Boston in 4 Days

Clearly every traveler moves at a different pace. One might pass a contented hour in the massive Museum of Fine Arts; another might have to be forcibly removed at closing time. Nevertheless, in four days you should be able to hit the city highlights without feeling rushed. If you're lucky enough to have a few vacation days to spare, you can put them to good use exploring nearby communities.

Day 1: Hit the Trail

About 3 million visitors walk the Freedom Trail every year -- and there's a good reason why: taken together, the route's 16 sites offer a crash course in colonial history. That makes the trail a "must" in Bostonian terms, so you might as well tackle it sooner rather than later. Linger wherever you like, leaving time for lunch in bustling Quincy Market. (Its food court is a good place to sample at least one of Boston's edible holy trinity: lobster, clams, and "chowdah.") Next, follow the redbrick road into the North End, where you'll find Old North Church and Paul Revere's former home (Boston's oldest house, it was constructed almost 100 years before he moved in). After wandering the neighborhood's narrow streets, dine in one of Little Italy's many authentic eateries. Or -- if you have time and shoe leather left -- keep going across the Charlestown Bridge for a look at the USS Constitution, then catch the MBTA water shuttle back to Downtown.

Day 2: Head for the Hill

Named for the light that topped it in the 17th century, Beacon Hill originally stood a bit taller until earth was scraped off its peak and used as landfill not far away. What remains -- namely gas street lamps, shady trees, brick sidewalks, and stately Brahmin brownstones -- evokes old Boston. When soaking up the ambience, don't forget to take in some of Beacon Hill's "official" attractions. After all, major sites from Boston's various themed trails, including the Massachusetts State House, the Boston Athenaeum, the African Meeting House, and the Granary Burying Ground, are located here. Afterwards, stroll over to the Common and the Public Garden (America's oldest public park and oldest botanical garden respectively). Both promise greenery and great people-watching. If shopping is more your bag, cruise for antiques along Charles Street, the thoroughfare that separates them. In the evening, chow down on chow mein in the affordable eateries of Chinatown or go upscale at hot new restaurants in the Theater District.

Day 3: Get an Overview

From the Back Bay, you can cover a lot of Boston's other attractions in a single day. Start at the top (literally) by seeing 360-degree views from the Prudential Center's Skywalk Observatory. Once you understand the lay of the land, just plot a route based on your interests. Architecture aficionados can hit the ground running at the neoclassical Public Library and Romanesque Trinity Church. Shoppers, conversely, can opt for the stores of Newbury Street and Copley Place (a high-end mall anchored by Neiman Marcus). Farther west in the Fens, other choices await. Art connoisseurs might view the collection at the Museum of Fine Arts (with 350,000 objets d'art spanning 3,000 years it could take some time!) or the more manageably sized Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Quirky, carnival-like Fenway Park beckons baseball fans to the other side of the Fens. Depending on your taste -- and the availability of tickets -- cap the day with a Symphony Hall concert or a Red Sox game.

Day 4: On the Waterfront

Having spent so much time focusing on the old, why not devote a day to something new? Begin at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) on Fan Pier. Boston's first new art museum in almost a century boasts a bold cantilevered design that makes the most of its waterside location. Next, follow the ever-expanding HarborWalk to the Children's Museum and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, which reopen after major overhauls in 2007 and 2008 respectively. These are all particularly good destinations for kids (even the ICA, thanks to special programming for both little tykes and hard-to-please teens). Also on the waterfront is the New England Aquarium, another family favorite that underwent its own expansion (gaining an IMAX theater in the process) back in 2001. Highlights include the Giant Ocean Tank, hands-on tidal pools, and an engaging sea lion show. Outside you can sign on for a harbor cruise, whale-watching trip, or ferry ride to the Boston Harbor Islands.