There are numerous of reasons why people visit Boston. History is everywhere (which is not always good for accessibility, but we will address that later). It is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, and touring these colleges is a destination activity in and of itself. Boston is also a mecca for medical tourism due to its top-ranking research hospitals. For people like myself, Boston is home, so I will give in an inside look at some of the highlights of the city.
Museums
Boston is home to 58 museums of various subjects. Considering that Boston isn’t a huge city, you could go to multiple in one day. However, I will say that some museums, particularly the Museum of Fine Arts, you could stay the whole day if you wanted to.
Local Tip: While there is a museum for everyone, if I had to give my overall top recommendation I would say the Museum of Science. There is something there for all ages, and it has so much to offer. Their accessibility is top notch – they even have an Accessibility Coordinator on staff that you can contact with any questions or concerns. Many of the exhibits are interactive which provides an entertaining experience for people with different sensory disabilities. There are also multiple types of shows if you’d like to just relax a bit. The cherry on top is that famous Boston Duck Tours depart from the front of the Museum of Science entrance. The Duck Boats navigate the city by both land and water, so you can tour Boston’s unique neighborhoods in an extra exciting way before splashing into the Charles River for an amazing view of the Boston and Cambridge city skylines. Make sure that you check the Duck Tour website before booking – they need to pull seats ahead of time to accommodate wheelchair users.
Historical Hub
Boston is one of the oldest cities in the U.S., and it is known for its role in the American Revolutionary War. While this provides a plethora of pitstops for history buffs, the city was not designed with accessibility in mind. Some of its top spots, like Beacon Hill and the North End, are filled with cobblestone or brick sidewalks that are very narrow and uneven. The North End is one of the most recommended places to eat in the city due to its famous Italian restaurants, but so many establishments in this area were made before the ADA and are thus inaccessible.
Local Tip: Just because it is a historical city does not mean that the whole city is inaccessible. The area of Seaport is very new, and it offers a range of hotels, restaurants, and activities right on the waterfront. That area is just one suggestion if you want to stay in an area with more accessibility around the hotel.
Sports
Boston is home to some of the greatest sports dynasties and stories of all time. Fenway Park is the oldest baseball stadium in the country. Both the Bruins and Celtics play at the TD Garden. The New England Patriots’ stadium is 30 miles south of the city, but a new train option has been added that connects Boston and the stadium. The stadium now has a shopping and entertainment area around it as well.
Two sports halls of fame are within an hour and a half drive from the city of Boston. The Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Springfield, MA, and The Tennis Hall of Fame is located in Newport, RI.
Local Tip: There is a ticketed tour of Fenway Park that gets great reviews. While I haven’t gone myself (it’s on my list!), it is said to be accessible on their website. In my experience with asking questions before a concert at Fenway, their team is very responsive with questions via email. On that topic, summer concerts at Fenway Park are amazing! If you want to go to a baseball game on the same day as the tour, you can easily schedule the latest tour of the day and grab something to eat in between. One last tip if you are visiting Fenway Park for a game or event. Know your exits! The area around the stadium gets super congested when everyone is leaving at the same time.
Other Highlights:
- Uber WAV – the city of Boston has Uber WAV, and in my experience, there have been cars available most times that I use the app.
- Top Notch Hospitals – as someone with a rare disease and chronic illness, I get weary about traveling to places far away from reputable health care. Boston is home to some of the best hospitals in the world.
- A relatively short distance from other distinct locations – Portland, Maine, Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, Newport, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod are all within a 2 hour drive of the city.
- Four Distinct Seasons – as someone who does not like the cold, I wouldn’t recommend visiting in the winter unless you plan to head north and do some snow-related activity. Fall in New England is a classic time, but October can have unpredictable weather. At all times of the year, the morning weather in Boston can be drastically different than the afternoon, so it is important to pack accordingly. My personal favorite months are June and September.