Explore the historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill. This area of town is beautiful, with narrow streets, brick sidewalks lit by gas lights, row houses with beautiful doors and brass knockers, hidden gardens, decorative ironwork throughout, colonial revival homes from the early 20th century and other elements that harken from neighborhoods of the past. Beacon Hill draws plenty of attention for its looks but the neighborhood also offers unique shops and some of the city's best restaurants, along with other businesses and attractions.
If you'd rather have your nose stuck in a book than do anything else, then the Boston Book Festival is an event just for you – but you'll have to put down what you're reading to get there. The festival features live book readings, lectures and open discussions with professional authors, and of course, books! Food and fun are also a part of the event so count yourself in on the Boston Book Festival.
The Boston Athenaeum has deep roots in the city's history. Founded in 1807, the athenaeum is one of the country's oldest independent libraries and is home to over 600,000 volumes. This renowned cultural institution also boasts an impressive fine art collection. Explore the building's attractions on your own or opt for a 60 minute tour.
Spend some time hanging out in the country's oldest park. The 50-acre Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace park system and is the starting place of the famous Freedom Trail. There are quite a few monuments throughout the park, and several outdoor events take place in the Common throughout the year.