8 Best Things to Do for Couples in Boston

Boston Common and the neighbouring Public Garden rank high on any list of things to do within in the city. Boston Common is America’s oldest park and is a popular stop along the Freedom Trail.

The Garden is a sight in itself, with lush weeping willows lining a pond that swans call home. The sway of the trees and its quaint suspension bridge helps to make The Public Garden one of the most relaxing and idyllic places in the city. As you walk around both grounds, look out for any historical monuments sitting between lines of trees.

The Charles River Esplanade is found on the Boston side of the river, which separates the city from Cambridge. This 3-mile leafy path is popular with joggers at all times of day, as well as flocks of wild geese. While the geese are pretty to look at, be sure to leave them alone.

The best way to take in the charm of the esplanade is to start your walk from the Museum of Science and head toward Boston University. Along the way, you’ll come across marshes, sailings boats for rent and places to buy refreshments. A walk in this urban oasis also allows great views of Cambridge.

The view from the 50th floor of the Prudential Center on Boylston Street takes in the Charles River, Boston Common and much of Downtown Boston. On a clear day, you can see for 100 miles. There are audio tours available to explain what you’re seeing, as well as a museum about the city’s past and the role of immigration on its development.

Naturally, the most romantic time to visit is around sunset, though that’s also going to be the busiest time. Take a stroll or bring your camera to record those iconic memories.

Whether or not they’re an aphrodisiac is open to debate, but oysters are certainly tasty and Boston is famous for them. There are dozens of oyster bars around the city, many of which have set days or times when they'll serve up oysters for a dollar each. No one said a romantic meal had to cost you a fortune.

Among the best options available for you are weekday afternoons at Warren Tavern on Pleasant Street, early evenings at Vialé Cambridge on Massachusetts Avenue and on Thursdays at Publico Street Bistro & Garden on Dorchester Street. Try a few different spots to find your favourite.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum provides a fascinating slice of Italy in the middle of Boston. Built to resemble a 15th-century Venetian palace, the museum houses a stunning collection of paintings and sculptures from around the world. It’s not a huge museum, so there’s no risk of getting tired of exploring.

The museum itself is virtually a work of art in its own right, with gorgeous scenery and rooms, especially the central courtyard. Visit on Thursdays and Saturdays and you'll often find a special event or activity to enjoy. 

The Boston Symphony Hall was specifically designed for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The building’s acoustics provide the best possible experience of the talented and highly respected musicians, allowing you to hear every nuance of the sound. 

There are performances most evenings, usually starting at 8pm, with special concerts around the year’s major holidays. Be sure to book tickets well in advance because these events are especially popular and fill up quickly. Why not take part in a composing workshop, attend a specialised talk or go behind the scenes on a tour while you’re here?

Of all the theatres in Boston, the Wang Theatre is undoubtedly the grandest and most beautiful. It first opened in 1925 as a cinema, but now hosts first-class dramas, concerts, Broadway musicals and other performances. The shows are always sensational, so when you’re planning to be in the city, be sure to try to grab a ticket. You’re bound to have a great night out.

Even outside of the shows, the theatre itself is a spectacle. The stage is one of the largest in the country, the hall seats 3,500 people and the theatre’s ceiling is really remarkable, with an incredible crystal chandelier as its centrepiece.

Scullers is regarded as one of the best jazz clubs in Boston and hosts some of the greatest musicians around. It’s located inside the DoubleTree Suites by the Charles River and has a very romantic style, with candle-lit tables, mahogany on almost every surface and sultry decor.

The club doubles as a restaurant, and the food is also very highly regarded so why not consider a dinner package for a truly memorable date? Dine on New England clam chowder and juicy burgers before sharing mini apple tarts to the sound of sweet, soulful jazz.