A local's guide to Boston, Massachusetts: where to eat and what to do

Even though I only lived in Boston for three years, I fondly remember trips with my family on the weekends when I was younger. Now it feels like home

The TD Garden is home to the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins. The Zakim Bridge is also seen.

Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox, is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.

Faneuil Hall in Boston is a popular hotspot for tourists.

Catch a Boston Bruins hockey game at the TD Garden.

Take a visit to China Pearl for dim sum in the Chinatown neighbourhood in Boston.

The Boston Marathon is one of the oldest races in the world and takes place every third Monday in April.

The Institute of Contemporary Art's outdoor amphitheatre offers spectacular views of the harbour.

Mike's Pastry in the North End of Boston is a popular spot for tourists looking for a sweet treat.

A view of the Boston Common and downtown business district.

Boston's Chinatown neighbourhood has many choices when it comes to food and drinks.

Boston is a place that doesn't need much introduction. It may not be the biggest city in the US, but it is one of the oldest. It was the scene for several pivotal events in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783 and has many sites dedicated to the conflict, including the Freedom Trail, Paul Revere's house, the Bunker Hill Monument and more. But don't let that fool you into thinking it's only for history buffs. With world-class universities, including Harvard, MIT and Berklee College of Music, plus major museums and sports teams, this Massachusetts city always buzzes.

My top tours

Sports fans can head to Kenmore Square for a Red Sox game at Fenway Park (the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball) or go to North Station and TD Garden to see the Bruins or Celtics play. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat in one of the restaurants around the bustling district.

If food is your thing, discover Boston's Chinatown and enjoy some dim sum or grab a milk tea at Gong Cha, Chatime and Tea-Do, which are all located within walking distance of one another. If the weather is nice, you can also walk up to the Boston Common and take in this beautiful park.

There are plenty of museums to visit as well. Take your pick from Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston Children's Museum, Harvard Museum of Natural History and John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, to name a few of my favourites.

My hidden gem

Check out the Institute of Contemporary Art in the Seaport District in South Boston and enjoy the outdoor amphitheatre that faces the Boston Harbour. It’s a quiet spot away from the city, offering a peaceful place to simply sit, relax and people-watch.

My one must-do

Attend or even participate in the Boston Marathon. The event began in 1897 and is one of the oldest marathons in the world. It takes place every third Monday in April. The 42-kilometre race sees most of the city and surrounding towns close. Despite the tragic bombings of 2013, the event still has a great turnout. It captures the Boston spirit and you might even see a world record set.

My favourite eats

Boston has taken full advantage of being home to people hailing from so many different cultures, especially in the food scene. Hei La Moon and China Pearl are two eateries with delicious grub in Chinatown. Grab some cannoli at the famed Mike's Pastry in the North End – you'll probably face a wait, but it's worth it. Boston is also home to the chocolate dessert bar Max Brenner, just one of three in the US. Finally, for something with more New England flavour, head to Legal Seafoods, Atlantic Fishing Co or Legal Harborside in the Seaport district. At the latter, you can enjoy dinner with gorgeous panoramic views of the harbour.