Head to Spectacle Island for some fun and recreation in the sun. From hiking and biking to swimming and boating, there's a variety of things you can do here that will get your blood pumping. Before or after your workout, stop by the visitor center to explore exhibits about the island's history and development. You can also get a great look at the city from the hilltop.
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.
Enjoy the natural beauty of the area at Arnold Arboretum. The arboretum is part of Boston's Emerald Necklace park system, and at 265 acres, it's the second largest part of the “necklace”. Throughout the park, you'll see a variety of plant species and animals like turtles, racoons, white-tailed deer, squirrels, and a variety of birds and insects. There are a number of tours to choose from, leaving you with plenty of options for exploring this outdoor destination.
The Old State House is where The Declaration of Independence was born – the stand for American freedom began here. This important civic building was used as the first state house for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts after the American Revolution was won, and was later utilized as the home for a number of other services like city hall and post office. The Old State House has been a museum dedicated to early Boston and American history since 1881.