For all intents and purposes, Boston is the oldest city in the US, which means that it is somewhere that has a bright history. Whether you’ve been planning your trip to Boston for a while or it is a last-minute thing, naturally you want to ensure that while you are visiting this popular city, you make the most of your time.

With that in mind, below is a useful guide packed full of insider tips for making the most of a stay in Boston. (Take note of the tips below, as they should help to make your trip a much more memorable one).

The accommodation is fantastic

There are various accommodation options to choose from here, from budget-friendly motels and hostels to guesthouses and star rated hotels. Of all the accommodation options on offer here, The Liberty Hotel, located in downtown Boston, is a firm favorite with locals. This hotel opened where the old Charles Street Jail used to sit and underwent a $150 million renovation. This hotel offers lots of history and comes with the added bonus of being wonderfully tranquil and relaxing. However, if you are on a smaller budget, the HI-Boston hostel is another excellent option, which is located between Back Bay and Fenway Park.

The city is a history lover’s dream

This barrier-breaking and forward-thinking city has a lot of heritage behind it and is a city that has seen both revolution and transformation. In fact, it has so much history behind it that one of the main attractions here is The Freedom Trail, which winds its way around the city’s many buildings, taking you to the 16 most historically significant sights, including the US’s first public school and the oldest church in the area. Think of Boston as one giant museum of history.

A walking tour is a must

Boston is the kind of city that has terrible traffic, which is why insiders recommended not to drive anywhere, especially during rush hour. If you want to get around, walking or cycling are great options. There is also the subway that you can choose to take advantage of. When it comes to seeing the city’s best sights, a walking tour is a great way to do that – there are plenty of tours to choose from. You can choose to do The Freedom Trail to Copley Square or Photowalks Freedom Tour if you love history and want to be guided along The Freedom Trail. Off The Eaten Paths Tour if you are food mad or Bites of Boston Food Tour. For a more general tour of the city, the Boston By Foot tour is also a great option, as is the Boston In One Day tour.

There are plenty of activities to choose from:

Head to Fenway Park to watch a ball game. One thing that you must do while in Boston is head to Fenway Park, the home of the Red Sox, Boston’s very own baseball team. A word of advice, never wear a New York Yankees cap in this city – it’s Red Sox or nothing – as Boston is Red Sox mad and the New York Yankees are their biggest rivals.

Visit the Boston Escape Room. Escape rooms have become a hugely popular activity across the country, with these interesting and unique attractions becoming increasingly sought-after. If you love the concept of breaking a code to win your freedom, a trip to the Boston escape room is a must. It’s a little different from the other sights in Boston, but it’s just as fun and far more exciting than your average day out.

Go shopping at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Fancy spending some time exploring the shopping scene that Boston has to offer? Then Faneuil Hall Marketplace is the mall to head to. However, for a more rustic shopping experience – think antiques and boutique stores – Newbury Street in Back Bay, Charles Street in Beacon Hill, and Tremont Street in South End are the places to visit.

Visit the New England Aquarium. Do you like sea life? If the answer is yes, then a trip to Boston wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the New England Aquarium. This aquarium has a beautiful giant fish tank that has a spiral staircase winding up and down it, allowing you to see the sea life at all levels.

Head to the museums. Do you love having a browse of all the things a city is proud of? If so, then a trip to one of many of Boston’s museums is a must. From the Museum of Fine Arts to the Museum of Science, Boston has a range of museums to choose from.

Where to eat

Another thing that Boston is famous for, besides the Red Sox and its many historic sights, is its food. For a delicious breakfast in this city, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Bay Village to Mike & Patty’s – their egg and cheese muffins and freshly ground coffee are renowned around the city. For a lunchtime treat, it must be seafood – you can’t spend time in Boston without enjoying some of the city’s finest fresh seafood. A bowl of chowder at Neptune Oyster is a great way to spend lunch. Do you love Mediterranean flavors? Then a trip to Oleanna is in order – the food here is delicious and packs a powerful punch. If you are a fan of dessert and love pastries, you can’t miss Maura Fitzpatrick’s desserts – they are the talk of the town, well city.

Where to drink

For a night out in Boston, there are lots of options. For music lovers, a trip to Allston or Somerville is in order – these areas are home to some of the city’s best music venues. For smaller clubs that have a unique look and feel to them, Central Square is the ideal place to go. Love cocktails? Head to Fort Point, the home of the best cocktails in the city.

There you have it, a guide to all of the best things to see and do when on a trip to Boston.