Timeline
10:30
Stand at the Site of Boston town gate. This is the original entrance to the colonial settlement, marked by earthworks and a gallows outside the gates. It is a quiet, free historical marker on the corner of Washington and E Berkeley streets.
10:33
Walk three minutes to More Than Words Bookstore. Browse the shelves in this bright, inviting space. It is a non-profit that trains at-risk youth in business and professional skills, making your visit a direct contribution to the community.
10:45
Head to Chinatown Cafe for lunch. Venture just off the main track to find large portions of cheap and tasty Chinese food. The wonton soup is a local favorite, and everything comes in styrofoam containers whether you dine in or take away.
11:15
Walk nineteen minutes to The Boston Public Garden. Once a swampy salt marsh, this is the largest and oldest botanical garden in the United States. Stroll among the plantings and enjoy the green space that defines the city's historic center.
Local tip
The Boston Public Garden is open during daylight hours. The Chinatown Cafe is open daily from 10:30 to 20:30, making it a safe bet for lunch. More Than Words Bookstore is open 10:30 to 19:00 on weekdays and 10:30 to 16:00 on weekends.
Check before you go
- More Than Words Bookstore closes at 16:00 on weekends.
- Chinatown Cafe closes at 20:30.
- The Site of Boston town gate is accessible 24/7.
Worth knowing
- More Than Words Bookstore is open at 10:33 only on Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa, Su
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Boston (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).