How to Spend a Long Layover in Boston

Long layovers are my favorite, or, at least the long layovers that allow you time to explore a cool destination. Enter Boston. While this wasn’t my first visit to Boston, it was easily my shortest visit. I enjoyed a 9-hour layover in this historic city with a few ideas in mind and an adventurous spirit. Here’s how I spent a perfect Saturday afternoon in one of the oldest cities in America.

Take the water taxi! My first and favorite decision I made that day was to take the water taxi from the airport to the city. The quick and cheap 15-minute ride provided a glorious view of the city as well as luggage storage for the day. Don’t waste your precious layover time in a boring, basic taxi. The water taxi is the way to go!

Explore Downtown including the Old State House, the Old South Meeting House, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Downtown has several interesting sights, museums, and significant and historical buildings.

Experience history first-hand via the Freedom Trail, making stops at the Old North Church and Paul Revere’s House.

Wander through the North End, Boston’s Italian neighborhood and home to some of the oldest gravesites in the United States.

Relax in Boston Common, a nearly 50-acre urban park that hosted British troops during the American Revolution.

Stop into the numerous Irish pubs in town, like Emmet’s Irish Pub, located next to Boston Common and don’t leave without grabbing a bowl of chowder (chow-da)! Union Oyster House is a classic stop but you can find this dish in just about any restaurant or pub in the city.

During my layover, I chose to remain mostly in the downtown neighborhood of Boston, but there is much more to see and do like Newberry Street and Fenway. It’s an easy destination to spend the day! Any other must-dos for a layover in Boston? Feel free to share in the comments below!