24 Hours in Boston
Welcome to Boston, the capital of Massachusetts and home to many American historical sites. It's also a breathtaking, waterfront quintessential New England city. You can walk most of Boston, but the city also offers public transportation and a plethora of ride-sharing services that make this city accessible.
The Convention Center, home of Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2022, is in the heart of the Seaport District, the fastest-growing and newest neighborhood in Boston. The Seaport District is part of the Port of Boston Harbor and home to The Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, Institute of Contemporary Art and Boston Children's Museum, as well as the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse. This waterfront neighborhood is bustling with history, new restaurants and shops. Stroll along the Boston Harborwalk and spend time outdoors at Fan Pier, a beautifully landscaped green space right along the water that offers tables and benches, a lookout terrace and fire pits. This public walkway spans 43 miles, connects Boston's waterfront neighborhoods and encompasses most of Seaport's unique shops, public art and museums. If you want an interactive living history experience, walk to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museums, where you can learn about the seminal events that altered American history – and even board a ship and throw British Tea into the Harbor.
After a day of exploring, take time to enjoy the fresh food and hip cocktails that Seaport District is known for. The neighborhood has significantly changed in recent years, but the Barking Crab has stood the test of time. This boisterous, low-key seafood restaurant opened its famous red-and-yellow-striped tent in 1994 and has been serving fresh clambakes, lobster rolls and oysters with shells that you can chuck into the harbor. A newer (and highly regarded) dining option in Seaport is Nautilus, a Japanese seafood fusion restaurant known for tapas-style plates, sleek interior design and variety of sake options. Although we don't usually recommend chain restaurants while exploring a new city, the flagship Legal Seafood Restaurant is also worth a visit. This three-story building sits directly on the water, has a spectacular roof deck and each floor has a specific and curated menu. A few notable points to enjoy a drink in the Seaport District include Envoy Rooftop, Trillium Brewing, Menton, Row 34, Sportello, Coquette and Lolita Fort Point.
We also recommend visiting the Beacon Hill neighborhood, a time capsule of old New England that has cobblestone streets, red brick homes and quaint streetlamps. The quintessential neighbored houses the state capital building, is adjacent to the Boston Commons Garden and Park and has cozy cafes, local boutique shops and restaurants. Grab a coffee or an ice cream at JP Licks off Charles Street and get lost in the charming and narrow streets of Beacon Hill. Make sure to snap a photo while on Acorn Street, as it's the most-photographed street in the United States. Another great neighborhood to visit is Back Bay. Walk down Newbury Street, where you'll find retail shopping, dozens of new restaurants and prime people-watching opportunities.
The Boston Public Library is a great spot to spend time in the walls and halls of a regal historic building. While in Back Bay, also visit the Prudential Center, eat at Eataly and marvel over the views in the Skywalk Observatory at the top of the "Pru" (Prudential Tower). Other great neighborhoods to explore include the North End, Boston's Little Italy, South End and Fenway Park – home of the Boston Red Sox. If time permits, head to Cambridge and visit Harvard Square, explore MIT's campus and walk the esplanade overlooking the Charles River. If the weather permits, you can even rent a sailboat or kayak.
New England also offers plenty of opportunities for sports fans. Depending upon the season, you can catch the Red Sox, the NBA's Boston Celtics or the NHL's Boston Bruins. (The NFL's New England Patriots actually play in Foxborough, Mass.) A plethora of sports bars also can make you feel like you're at the games without purchasing a ticket (Bleacher Bar is a personal favorite).
Dr. Baddoura is PGY-4, and Dr. Hwang is PGY-3 in the Mass General Brigham Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Program.