A one-day itinerary for taking in all Boston has to offer

Tuesday, 20 December 2011 2:08 PM

If you find yourself in Boston for a day or two and want to make sure you take it all in, it is probably best to do a little planning so you can fit in everything the city has to offer, including shopping, fine dining and a wealth of cultural attractions.

Many holidaymakers head to the US city on holidays for singles, which gives them the freedom to see and do whatever they please.

No trip to Boston would be complete without visiting some of its cultural attractions. Head to the waterfront to see the exhibits at the Institute of Contemporary Art before travelling to the nearby Museum of African American History, which explores the achievements and stories of African Americans in the region from the colonial era to the 19th century.

Looking to hit the shops during your holiday? If you have time, check out the stores on Newbury Street, where you'll discover a host of boutiques and big-name brands perfect for treating yourself to a new outfit or a gift for someone else.

After a morning of shopping, you might well be in need of some serious pampering. Luckily, Boston is home to a plethora of spas and wellbeing centres that can provide you with some much-needed rest and relaxation.

The Belle Sante Day Spa could be a great choice if you want to be thoroughly spoiled. Located on Newbury Street, this wellness centre has won more Best of Boston Awards than any other day spa in the metropolis, taking home prizes for Best Manicure, Best Massage, Best Pedicure and Best Sunless Tanning Treatment.

Therapies include body bronzing, a Phytomer head-to-toe body ritual using active marine ingredients, bamboo massages, deep tissue spa massages and body scrubs, and herbal compresses, so you are sure to find a treatment that suits and helps rejuvenate you so you can enjoy the rest of your holiday.

If your idea of relaxation consists of teeing off and hitting some balls down the fairway, you will be able to take advantage of several golf courses in Boston - but the very best may well be the George Wright.

This is an 18-hole course designed by Donald Ross in 1938 and can be found in the Hyde Park district of the city. It is open all week between April and November, so those in Boston at this time may wish to get away from it all here.

The George Wright Golf Course was recently named the Best Public Golf Course by Boston Magazine in its Best of Boston awards issue, describing the fairway as "a fun, fair test with lots of elevation changes, and there might not be finer back-to-back holes in the state than the ninth and tenth".

Alternatively, the William J Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park - the second-oldest public course to be found in the US - could also prove appealing to some.

This is part of the Emerald Necklace in Dorchester and is located just minutes away from downtown Boston - ideal for anyone keen to be out in fresh air and green spaces without straying too far from the city itself.

If you are eager to try some of the local restaurants, Blu might be a great venue to make your first port of call. This eatery offers wonderful views of the city and would be the perfect place to go for an evening meal, as the lights of the metropolis really are beautiful when the sun goes down.

Dishes here include seared diver scallops, beef carpaccio arugula, coconut mussels and flash-fried calamari. Of course, there are other restaurants to try out, including the Hyatt Regency Boston.

This would be a particularly good choice for those considering their North America travel options who find themselves in Boston's theatre district. You can go for a gourmet meal and a cocktail or two before heading off to see a play.

There are lots of theatres to be found here so if you're looking for some upmarket evening entertainment, you are sure to be in your element in this part of Boston. For a bit of history as well as culture, head to the Boston Colonial Theatre, which is the oldest continuously operating playhouse in New England after opening on December 26th 1900.

Whether you're in Boston during the first leg of your USA holiday or you're visiting the city on tours from New York, there are enough attractions and sights here to make your day in the destination a truly memorable one.