Where I discover that you can see quite a lot in just two days in Boston – despite being slowed down with a limp!
Travelling with an injured knee isn’t ideal, but that was my reality when we went to visit our son in Philadelphia just before Christmas. I’d managed to tear a meniscus while climbing a hill in Scotland in July and, in complete denial, I spent too long “waiting for it to get better” when we got home. The doctor I eventually saw made it clear to me that surgery was in my near future, and also made it crystal clear that there wasn’t enough time for me to have it before our scheduled USA trip – so limping was my only option.
Part of our US agenda involved a short trip to Boston, a city I’d long wanted to visit, so with just two days in Boston – and walking off the menu – I set out to see what I could enjoy at a gentler pace. Spoiler alert: quite a lot, actually.
We kicked things off (figuratively, of course) with the city’s iconic Boston Duck Tours. Equal parts quirky and informative, these amphibious WWII-style vehicles trundle you past Boston’s biggest landmarks before dramatically plunging into the Charles River. We had a perfect day for it and, from the water, the city looks almost storybook perfect—gleaming spires, leafy parks, and rowers gliding along like they’re in a L.L. Bean catalogue. Best of all, the boats are very knee-friendly, with easy access and minimal steps.
We were staying at the gloriously grand Fairmont Copley Plaza, an elegant Beaux-Arts beauty in Copley Square. I love a Fairmont Hotel – the brand is consistently welcoming and luxurious. Of course, the fact that they have resident labradors is a massive plus too.
Right across the square from our hotel sits one of the true cultural gems of the city – the Boston Public Library. This place is breathtaking and should be on the top of anyones list as a must-see.
Founded in 1848 as the first large free municipal library in the United States, it’s an architectural stunner with Renaissance-style murals, sweeping staircases, and a serene inner courtyard that feels like it’s been plucked straight out of Florence. I sat in the famed Bates Reading Room, where brass lamps glow softly on rows of oak desks, and tried (and failed) not to feel just a little bit smug about my excellent taste in sightseeing.
With only two days in Boston, we had to prioritise, and I’d been urged not to miss the enchanting, and ever so quirky Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Now, this is no ordinary gallery. This was the private home of the eccentric, art-loving and outrageously wealthy Isabella, who filled it with treasures collected from her grand tours of Europe and beyond. She left strict instructions that nothing was to be changed after her death, so walking through feels like wandering into someone’s slightly bonkers (and eclectically over-decorated) personal palace. It’s all cloisters, velvet chairs, ancient manuscripts, and a courtyard that positively drips with ferns and flowers. There are chairs and quiet corners everywhere – ideal for resting both body and spirit.
Later, I took advantage of some of the shopping that was so close to our hotel, and sent The Bloke off for a tour of Revolutionary history with a short, self-curated stretch of the Freedom Trail. This red-brick path winds past 16 historic sites across the city, and it’s easy to dip in and out as your schedule allows. One stop I had no intention of missing was the Green Dragon Tavern, where I met up with my more active partner. Known as the “Headquarters of the Revolution,” it’s where Paul Revere and other patriots once met to plan their rebellion over pints. These days, it’s a cheery pub serving up chowder and pints to visitors with far less treasonous agendas.
For some flat-ground wandering and snacking, Quincy Market was a hit. It’s lively, packed with street performers and food stalls, and entirely wheelchair and limp-friendly. We found a table in the sun, grabbed a buttery lobster roll, and let the buzz of the place wash over us. We also had a (slow) wander through the Boston Public Market, which is small but has some interesting stall-holders, including a local seafood supplier who provides the provenance of their fresh seafood.
We also treated ourselves to dinner at Sorellina, a sleek, modern Italian restaurant (and where I gave myself over to the experience and took absolutely no photos!). With beautifully plated dishes, warm, informative service, and a spectacular wine list, it’s absolutely worth splashing out on, but here’s my tip – you must book. Just a block from our hotel, it was the perfect spot to toast a day of low-impact exploring.
It’s surprising what you can see in two days in Boston, and the city turned out to be not just walkable, but wonderfully pause-able. With its mix of culture, history, and warm hospitality, it’s a city that’s perfectly suited to travellers who are taking things a little slower—and maybe noticing a little more because of it.
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