Plan Your Trip: What to do While Visiting Boston

The 2023 Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA) Annual Summer Conference begins today and ends on June 25th in historic Boston, Massachusetts. After spending your day networking with dermatology experts and attending informative sessions at SDPA, use the list below as a small guide to just some of the many sights and sounds of Boston.

1. A glimpse of history

Considered to be the birthplace of the American Revolution, Boston is one of the most historically rich cities in the United States. Whether you want to channel your inner tourist or consider yourself a history buff, there is no shortage of historical sites and scenes in this New England city. Take a guided (or self-guided) tour through the Freedom Trail, which just happens to connect to 16 historic sites, including the site of the Boston Massacre, Bunker Hill monument, USS Constitution, the Paul Revere House, and more. And even if you prefer coffee, you can still find time to enjoy the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum.

2. Gardens and greenery

Need a breath of fresh air and a taste of the outdoors after a long day spent in hotel conference rooms? Visit Boston Common (no “s” added at the end), the oldest public park in the nation, complete with 44 acres of greenery, water, and wildlife. You can also take one of several sightseeing cruises, overlooking the Boston skyline from the comfort of the Atlantic Ocean.

3. Museums and libraries

Just a few steps away from the conference site is Boston Public Library—the first large, free municipal library in the country. It was also the first public library to lend out books to its visitors. As mentioned above, the Boston Tea Party Museum is one of several museums in the area, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the USS Constitution Museum, the Museum of African American History, and more. Oh, and, if you are still looking for bookish places in the area, there are plenty of charming bookstores in the city, including Brattle Book Shop of Boston, which features shelves of books in an outdoor setting.

4. Eats

Baked beans aside, Boston is a hub of delicious eats and has a well-loved food scene. TimeOut offers a list of the 25 best restaurants in Boston, and Eater has compiled a list of the 38 essential restaurants in the area, including foods from all walks of life. You can be sure to find a local spot that will satisfy your appetite. If cafes, coffee, tea, and baked good are more your style, here is Eater’s list of 15 essential coffee shops in the greater Boston area.

5. Athletics

If sports are your thing, visit Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. The ballpark offers daily individual and group tours, and if you happen to be staying for a few days after the conference, you might just be able to catch a game.

Follow along throughout the next 4 days for more up-to-date coverage from SDPA.