Boston has come a long way from 1773, when a band of revolutionaries tossed 342 chests of tea into the harbor. But the Massachusetts capital maintains that rebellious spirit to this day, and the city draws tourists in droves. Visitors can catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park while munching on a Fenway Frank, or head over to one of the neighborhood’s stellar museums, like the Museum of Fine Arts or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Continue into Back Bay, where you can walk Boston’s most famous retail boulevard, Newbury Street. High-end shops like Chanel and Cartier intermingle with local cafes like Thinking Cup and Trident Coffee and Booksellers, as well as larger shopping destinations like Copley Place and the Prudential Center, where you can board a Boston Duck Tours boat. Head over to Boylston, where you’ll find the Boston Public Library, the first large free municipal library in the US. That’s mere steps away from the Boston Marathon finish line, a notorious streak of yellow and blue emblazoned on the street, representing the strength of the city and its people. Soon you’ll step into the Boston Public Garden, a lush landscape of flowers, street musicians, and historic statues. At the center is the Lagoon, where you can catch a ride on the Swan Boats, or snap a picture by the Make Way for Ducklings statues.

Continue onto Boston Common, where you can slap on ice skates to glide across Frog Pond. The Common is also a perfect spot to join one of the city’s walking tours, where hosts in Colonial garb guide you through Downtown’s most famous landmarks. Just steps from the Common is Beacon Hill, filled with row houses and cobblestone streets.

Hop on a BlueBike and journey into the South End, a hip neighborhood with some of Boston’s best restaurants. Filled with charming Victorian brownstones and a thriving gay community, the South End has gained tourist traction in recent years thanks to its booming food scene and SoWa Sundays. Visit Faneuil Hall, where boatloads of tourists venture for shopping, street performers, and history in the hallowed halls of Quincy Market. Pop over to the Museum of Science or the New England Aquarium, or follow the iconic red line of the Freedom Trail to Paul Revere’s House in the North End, known as Boston’s own Little Italy. Line up to get into famed restaurants like Neptune Oyster, where reservations aren’t accepted but lobster rolls will keep you happy. After dinner, head to Modern Pastry for Boston’s best cannoli. You’ll see longer lines at Mike’s Pastry across the street, but trust the locals on this one. While Downtown, you’re within walking distance of several other communities including Chinatown, the Seaport District—where you’ll find the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center—and Downtown Crossing.

Cross the Charles River, once known for its “dirty water,” and head into Cambridge, where America’s greatest academic institutions join a thriving tech industry. Known for Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge is a beloved city in its own right. While they’re not as well known for tourism, Boston has many more wonderful neighborhoods like South Boston, known as “Southie,” and Roxbury, the epicenter of black culture in the city. East Boston, or “Eastie” boasts some of the city’s best Latin and Central American food, as well as iconic Italian spots like Santarpio’s Pizza and Rino’s Place. Dorchester is Boston’s biggest neighborhood with smaller Vietnamese, Cape Verdean, and Irish communities. No matter where you go, it’s easy to grab a day pass for Boston’s trolley system, known as the T. But if you don’t manage to score a seat, be sure to grab a rail and hang on—you’re in for a bumpy ride.