Boston was founded in 1630, and even then, government and city leaders were creating urban projects and hosting guests from the colonies. Boston’s early city projects focused primarily on establishing its colonial government, infrastructure and civic institutions rather than modern urban planning. In the decades to come, however, the “city on the hill” transformed from a small Puritan settlement into the political, cultural and economic hub of New England.

In 2026 Boston still provides residents and visitors with a litany of business, cultural and hospitality projects as well as urban events and the continued revitalization of many historical buildings and neighborhoods. Meet Boston, the city’s tourism bureau, expects a large increase in visitors this year due to the historic convergence of tourism opportunities in 2026. FIFA World Cup 2026 took place this summer in several U.S. cities, including seven matches in June and July in Boston’s Gillette Stadium, located in nearby Foxborough. This event alone brought in thousands of visitors to the city along with global media attention. The largest sporting event in the world created a once-in-a- generation showcase moment for Boston.

Also this summer, Sail Boston’s Tall Ships festival arrived in Boston Harbor during June and July to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence with a special waterfront event, with more American Revolution anniversary celebrations taking place in museums and historic sites throughout the city during the fall.

Naturally, the city saw a surge of hotel openings and renovations in the months and years leading up to 2026, including Charlesgate Suites; Raffles Boston; Canopy by Hilton Boston Downtown; The Newbury Boston; Pennyweight Hotel Boston, Curio Collection by Hilton; and the Sheraton Boston Hotel, which invested $100 million in its upgrade.

One of Boston’s largest projects is Global Hospitality Investment Group’s plan for a 438-room, 14-story hotel in the Seaport District, a location adding new hotels, businesses, culinary venues and residence units. The $110 million project will bring the total room count across three adjacent properties to 968 rooms. The site sits within the new development area known as 371- 401 D Street, across from the newly renamed Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center, formerly Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

The Zebra Room © Josh Jamison

“We’re thrilled to bring a new hotel to the heart of Boston’s Seaport District, across from the Convention Center,” said Kevin Colket, founder and CEO, Global Hospitality Investment Group. “We look forward to growing our presence in Boston by expanding our footprint next to the Aloft and Element hotels and completing the vision of delivering a mixed-use campus with a collection of hotel brands and active retail that supports the Convention Center and enhances the vibrancy of D Street. The tourism and hospitality industry is very strong here, and we’re excited to bring a new lodging experience for guests, significant economic activity, and additional jobs to the City and Commonwealth.”

Global Hospitality already opened Aloft Boston Seaport District and Element Boston Seaport District, both managed by Marriott. The three new properties will strengthen the area’s lodging density tied to the heavy convention and tourism demand. The Seaport District houses more than 350 companies, from global leaders in technology and biotech to groundbreaking startups.

Other projects include the $1.2 billion North Station project to replace a Depression-era drawbridge in the heart of Boston and create more than 15,000 jobs. Most new hotels in the city will be powered entirely by electricity, with developers committing to purchase 100 percent renewable electricity for building operations. This aligns with Boston’s push toward electrification and fossil fuel-free large developments.

Boston’s Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, or MCCA, teamed up with Rebel Restaurants to oversee both indoor convention spaces and large outdoor food and beverage and entertainment venues. They are currently relaunching space in the Seaport area with “lush greenery and cabanas,” with free entrance to many of these venues.

Maple & Ash © Brian Samuels Photography

MCCA and John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center earned a rare gold standard rating from the International Association of Congress Centers, making Boston only the fourth city in North America and the 12th worldwide to reach this highest certification level a convention facility can achieve under strict AIPC guidelines.

Boston celebrates its culinary venues this year with nominations of Boston’s first-ever Michelin Guide restaurants; city restaurants now appear in the Michelin Northeast Cities edition.

Although only one restaurant, 311 Omakase in Boston’s South End, received a star, the Boston guide includes 27 others earning Bib Gourmand recognition. Due to the many events in Boston this year, many new restaurants have opened this spring including Maple & Ash, The Zebra Room, Uptown Social and Nagomi Bento.

Boston is definitely a MICE destination, domestically and globally, and convention venues are undergoing major redevelopment, with both the Thomas M. Menino Convention Center and John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center seeing significant upgrades and expansions. MCCA is investing $100 million over five years to upgrade Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay to include new carpeting, windows, bathroom facilities, HVAC redevelopment and systems improvements for efficiency and sustainability. The Hynes already offers free WiFi for up to 15,000 devices, and future tech enhancements could include more digital media, light-up signage and AI wayfinding. The plan will expand dining options and post-event experiences, leveraging the center’s integration with nearby hotels and shopping.

These projects align with MCCA’s mission to make Boston one of the top five convention destinations in North America, enhancing venue capacity and the surrounding urban environment to attract more events and visitors.

SCENIC DRIVES
Massachusetts Route 95 is a fast north-south state highway, but U.S. Route 1 is best for stopping in small towns along the way north. The highway’s multiple signed and unsigned segments total roughly 50 miles from Boston to Plum Island, about a 1.5-hour drive. Don’t forget to visit Marblehead, settled in 1776, and explore its harbor filled with local fishing boats. Also stop in Ipswich, where the Ipswich River will stay in your mind forever. Gloucester lies 20 minutes from Ipswich; a visit to its Maritime Heritage Museum proves a real treat.

Drive from Boston south on Route I-93 and within 20 minutes you’ll reach the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library overlooking the water at Columbia Point. Continuing south on I-93, stop in Dorchester and visit Meeting House Hill, the site of the First Parish Church and the Mather School, the oldest public elementary school in North America. Take Highway 3A to Quincy and visit the U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Museum at Pier 3 on South Street. You are also near the Blue Hills Reservation, a scenic mountain experience covering 7,000 acres, offering free admission to hiking trails and stunning views just 50 minutes from downtown Boston.