So you just moved to Boston and are still figuring out the area… but you wake up one morning and find out that a friend wants to visit you in less than a week! You’re in a time crunch and need to plan out an entire day to spend with them. But don’t worry! After living three months in Boston, I can help you plan out a fun day for your guests to enjoy!

Breakfast

Start off the day with brunch at the Breakfast Club. Located in Allston, its theme is based on the movie The Breakfast Club with pictures from the film lining the walls as the smell of coffee and pancakes fills the room. I had a fantastic breakfast with my housemates in this lovely 80s themed restaurant several weeks ago, and it made for a delicious and memorable meal. 

Morning activities

After a delicious breakfast, you can take a stroll along the Freedom Trail. This is a 2.5-mile trek featuring 16 historical sites in Boston from the past 250 years in America. On this trail you can look out for some of the following sites: 

Boston Commons:

The oldest public park in the US with over forty acres of land. The park used to hold several public displays and rallies such as the anti-Vietnam war and Civil Rights protests, one of which was even led by Dr. Martin Luther King himself!

Boston Latin School:

Founded in 1635, this is the oldest public school in the US. Five of the students who attended the school signed the Declaration of Independence, among whom was Benjamin Franklin. You can see a statue of him outside of the school! 

Old State House:

This is where tensions between the Bostonian and British troops eventually ended in British soldiers firing on a crowd leading to the death of five Bostonians. This conflict led to a series of events that eventually sparked America's independence from Britain. 

Lunch

As you walk along the Freedom Trail, you might find yourselves getting a little hungry. If this is the case, check out Quincy Market, also known as Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Your guests can enjoy classic Bostonian foods here, such as lobster rolls, clam chowder, and lobster mac-n-cheese. 

You can also check out one of Boston's many squares for an alternative lunch spot. One example is Boston Burger Company in Boston’s well known Davis Square, which is near Tufts University. They have unique burgers like the Artery Clogger and the Inferno Burger. They also have amazing milkshakes. 

Afternoon activities

After your lunch, you can try out a variety of activities to fill up the afternoon:

Kayaking at the Charles River 

Boston is known for its long winters. So while it’s still warm and sunny, I would highly recommend kayaking on the Charles River. You and a group can get an excellent deal for up to two hours. 

Lawn on the D 

This is a free park with one of Boston’s most instagrammable sights: glow-in-the-dark swings! They also have ping pong, corn hole, chess, and nice food from several visiting Boston restaurants such as Jack’s Coal Fired Pizza.

Dinner

Spring Shabu Shabu is a must-have for dinner. It’s a Japanese shabu shabu restaurant found in the Brington neighborhood. Many people love this restaurant for its all-you-can-eat sides, matcha soft-serve, and meat platters with a personal-sized pot of warm broth. This restaurant is the perfect chance to relax, chat, and unwind over some flavorful shabu shabu.

Fenway Park 

Fenway Park is a Major League Baseball Park home to the famous Boston Red Sox. Even if you're not into baseball, it can just be a good bonding time as you dance, sing, and laugh over the energetic atmosphere and lively music. You won’t want to miss one of America’s classics!

Dessert

If you're like me, you have to end the night with a little something sweet. Luckily for us, Boston is rich in frozen desserts: for ice cream, I would check out JP Licks or Toscanini’s. Amorino's is also a great option as they serve organic Italian gelato with many flavors being vegan as well. 

Hopefully you and your guest will have a fun and memorable day together in Boston. Look out for a future “Guide to Boston, SNOW edition” as we get closer to the winter months!!