How to Spend a Perfect 48 Hours in Boston
A bon vivant's itinerary of the historic city's best experiences and eats.
joe daniel priceGetty Images
Welcome to the VERANDA Weekend Guides, where we show you how to make the most of 48 hours in our favorite destinations. This getaway is all about history, horticulture, and heavenly meals you won't soon forget in the nearly 400-year-old city of Boston.
Make sure to pack your favorite pair of walking shoes because we'll be exploring some of the city's best neighborhoods, parks, and gardens by foot. You'll also want to save plenty of room in your suitcase for exciting new finds from its famed shopping districts. Prepare to fall in love with this charming, historic city if you haven't already.
JAMES BAIGRIE
We're kicking off the weekend with a stay at The Whitney, a luxury hotel housed in a historic redbrick building in Beacon Hill. The hotel's prime location on Charles Street also means there are some one-of-a-kind amenities to help you make the most of your stay.
Make sure to book the Art Lover's Package, which includes complimentary passes to Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and a welcome gift from the institution, or the Shopping Package, which includes access to the hotel's exclusive Neighborhood Passkey Program (think: special discounts and experiences), plus, a welcome gift of wine and chocolates from Beacon Hill Chocolates across the street. Foodies will be starstruck by the building next door to the hotel, Savenor's, which was Julia Child's favorite butcher and specialty foods store when she lived in Boston.
John PiekosGetty Images
Head across the river to Cambridge to enjoy a taste of the Harvard life. Your first stop is the Harvard Art Museums collective, which features pieces from nearly every period of art history in structures that were redesigned by Renzo Piano in 2014.
From there, follow along Harvard Yard to Harvard Book Store, the iconic independent bookseller, where you're sure to discover a new favorite read or two before dinner at one of Chef Michael Scelfo's acclaimed restaurants: Waypoint, the hip raw bar with coastal-inspired fare or Alden & Harlow, the highly-acclaimed establishment with a rustic yet eclectic menu. Wrap up your evening by catching a classic, cult, or indie film down the street at the 19th-century Brattle Theatre.
The best part about waking up at The Whitney is that there is so much to see and do right outside your door. Grab a fabulous latte and toast on house-made bread at Peregrine, the hotel's beloved restaurant before taking a quick morning jaunt to Acorn Street. Considered one of the most scenic streets in America, this cobblestone-lined path is lined with charming homes that date back as early as the late 18th century.
Afterwards, it's time to peruse the charming shops along Charles Street as they open for the day. Ouimille is an editor-favorite boutique for chic, colorful threads from Northern Europe and local designers while December Thieves offers apparel, home goods, and accessories with just the right amount of edge.
Boston GlobeGetty Images
All that shopping can really work up an appetite, and one of our favorite ways to satisfy our hunger in Boston is with a lunch full of produce-forward dishes and pastries from Tatte Bakery & Cafe. There are multiple locations around Boston, and you'll want to hit either the cafe at the end of Charles Street or on Huntingdon Avenue, as the latter is around the corner from the afternoon's attractions.
Just off Forsyth Park on The Emerald Necklace Conservancy lies Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, home to 500,000 works of art spanning from Ancient Egyptian pieces to contemporary paintings. Your next stop is at the nearby Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a stunning manse inspired by 15th-century Venetian architecture housing a world-class art collection and swoon-worthy gardens.
If you still have the energy, don't miss the rest of the lush Emerald Necklace, particularly the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden and The Fenway Victory Gardens, the latter being the last remaining World War II victory garden that now spans 7.5 acres full of flowers and produce.
The Langham Boston
You've earned it: it's time to check into The Langham, Boston in the former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, a downtown icon, and relax a bit. The interiors are rooted in classic American luxury and the hotel's new destination bar, The Fed, is a charming British-style pub with an elevated New England twist. Grab a cocktail made with house-made gin or single-barrel rye before hitting the town.
Even if Yvonne's wasn't nearby, we'd still suggest you dine as this ultra-glam restaurant and supper club for your last night out. It's a speakeasy, so it's easy to miss right behind the faux hair salon facade, but once you enter, it's time unwind and indulge in the decadence. From the cocktails to the social plates to the award-winning wine menu and fabulous desserts, everything is impeccable and celebratory.
Shobeir AnsariGetty Images
Sleep in—you deserve it! Enjoy a slow morning at The Langham before exploring Boston Common and Public Garden. These verdant spaces are icons of the city, as Boston Common is the oldest city park in the U.S. and the public garden (along with one of its benches) was immortalized in Good Will Hunting. Just off the garden lies Bistro du Midi, a stylish cafe that blends cuisine from the South of France with New England fare that serves a fabulous brunch.
If you're fortunate enough to have some extra time before the trek home, take an hour or two to wander down Newbury Street just around the corner from Bistro du Midi. Home to historic townhouses, fabulous shopping, and enchanting city views, it's an excellent place to close out an idyllic weekend in this New England city.
A Perfect Weekend in Hudson Valley
A Perfect Weekend in Newport
A Perfect 48 Hours in Dallas, Texas
48 Hours in Nantucket With Tuckernuck's Founder
A Perfect Weekend in Palm Beach