“if the sun went out we wouldn’t know for about 8 minutes.”
you might like the first chapter of Iron Sunrise. it’s a SF book that begins with someone destroying a civilized planet by causing their sun to explode. not a rare trope, but they describe it in a realistic-sounding way. (the rest of the book is mid, unfortunately)
Boston is so awesome. You didn’t mention the museums, historical places, concerts, festivals, theaters, hundreds of little cafes and restaurants, bookstores, art galleries, several dozen universities each with events open to the public. Taking the T (public transportation) over to the Boston Common to see what’s going on, then walking through downtown, maybe stop at Fanueil Hall for a snack, then go all the way to the North End to a restaurant. Oh gods I’m homesick and I only lived there like 8 years.