No Car? No Problem! Getting Around Boston Without Having to Drive

Boston is an amazing city! There are many wonderful places to visit—delicious restaurants, fun shops, engaging museums, exciting sports teams with passionate fans and rich historical attractions. That said, getting around Boston is not so amazing when it comes to driving. It’s tough to navigate, and people tend to be quick to honk if you’re a bit slow to hit the accelerator when the light turns green.

While driving in the city can be a challenge, there’s one huge positive—you really don’t need to drive to see the sights. The number of transportation options and the fact that many attractions are close enough for a walk make leaving your car behind an advantage, not a hindrance to getting around Boston!

Hop on public transportation

If you’re planning to book a hotel in Boston, you’d do well to get to know the expansive Boston public transportation system. There are four main subway lines, designated by color (green, orange, blue and red). Trains come and go frequently, and their stops can take you directly to the place you want to visit, or close enough for a quick walk. Additionally, many attractions are near each other, meaning once you arrive at the designated stop, you can walk to the other points of interest on your to-do list. Examples of such clumped activity hubs include: Cambridge (Central Square, Harvard Square and MIT); Somerville (Davis Square); and the South End (Roxbury and Mission Hill).

There are also a variety of other transportation options that make getting around Boston easy, including hop on and off trolley tours. With 18 stops throughout the city, you can hop on a trolley and be whisked away to the next stop or stay aboard for a scenic tour. Once you’re finished visiting the sights at one stop, feel free to grab the next available trolley and head to another location.

Choose your theme, take a tour

Love beer? How about chocolate? Is pizza more your thing? Well, you’re in luck, because one of my favorite ways to see Boston is on a guided food tour. What could be better than getting around Boston by letting someone else do the driving as you enjoy great eats?

How does five hours of traveling around the city while sampling beer sound to you? If you answered with an enthusiastic, “Yes, please,” check out City Brew Tours. Stops can include the Samuel Adams Brewery, Night Shift Brewing and Downeast Cider, along with a lunch paired with brews, so you don’t have to do the planning. Individual brewery stops change and there are evening options available, too, so be sure to check online to learn more and to book a tour.

If you’d rather spend the day getting around Boston by indulging your sweet tooth, opt for the Boston Chocolate Tours. Your two to two-and-a-half-hour tour includes stops that span from the North End to Beacon Hill. You’ll sample delights at each stop while your guide shares info about Boston, chocolate history and area-specific recipes. Your ticket includes entry to the Old North Church and Patriots Corner historic sites for you to visit when your tour concludes.

However you choose to get around town, don’t miss outon Union Oyster House, known as America’s oldest restaurant.

If sweets aren’t your thing, but you love savory food, there’s a Historic Taverns Pizza tour of Boston, too! This guided walking tour includes two and a half hours of eating and drinking—and a scenic ferry ride across the Boston Harbor! You’ll enjoy stops at historic pubs, and travel by foot and ferry to different locations. It concludes with a stop at Union Oyster House, the oldest continuously operating tavern in the United States.

Explore one of the many walkable neighborhoods

If you’re like me, sometimes you want to create your own itinerary. Another thing that makes getting around Boston so convenient is the fact that each subway stop has its own collection of sights nearby. You could spend a couple hours at each stop—or the whole day, depending on what strikes you when you visit. While you’re welcome to follow your own route, here are some of my walkable favorites!

Get a closer look at the shark wall in the New England Aquarium. Photo Credit: New England Aquarium

Faneuil Hall Marketplace is one of the best spots when you only have a brief time to visit the city. It’s a dynamic location that serves as a visitor’s center for Boston and features a historic meeting place that has been a site for gatherings since its inception in 1742. Near Faneuil Hall is Quincy Market, where you can go for a bite to eat and do some shopping. It’s a great place to find souvenirs and people-watch. Then, take a short walk from either location to watch seals, sea lions, penguins and turtles at New England Aquarium.

The tourists are coming! The tourists are coming! Visit apiece of American history at the Paul Revere House. Photo Credit: Museum of Science, Boston

The North End is only a couple miles from the Quincy Market area, but you may decide to hop on a trolley or use the subway to get there. Upon your arrival, you’ll notice an amazing variety of historic buildings and dining options. Classic Italian restaurants that have been run by multiple generations of the same family line the street. The way I normally choose is by seeing how many people are waiting in line. The busier it is, the better it is—or that’s what I think, anyway. That said, I love visiting Carmelina’s—their penne gorgonzola is my personal favorite—and no stop to North End is complete until you’ve gotten something sweet from Mike’s Pastry! While you’re in the North End, you can tour the Paul Revere House and visit the Old North Church and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground.

Finally, North Station is home to the Museum of Science and TD Garden. One of the world’s largest science centers, the Museum of Science can easily fill up your day. Plan ahead so you can make time to also head to “The Garden” and visit the New England Sports Museum before cheering on one of our teams or enjoying a concert. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to see a professional hockey game or catch the Celtics basketball team. I’ve seen quite a few concerts here, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house!

Written by Bryn Nowell