Boston Cruises 2023/2024

Boston Travel Guide

Boston Cruises Things To Do

• 
  Watch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park

  The Boston Red Sox is the city's most popular Major League Baseball (MLB) sports team. They're part of the American League East Division and have been lucky enough to win the World Series championship nine times. Their most recent win was in 2018. They play at Fenway Park, the oldest MLB stadium still in use today. It was built in 1912 and holds around 38,000 people. Seeing a game during your trip to Boston is essential because Bostonians take their sports seriously! If you're not interested in seeing the game firsthand, try visiting one of the local sports bars.

  You Should Know

  Though you can purchase tickets well in advance to ensure admittance, consider checking ticket prices right before the game starts. Sometimes tickets can cost as low as $15.  
• 
  Visit Seaport

  Boston Seaport is an area of the city which has very recently started to grow more. New buildings and shopping areas have made this one of the trendiest areas of Boston. This area is filled with artists, culture, innovation, and amazing views of the city skyline. Some of the most fun places to explore in Seaport include the Boston Harbor Walk, the Lawn on D, and the Children's Wharf Park. Be sure to see what musicians are playing at the Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion, one of Boston's best performance centers.

  You Should Know

  It can be a bit difficult to get to Seaport. To take the MBTA, make your way to the Silver bus line or consider taking a commuter boat or water taxi. You could also consider renting a Blue Bike, Boston's bike rental system.  
• 
  Explore the Boston Public Library

  The Boston Public Library (BPL) is located right next to Copley Square. It's the oldest public library in the United States, as it was first established back in 1848. New additions were added at the end of the 20th century, which made the library larger than it originally was.   The library is fully opened to the public and is filled with so many books and artifacts. Even if you don't plan on borrowing any library books, it's worth visiting the inside of the BPL to see the fantastic architecture. The grand staircase at the entrance facing Copley Square is one of the most picturesque spots in Boston.

  You Should Know

  The BPL has shortened hours on Sunday and elongated hours on Monday and Thursday. There are many other BPL branches throughout the city, but none are as illustrious as the Central Library.  
• 
  Walk along the Freedom Trail

  Boston's 2.5-mile Freedom Trail is a historic walking path that brings visitors to 16 of the most important and iconic locations related to U.S. history. Some of the sights include the Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House, the Granary Burying Ground, and Faneuil Hall.   Most sights along the trail date back to the 17th century. More than 4 million people walk the Freedom Trail annually, so try to walk it earlier to avoid all of the crowds.

  You Should Know

  There are many different walking tours of the area, but to save money, an excellent place for relaxation and public events held for the city, you can also walk the trail yourself. Try to grab a Freedom Trail guide so that you can easily follow along on your own.
• 
  Relax in the Boston Common

  The Boston Common is America's oldest public park covering 50 acres of land. Historically, it served as a camp for the British right before the Revolution. Now, it's an excellent place for relaxation and public events held for the city. There are many benches around the park that make it the perfect place for people watching or picnicking. If you're lucky enough to visit in the winter, this is also where the famous Frog Pond ice rink is located. Anyone is welcome to ice skate for a small fee.

  Best Time To Visit

  The Boston Common gets quite busy during the afternoon. Opt to visit earlier in the morning to avoid the crowds and see it while it's almost empty.  
• 
  Shop along Newbury Street

  Newbury Street is a famous shopping road covering 5,249 feet. It is one of Boston's oldest streets, dating back to the 17th century. The buildings along Newbury Street are beautiful historic brownstones that make for a very historic and picturesque scene in Boston's Back Bay. This street was mainly residential until the 1950s when it started to change into the shopping street that it is today. Along Newbury Street are many popular retail stores, including Nike and Brooks Brothers, but there are also more local shops such as Newbury Comics.

  You Should Know

  There isn't a lot of public transportation along Newbury Street. Wear good walking shoes and plan to walk a lot. This is the perfect place to watch the Boston Marathon because it's right around the corner from the finish line.  
• 
  Taste Italian pastries in the North End

  The North End is commonly referred to as Boston's "Little Italy." It's the oldest residential neighborhood in the whole city, dating back to 1646. Before long, it was the most fashionable and iconic place to live. Today, the North End is home to all of the best local Italian restaurants and bakeries in Boston. Mike's Pastry, Bova's Bakery, and Modern Pastry are considered the best places to purchase tiramisu and cannolis. The best restaurants include Giacomo's and Carmelina's.

  You Should Know

  Most of the bakeries (and some of the restaurants) are cash-only. Try to visit an ATM if you don't usually carry cash. To eat at a North End restaurant, you'll have to make reservations a few weeks in advance.  
• 
  Eat lots of food at Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall

  Quincy Market first opened back in 1826 as a marketplace for produce. Today, it's filled with rows of vendors selling everything from Boston souvenirs to amazing food like clam chowder and Boston creme donuts. No matter what kind of food you like to eat, you'll find it here.   There's also lots of other shopping to do since there are stores, including Christmas in Boston, Abercrombie & Fitch, and more. There's a great mix of local shops and larger department stores.

  Best Time To Visit

  To go here to eat, visit either right before lunch (around 11 a.m.) or right after (around 2:30 p.m.) to avoid the crowds. Come to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall during the winter to see Boston's towering Christmas tree.  
• 
  See Boston from above at the Skywalk Observatory

  The Prudential Center (or the Pru as locals call it) is one of the tallest buildings in Boston, standing at around 730 feet! The top of the building is the Skywalk Observatory, which gives one of the best views of the whole city. There are different exhibits at the top that visitors are welcome to explore to learn more about the city's history. To get to the top, you just have to hop on the elevator inside the Pru!

  You Should Know

  You can save money on tickets by purchasing either a Go Boston Card or a Boston CityPASS. These cards will also give you access to many of the other top sights. Consider visiting at night to see the city all lit up.  
• 
  Peruse artifacts at the Museum of Fine Arts

  The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is one of the world's most prominent art museums. It first opened in 1870 and holds around half a million different artifacts, relics, and pieces of art. The museum is large and can be explored in at least a half-day, typically longer. The inside of the museum is split into periods, making it easy to locate specific historical eras. Be sure to grab a map at the entrance so that you don't get lost. In addition to its permanent exhibits, there are lots of exhibits on rotation throughout the year.

  Best Time To Visit

  Wednesdays after 4 p.m., visitors are welcome to enter the MFA for free.  

Boston Cruise Packages

• Spring and Fall - September to November and March to May - Shoulder Season

  Springtime averages 47°F, and fall averages 56°F. It rains the most during the spring months, but it's not that bad. This is the best time to visit to see flowers in bloom and fall foliage.

• Summer - June to August - High Season

  The summer months are the most popular time to visit Boston. The temperature averages around 73°F in the summer. Most of the city's fun festivals are held during the summer months.

• Winter - December to February - Low Season

  Boston is least busy in the wintertime. These are the months that college students are home for winter break, so the city life slows down. The city receives a lot of snow, and it usually averages a temperature of 36°F.

Boston Cruises Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Boston cruises?

  Boston cruises are the perfect way to explore areas including Canada, Bermuda, the northeast, and more. Each cruise lasts between five to eleven days and has differing stops depending on the cruise. Some cruises stop more often than others, so be sure to do research on the different options before booking!

• What’s included on a Boston cruise?

  Each Boston cruise comes with accommodation, multiple stops at varying locations, dining options, entertainment, swimming pools, and more. Every cruise ship has different accommodation options and things to do. For example, you'll find that some cruise options even have casinos and libraries. Taking a Boston cruise is the best way to travel to a lot of places in just a little bit of time. By the end of your trip, you'd have explored many places, some of which are even in different countries than the United States! Plus, you'd have relaxed and refreshed at sea on the travel days in between.

• What’s the best Boston cruise?

  The best Boston cruise for you really depends on your price range and where you're interested in exploring. Want to end up in Bermuda? Then check out the Norwegian cruises. Interested in traveling to Canada? Then a Holland America cruise might be perfect for you!   Our cruise specialists are always available to talk with you and help you find the cruise that is best suited for your needs and interests. Feel free to call us at 1-800-627-3753 to receive help with choosing the best cruise today!

• How much do Boston cruises cost?

  The Boston cruises all range in prices, starting at as little as $75 a day for some of our options. Luckily for you, Affordable Tours is always here to help you receive the best deal possible when booking and we often have discounts and promotions going on for most of our cruises. Oftentimes, you can find a cruise for a lot cheaper!