Madeline Bilis

Don’t let yourself fall victim to apartment fever this season. Instead, consider retreating to some of New England's most picturesque cabins available on Airbnb. The region provides a wealth of activities for you to choose from—leaf-peeping in the fall, skiing in the winter, or simply taking a break from city life during any season. In fact, weekend getaways provide welcome respite all year round. So, take a chance to reconnect with nature; it'll do you some good. Make the most of it in one of these cozy cabins near Boston for rent (some offering opportunities to unwind in front of a roaring fire!). For other unique accommodations near nature, explore the best secluded Airbnbs near Boston and the best waterfront Airbnbs near Boston. Updated November 2024: Trust we're always on the hunt for the most extraordinary holiday rentals for your next adventure, so you never have to miss out. This season, we simply couldn't keep this cool A-frame to ourselves any longer, nor this New Hampshire treehouse. No need to thank us; it's kind of what we do.  RECOMMENDED: 🌇See our guide to weekend getaways near Boston🛏Stay in the best Airbnbs in Boston🎭check out the best things to do in Boston Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links

Considering a visit to Boston? You’re in luck. Not only does this city have some of the best sports teams in the nation (us, biased? Never!), but it’s got a ton more to offer than that. You’re in for excellent shopping, out-of-this-world restaurants, and some of the most charming spots on the East Coast to grab a cup of coffee. What’s more: There’s no shortage of amazing hotels to stay at.  Time Out has the key to everything you need for a perfect trip to Boston, including accommodations. Read on for our list of the best hotels in Boston. RECOMMENDED: 🏙Full guide to the best things to do in Boston 🛏The best Airbnbs in Boston Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

To spend summer in a coastal city is to be soothed by salt air and sea breezes. Boston is arguably best enjoyed from the water, and thankfully, there are more than a dozen fun ways to take in the city by boat. Unwind on a sunset cruise, sail over to an island, go whale watching or simply hop on a water taxi for a patio day with a little misty harbor fun. Here’s how to maximize your time on a Boston Harbor boat this season. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Boston has some of the loveliest hotels in the Northeast, but if you really want to see the city like a local, staying in an Airbnb can help you feel like you’re a member of the neighborhood. The real question is: Which neighborhood do you want to try on for size? There are the brownstone-lined streets of the South End, the time-honored buildings of Beacon Hill and the colorful Victorians of Jamaica Plain, for starters. With such a wealth of options, it’ll be tough to choose. From a downtown loft to a lighthouse near the sea, Boston and its surrounding towns offer a slew of Airbnbs for a picture-perfect trip. Updated for October 2024, here are 15 of the best. RECOMMENDED: 🏙See our full guide to travel inspo for Boston📍Tick off the best things to do in Boston Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

The best kind of physical and mental reset involves eucalyptus-scented towels, some calming chimes, and perhaps a massage to melt away your troubles. Boston has awesome spas, but if you’re on the hunt for a relaxing weekend getaway, you’re in luck. New England is chock full of award-winning spas and wellness centers offering the latest treatments and all the time-honored classics. Book a girls' weekend, a couple's getaway or perhaps a solo retreat at one of these New England spa resorts—all within a short drive from Boston. Pro tip: Spa gift cards are a great idea for Mother's Day, retirement presents and other occasions.

It really feels like the list of things to do in Boston is never-ending. From stellar live music to top-notch restaurants, there’s always an extremely fun, one-of-a-kind activity to choose from. But sometimes, the fresh air and winding roads outside the city beckon.  If a weekend getaway is calling your name, we’ve rounded up some of the greatest, with suggestions for where to stay, what to eat and what you must do. Ahead, find the 23 best weekend getaways from Boston. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston. 

Tourists and locals alike relish autumn in New England for one main reason: to see the stunning foliage that sets the trees aglow in reds, oranges and yellows. While there are plenty of lovely spots across the region to take in the colorful views, leaf peeping in the city is an extra-special way to celebrate the season. In fact, there are more than a few vantage points in and around Boston that are worth traveling to for fall fun and foliage. Ahead, find the best spots to see Boston’s fall colors for both urban dwellers and visitors to the city. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Every Bostonian ends up spending lots of time in Back Bay. Whether you're heading to Newbury Street for some shopping, Back Bay Station to travel, the Pru for work or even for a walk along Comm. Ave., the Back Bay is not only a historic neighborhood, but one of Boston's most dynamic. You'll find excellent restaurants for a fun night out as well as some of the city's most iconic attractions. The Back Bay is a fine place to center any trip to Boston, near some of the city's best restaurants and its best museums. No matter what brings you to the neighborhood, here's how to make the most of time in Back Bay. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Every year, when temperatures start inching upward, Bostonians feel the familiar itch to get out on the water. One way to do that—with a side of marine education, to boot—is to go whale-watching near Boston. Spring, summer and early fall are ideal times to board a seafaring vessel and behold the grandeur of these more-than-50,000-pound creatures.  Several companies with ports from Newburyport to Cape Cod offer the opportunity to hop aboard a boat, feel the sea breeze in your hair and hopefully spot some of the area’s majestic mammals. A place called Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is situated right off the coast of Massachusetts; it’s a federally protected swath of the ocean that’s home to whales and other marine life. Most whale-watching boats head here to see humpback, minke, fin, sei and pilot whales in their natural habitat. If the wide-open seas aren’t calling to you just yet, stick with local harbor adventures aboard one of the best cruises in Boston or simply have a meal at one of the best waterfront restaurants. RECOMMENDED: 🚶‍♂️The best walking tours in Boston

If time and traffic can’t spare you a day trip to Cape Cod, it’s still possible to find a sandy spot to lay down your towel beside the ocean. Pack your sunscreen and hit the picturesque beaches of Boston’s North and South Shores, all less than an hour’s drive from downtown. You can even keep the city in your sights while you lounge seaside, as the Hub itself boasts a number of urban sandbars perfect for relaxing or taking a refreshing dip in the ocean.  Ahead, find a selection of the best beaches to visit this summer. And if you're looking for other warm-weather activities, take a look at our guides to the best summer activities, the best waterfront restaurants and the best cruises in Boston. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

This chic downtown hotel is a haven for business travelers and those seeking central access to the city. From the sleek wood-paneled lobby, you’ll travel upstairs to rooms that are urbane and opulent, with terrific city views. Along with a whole host of thoughtful amenities, like a fitness center, lounge, meeting rooms and a sophisticated restaurant, Hotel AKA also provides a master class in pet-friendliness, from complimentary dog beds to pet dishes. Situated just across the street from the historic Granary Burying Ground and a quick walk to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, don’t skip stopping in the nearby Boston Public Market for a cider doughnut from Red Apple Farm. It costs a pretty penny for a typical three-night stay here, so expect no less than exceptional service and trendy decor.

Before you even get a chance to check into the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, you’ll be stopped in your tracks by art. The hotel’s expansive lobby is covered floor-to-ceiling in museum-quality pieces, from a large-scale digital installation called “Amalgama” behind the front desk to a small gallery that nods to Boston’s sneaker culture (and local brands like New Balance and Reebok). You’ll probably even witness a performance. A platform stage inspired by the design of the nearby ICA plays host to a variety of musicians and other artists throughout the week. It provides pretty pleasing background music while you finally do check in. This sleek glass construction designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects opened in 2021. The hotel is separated into two sections: the Patron Tower and the Artist Tower. The Patron Tower nods to Boston’s performing arts heritage, offering spacious rooms and with rich colors and sumptuous finishes, thanks to interior design firm waldrop + nichols. The Artist Tower, meanwhile, recalls the design of the Seaport’s artist’s lofts, offering studio-style rooms that are especially convenient for working (or creating) remotely.  During my stay in the Artist Tower, I enjoyed a small studio with a lovely view of the city and harbor. These rooms are designed for one person, and feature open-concept closet and sink areas with separate stalls for the shower and water closet. While my studio was chic and comfortable, I admittedly spent more time in other areas of t

Internationally acclaimed hotel brand Raffles opened its first U.S. property in Boston at the tail-end of 2023. It's certainly turning heads: Raffles Boston not only offers 147 rooms plus residences in its 35-story tower, but also a slate of some of Boston’s buzziest restaurants and bars. There’s Amar, which creatively dishes up Portuguese fare with a New England twist; La Padrona, an exceptionally chic Italian spot; Long Bar and Terrace (emphasis on the terrace part: a stunning perch overlooking the city) and more. Smack dab center of it all, the hotel offers close proximity to Back Bay and the South End—and its elevated levels boast views of Cambridge and beyond. The high-end experience at the hotel includes butler service (a Raffles signature), access to a wellness center with a spa and more.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more classically Back Bay getaway than the Newbury. The 286-room hotel is perched at the intersection of two of the neighborhood’s loveliest attractions: the leafy Public Garden and the top-tier shopping on Newbury Street, making it a fitting launchpad for exploring all the neighborhood has to offer. Upon entering, the first thing you’ll notice is its warm, ultra-stylish interiors. The historic property was one of the country's first Ritz-Carlton hotels back in the 1920s. though it operated as the Taj in more recent decades. Its 2021 reimagining as the Newbury was dreamed up by star designers Jeffrey Beers, Alexandra Champalimaud and Ken Fulk. The place is dripping in old-world class with a modern twist, from the sumptuous lobby and fireplaced lounge to the stately wood-paneled Street Bar. In fact, the Newbury is home to two restaurants frequented by guests and locals alike. The Street Bar should be your go-to for a pre-dinner martini; afterward, see if you can find the hidden library bar within. Then, head upstairs to Contessa, the striking rooftop Italian spot overlooking the city. (Make it a point to order the spicy lobster capellini.) From New York City’s acclaimed Major Food Group, both restaurants are well worth visiting, even with so many other excellent options in the neighborhood. The Newbury’s rooms are exquisitely appointed, featuring marble bathrooms, handcrafted millwork, original art and more. Amenities include Byredo bath produc

See the city from above at View Boston, the stunning observatory that takes up the top three floors of the iconic Prudential Tower. (That's 52 stories up!) The immersive attraction offers each visitor a personalized perspective on the city, with interactive displays featuring tidbits about Boston art, music, history, neighborhoods and more. Head out to the Observation Deck to see 360-degree views, then grab a drink at Stratus, Boston’s highest rooftop bar. Tickets are $10–$25 for families to access to indoor and outdoor observation decks, exhibits and bars.

This hidden-gem museum on Beacon Street is worth touring. The 1859 rowhouse is a veritable time capsule of what life was like in Boston from the mid-19th to early-20th centuries, preserved by three generations of the Gibson family. You’ll step into period rooms with antique furniture, not to mention an original kitchen and pantry. Reserve tickets for a general tour, or choose from a list of specialty tours if you want to learn about a new aspect of the house and its inhabitants. And for a bonus fun fact: Part of Greta Gerwig’s Little Women was filmed here.

Come this fall, you won’t have to re-watch James Cameron's Titanic to get the gist of what it was like to be on board the ill-fated ship. An exhibit called “TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition” arrives in Boston in October, giving guests a glimpse into the lives of real Titanic crew and passengers.  You’re handed a replica boarding pass upon entering the exhibit, held in the Saunders Castle at Park Plaza. The idea is that you assume the role of a Titanic passenger, and spend your time following the ship’s journey from start to sink. The exhibit covers the ship’s construction, what life was like on board (did you know the kitchen stocked 1,750 quarts of ice cream?), and the “unsinkable” ship’s final moments after it collided with its infamous iceberg.  Photograph: Courtesy Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Photograph: Courtesy Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit   Photograph: Courtesy Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition   More than 250 original artifacts from the ship will be on view in Boston, as will several carefully re-created rooms, including the ship’s grand staircase and a first-class suite. Elsewhere in the exhibit, guests can learn about more recent Titanic-related endeavors, like protecting the wreck site—which lies two and a half miles under the sea—for scientific analysis and recovering more artifacts from it.  The show has toured in cities around the world, from Orlando to Melbourne, Australia, amassing some 35 million visitors. "TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition" opens o