Photo: King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0Boston and New York in 7 Days: History, Seafood & Broadway
A classic Northeast week: three days in Boston tracing the Freedom Trail from Beacon Hill to the North End, with lobster rolls and cannoli along the way, then four days in New York for Midtown icons, a Broadway show, Central Park, and downtown Manhattan. Answer a few questions and the plan re-plans itself around how you travel: your pace, your budget, your stops.
Pick a style, a budget and a pace — the route and days below re-plan themselves.
19 stops · 14 meals · 2 hotels · 1 transferThis is the editor’s pick.
7 days, 2 cities
From Boston to New York City, with 1 move between cities. The map shows the whole route — pick a day to zoom in.
- Coach to New York City · 5h
New York City
Midtown Manhattan · Central Park and the Upper East Side · Lower Manhattan · Queens
- Day 4Midtown Manhattan: The Empire State Building Observatory & Times Square
- Day 5Central Park and the Upper East Side: The Metropolitan Museum of Art & Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge
- Day 6Lower Manhattan: The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry & the 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Day 7Queens: The Queens Museum & the Queens Night Market
The oldest public park in the US, founded in 1634. Fifty acres of lawns by the Frog Pond, and the start of the Freedom Trail.
- The Freedom Trail's official walking tours start at the Visitor Information Center, 139 Tremont St.
America's oldest continuously operating tavern, opened in 1795 by Boston's last town crier. Pints, pub fare and live music near Faneuil Hall.
- Opened in 1795; live music, DJs and karaoke through the week.
The 1743 Cradle of Liberty plus the Quincy Market food hall: dozens of New England food stalls, 80-plus shops and daily street performers, all free to wander.
- Open Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm; the Great Hall of Faneuil Hall is free to enter.
America's oldest restaurant, serving since 1826 in a pre-Revolutionary building on the Freedom Trail. Come for the chowder, oysters and broiled Boston scrod.
- America's oldest restaurant sits two minutes from Faneuil Hall: chowder after the market stalls.
Boston's oldest public building, now a Revolutionary museum. The balcony is where the Declaration of Independence was first read to Bostonians.
- Open daily 10am-6pm; a combo ticket with Old South Meeting House is $15 per adult.
- Three minutes apart: pair the Old State House museum with Quincy Market's food hall.
A stretch
The fine-dining room of the Omni Parker House, the longest continuously operating hotel in the US. Birthplace of Boston cream pie and the Parker House roll.
- Dinner Mon-Thu 5:30-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm; lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm; weekend brunch.
A budget stay by Boston Common in a historic 1877 brownstone, now operating as Hotel Ivy Boston Common, with compact rooms and an unbeatable price for the location.
The 2.5-mile red-brick route linking 16 historic sites from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument. Walk it free in a couple of hours, or take half a day to go inside.
- Guided 90-minute tours with costumed guides cost $14 adults, $12 students and seniors, $8 children.
Boston's oldest standing church, where two lanterns hung on April 18, 1775 launched Paul Revere's ride. Tour the sanctuary and the crypt.
- The Discovery Pass is $10 adults and $5 children 6-12; open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11:30am-5pm.
- Two lanterns, one famous ride: the North End Freedom Trail stop lands you right at Old North Church.
Boston's original pizzeria, serving thin-crust brick-oven pizza in the North End since 1926. Classic cheese and pepperoni by the slice.
- Established in 1926 by Luigi D'Auria; Boston's oldest pizzeria.
Legendary North End Italian bakery famous for its cannoli and lobster tails. Expect a line; the eternal debate is whether Mike's or Modern wins.
Downtown Boston's oldest building, from about 1680, and Paul Revere's home from 1770 to 1800. The self-guided tour covers four period rooms.
- Open daily 10am-5:15pm; $6 adults, $5.50 seniors and students, $1 for children 5-17.
- End the North End with the cannoli debate: Mike's is a minute from the Revere House.
The Bull & Finch pub that inspired the TV show Cheers. Burgers, beers and memorabilia in a cozy Beacon Hill landmark.
- Open daily 11am-10pm at 84 Beacon St; the original inspiration for the TV show.
Stay put: ~13 min by taxi back from the Paul Revere House tonight, 9 min walk to the Swan Boats in the morning.
Pedal-powered swan boats circling the Public Garden lagoon since 1877. The 10-15 minute ride passes weeping willows and the George Washington statue.
- The 2026 season runs April 18-September 7; no reservations are needed.
A Back Bay institution since 1992: a dozen gourmet sandwiches, each created by a famous Boston chef and named for them. Big enough to share.
- Open Sun-Wed 11:30am-midnight, Thu-Sat 11:30am-2am; sandwiches run about $20-25.
H.H. Richardson's 1877 Romanesque masterpiece on Copley Square. Inside: LaFarge murals, stained glass and a soaring 211-foot central tower.
- Open Wed-Sat 10am-4:30pm and Sun afternoons 12:15-4:30pm; a small admission is asked of tourists.
A Back Bay staple for over 35 years: lobster roll, clam chowder and the Cure burger, with Newbury Street people-watching from the patio.
The first large free municipal library in the US. Do not miss Bates Hall's barrel-vaulted reading room and the Roman-style courtyard. Free for all.
- Central Library hours: Mon-Thu 9am-8pm, Fri-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
- Copley Square neighbors: Trinity's Romanesque arches and the library's courtyard, five minutes apart.
Boston-born farm-to-table fast-casual: affordable all-natural burgers, salads and grain bowls on Boylston Street in Back Bay.
Stay put: 16 min walk back from the Boston Public Library tonight, 9 min walk to the Swan Boats in the morning.
Boston to New York City
301 km, rated for speed and cost. For a first-timer trip on a comfortable budget at a balanced pace, take the FlixBus / Greyhound express bus. It's only 30 min slower than the quickest option, at $ instead of $$$.
A classic New York slice joint: the Times Square location of the 1975 original. Slices are big enough to fold.
The Crossroads of the World: towering neon billboards, Broadway theaters and round-the-clock crowds in the heart of Midtown. Best after dark.
- The TKTS booth at 47th & Broadway sells same-day discounted Broadway tickets.
The Art Deco icon with open-air 86th-floor and glass 102nd-floor observatories offering 360-degree city views.
- Open 365 days a year, typically 9am-midnight; tickets from $44, book online in advance.
Lidia Bastianich's Theater District Italian with an all-you-can-eat pasta special.
- The $29 Sinfonia di Paste (three pastas) is a great deal.
A compact micro-hotel in Times Square with a rooftop bar. Small rooms; the rooftop has Times Square views.
The park's heart: Bethesda Fountain, the tiled terrace, the rowboat lake and the cast-iron Bow Bridge.
- Rowboats rent by the hour at the Loeb Boathouse; best in the morning.
5,000 years of art from Egyptian temples to American wings, plus a seasonal rooftop with park views.
- The rooftop opens seasonally.
An old-fashioned luncheonette from 1925 near the Met with burgers and egg creams. Cash only; the egg cream is a must.
- Cash only; the egg cream is a must.
Frank Lloyd Wright's spiral icon housing modern and contemporary art. Start at the top and walk down.
- The ramp spirals up six stories; start at the top and walk down.
A stretch
The iconic lakeside restaurant on Central Park's Lake: American-Continental cuisine on an outdoor patio, with rowboats renting from the dock in season.
- Rowboat rentals $25/hr Mon-Thu, $30/hr Fri-Sun, first come first served.
- Rent a rowboat at the Boathouse after the terrace, three minutes away.
Stay put: ~22 min by subway back from the Guggenheim Museum tonight, ~29 min by subway to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in the morning.
The twin reflecting pools in the tower footprints, plus a museum chronicling September 11. The Memorial is free; the Museum needs timed tickets.
- The Memorial is free; the Museum requires timed tickets.
The ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, with crown and museum access. Go in the morning to beat the crowds.
- Crown tickets sell out months ahead; book early.
The historic 1762 tavern where Washington bid farewell to his officers. Now a restaurant and museum; the upstairs museum covers Revolutionary War history.
Observation decks on the 100th-102nd floors of One World Trade Center with panoramic harbor views. The Sky Pod elevators climb 102 floors in 47 seconds.
- Timed tickets required; the Sky Pod climbs 102 floors in 47 seconds.
- The Memorial's twin pools and the Observatory are four minutes apart; book the Observatory ahead.
Build-your-own meatball bowls, heroes and sliders. Pick a ball, a sauce and a base.
Stay put: ~28 min by subway back from One World Observatory tonight, ~55 min by subway to the Queens Night Market in the morning.
A Jackson Heights Nepali eatery known for its momo lineup, four-time winner of the annual Queens Momo Crawl. The jhol momo in sesame-tomato chutney is the signature.
- Open daily 8am-11pm; four-time winner of the Queens Momo Crawl.
An open-air Saturday night market behind the New York Hall of Science with 100-plus food, art and merchandise vendors from dozens of countries.
- Free admission; runs Saturdays 4pm to midnight, mid-April through October, pausing for the US Open. Arrive 4-6pm for the shortest lines.
The museum in the 1964 World's Fair's New York City Building, home to the Panorama: a 9,335-square-foot scale model of all five boroughs.
- Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 5pm; closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
A beloved Woodside Thai restaurant with a huge regional menu and a garden patio: khao soi, crispy watercress salad and mango sticky rice.
- Open daily 11:30am-8:30pm (closed Wednesday); expect a line at peak times.
Stay put: ~59 min by subway back from the Queens Museum tonight, ~55 min by subway to the Queens Night Market in the morning.
Where to stay in Boston & New York City
Ranked for first-timer travelers on a comfortable budget. The places this plan sleeps in come first.
Boston
Hotel Ivy Boston Common
A budget stay by Boston Common in a historic 1877 brownstone, now operating as Hotel Ivy Boston Common, with compact rooms and an unbeatable price for the location.
YOTEL Boston
A playful tech-forward Seaport hotel with 326 cabins, adjustable SmartBeds, airline-style self check-in and the Deck 12 rooftop bar above the harbor.
The Lenox Hotel
A 1900 Back Bay fixture at Boylston and Exeter with 214 rooms, a glass-domed wedding room and Sweeney's on Boylston pints. A Historic Hotel of America.
New York City
Pod Times Square
A compact micro-hotel in Times Square with a rooftop bar. Small rooms; the rooftop has Times Square views.
The Jane Hotel
A 1908 sailors' hotel with famously tiny cabin rooms in the West Village. Check its current operating status before booking.
Hotel Wales
A Carnegie Hill boutique hotel near the Met. Check its current status before booking.
Flights to Boston & New York City
Fly into BOS (BOS)
Flight results via Travelpayouts — we may earn a commission on bookings.
Getting around Boston & New York City
How to actually move around each city — transit, rideshare, bikes, and taxis.
Boston
Public transit
The MBTA ('the T') runs the subway, buses, commuter rail and ferries. Visitors mostly need the four subway lines (Red, Orange, Blue, Green) plus the Silver Line bus rapid transit.
- MBTA subway, buses & Silver Line
Subway and Silver Line rides cost $2.40, local buses $1.70 — the same price whether you tap a CharlieCard, a paper CharlieTicket, a contactless bank card, or pay cash. Subway fares include free transfers within 2 hours.
Tip: The 7-day LinkPass ($22.50) pays off after about 9 rides; the 1-day LinkPass is $11, monthly $90. Buy passes at station vending machines.
- MBTA Commuter Rail
Purple-line trains reach Salem, Concord, Providence and other day-trip towns; Zone 1A (e.g. South Station area) rides are $2.40, same as the subway. Tickets via the mTicket app or station machines.
Tip: Weekend $10 unlimited Commuter Rail passes make out-of-town day trips cheap.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft both operate across Greater Boston, including Logan Airport pickups. Expect surge pricing on weekend nights and during bad weather.
- Uber
Full Uber coverage in Boston and Cambridge, including UberX, XL and scheduled rides; pickups at Logan's designated rideshare areas.
Tip: From Logan, the Silver Line bus to South Station is free and often faster than a rideshare at rush hour.
- Lyft
Lyft operates citywide with standard, XL and scheduled options; it also runs the Bluebikes bikeshare system under contract.
Tip: Compare Uber and Lyft prices before booking late at night — surge differs between the two.
Bikes
Bluebikes is the metro-wide docked bikeshare, with stations across Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline — ideal for the Esplanade and the Harborwalk.
- Bluebikes
Single trip $3.00 (up to 30 minutes on a classic bike); Day Pass $11.99 for 24 hours of unlimited 2-hour rides. Ebikes cost $0.33/min for pass holders. Thousands of bikes across 13 municipalities.
Tip: Buy the Day Pass in the Bluebikes app rather than at a kiosk — kiosk purchases carry a $25 security hold.
Taxis
Boston's licensed taxis run on meters set by the city. Street hails work downtown and around hotels; everywhere else, e-hail is easier.
- Curb (official Boston taxi app)
Curb is the City of Boston's official taxi app: it hails licensed cabs (Boston Cab, Metro Cab and other fleets) with upfront pricing, live tracking and in-app payment. You can also street-hail and 'Pair & Pay' from the app.
Tip: Tip 15–20% on metered fares. A city pilot also lets licensed taxis accept Uber and Lyft trip requests, so a cab may show up for either app.
New York City
Public transit
The subway runs 24/7 and is the fastest way across town; buses fill the gaps. Tap to pay with OMNY.
- OMNY tap-to-go on the subway
Subway and local buses cost $3.00 per ride; tap a contactless card, phone, or OMNY card at the turnstile. Transfers between subway and bus are free. After 12 paid rides within 7 days using the same payment method, the rest of the week's rides are free (7-day fare cap, $35).
Tip: Use the same card or phone every tap so the 12-ride fare cap tracks you; single-ride tickets cost $3.50 and don't count.
- JFK AirTrain
From JFK, the AirTrain ($8.75) connects all terminals to Jamaica station (E/J/Z trains and LIRR to Penn Station or Grand Central) and to Howard Beach (A train). Pay with any contactless card, phone, or OMNY card; the subway leg onward costs $3.00.
Tip: For the fastest airport-to-Manhattan trip, take the AirTrain to Jamaica and switch to the LIRR (about 20 minutes to Grand Central).
- LaGuardia via the free Q70 bus
LaGuardia has no rail link; the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus runs free between all LGA terminals and the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av subway station (7/E/F/M/R), about 30-45 minutes to Midtown for one $3.00 subway fare.
Tip: The planned AirTrain to LaGuardia was cancelled, so plan on the Q70 + subway; it's luggage-rack equipped.
Rideshare
App-based cars are everywhere and usually faster than a cab outside Manhattan. Expect surge pricing at rush hour and late nights.
- Uber
Uber operates citywide across all five boroughs with upfront pricing shown before you book. Expect surge pricing at rush hour and late nights, when the subway is usually cheaper for short hops.
Tip: Tipping 15-20% in the app is the expected norm; drivers rate riders, and cash isn't needed.
- Lyft
Lyft operates citywide across all five boroughs with upfront pricing, and its app can also hail yellow taxis through the Curb partnership. Like Uber, prices rise at peak times.
Tip: You can hail a yellow cab inside the Lyft app via its Curb partnership and still get Lyft's upfront pricing and in-app tipping.
Bikes
The city is flat and the densest sights sit within a few miles; bikeshare beats a cab for short hops below Central Park.
- Citi Bike
Lyft-operated bikeshare with stations across all five boroughs, 24/7. A day pass ($25) buys unlimited 30-minute classic-bike rides for 24 hours; e-bikes cost extra per minute (27 cents/min for members, more for pass holders). Get the pass in the Citi Bike or Lyft app.
Tip: E-bike overage racks up fast: dock within 30 minutes or grab another bike.
Taxis
Iconic and plentiful in Manhattan; elsewhere you'll usually wait less for an app car.
- Yellow cabs and the Curb app
Yellow cabs are the only cars allowed to pick up street hails anywhere in the city; hail by raising a hand or book through the Curb app for upfront pricing. Street hails run on the meter. Green boro taxis serve northern Manhattan and the outer boroughs at the same metered fares.
Tip: Tip 15-20% on the metered fare at the back-seat touchscreen; cards are accepted in every cab.
Keep exploring
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