Why Boston Should Be Your Next Destination, Not Just for a Conference

Boston, Massachusetts, isn’t only the host city for AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo to be held from April 5 to 9, 2025—it’s a destination packed with history, culture, and energy that will elevate your entire conference experience. This iconic city blends old-world charm with cutting-edge innovation, making it the perfect place to learn, connect, and explore.

It’s been 22 years since I last visited Boston, but its sights, smells, and sounds echo in my mind, and I’m so excited to return to cover 2025 AORN for Infection Control Today^® (ICT^®). Boston has so much to see and do—no matter how often you return.

My first recommendation is to walk the cobblestone streets of the Freedom Trail, where revolutionary history comes alive. See the cemetery where Mother Goose is buried, the Paul Revere House, the Old South Meeting House, where the Boston Tea Party began, the site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, and my favorite part: touring the USS Constitution.

Grab a bowl of legendary clam chowder at Quincy Market or stroll through the scenic Boston Common. Art lovers can immerse themselves in the Museum of Fine Arts, while sports fans won’t want to miss a trip to historic Fenway Park. If you have time, join some of the best ghost tours in the nation—not just for ghosts but for the city's history as well, some of which take you to the Bull & Finch Pub, the bar that inspired the sitcom Cheers, or to learn why John Hancock’s grave was robbed. Check out Boston Ghost Tours.

Beyond sightseeing, Boston and the surrounding area are hubs of world-class health care and education. They are surrounded by some of the top medical institutions in the country, such as Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine. It’s a city that breathes excellence—perfectly aligned with the spirit of the 2025 AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo.

Whether you're catching a harbor cruise at sunset, a water taxi from one place to another, enjoying live music in Back Bay, or networking over seafood in the Seaport District, Boston delivers. It’s walkable, vibrant, and full of unforgettable experiences.

Boston has hundreds of great restaurants, including Boston Sail Loft, The Salty Pig, Bostonia Public House, Row 34, and Buttermilk and Bourbon.

One activity I enjoy the most is visiting aquariums across the nation, and one of the best in the nation is the New England Aquarium. It has sharks, octopuses, and every sea life you can imagine. The large tank that goes up to the center of the building is a staggering 200,000 gallons. I compare every aquarium I visit to the New England Aquarium. It is a not-to-miss.

Come for the conference—stay for the city. Boston will leave you inspired, recharged, and ready to take your career (and travel bucket list) to the next level.

See you there!