Local Interest
Don't feel like running? There a number of alternate ways to see the city. RunBoston recommends the following tour companies:
By Duck: See Boston from the comfort of a "duckboat", a World War II -style amphibious landing vehicle. You'll cruise the streets of Boston and "swim" along the Charles, while learning the history of one of America's oldest cities. We recommend these tours for families, as kids are often often given a chance to drive the duck in the Charles. More information is available here.
By Foot: Walk the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red-brick walking trail that winds through Boston, leading visitors to 16 historic sites, including Bunker Hill, Boston Harbor, the State House, and the Old North Church. Choose from one of two 90-minute tours: Walk Into History or North End/Pirates, Privateers & Patriots.
By Trolley: See Boston from the comfort of an Old Town Trolley car. Trolleys offer the chance to get on and off the car at multiple sites, including Fenway Park, Faneuil Hall, Bunker Hill, the USS Constitution, and a number of other spots of interest. Multiple-day passes are also available.
Our personal favorite parts of Boston:
The Boston Public Library, founded in 1848, was one of the first free municipal libraries in the United States. Not only is the library a great place to pick up one of over six million books, it is also a lovely building--the "old" part of the library includes beautiful works of art: grand staircases, sculptures, and murals. Hour-long tours are open to the public. See www.bpl.org for more information and tour days and times.
On your way out of the library, don't forget to check out the Boston Marathon Finish Line, in front of the main entrance to the library. Every April brings 20,000+ runners down Boylston Street to the the historic finish line.
Across the street, you'll find Marathon Sports, one of Boston's premier running stores. Another option, though is to head down to the Bill Rodgers Running Center in Faneuil Hall, owned and operated by the marathon legend and his brother Charlie. The store offers official Boston Marathon gear, and an ambience that shouldn't be missed by any runner.
On Fridays and Saturdays, take a walk down near the Garden, home of the Celtics and Bruins, and into Haymarket, Boston's year-round open-air market. You're sure to see the founder of RunBoston there, picking up bag after bag of fresh fruit and veggies!
Hungry for something a little more filling? Head over the Interstate from Haymarket to the North End for a taste of Italy. Stroll down Hanover Street, and into one of dozens of fabulous Italian eateries. Duck out of a restaurant and into a coffee shop, where you should be sure to indulge in a cannoli and cappuccino. You can also stop at the famous Mike's Pastry, and grab a box of goodies for the road.
All this touring is bound to make even the most stalwart of souls tired--and thirsty. If you're looking for a great place to stop for a cold brew, we suggest Bukowski's, where uncertain guests can spin the "Wheel of Beer" while discussing great literary works and their deceased creators. In the Cambridge and Kendall Square areas, we also recommend the Irish pubs Tommy Doyle's and The Burren, where you can grab a Guinness or a Sam on tap.
While in Cambridge, swing through Harvard Square, where you can dodge the elite collegiates and pan flute bands while popping in and out of an assortment of shops and eateries. Be sure to stop into Lululemon and pick up some sleek running schwag while you’re there.
The RunBoston guides love to run in the woods. For those runners who want to check out a scenic run outside of the city, we suggest the Blue Hills Reservation, south of the city, and the Middlesex Fells, north of Boston.
Interested in running a race in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Vermont? Check out those Active.com links...
Don't feel like running? There a number of alternate ways to see the city. RunBoston recommends the following tour companies:
By Duck: See Boston from the comfort of a "duckboat", a World War II -style amphibious landing vehicle. You'll cruise the streets of Boston and "swim" along the Charles, while learning the history of one of America's oldest cities. We recommend these tours for families, as kids are often often given a chance to drive the duck in the Charles. More information is available here.
By Foot: Walk the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red-brick walking trail that winds through Boston, leading visitors to 16 historic sites, including Bunker Hill, Boston Harbor, the State House, and the Old North Church. Choose from one of two 90-minute tours: Walk Into History or North End/Pirates, Privateers & Patriots.
By Trolley: See Boston from the comfort of an Old Town Trolley car. Trolleys offer the chance to get on and off the car at multiple sites, including Fenway Park, Faneuil Hall, Bunker Hill, the USS Constitution, and a number of other spots of interest. Multiple-day passes are also available.
Our personal favorite parts of Boston:
The Boston Public Library, founded in 1848, was one of the first free municipal libraries in the United States. Not only is the library a great place to pick up one of over six million books, it is also a lovely building--the "old" part of the library includes beautiful works of art: grand staircases, sculptures, and murals. Hour-long tours are open to the public. See www.bpl.org for more information and tour days and times.
On your way out of the library, don't forget to check out the Boston Marathon Finish Line, in front of the main entrance to the library. Every April brings 20,000+ runners down Boylston Street to the the historic finish line.
Across the street, you'll find Marathon Sports, one of Boston's premier running stores. Another option, though is to head down to the Bill Rodgers Running Center in Faneuil Hall, owned and operated by the marathon legend and his brother Charlie. The store offers official Boston Marathon gear, and an ambience that shouldn't be missed by any runner.
On Fridays and Saturdays, take a walk down near the Garden, home of the Celtics and Bruins, and into Haymarket, Boston's year-round open-air market. You're sure to see the founder of RunBoston there, picking up bag after bag of fresh fruit and veggies!
Hungry for something a little more filling? Head over the Interstate from Haymarket to the North End for a taste of Italy. Stroll down Hanover Street, and into one of dozens of fabulous Italian eateries. Duck out of a restaurant and into a coffee shop, where you should be sure to indulge in a cannoli and cappuccino. You can also stop at the famous Mike's Pastry, and grab a box of goodies for the road.
All this touring is bound to make even the most stalwart of souls tired--and thirsty. If you're looking for a great place to stop for a cold brew, we suggest Bukowski's, where uncertain guests can spin the "Wheel of Beer" while discussing great literary works and their deceased creators. In the Cambridge and Kendall Square areas, we also recommend the Irish pubs Tommy Doyle's and The Burren, where you can grab a Guinness or a Sam on tap.
While in Cambridge, swing through Harvard Square, where you can dodge the elite collegiates and pan flute bands while popping in and out of an assortment of shops and eateries. Be sure to stop into Lululemon and pick up some sleek running schwag while you’re there.
The RunBoston guides love to run in the woods. For those runners who want to check out a scenic run outside of the city, we suggest the Blue Hills Reservation, south of the city, and the Middlesex Fells, north of Boston.
Interested in running a race in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Vermont? Check out those Active.com links...