Boston: Easy Access from the South Shore
One of the best parts of living on the South Shore is how close you are to Boston.
On a good traffic day, we can be at Logan Airport in about 30 minutes. Other towns can get there even faster. Dinner in the North End? A show in the Theater District? A walk along the Harbor? All completely doable without a hotel stay.
Of course, you should walk the Freedom Trail, visit Faneuil Hall, and explore the North End.
But this post is about a few spots beyond the obvious musts.
Harvard University Campus Tour (Cambridge)
Ben rubbing the left foot learn about why on the tour:)
Even though we live close enough to pop into Harvard Square anytime, taking the official one-hour Harvard University student-led tour was completely worth it.
A current student walks you through Harvard Yard and shares:
• The university’s 1636 founding history
• Student life today
• Famous alumni stories
• Traditions you wouldn’t otherwise know
And yes, you’ll learn that the John Harvard statue isn’t actually John Harvard (and that the “lucky” left foot has a reputation that college kids contribute to… I’ll let the tour guide tell that story). My youngest son insisted on rubbing the foot. If you must rub it, bring hand sanitizer.
WNDR Museum (Downtown Crossing)
WNDR (yes, it stands for “Wonder”) is an interactive art experience perfect for teens and kids.
You’re in and out in about an hour, and it’s visually fun without being overwhelming. Bonus: Raising Cane’s is across the street, which, if you have kids, somehow becomes part of the outing.
Museum of Illusions (Faneuil Hall Area)
A quick and entertaining stop. Expect visual tricks, perspective rooms, and interactive exhibits.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Fenway)
This one isn’t new, but it’s unforgettable.
Pro tip: Do some homework before you go. We listened to the audiobook The Gardner Heist and watched the Netflix series This Is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist before visiting. Knowing the story behind the stolen artwork makes seeing the empty frames all the more powerful.
Fun fact: The museum was designed to permanently display Isabella’s personal collection exactly as she arranged it.
Parking tip: Park at the Simmons University garage the museum validates your ticket.
Arnold Arboretum (Jamaica Plain)
About 3 miles from the Gardner Museum is the Arnold Arboretum, part of Harvard University.
Beautiful year-round, but in the spring the lilacs are especially beautiful. Wide walking paths, open space, and incredible plant collections.
Photo by Valeria Bold on Unsplash
Boston Public Library (Copley Square)
It may seem obvious, but it’s worth lingering here.
The Boston Public Library was the first large free municipal public library in the United States and the first to lend books to the public.
The courtyard is stunning. The Bates Hall reading room feels like something out of Europe. And if you go after the Boston Marathon, you can still see race markings along Boylston Street.
Christian Science Plaza & The Mapparium
The Christian Science Plaza is beautiful from the outside, but go inside to see the Mapparium.
It’s a three-story stained-glass globe you walk through, offering a unique view of the world as it was politically mapped in 1935. No photos are allowed, but it’s worth the visit.
While you’re there, take a walk along the Southwest Corridor Park, a quieter pedestrian path many people don’t know about.
Markets:
Snowport, Seaport gets most of the attention during the holidays. But the Seaport doesn’t stop there. From late spring through early fall, the Seaport Summer Market brings back outdoor vendors, local makers, and food options in the same area.
SoWa Open Market in the South End is another favorite. From May through October, it runs primarily on Sundays and features local artists, food trucks, vintage vendors, and live music.
And in the winter? SoWa’s Winter Festival is awesome. It moves indoors and feels more curated and cozy, with local artisans, handmade goods, seasonal food, and a much more relaxed vibe than Snowport.
The key, no matter which one you visit or what time of year, is to arrive right when it opens. It gets busy fast.
View Boston (Prudential Center)
View Boston from the top of the Prudential Center.
It does a beautiful job highlighting the city’s history while offering panoramic views. It’s modern, well-designed, and surprisingly interactive.
Living on the South Shore gives you the perfect balance of coastal towns, space, and community, with one of the most historic and dynamic cities in the country just minutes away.