Boston travel guide, by travel blogger Wandering the Gap

48 Hours in Boston Travel Guide | Weekend Trip to Boston Itinerary

January 30, 2026Leave a comment

My most recent solo adventure was a whirlwind weekend trip to Boston, and I’m here with a complete Boston travel guide so you can steal my itinerary! I have fond memories of visiting the city as a kid and have been dying to return, so I’m thrilled I finally got to make it happen. I spent two nights exploring (and eating) all the best Boston has to offer, and I’m sharing all the details of my trip so you can plan your own weekend getaway.

48 Hours in Boston Travel Guide

Day 1

8:30am – my flight landed at Boston Logan International Airport shortly before 8:30, and I headed over to the Logan Express pickup spot, which was clearly marked and easy to find. The shuttle runs every half hour, so I only had to wait a few minutes for the next one to arrive. After a 20-minute ride, I hopped off at the first stop for Stuart Street and walked a few blocks to my hotel.

Note: Logan Express rides from the airport to Back Bay are free.

9am – I arrived at the Hotel AKA Back Bay around 9 to drop my luggage and was pleasantly surprised to learn my room was ready. Since my flight was free with miles earned through my American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, I decided to splurge on my hotel. I booked it on my Amex Platinum Card and earned a $300 credit, as well as a complimentary room upgrade. The accommodations were modern, minimal, and spacious, with everything I needed for a comfortable weekend getaway.

9:30am – my 2:15am wakeup call was catching up to me, so the front desk clerk recommended Tatte Bakery for a pick-me-up. There, I grabbed a black sesame latte to enjoy on my way to the Boston Public Library. The Central Library location in Copley Square is absolutely stunning, with ornate architecture, murals, and sculptures. I spent about 20-30 minutes wandering around here and admiring the views.

10am – from the library, I made my way to Newbury Street, which is famous for its brownstones and luxury shopping. I ended up at the Public Garden, using it as a shortcut for my next destination.

10:15am – Beacon Hill Books & Cafe was a top recommendation for things to do in Boston, so I had to see it for myself. This charming shop is just as cute and cozy as it looks on social media, and thankfully, it wasn’t too busy. I browsed here for a little bit before meandering over to Acorn Street, a 19th-century cobblestone path lined with beautiful brick homes. There were still some Christmas decorations up, and the entire area was incredibly picturesque.

10:30am – from there, I walked to Boston Common and hopped on the Freedom Trail. The 2.5-mile-long route highlights 16 historic landmarks throughout the city. I would love to return and take a guided tour to learn more about each place, but I still had a great time seeing them on my own. The trail itself is denoted by a line of red brick (or paint, depending on the location), making it easy to follow. Here are all the sites I saw during my stroll:

Massachusetts State House
Park Street Church
Granary Burying Ground
King’s Chapel and Burying Ground
Old City Hall
Old South Meeting House
Old State House
Faneuil Hall + Quincy Market

11:30am – by mid-morning, I was starting to get hungry, so I popped into Boston Public Market for a mini apple cider donut from Red Apple Farm. It was the perfect little treat to refuel and continue walking.

12pm – next, I took a detour from the Freedom Trail to Boston Sail Loft. In my research to find the best clam chowder in Boston, this spot kept popping up. I can confirm it’s amazing! The soup was rich and creamy with hearty chunks of potato and clam and tons of dill—super delicious paired with a refreshing Southie Lager.

12:30pm – after my quick bite, I returned to the Freedom Trail to see the Paul Revere House and Old North Church, my northernmost destination for the day.

1pm – I started heading back south in the direction of my hotel, stopping at Parziale’s Bakery to pick up a pound of assorted cookies. I also got an Italian sub from Monica’s Mercato, located right around the corner, to enjoy for dinner later. Let me tell you, both eateries looked and smelled like absolute heaven!

1:15pm – since I was on a mission to try as much seafood in Boston as possible, I had to get some oysters at Union Oyster House. Fun fact: it’s America’s oldest restaurant, dating back to 1826. The complimentary cornbread was surprisingly tasty, and the raw oysters were the best I’ve ever had.

2pm – my feet were seriously starting to hurt at this point (I was already at almost 20,000 steps), so I made the trek back to my hotel to relax and refresh for a few hours.

4:30pm – one of the experiences I was most looking forward to on my Boston trip was a tour of the original Samuel Adams Brewery. It was only $15 and well worth the price, in my opinion. We spent about an hour learning about beer and how it’s made, the history of Sam Adams, and sampling some brews, of course! My favorite was the Cold Snap White Ale, but we also got to try some varieties that are exclusive to the brewery. At the end of the tour, you get a mini tasting glass—a great travel-friendly souvenir.

6pm – by 6, I was back in my hotel room, enjoying my Italian sub and taste-testing some cookies. Spoiler alert: everything was to die for.

7pm – I lounged for a bit before grabbing a drink at the hotel’s restaurant, The Berkeley. I got the La Mer, a tart yet sweet and refreshing cocktail with vodka and prosecco.

Pro tip: Since I booked the hotel through my Platinum Card, I earned a $100 credit to use onsite—meaning, all the food I ordered at The Berkeley was free!

8pm – I didn’t feel like turning in quite yet, so I walked to a nearby movie theater to see Primate, which was wildly over-the-top. Then, it was time to rest up before my next day of adventuring.

Day 2

8:30am – day two in Boston started with a room service breakfast. I ordered a glass of grapefruit juice and The Berkeley, a platter that comes with potatoes, eggs, your choice of bacon, sausage, or sauteed spinach, and sourdough toast. Nothing groundbreaking, but a solid meal nonetheless.

10:15am – my first stop of the day was the Harvard Art Museums. Located on the famed university’s Cambridge campus, the three museums are free to visit and feature an impressive collection of artwork and artifacts. It was snowing outside, so I took my time exploring everything for a few hours.

12pm – around noon, I left the museums to stroll around Harvard. The campus is gorgeous, and it was fun to imagine what life would be like as a student there. I soon arrived at Harvard Book Store, a shop that’s been open for almost a century and offers a wide array of new and used books.

12:30pm – while waiting for my Uber, I walked to Blank Street for a strawberry shortcake matcha. I went in blind with no expectations and was blown away by how delicious this drink was. It was very sweet, but the strawberry and matcha flavors combined perfectly—almost like drinking a slice of cake. I’m still dreaming of it!

1pm – I enjoyed the Italian cookies from Parziale’s so much that I decided to pick some up from Bova’s Bakery to compare. Don’t worry, I shared the love and brought them home to enjoy with my husband. I ended up liking these a smidge better than Parziale’s because they tasted a little fresher, and the 1-pound assortment had a greater variety of cookie types.

1:30pm – for lunch, I got a butter lobster roll from James Hook & Co. It was my first time trying a lobster roll, and while it was good, I didn’t love it. The flavor was excellent, but the lobster was slightly chewy, and the portion felt small for $36. Next time, I’ll have to try a mayo version from a different restaurant to compare.

4pm – I spent a few hours decompressing in my hotel before my next outing: the Mapparium at the Christian Science Plaza. The Mapparium is a three-story-tall, stained-glass globe from the 1930s that you can walk inside. During the 20-minute tour, we learned about the history of the globe and the Christian Science Monitor. It was a really cool experience, and the Mapparium was absolutely stunning.

Pro tip: Entry is free with a military ID.

5pm – since I was feeling peckish after the Mapparium tour, I ordered some masala fries from The Berkeley to enjoy in my hotel room. They were SO good—highly recommend!

7pm – I ended my Boston trip on a delicious note with dinner at SRV, an Italian eatery. The restaurant was incredibly cozy, and I was a big fan of the chic, low-key atmosphere. I started with the Delizia Turka, a gin-based cocktail, which was really unique and tasty.

For appetizers, I ordered the baccala mantecato (salted cod on black bread) and mozzarella in carozza (fried mozzarella with red pepper aioli). The cod was tender and flavorful, and the mozzarella was indulgent and of exceptional quality. My waiter also offered me a complimentary order of polpette (meatballs in tomato sauce with cheese) and bread since the kitchen was running a little behind. The meatballs were divine, and the bread was perfect for dipping in the leftover tomato sauce.

I opted for the guanciale and pea risotto as my entree, and it was truly life-changing. The risotto was expertly cooked with a dreamy combination of salt, cheese, and a hint of sweetness from the peas. I couldn’t finish it because it was so rich, but I loved every bite! Of course, I had to get an affogatto (ice cream topped with espresso) for dessert, and it was also heavenly.

Pro tip: I made my dinner reservation through Resy using my Platinum Card and got a $100 credit back, making my meal (almost) free.

Day 3

7:30am – after two very fun-filled days, it was time to make my way back home to North Carolina. That morning, I trekked through the snow with my luggage to take the Logan Express from Back Bay Station to the airport.

Note: Taking the Logan Express from Back Bay to BOS is $3, and you get a “ticket to skip” to go to the front of the airport security line—a great deal, in my opinion.

8am – the ride to BOS was quick and uneventful, and I got through airport security in no time at all. I grabbed a breakfast sandwich from Dunkin’ Donuts (when in Boston, right?), and waited for my plane to start boarding. Unfortunately, we were delayed a few hours due to the weather, but I ended up getting upgraded to Comfort+ (shoutout again to my Delta SkyMiles Gold card), which was a bonus.

3pm – landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport and drove home!

Boston definitely takes the cake as one of my favorite solo travel destinations. There’s so much to see and do, the city was easy to navigate, and I felt safe the entire weekend. I hope my Boston travel guide inspires you to plan a trip!

How I Spent 30 Hours in Washington DC

September 11, 20222 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to take a quick solo trip to Washington DC, and I ended up only spending about 30 hours in the city. Even though my trip was super short, I still got to see some incredible sights and do some top DC activities. Here’s exactly how I spent my 30 hours in Washington DC!
P.S. make sure to also check out my vlog from the trip right here!

Day One

8am – land in DC and hop on the metro
9am – get off at Capitol South station and walk over to the Capitol
9:20am – head over to the National Mall and walk over to Museum of Natural History
10-11am – explore the museum

11am – walk to National Archives Museum and check out the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence
11:20am – head over to the White House
11:40am – take some pictures of the White House
11:50am – Old Ebbitt Grill for lunch (don’t forget to check out my post about Everything I Ate in Washington DC)
12-12:45pm – lunch

1pm – check in to Sofitel
1-3:30pm – shower/nap in hotel
3:30pm – head to Museum of American History
3:45-4:45pm – explore the museum

4:45pm – walk to dinner at Oyamel
5-6pm – dinner

6pm – head to Dolcezza for dessert

6:30pm – walk back to hotel
6:45pm – in for the night!

Day Two

8:45am – Uber to Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown
9-10am – breakfast

10am – walk to Compass Coffee for a pumpkin spice latte

10:30am – Uber back to hotel and pack up
10:40am – hop on a scooter and head over to Lincoln Memorial
10:50am – explore the Lincoln Memorial

11am – head back to hotel
11:30am-12pm – relax in hotel
12pm – hop on the metro and head to the airport for 2pm flight

5 Tips for Taking Your First Solo Trip

June 12, 2022June 12, 20221 Comment

I’ve always considered myself fairly independent, and traveling solo is a huge extension of that. While I obviously love traveling with my husband, there are a lot of times that work or other outside circumstances make it easier for me to take trips alone. I honestly love traveling alone because you have complete flexibility and freedom as you plan and embark on your trip. I’ve undertaken a number of solo road trips (my most recent was to New Mexico – check out the vlog and blog), camping trips, and cross-country flights, and I’ve learned something new on each adventure. These are my 5 tips for taking your first solo trip!

Consider your destination – do you want to stay fairly close to home, or venture to an entirely different state (or country)? Doing a “staycation” somewhat close to home, or to a city you’ve visited before, is a great way to ease into solo travel. Having a sense of familiarity with your destination makes the whole process a lot less intimidating. If you have your heart set on solo-traveling to a completely new area, do some research into how “solo traveler-friendly” the destination is. A great way to do this is by joining social media groups related to solo travel!
Identify your intentions – maybe you want to solo travel to spend some time with yourself in solitude, or maybe you’re super social and plan to make friends along the way. Having an idea of your expectations and intentions when solo-traveling can help as you plan what to do and see on your trip. Some activites and areas are known for being great places to connect with others, while some destinations are perfect for those who want to keep to themselves. Thinking of what kind of solo-traveler you are makes a world of difference as you plan your trip.
Travel safe and smart – I could do a whole separate blog post on how to stay safe when traveling solo (let me know if you’d like to see that!) but a lot of it comes down to common sense. Some of the biggest ways to travel safe and smart are: tell one or two trusted contacts your itinerary before leaving on your trip, don’t tell strangers you’re traveling alone, and do research on unsafe areas at your destination to avoid. Also make sure to “fake it til you make it”, aka try to project confidence as much as possible, because if you’re looking really confused or lost, you could come across as an easy target. At the end of the day, solo travel should be a fun and rewarding experience, so set yourself up for success by taking the necessary precautions to stay safe so you can truly enjoy your trip.
Don’t feel awkward to do things alone – sure, some activities might be more geared towards couples, but you should never let anyone or anything make you feel awkward or inferior for doing things alone. Some of my favorite solo activities to do on my trips are going out to eat at a restaurant or cafe, going to the movies or a museum, browsing through some shops or local markets, and exploring a public park or hiking area. For some of these activities, I recommend bringing along a book or popping in your headphones to listen to a podcast/audiobook/music to keep you occupied. Besides, most people will be too focused on themselves to even notice you’re there alone, let alone waste time and energy on judging you for it!
Be open to new experiences – obviously, you want to keep your wits about you and not put yourself in a dangerous situation, but go into solo travel with an open mind and a willingness to try new things. Sometimes, the most unexpected adventures end up being the most memorable! Don’t be afraid to try new things, especially if it’s something that will help you learn more about and/or experience the local culture of your destination. This could be anything from trying a new food or activity to spending a whole day with a local guide or tour group doing something you wouldn’t have planned otherwise.

I hope you find these tips helpful as you plan your first solo trip! I’d love to talk more about this topic so please let me know if there’s anything specific you’re curious about or would like me to cover. Thanks for reading, and happy travels!