Cruises from Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is packed with great places to eat, whether you’re looking for street food or haute cuisine. You’ll find lobster everywhere, of course; Legal Sea Foods is a local institution, and its other offerings include New England clam chowder and fresh oysters. The Harborside branch is close to the cruise terminal, too. You can pick up lobster rolls, as well as pretty much anything you could wish for, in Quincy Market, where dozens of stalls offer everything from enchiladas to poke bowls, hot dogs, and the decadent Boston cream pie.

For an authentic taste of Italy, head to North End, or Little Italy, crammed with restaurants and superb delis where you can pick up arancini, pizza, gelato, and fresh cannoli, as well as Italian coffee. There’s a buzz here from lunchtime till late, and it’s an easy walk from Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Cheers fans, meanwhile, will want to visit the Cheers Bar in swish Beacon Hill, where the exterior shots for the show were filmed. And if you’re interested in Boston’s Irish heritage, head to one of the many Irish pubs for a pint of Guinness and live folk music.

Boston has played an important part of the history of the United States of America. The city was originally founded in the first half of the 17th century by Puritans who emigrated from England to the New World.

Over the next century and a half, the city grew in size as more people moved here from overseas and other British colonies. During that time, it would also become a hotbed for strife between the colonies and England, with the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre becoming defining moments in the conflict between patriots and loyalists that led to the American Revolutionary War.

Today, Boston is defined by its museums and sites showcasing this history, as well as the high-caliber universities that result in many new grads putting down roots in Boston. Residents are known for their Irish and Italian heritage, devotion to the city’s sports team, and distinctive Boston accent.

Boston has no shortage of places to shop, whether you’re looking for crafts, kitschy souvenirs, or national chains. For all three, visit Faneuil Hall Marketplace, home to Quincy Market and plenty of shops. For department stores and traditional malls, Boston’s Back Bay is the place to go, with indoor malls found at Prudential Center and the Copley Place Mall.

Boston’s subway system is referred to as the “T” and has an extensive route system that consists of an underground metro and buses that operate along cables. The routes operated by the T go all over the city center into Cambridge and other suburbs of Boston. 

A water shuttle or water taxi can easily take you from the cruise terminal to Boston’s points of interest along the harbor, such as Faneuil Marketplace, Bunker Hill, the USS Constitution, or the North End. 

Taxi stands are located throughout the city, although you may have to wait for a bit depending on the time of day and location. Rideshare services are also readily available.

The currency used in Boston is the U.S. Dollar, and you’ll be able to find ATMs dispensing cash all over Boston. Tipping is very common, especially in restaurants, bars, and taxis. A common tip for restaurants, taxis, and most other services is 15% to 20% of the total amount.