Boston beckons us this spring with a slew of cultural, historical, and outdoor activities that won’t break the bank. From free beer to cheap bike rentals and sports-themed hotel packages, here are seven reasons to book a spring break in Boston.
1. Boston By Bike: Voted one of the most bike-friendly cities by Bicycling magazine, Boston takes full advantage of its interconnected streetways and bike-happy residents to maintain safe paths for cyclists and encourage more city-wide events. The Bluebikes system is a great affordable option for exploring the town on a weekend getaway. ($6/casual 24-hour period.).
2. Sports and Hotel Packages: Known as much for its history as for its dedicated sports enthusiasts, Boston’s Inn At Longwood (342 Longwood Ave.) offers hotel and sports packages for fans looking to catch a few games in the city. From April through the Fall, guests can pick up Bruins, Red Sox, or Celtics tickets with a one night stay at The Inn (starting at $220) with deluxe accommodations available. Be sure to check the website for booking information and eligible games. Museum of Fine Art packages are also available for Yankee fans.
3. Historical Tours: Get in some exercise and explore the lesser known historic enclaves in one of the oldest cities in America through a guided tour. The Freedom Trail Tour ranges from $6.50-12, and The Massachusetts State House (24 Beacon St.) on Beacon Hill, The Boston Public Library (700 Boylston St.), and The Old North Church (193-5 Salem St.) offer free guided tours. Many of the locations on The Freedom Trail Tour are also available at no cost, so visitors are encouraged to inquire about the stops.
4. Boston Brew Tours: Lager lovers can hit the Samuel Adams Brewery (30 Germania St.), which offers daily tours and tastings which range between $10-$60. Or visit the Harpoon Brewery (306 Northern Ave.) on weekdays for a complimentary tasting of freshly-brewed Harpoon and UFO beers, and a learning session on the company’s history and its brewing process. (A weekend visit to Harpoon will run you $5).
5. Stroll Along The Boston Harbor: Stretching 40 miles from South Boston to Charlestown, The Boston Harborwalk lines the city’s newly minted waterfront and features an MP3 audio tour available for free download on the Harborwalk’s website. The tour shares the city’s history while showcasing the neighborhood’s art galleries, cafes, and recreational facilities.
6. Stargazing At Coit Observatory: The Coit Observatory at Boston University (725 Commonwealth Ave.) opens its doors to the public for free stargazing every Wednesday at 8:30pm in the spring and summer months, weather permitting. Public Open Nights give spectators the chance to view the night sky through binoculars and telescopes while learning about their origins.
7. Sea-ing Boston at Sunset: Departing from Long Wharf, the Boston Harbor Cruise offers a lot of bang (literally, you can watch the USS Constitution fire a cannon at sunset) for a little buck. Seafarer’s can enjoy a 90-minute narrated sightseeing tour and a twilight-lit skyline for just $34.95.
How to get there: Consult oM’s public transit guide to Boston.
Photo: pepsiline
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram