Travel Budget: Boston in the Fall

Elizabeth VanCamp

I recently went on a trip to Massachusetts to visit family in Northampton, and to take my daughter to her first Red Sox game in Boston. Although we only stayed in Boston for a day, I’m lucky enough to have spent an entire week there a few years back.

Due to being college students and newlyweds, my husband and I did that first trip on a shoestring budget, and we still think of it as one of our favorite vacations together. I wanted to share some insight with you on how you can enjoy the awesome city of Boston even if you’re tight on cash.

One of the things I love most about Boston is that it’s a city with endless opportunities for fun and learning, and it can be enjoyed on almost any budget. Don’t let a tight budget stop you from having a great time when you visit the city!

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

There are so many learning opportunities in Boston, and several cost $20 or less. Even if your budget for your trip is small, you might be able to afford visiting a few of the following:

$ 17 BOSTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

$ 12 HARVARD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

$ 12 PEABODY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY & ETHNOLOGY

$ 14 JFK PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM

$ 20 PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM

FREE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

BUY A GO BOSTON CARD

If you’ve never heard of Go City Cards, I’m about to introduce you to a travel game changer. The company offers cards, such as the Go Boston Card, that can save you up to 55% on various attractions versus paying the regular admission price.

You can choose the right Go Boston Card that fits your trip plans and budget to make the most of your visit. The cheapest card (a one-day pass to as many attractions as you’d like to see) is $59 per person. This is a great deal, but if that price doesn’t fit your budget, there are still many inexpensive things to see and do without.

VISIT THE PUBLIC GARDEN

Boston’s Public Garden is filled with beautiful plants and flowers, and has a lagoon, ducks roaming about, and musicians providing a peaceful ambience. You can simply take a stroll through the huge garden, or you can grab lunch from a nearby restaurant and enjoy it underneath a tree.

You can also take a swan boat ride around the lagoon (a tradition dating back to 1870!) for $4 per adult and $2.50 per child. Don’t forget to visit the statues of Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings, who were the subjects of Robert McCluskey’s book, “Make Way for Ducklings”.

TAKE A HISTORIC TOUR

Whether you want to take a guided tour or venture out on your own, Boston has a lot to show you. You can explore the Freedom Trail for $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $6.50 for kids. At only 2.5 miles long, this tour is doable for most people.

If you would rather explore sites on your own, like my husband and I did, find a map of the city’s historic sites (we bought ours from our hotel’s concierge for $3) and get to it! The city is easy to navigate on foot but the MBTA Subway is very easy and cheap to use if walking is a challenge for you, and you’ll have a great time exploring all the history Boston has to offer.

VISIT FAMOUS PUBS

Don’t you want to go where everybody knows your name? Originally called the Bull and Finch Pub, the Cheers bar in Beacon Hill is a fun destination whether you’re a fan of the show “Cheers” or not (and it provides a great photo op).

Another bar that’s worth visiting is the Pour House. When searching for it on Google, you’ll find it listed as the #1 Bar in Boston. While I can’t verify that fact, I can tell you from experience that this bar is a winner. What’s not to like about great food at cheap prices within walking distance to Fenway Park?

TOUR FENWAY PARK

Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, seeing Fenway Park up close is a pretty great experience. As the oldest Major League Baseball stadium still in use and a member of the National Register of Historic Places, it’s sure to please almost anyone who visits.

A tour is just $20 per adult and takes you throughout the whole ballpark. This includes the towering Green Monster, Fenway’s 37.167’ tall left field wall, which was part of the original 1912 construction of the park.

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