Lifestyle in Boston

Boston’s warm and friendly atmosphere will make you feel right at home. People of all persuasions find that the lifestyle in Boston offers attractions to suit all tastes. From shopping, exciting nightlife and world-class sporting facilities to a fabulous variety of restaurants, you won’t be at a loss for things to do in Boston.

Shopping in Boston

If you’re in need of some retail therapy, you’ll enjoy perusing Boston’s shopping districts and many boutiques, department stores, malls and outlets. Many local goods can be found at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, while other well-known shopping areas include the affluent Newbury Street and Beacon Hill, which is known for its antiquities.

Eating out in Boston

Eating out in Boston means you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can pick and choose from a diverse array of cuisines from countless restaurants across the city. With a large Irish community, it’s not difficult to find fantastic Irish fare in the city’s many Irish pubs. There are also many Italian restaurants to try out, along with countless Asian and other ethnic restaurants. Local cuisine consists of seafood from the New England coast, such as clam chowder and lobster. Burger and takeaway joints are common, and the city has a thriving food truck scene.

Entertainment and nightlife in Boston

While most Bostonians prefer more relaxed evenings, the city’s large student population enjoys nights out on the town, and bar hopping is popular. Lansdowne Street near Fenway Park is a popular gathering spot with sports bars and pubs, particularly on game days.

Boston’s arts scene is also well worth sampling. The Theatre District is home to an array of theatres with regular performances to rival New York’s Broadway. As there are many restaurants in the area, you can enjoy a full night out of theatre and dining. Cambridge and Watertown, just outside Boston, also boast many theatrical productions, while the Boston Common hosts open-air productions during the summer months.

Outdoor and sporting activities in Boston

Boston is a sports-mad city, home to several major league sporting teams, including the Boston Red Sox baseball team and the New England Patriots football team. Bostonians are passionate about supporting their teams during major games.

You can also enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle in the warmer months thanks to Boston’s many public parks. Boston Common is the oldest city park in the US and sits adjacent to the equally famous Public Garden. Other green spaces ideal for exploration with the whole family include the Charles River Esplanade, Jamaica Pond and the Arnold Arboretum.

Summer in Boston

See and do in Boston

With one of the country’s highest concentrations of national historic landmarks, Boston has plenty of attractions to visit. It’s a city of many American ‘firsts’, with the city having established the first American subway system, public health department, public school, public park, and free municipal library. But apart from its many historical attractions, the city is also blessed with lush parks, hiking trails and interesting museums.

Below are some of the best things to see and do in Boston.

Boston Public Garden

The Boston Public Garden is a tranquil park famed as the country’s first public botanical garden. Situated in the heart of Boston, it forms part of the city’s famed ‘Emerald Necklace’ of parks. The garden offers scenic walking routes and swan boat rides on the pond.

Museum of Fine Arts

A beautiful building in its own right, the Museum of Fine Arts houses nearly 450,000 artworks by some of the world’s most renowned artists in history, including Manet, Degas and Van Gogh.

Black Heritage Trail

As Massachusetts was among the first states to abolish slavery in 1783, Boston developed a strong abolitionist Black community primarily made up of freed and escaped enslaved people. The Black Heritage Trail meanders past more than 15 sites that illustrate local Black history, including museums, meeting places, and the homes of important figures in the emancipation struggle.

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

This interactive, family-friendly attraction allows you to learn about and re-enact the Boston Tea Party, a 1773 demonstration by a group of American revolutionaries. These revolutionaries stormed British ships carrying tea and threw their cargo overboard as a protest against unfair taxation. This event was critical to the start of the War of Independence.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

The Faneuil Hall Marketplace has been in operation since the 18th century and features designer stores, restaurants, cafés, stalls, and even performing entertainers such as jugglers, mimes and musicians.

Meeting people and making friends in Boston

Meeting people and making friends in Boston is easier than you might think. The city has an active social scene centred on shared interests, whether sports leagues, outdoor activities, cultural events or dining groups. Meetup.com is particularly popular here, with groups covering a wide range of activities, including hiking, kayaking, professional networking, language exchange, and more.

Volunteering offers another excellent way to meet people. Boston Cares, New England’s largest volunteer agency, places thousands of volunteers annually across more than 150 local organisations. You’ll find opportunities ranging from working with children to supporting food banks and animal shelters, all designed to fit your schedule.

Useful links

• Meetup Boston
• Boston Cares
• BostonYPA: Young professionals networking and events
• VolunteerMatch Boston