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Must-See Places For Your Own-Of-Town Friends

- By Jodi Grundig

Boston has so many different tourist attractions that it's absolutely impossible to see all of them in one trip. If you have friends or family visiting from out of town, they'll probably look to you for a few tips on where to go and what to see. Here are a few places that are must-sees for any tourists to Boston – Please add your tips in our comments section!

Faneuil Hall
Photo Credit: Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Faneuil Hall - Quincy Market

1 Faneuil Hall Market Place
(617) 523-1300
website

Of course, no trip to Boston is complete without a trip to Faneuil Hall - Quincy Market. It's a good idea to combine it with a trip to the North End or the Boston Waterfront since they are walking distance from each other.

Start out with some shopping - while many of the shops of Faneuil Hall are now chain stores, the push carts are generally independently owned and offer some fun souvenirs of Boston and the New England area. The food court also offers some great local flavors, so it's the perfect spot to grab lunch.

Must see places for guests - north end
Photo Credit: Getty Images

North End

With its quaint restaurants, cultural feasts, and delicious cafes and bakeries, the North End is one of the most unique areas of Boston. Take your out-of-town guests to dinner at one of the many fabulous restaurants in the North End and they will thank you. Then, have them try out both Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry and decide for themselves which one is best. If your guests are foodies, definitely recommend Michele Topor's culinary tour, which gives tourists an inside view of the North End culinary scene while also providing some history and background of the area.

Must see places for guests -bostonharbor
Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Boston Harbor Islands

Ferry at 66 Long Wharf
Various times
Cost: $8-$14
website

The Boston Harbor Islands are one of the hidden gems of Boston. Start out at the ferry center on Long Wharf by Christopher Columbus Park where you can take a ferry to Georges and Spectacle Islands. Georges is best for history buffs, as it houses Fort Warren, a Civil War era fort, while Spectacle, with its tide pools and sea glass, is great for nature lovers. Guests can also travel between the two islands if you have enough time. Inter-island ferries are available – so you won't have to travel back to the mainland to connect.

9.17.11 - T & O - Must see places for guests - Cambridge, Massachusetts; Home to Harvard University
Photo credit: Getty Images

Harvard Square

Most people who visit Boston don't want to miss Harvard Square, and it's definitely worth the trip. I'd recommend taking the T over there, since parking can be difficult. Walk through the Harvard University campus, and maybe even stop off for lunch at The Border Café – a local favorite. Although Harvard Square is beautiful all year, it's particularly breathtaking in the fall when the leaves are just starting to change.

Fenway Park

4 Yawkey Way
617-226-6666
Tour hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on non-game days,
9 a.m. to 3 and ½ hours before first pitch on game days
Tour cost: $10-$12
website

Tickets to Fenway Park can be difficult to come by, but if can find some, it would certainly be an amazing experience for your guests. If you can't score a Red Sox home game seat – no worries. Your pals can still get up close and personal with the famed ball field. The park runs fifty-minute, guided tours daily. But be forewarned, the tours do sell out, and you must have tickets in hand at least 15 minutes prior to its' start.

Jodi Grundig is the editor and publisher of Family-Friendly Boston, Mom's Favorite Stuff and Family Travel Magazine.

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