I'm a New Yorker who visited Boston for the first time. These 10 things surprised me about the city.

Walking around Boston, I could feel the weight of its history everywhere I went.

Between the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, the colonial-era townhouses lining Marlborough Street, and the bronze statues in the Public Garden, it feels like the American Revolution happened just around the corner — and in many cases, it literally did.

Even during the most mundane parts of my day, I'd find myself crossing paths with the city's cultural roots.

Heading back to my hotel, I'd walked the Freedom Trail without even meaning to. One moment I was picking up a latte, and the next I was standing beside the resting place of Samuel Adams.

It was clear that Boston doesn't separate history from everyday life. It's embedded in the sidewalks, the architecture, and even in the plaques you notice while waiting to cross the street.

Despite Boston being a lively city, I felt like it didn't sound like one.

There were hundreds of people walking around Back Bay, dining outside, and going about their day, but it all felt surprisingly quiet.

As I walked through the streets of Beacon Hill on the phone, I noticed myself lowering my voice, as if people around me could hear every word.

Maybe it's because I'm used to the constant buzz of New York City — sirens blaring, people shouting, and energy everywhere. In comparison, Boston felt much more laid-back and calm.

In New York City, I've noticed a sense of urgency where everyone seems to be in a rush, weaving through crowds, and crossing streets before the light changes.

I've definitely picked up some of those speedwalking habits and developed the ability to move in sync with the constant hum of traffic.

However, as I walked around Boston, the pace felt completely different. Most people seemed to stroll at a leisurely pace and wait for crosswalk signals to turn green before stepping into the street, even when there was no traffic in sight.

All of this gave me a calm feeling, something I'm not used to experiencing in a big city.

Boston is known for its prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, BU, and many others.

Throughout my time there, I felt the city's quiet romanticization of academics. Not just the presence of world-renowned schools, but also the way the city seems to celebrate learning itself.

One of the places I felt this most was at the Boston Public Library. Walking into Bates Hall, with its soaring ceilings, arched windows, and rows of green reading lamps, it felt like stepping into a cathedral.

I had expected it to be more of a sightseeing stop, but I was surprised to see so many students locked in, even as tourists snapped photos around them.

There was a shared sense of discipline and intellectual energy that caught me off guard, and suddenly, it made perfect sense why so many people come to this city for school.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not very good with navigation. There have been countless times when I've stood on a street in Manhattan, spinning in circles, trying to figure out which way my blue GPS arrow was pointing while blaming skyscrapers for blocking my signal.

Much to my surprise, I didn't have to do any of that in Boston. I found the city to be incredibly walkable and easy to navigate.

The streets aren't laid out in a grid like New York; instead, there are more twists and turns. Somehow, that made navigating easier for me.

The winding roads felt more human and natural to follow, as if they were meant to be walked rather than calculated.

I didn't even get lost or make any mistakes when I took the train out to visit Salem for a day.

I was pleasantly surprised to find so much greenery woven right into the city.

Between the willow trees in Boston Common, the tree-lined streets of Back Bay, and the vibrant fall foliage along the Charles River Esplanade, there were moments when I actually forgot I was in a city.

As I walked through the Public Garden, I saw people reading on benches or lounging on picnic blankets sprawled out on the grass.

I really appreciated these pockets of nature and the surprising softness that emerged in the middle of an urban landscape.

I feel like there's something undeniably European about Boston.

Maybe it's the narrow, winding streets of neighborhoods like Beacon Hill, or the brick homes with black shutters and wrought-iron balconies.

It could be how Cafés spilled out onto sidewalks, and many buildings seemed to carry some Victorian or colonial detail, whether it was arched windows or intricate moldings.

The city was full of charming little corners, and there seemed to be a conscious effort to maintain a cohesive architectural identity.

For example, I passed by one location of the modern chain Blank Street Coffee that had an ornate exterior that blended seamlessly into its historic surroundings.

NYC is known for its style and chicness, but with its millions of residents, it also offers a lot of anonymity.

When I'm there, I feel like I can wear almost anything, and no one seems to notice. No one's batted an eye when I've grabbed coffee with rollers in my hair and walked into bagel shops wearing pajama pants.

Walking around the Back Bay area, I didn't feel the same way. I felt like more eyes were on me, but maybe it's because Boston is so much smaller. (It's home to fewer than a million people.)

Many of the outfits in the parts of Boston I explored also felt more curated and intentional. I noticed plenty of Alo workout sets, Ralph Lauren American flag sweaters, tailored trousers, and that crisp East Coast polish.

This definitely influenced how I got ready in the morning, and I found myself giving more thought to outfits that I felt would blend in. As someone who loves fashion and dressing up, I enjoyed it, but it also came with the subtle feeling of being perceived.

Overall, New York fashion feels more eclectic and experimental. In contrast, Boston trends felt more timeless and classic.

As someone from the city that never sleeps, I'm used to a constant buzz at all hours of the night. Under New York law, alcohol can be served until 4 a.m., so many bars remain open well into the early morning hours.

In contrast, I was surprised to find that in Boston, most places close by 2 a.m. (which is also when alcohol must stop being served).

Even most of the MBTA, the city's public transportation system, stops running at 1 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends.

Meanwhile, I've rarely even checked the subway schedule in New York because I know there's always a train running somewhere, no matter how late I'm heading home.

That said, I could see myself — and my sleep schedule — appreciating the earlier closing times in Boston on nights when I'm not looking to stay out late.

Based on my experience, Bostonians are more likely to strike up conversations than New Yorkers.

I've never chatted with anyone during my commute in NYC, but in Boston, I was surprised by how many strangers I ended up talking to.

A girl in a bookshop complimented my outfit. While waiting for my matcha order, I struck up a casual chat with a couple nearby. Later, as I stepped aside to let a woman pass on the sidewalk, she turned to me with a wide smile and said, "Thank you!"

At Omni Parker House, I picked up a Boston cream pie, and on my way out, a man complimented me and insisted on taking my picture holding the pie on a red-carpet backdrop.

Though New Yorkers aren't necessarily unfriendly, I've found that they don't often go out of their way to engage in small talk with strangers.

As an extrovert, I enjoyed the chatty atmosphere in Boston, and the welcoming attitude toward conversation felt refreshing.