam around. They have about 15 different flavors of all that stuff. But if you’re looking for more of what the city has to offer, here are a few options.
Inside the Prudential building and a reliable crowd-pleaser for all those who love Italian food. Everything from fresh pasta to charcuterie under one roof, and the upstairs has a rooftop-style bar and restaurant with great drinks. If you’ve got a big group with different tastes, it’s hard to go wrong with that one.
My personal favorite—a versatile restaurant with soul food roots that samples recipes from around the world. It’s so small you might miss it as you drive through Upham’s Corner, but you’re not going to want to miss this food. It’s off the beaten path a little, but that’s part of what makes it such a gem. Best book your table well in advance, though: it fills up fast. When you’re in consideration for Michelin stars, that’s how it goes.
If you want tacos and don’t want to travel to East Boston to a spot like Taqueria Jalisco (which I would still recommend), Borrachito has you covered. This seaport spot is perfect for satisfying your late-night taco cravings. You can order at the front to go or head through the back door into the spacious dining area for a sit-down experience.
Welcome to Boston, and if you check out any of the spots on this list—tossing fake tea into the harbor, stumbling onto a Swan Boat, or booking that Comfort Kitchen table three weeks out like I told you to—tell me about it in the comments. And if the Red Sox happen to win while you’re in town, just know that’s not typical. Enjoy the World Cup!
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