Top things to do in Boston before your cruise

While many travellers only visit Boston to pass through the piers of its bustling port, there is so much more to see and do in this vibrant and historic city. Boston is charming, with a lively local culture and a modern history dating back to the mid-17th Century. It's hard not to find something to love—its quaint heritage neighbourhoods, thriving sports culture, or the uniquely historic blast of Americana that hits you when you arrive.  
 
Here are the top sites and attractions to visit in Boston before your cruise. 

Taste the brine at the Boston Port and hop aboard the USS Constitution

Boston is famous worldwide for its bustling commercial port, a central point for trans-Atlantic trade. From 1801 to 1974, it was also home to the sprawling Charlestown Naval Yard, equipping and supporting the US Navy through a significant portion of the nation's 250-year history.  

You can visit the yard today as part of the Boston National Historical Park, where no sight is as emblematic of this proud naval tradition as the USS Constitution shored within. Launched in 1797 with a name chosen by George Washington, she is the world's single oldest still floating warship. Seeing heavy action in the War of 1812, she gained the nickname 'Old Ironsides' and has been a functioning museum since 1907. It is an unmissable stop in any Boston trip and stands tall as a majestic and incomparable living piece of American History. 

Are you looking for more to do at the Yards? Make a stop at the USS Cassin Young, a World War Two and Korean War-era Destroyer renovated into a museum in 1978. Entry is free, and for history buffs, the ship is one of only four surviving Fletcher-class destroyers in the world.  

Explore the city on a hop-on, hop-off tour

As one of America's most history-dense cities, it can be challenging to see everything that 'Beantown' has to offer. Consider booking one of Boston's many 'hop-on, hop-off' tours to make the most of your time. 

These tours are a flexible way to make the most of your trip - allowing you to get on and off the bus as you please so that you can be whisked around town while also having the freedom to go at your own pace. Common stops include the bar from Cheers, Fenway Park baseball stadium, Harvard University, the Boston Common and the city's historic North End. 

If you can, try to find a tour that passes through the Beacon Hill Neighbourhood, famous for its historic cobbled streets, that will charm anyone.   

Most tours wrap up at the USS Constitution, making it easy to tie your itinerary together. Once in the harbour area, it is a great idea to tick off a few more sights like the New England Aquarium and the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum.  

Venture to nearby Salem

If you have the time to get out of the city, consider booking a shore excursion or bus tour to the nearby town of Salem, infamous for a brutal series of witch trials in the 1690s.  

More than an occult hot spot, Salem is a picturesque New England town with a charming atmosphere and plenty of colonial history. Top stops include the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and walking tours through its colonial neighbourhoods.  

However, for those with a taste for the macabre, Salem is a top-notch destination. Key stops include the Salem Witch Museum, the house of witch-trial-era Judge Jonathon Corwin, the House of the Seven Gables, and the Old Burying Point Cemetery—one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States.  

Cozy up with some hearty food

Boston's seafood reigns supreme in a harbour on the Atlantic Ocean. From lobster rolls to seafood boils, there's a huge variety of fishy meals to enjoy.  

But the must-try dish is clam chowder. Locals say that Sail Loft in the North End is the best chowder in town, though you can hardly go wrong with such a creamy and fulfilling dish.  

Not a fan of seafood? The city is equally known for its baked beans and pizza, and for those with a sweet tooth, it is famous for its signature style of cream pie and doughnuts 

Set sail on Princess Cruises and save 

CAA Members save up to $150 per stateroom when sailing with Princess Cruises and get a $50 USD shore excursion credit. Book an appointment with one of our Travel Consultants to start planning your trip.