Boston is a historic city that is the birthplace of the American Revolution. It is a college town with some of the world’s best universities and smartest students. Last but certainly not least, a city with hardcore sports fans who take it all quite seriously.

I spent 13 years of my life in Boston. Here are my favorites:

Boston Common: Downtown Boston park which is the oldest park in the country. In the summertime, go for free Salsa lessons or watch free plays by local performers. Ice skating in the winter.

Freedom Trail: 2.5 mile walk which takes you to all the must see historical sites throughout the city. Just follow the footprints that start at the Boston Common.

Faneuil hall/Quincy Market: Government center. Historical. Marketplace. Street performers. Touristy. Recommend starting the freedom trail from the Boston Common and walking here. You may want to try Dick’s for a very different kind of restaurant experience.

Shop/Eat on Newbury St: Classy shopping and dinning district. The shops get pricier as you walk towards the Boston Common.

Watch a baseball game: Fenway. Home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway stadium nicknamed the green monster is perhaps the most famous baseball stadium in America. Just do a quick tour of the stadium if you’re not a baseball fan.

Duck Tour: Take a tour of Boston in these quirky duck boats from World War II. The ducks boats drive through touristy spots on land as well as in water on the Charles river. I’ve been on these twice and I find that the experience will heavily depend on the driver and how funny they are. Starts from the Prudential building.

North end: Boston’s little Italy. City’s oldest residential community with lots of fine Italian restaurants. In this area you will find a place called Mike’s Pastry which is often listed as one of the top places to try in Boston. Avoid at all cost! You would never place these huge, overly sweet, and tasteless cannoli in your mouth if you ever taste the real thing in Italy.

Top of the hub: Back Bay. Second to last floor in the Prudential building. On a clear day the view from this restaurant/bar is a great way for tourists to see the entire city. I would avoid the restaurant as the food is pricey and overrated.

ICA: Seaport District. Contemporary art museum with rotating exhibitions. Free on Thursdays for everyone.

Museum of Fine Arts: South End. World class art museum with interesting exhibitions. Free admission for students.

Attend the worlds oldest annual marathon: If you happen to be in Boston mid April make sure to check out one of the most prestigious running events.

Go Candlepin Bowling: Unlike typical typical bowling pins, these have no curve and are shaped like long thin candles. The ball is also much smaller and fits in your palm. You won’t find this special kind of bowling anywhere other than New England. My favorite place to go is Sacco’s Bowl Haven in Davis Square.

Charles St: Back Bay. Similar to Newbury street, but on a smaller scale with more local and quirky stores.

Harvard, MIT: Cambridge. No explanations needed here. For Harvard, try to find the student tour. Hilarious, informative, and you’ll hear lots of interesting stories about people who attended. For MIT check out the media lab, stata center, and MIT museum.

Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddie Library: Back bay. This is the most recent place I’ve visited and quickly became a top favorite experience. Only about 15 mins and $6 of time and money investment. Check it out.

Symphony: Back bay. For classical music lovers. Home of the Boston Pops

Kayak on Charles river: Kendal Square. One of my favorite ways to see the city. And you get to exercise too.

Taza chocolate factory tour: Cheap and fun tour for chocolate lovers. Taza makes stone ground Mexican style chocolate.

Sam Adams beer factory tour: Back Bay. My favorite local beer. Good tour for beer lovers. My favorite one is Sam summer.

Sowa Market: South End. I love this weekly market that offers art, antiques, handmade stuff. Only on Sundays and only in the  summertime. Boston’s best food trucks line up here to feed the hungry locals.

Walk through beacon hill and south end neighborhoods: Upscale, historical neighborhoods with lots of brownstones.

Arnold Arboratum: Jamaica Plain. For runners and plant/flower lovers, a large and very interesting park to vist.

Wally’s: South end. Cute little Jazz bar.

Assembly Row: Somerville. Shopping outlets. Stop by Paul’s for some food/deserts.

Rainbow health center: Newburry St. For a great, no frills, excellent value massage after a long day.

Bodega:  Back Bay. Interesting hidden sneaker store that you get to by going through a grocery store. You will not find any signs with the store name . Even if you are not into sneakers, go to tell the story.

Hatch Shell: Watch a free movie outdoors on a large screen every Friday. Doesn’t run in the winter for obvious reasons. Perfect spot to be in if you happen to be in Boston 4th July.

Isabella Gardner Museum: Fenway. Check out the home/museum of the Boston area’s most famous socialite.

Donkey Show: Harvard square. Weekly disco party. Party on the dance floor to all the big 70s disco hits while watching a crazy circus of mirror balls, feathered divas, roller skaters and hustle queens.