Boston

T: Ruggles; take the #15 bus towards St. Peter's Sq. and get off at Dennis Street· Cheap

The house was built in 1747 as a summer home for William Shirley (1694–1771), Royal Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. It is one of the last remaining mansions of royal governors in the United States.

T: Roxbury Crossing· Free

This heritage park is located in the John Eliot Square area of Roxbury, originally the center of town after its founding in 1630. The Dillaway-Thomas House here was built in the Georgian style during 1750 for the pastor of the First Church…

T: Museum of Fine Arts· Moderate

Not your typical museum experience. Modeled after a 15th-century Venetian palazzo, the museum displays Mrs. Gardner's evocative home as it was when she lived here.

T: Green Street· Free

The crown jewel in Frederick Law Olmstead's Emerald Necklace system of parks, Franklin Park brings together rural scenery, a woodland preserve, and areas for recreation and sports.

T: Arlington· Free

Established in 1837 by Horace Gray, the Boston Public Garden, formerly an enormous swampy salt marsh, is the largest and oldest botanical garden in the United States.

T: North Station· Cheap

Old North Church was Boston’s second Anglican church. It is most famous for sending the message from Paul Revere that the British were coming by lighting the steeple with lanterns.

T: Museum of Fine Arts· Moderate

As the fourth largest museum in the US, the Museum of Fine Art is known for its impressive assortment of French Impressionist paintings as well as its extraordinary collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art.

T: Chinatown· Free

Until August 1775, a beautiful old elm tree graced this spot. During the Revolutionary era, Bostonians met in the shelter of the tree, or as they called it: "Liberty Hall".

T: Symphony· Cheap

One of "The Big Five", an evening at the Boston Symphony Orchestra (or BSO) will be a treasured memory for any visitor. Attending one of these highly acclaimed, if somewhat formal performances, is a must for any lover of the finer things…

T: North Station· Moderate

Home of the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics, each legends of the game and boasting multiple championship titles. The former is the oldest NHL team in America, and the latter was one of the eight original NBA teams.

T: Green Street· Moderate

Franklin Park Zoo, founded in 1912, is a 72-acre site nestled in Boston’s historic Franklin Park. This zoo contains a combined 10,000 sq ft of playground area and uses play to teach children about conservation and wildlife.

T: Aquarium· Cheap

An institution in their own right, these modified World War II DUKWs give a great, breezy, 80-minute tour of the city by land and sea, all in the same vehicle. One of the most famous, or at least most visible, tours in Boston.

T: South Station· Moderate

Listen to colonial music while you climb aboard 18th-century ships afloat in Boston Harbor. Once aboard historical re-enactors teach you about the original tea party, and let you "toss the tea into the sea".

T: Arlington· Cheap

Located in the Lagoon, a 4-acre pond in the center of the Public Garden, the Swan Boats are one of the most famous and traditional icons of the city of Boston.

T: Broadway or Andrew· Free

The St. Patrick's Day parade in Southie is a longstanding Bostonian tradition. First celebrated in 1737, its current incarnation has been running every year since 1901.

T: Aquarium

Boston Harbor Cruises is the only real seagoing commercial compliment to the MBTA. They partnered with the New England Aquarium to offer a 90-minute whale watch cruise If that sounds too tame, they also have something called Codzilla.

T: Stony Brook· Cheap

All ages welcome for one hour tours (21+ for the tasting portion) departing every 40 minutes. No reservations, first come first serve. There is also a "Morning Mash-In" tour at 9:40AM, if brushing your teeth gets you in the mood to drink.

T: Harvard· Expensive

This historic stadium was actually where football's forward pass was invented, and modern field dimensions were defined. Buy your tickets way in advance for the big Harvard-Yale game.

T: Park Street

After visiting this bar and chatting with bartender Eddie Doyle, Cheers producers decided to create a show based on this very pub. Trudge down the staircase of this iconic facade with the rest of the increasingly grey-haired crowd as you…

T: Dudley· Cheap

Delicious Nigerian food in a lively environment, with the big-screen TV at the bar hooked up to YouTube and showing African hip-hop and R&B videos.

Port Norfolk / Neponset· Moderate

Tours and tastings every Saturday at the Boston Harbor Distillery. An old manufacturing warehouse has been tastefully updated into a wonderful rustic waterfront drinking environment. See and learn how these spirits are made.

Edward Everett Sq / South Bay (T: JFK/UMass)· Cheap

DBco has house brews on a 20-line tap system with even more fresh craft beer from local brewing partners and regional collaborators. You have the option of a tasting flight, a full pour, or crowlers to go.

T: Haymarket· Cheap

Modern pastry is a seventy-year-old family run business that is one of the most popular bakeries in the North End. Narrowly piped in popularity by Mike's, but not by quality. Only you can judge who has the best cannoli.

T: Park Street· Expensive

The oldest hotel in America, although the current building dates from the 1920s. Located in downtown Boston on the Freedom Trail, the venerable Omni Parker House Hotel opened its doors in 1855.

T: State· Expensive

It was built for the Federal Reserve Bank. This AAA four-diamond Boston hotel is now a national architectural landmark. The hotel overlooks the gardens of Post Office Square and is steps from Boston's shops, restaurants and attractions…

T: Aquarium· Expensive

If you're going to throw down coin, you may as well do it here. This was once the customs house for the city of Boston, where all items unloaded from the nearby docks were tracked and taxed.

T: State· Expensive

A furnished apartment rental agency offering an alternative to a hotel room. These rentals are private homes, condos or apartments in residential buildings within the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, North End, South End, and Financial District…

T: Copley· Expensive

Rooms are generally quite small, but comfortable. They're efficiently designed however, and seem more spacious than they actually are. Complimentary Continental breakfast is limited, but a 7-Eleven around the corner can fill in any gaps…

T: Aquarium· Expensive

Pleasant, remodeled in the boutique style (exposed brick, modern furniture without being uncomfortable). Rooms are a decent size, comfortable bed, no desk, nice TV, wireless internet free in all rooms, clean.