Readers Say

What Boston.com readers would do with 24 hours in Boston

Hint: Many readers would head to the North End.

Laura Mangone, Esmeralda Muhaj, and Adela Achim share a laugh outside Caffe Paradiso on Hanover Street in the North End in 2020. Craig F. Walker / The Boston Globe

By Kristi Palma

August 24, 2021

When we asked Boston.com readers what they would do during a 24-hour stay in Boston, more than 1,000 readers responded and they had plenty to say.

“Eat my way through the North End,” wrote Joe Clemente. It seems many readers agreed, as the North End was mentioned frequently for its Italian restaurants and pastry shops.

But there are plenty of other areas of the city readers wouldn’t want to miss during a quick trip.

“Hop on the ferry and head out to the Boston Harbor Islands!” wrote Beth from South Boston. “There is no better place in the city for a picnic or a hike. You might even get to see a mommy duck teach her babies how to swim!”

The following are reader recommendations for must-see restaurants and attractions while visiting Boston — including a map of all locations below.

Sonsie in Boston, which offers tables facing Newbury Street and floor-to-ceiling windows that open during the warm months. *– The Boston Globe/Wendy Maeda*

Where to eat and drink

Beantown Pub
Bistro Du Midi
Bleacher Bar
Bova’s Bakery
Caffe Paradiso
Cheers
Chinatown restaurants
Coogan’s
Davio’s
Dillion’s
Dunkin’
Eataly
Flour
Galleria Umberto
Giacomo’s
Grill 23 & Bar
Harpoon Brewery
J.P. Lick’s
Legal Sea Foods
Lookout Rooftop and Bar
Matcha Cafe Maiko
Mike and Patty’s
Mike’s Pastry
Modern Pastry
Neptune Oyster
North End for dinner
Quincy Market
Regina’s Pizza
Rosa Mexicano
Sam Lagrassa
Samuel Adams Brewery
Santarpio’s Pizza
Seaport restaurants
Sonsie
South Street Diner
Sullivan’s Castle Island
Tia’s
Union Oyster House
Yard House
Yvonne’s

The Boston Public Garden Foot Bridge. – Lane Turner/Globe Staff

Outdoor adventures

Arnold Arboretum
Beacon Hill
Boston Common
Boston Duck Tours
Boston Harbor City Cruises
Boston Harbor Islands
Boston Public Library courtyard
Boston Water Taxi
Castle Island
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
Emerald Necklace
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Fan Pier Park
Fenway Park tour
Freedom Trail
Granary Burying Ground
Greenway Carousel
Hatch Shell
King’s Chapel Burying Ground
Public Garden
Newbury Street
North End
USS Constitution
Red Sox game at Fenway Park
Rose Kennedy Greenway
Sail on the Charles River
Spectacle Island
Swan Boats
The Esplanade

The Paul Revere House in the North End. *– Matt Juul for Boston.com*

Indoor adventures

Arlington Street Church tour
Bell in Hand Tavern
Boston Children’s Museum
Boston Harbor Hotel
Boston Public Library
Boston Public Market
Brattle Book Shop
Bruins game at TD Garden
Celtics game at TD Garden
Copley Place
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Mapparium at The Mary Baker Eddy Library
Marriott Long Wharf
Museum of African American History
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Museum of Science
Newbury Comics
New England Aquarium
Nuggets
Old City Hall
Old North Church
Omni Parker House
Paul Revere House
Symphony Hall
Ride the T
The Institute of Contemporary Art

Some readers offered a full itinerary.

“Brunch on Newbury Street, walk through Public Garden, visit Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, walk along the seaport, afternoon cruise in the Harbor, and finish with seafood dinner,” wrote Elizabeth from Medford.

“I spent a day in Boston and walked the Freedom trail and saw the Boston Red Sox beat the Yankees at Fenway,” wrote Jay Bernadt from Nebraska.

“So many things to do in the most beautiful city,” wrote Ned Tabikha. “Love Boston.”

Responses lightly edited for clarity.