Boston is one of the most revered and historic cities in the US, and in my opinion, one of the best places for a girls trip! The city is always buzzing, with an eclectic art and music scene, a dedicated sports fan base and a bustling business district. With Harvard and MIT in the city, Boston is full of interesting people from all over the world. There are incredible restaurants, and the harbor and parks make it the picture-perfect city to spend a weekend with your best girls.
Read on for the Ultimate Guide to a Boston Girls Trip as I guide you through where to stay, where to eat, the best spas, happy hours and after dinner drinks. If you’re like me, you’ll never want to leave.
Best Places to Stay in Boston, MA for a girls trip
Hotels
The Godfrey Hotel – A cute boutique hotel in Boston’s Downtown Crossing
The Verb – A quirky, fun hotel near Fenway Park with an outdoor pool, great restaurant, and a rock and roll style vibe
Hotel Commonwealth – The perfect hotel if you want to take in a few Red Sox games. Very central with friendly staff. We stayed here and loved it.
W Hotel – Can always count on W hotels as you know they will always be in the perfect location. I love the vibe in these hotels and think it would be perfect for a girls weekend in Boston.
Hotel AKA Boston common – Perfect location with a fun onsite bar
Revere Hotel – Located in Boston Common with a fun rooftop bar. If you don’t stay here, come for a drink!
The Verb
Air BnB’s
Search Airbnb for some local gems. Here are a few I found in different popular areas of Boston:
How to Get Around Boston
Walk – Boston is super walkable and the architecture deserves a closer look on foot.
Uber/Taxi – Easy access to Ubers and taxis. We Ubered everywhere and never had any issues.
Bluebikes – Boston’s bike service. $2.50 for a single trip or $10 adventure pass.
MBTA – The Boston public transportation system that connects the whole city
Ya don’t put me down for Cardio
If you want to get a workout in at some point during your Boston girls weekend, here are a few favorites:
SLT – Megaformer pilates workouts working those slow-twitch muscle fibers.
The Handle Bar Boston Cycle – Popular cycling classes with 3 locations
Exhale Yoga – Yoga and barre classes with a spa onsite if you want to do a class and then get a massage
Barry’s Bootcamp – A variety of classes including HIIT, strength training and full-body workouts
First we have the coffee, and then we do the things
Revival Cafe – The cutest cafe I ever did see
Tamper – Amazing spot for coffee and food made with local ingredients
Nine Bar Espresso – Coffee, lattes, and pastries for a quick cuppa
George Howell Coffee – One of the most famous coffee spots in Boston with roasters all over the city
Gracenote Coffee – A cult classic coffee shop in Boston
Cause it’s 11:30am and the girls be brunchin’, brunchin’
Tatte Bakery- Go for the decor, stay for the insane coffee, pastries, and toasts. Three locations in Boston. So good.
Flour Bakery – Locations all over Boston for quick sweet and savory pastries
Cafe Fleuri – $52 per person buffet brunch in the stunning Langham Hotel if you want to splurge and overindulge. It’s a girls weekend, you’re supposed to! *currently under renovation*
Soffra – Mediterranean café bakery with delicious brunch and lunch items
Tatte Bakery
Spa O’Clock
Because what is a girls trip to Boston without a little spa action?
Balans Organic Spa – Boston’s Best and Best of Boston 2016-2018 with organic facials and massages
Exhale Yoga studio – Spa located in the yoga studio I mentioned above if you want a one-stop-shop for a morning of relaxation
Mandarin Oriental – A luxury and wellness spa. The only Forbes 5-star awarded spa in Boston. The real treat yo’self spa of the bunch
Things to Do in Boston
Boston Common
Boston’s largest public park and the oldest city park in the US. Great to walk around or you could grab some wine, cheese and bread and come for a picnic
Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum
The most instagrammable museum with beautiful European, Asian and American art. Isabelle sounded like such a fascinating woman and her art collection was a dream to wander through.
SoWa Open Market
Cute outdoor Market on Sundays from May to October
Courtyard Tea Room at Boston Public Library
Explore the stunning Boston Public Library and stay at the courtyard tea room for savory tea sandwiches and tea
Revere Hotel Rooftop Pool
Come spend the day at the rooftop pool with some cocktails
Shopping on Newbury Street
Historic street lined with cute boutiques and trendy cafes
Beacon Hill
One of the most photogenic and historic neighborhoods in Boston. Walk around with a coffee and explore.
Duck Tour
I know these are a little cheesy, but interesting experience to see all the Boston neighborhoods and learn more about the area. Tours are only about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Quincy Market & Faneuil Hall
Beautiful market with fresh seafood and coffee shops. Can be really busy! Stop here before starting the Freedom Trail.
North End “Little Italy”
Explore Little Italy and pop into a few places like Mike’s pastry for cannoli
Freedom Trail
Walk the 2.5-mile walk through Downtown Boston, learning about museums, churches, burial grounds, and historical landmarks
Explore Harvard
What, like it’s hard? I enjoyed walking around the Harvard Business grounds before heading for dinner on that side of town (You need to go to Sarma..more on that below).
Red Sox Game
Take in a game at iconic Fenway Park. Boston fans are dedicated sports fans, and it was fun to have a beer and spend the afternoon amongst locals. The area has some really cool spots and restaurants around it too.
Did somebody say Happy Hour?
Lookout Rooftop and Bar at Envoy – If you’re looking for stunning views of the harbor and city center, head to Lookout for a drink
Saltie Girl – My favorite oyster bar in town. Great food and friendly staff, this spot is always packed with locals
Pagu – Another local favorite serving up eccentric Spanish Japanese fusion. Happy hour from 3-6pm every day
Pabu Boston – Not to be confused with Pagu. This Izakaya-style Japanese spot has a small happy hour men Monday-Friday from 4-6pm in the bar and lounge with sake, beer wine, and small plates
Bar Mezzana – Beautiful space serving coastal Italian in South End. Head there before going to the Beehive or Barcelona (see below)
Juliet – Five-course tasting menu with hyper-local ingredients in a
Dinner
Coppa – Italian food, share small dishes, pizza, pasta, everything is delicious.
Sarma – My favorite restaurant in Boston. Tapas style plates are passed around dim-sum style. Such a fun spot to come on a girls trip. Great cocktails too. Come after visiting Harvard as it’s in the same area, and make a reso!
Toro – Share a bunch of plates with the girls. Hard to get in. Has a great patio in the summer.
Bar Mezzana – If you don’t come for happy hour, come for dinner and share a bunch of Italian plates and seafood.
Island Creek Oyster Bar – Great seafood! Good for brunch too. They recently won “Best of Boston 2019: Best Lobster Roll”.
SRV – Trendy Italian restaurant in South End. Specializes in small plates, pasta, and made-to-order risotto, with an impeccable Italian wine list.
Apres Dinner Drinks
The Beehive – Fun live music and rated one fo the “Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World” by Downbeat Magazine and “Best of” by Boston Magazine.
Barcelona Wine Bar– Beautiful restaurant for dinner or for a drink at the bar. They have a stellar wine, port and sherry selection and cocktails for a nightcap! Cheers to an epic girls weekend in Boston!
Drink – Craft cocktail bar on Congress street. Beautifully designed, this space was once a wool factory. I’m a sucker for brick walls and this spot doesn’t disappoint.
State Park in Cambridge – If you have dinner at Sarma, come to this fun college bar for a few beers and games. Younger crowd but fun energy.
Pre-Red Sox game: Bleacher Bar, a fun bar that sits right on the Fenway field so you can peek inside
Postgame: If you go to a Red Sox game, head to Eastern Standard
The Baldwin Bar – Crazy mixologists serving up vacation style drinks around a 12 person bar. Think dry ice, fancy cocktail glasses, and tropical vacation vibes.
I hope that helps you plan the ultimate girls weekend in Boston! Please feel free to reach out on Instagram with any specific questions!
xx,
Kaylee
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