Destinations: Five Ways to Mix Business with Pleasure in Boston

The next time you book a conference or need to travel for an important business meeting, why not turn it into a bleisure trip? The word “bleisure” may be unfamiliar to some, but extending a business trip to discover a new city is a great way to experience the best of both worlds.

While people and businesses are limiting nonessential travel during the pandemic, there are times when you need to meet face to face, albeit behind masks. So whether you need to book a business trip soon or sometime farther in the future as we return to nonessential travel, we have some inspiration for you.

This month we’re dreaming of bleisuring in Boston. Boston is a big city for business travel, known for its connections to conferences and networking opportunities. Once your meetings are over, make some time for activities and sights in this historical city. Immerse yourself in its culture as you bond with coworkers or clients and build your network.

Here are five ways to mix business with pleasure the next time you are in Boston:

1.    Get schooled on history

Tack on an additional day to your business trip or conference to explore Boston’s revolutionary war sights, colonial buildings, and quirky streets. Not to be missed: Boston’s 2.5 mile-Freedom Trail, a walking tour of 16 famous revolutionary war sites starting at Boston Common, winding through the streets of Boston, and ending at the Bunker Hill Monument. Choose a DIY tour or a paid tour. Thanks to signage and an easy to identify red brick path the Freedom Trail is easy to navigate on your own, but you may miss out on some cool historical anecdotes and stories from a tour guide that will enhance your understanding of Boston’s history.

Bonus tip: Make sure to check out the Black Heritage Trail, which crosses the Freedom Trail between the Massachusetts State House and Park Street Church.

2.    Chow down

One of the best ways to experience the culture of a place is through your taste buds and Boston has no shortage of delicious food to explore. In between conference rooms and panel discussions, make room for a little seafood in your life. Your trip won’t be complete until you sample some New England seafood. Our suggestion: bite into a lobster roll and down a bowl of clam chowder. First time trying a lobster roll? A lobster roll is a sandwich served on a griddled, buttered roll with pink lobster meat and warm melted butter or mayo. Need a break from seafood? Spring for Italian food one night in the North End. Choose one of the many Mom and Pop establishments and you won’t be sorry. Just make sure you don’t skip dessert. You won’t have to go far to find the coveted flaky Italian pastry called cannoli. For those unfamiliar, cannoli are hollow pastry tubes piped with sweet ricotta cheese and sprinkled with chocolate, nuts, or fruit.

Fun fact: Eighteenth century settlers first brought clam chowder (or “chowdah”) to New England and it’s been a popular meal ever since.

3.    Take a walk in the park

It’s hard to miss the Boston Common as it’s located at the center of everything. Whether you have a few hours to spare or the whole day free, take a stroll through the many paths at America’s oldest public park. On a warm day, Frog Pond is a popular place to swim. In the winter, it turns into a skating rink. Our advice: people watch, take pictures of the city skyline, and then head across the street to the Public Gardens. The nation’s first public botanical garden, opened in 1837, was actually a mudflat (a coastal wetland area) before it became a garden. Take a swan boat on the pond in the middle of the gardens or stroll around and view the flowers.

Fun fact: Before it became a garden, the Boston Public Gardens was almost used for a cemetery, but the city decided to create the first public botanical garden instead.

4.    Wander the neighborhoods

Bring along a coworker or business colleague, or take some time alone to explore some of Boston’s iconic historic neighborhoods. With unique architecture, rich history, and endless shopping opportunities, Back Bay and Beacon Hill are two of the most popular neighborhoods.

Squeeze in some shopping or grab a bite at one of Back Bay’s high-end stores or eateries. Stroll through the pretty brownstones and tree-lined streets and old Victorian homes that date back to the 19th century. Boston Public Library is an architectural treasure and a must-see while you’re there. Take one of their free Art and Architecture Tours which highlight the beautiful library and surrounding area as well as the important artwork in and around the library.

Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s most picturesque and historic neighborhoods. Meander through the winding, steep streets lined with Victorian brick row houses and old-fashioned lanterns. Explore the brick and cobble stone and check out antique shops and the statehouse building.

Fun fact: Opened in 1852, Boston Public Library is one of the largest municipal libraries in the country, home to over 23 million items, with almost four million visitors each year.

5.    Learn something new

Take an afternoon or map out a day to learn something new. Boston is home to some of the most prominent museums in the country. Not to be missed — the Museum of Fine Arts, with 500,000 pieces of fine art covering everything from the pre-Columbian era to Italian Impressionists. Admission is free after 4 p.m. on Wednesday (or on your birthday). Check out the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, once the home of a Boston art collector.  Admire the pink stucco walls, arched windows, and a stunning indoor courtyard as you peruse the eclectic collection of tapestries, paintings, sculptures, rare books, and furniture.

Fun fact: In 1990, 13 of the Isabella Steward Gardener Museum's works were stolen. The crime remains unsolved and the pieces, valued at an estimated $500 million, have not been recovered. A $10 million reward for information leading to the art's recovery remains in place.

• Learn how we're protecting your health and safety while flying
• Download the SEA App to track flights, search shops, and connect to transportation options.