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Visiting Boston

With our rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and legacy of arts, culture, and education, Boston has something for everyone.

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All Inclusive Boston

We are a city of people. All people. When you get here, whether it's for a weekend getaway or for the foreseeable future, we love you like our own. We see you. We celebrate you. And we want to show you everything. We are all inclusive.

Walking tours

There are a variety of free walks and trails throughout the City of Boston.

Museums and galleries

The City has a wealth of museums, with everything from the Museum of Fine Arts to the Old State House.

Shopping and dining

Boston offers world-class dining and shopping options as well as local, artisan, and ethnic favorites. 

Theaters and venues

We have a number of places for residents and visitors to watch plays, films, and concerts.

With the recent success of Boston’s professional teams, there’s much to experience in the City of Champions.

Farmers markets

The Office of Food Access helps to oversee almost 30 farmers markets in Boston.

Public restroom maps

On a budget.

Boston's public art

Search Boston’s art collection, watch artist videos, access a map of public art installations across the City, and more!

Walk to the sea

This walk encompasses four centuries of Boston history. Mixing historical landmarks with Boston’s skyscrapers, this walk is truly one worth taking.

State House

Tours last about 30-45 minutes and include an overview of the history and architecture of the State Capitol.

Bunker Hill Monument

Climb the 294 steps up the famous monument for one of Boston’s best views.

The Swan Boats paddle passengers around the Public Garden Lagoon for a 15-minute peaceful cruise.

View all events on a budget

There are many tours across the City. You can even visit the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship in the world.

Uncovering Boston's history

It’s no secret Boston is rich with history. From the American Revolution to the site of the very first public school, it’s a city with stories to tell.

Planning your trip

Keep these dates and events in mind as they are usually busy times in Boston.

• December 31/January 1:  First Night/Day
• March (mid-month):  St. Patrick's Day Parade
• April (third Monday of the month):  Boston Marathon
• May (throughout the month): College graduation season
• June (beginning of the month):  Pride Parade
• June 29 - July 1:  Harborfest
• End of August/Early September: Moving day, students return 
• October (mid-end of month):  Head of the Charles Regatta
• December: Holiday season

Boston maps

We can't mail you any printed maps or guides, but these websites have some helpful maps.

Find a number of interactive maps of the Boston area.

Find printable maps of Boston as well as the Greater Boston area.

Find your way around Boston's comprehensive public transit system.

To and from Logan Airport

Bus service

The MBTA offers free Silver Line bus service from all airport terminals to South Station.

The MBTA offers ferry-boat service from Hingham or Hull to the airport, weather permitting.

Logan Express

Massport offers an express bus service from Back Bay to Logan Airport.

Massport provides free shuttle-bus service between airline terminals and Airport Station on the MBTA’s Blue Line.

Boston police regulate all taxis and pedi-cabs. Learn what you can expect from your ride.

Recommended Resources

Get help before you plan your next visit to our great City.

The primary private sector marketing and visitor service organization.

The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau’s list of hotels.

Dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a leisure-travel destination.

Get updates on events going on in the City.

We also put updates about events on our Facebook page.

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Boston   Travel Guide

30 Top-Rated Things to Do in Boston

As Massachusetts' capital and the birthplace of the American Revolution, there's no shortage of historical sites for travelers to explore within Boston's city limits (and beyond). There's even a Boston Tea Party Museum on the harbor

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 2-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

Freedom Trail Freedom Trail free

Stretching 2½ miles, the Freedom Trail weaves past 16 of the city's most historic sites, including Faneuil Hall Marketplace , the Paul Revere House and Old North Church . Taking in all of the trail's attractions requires at least half a day (and some comfortable walking shoes), but you can easily plot points of interest before you begin your jaunt from Boston Common .

Though most visitors agree the trail is easy to navigate on your own, some recommend a guided tour or downloading an app to tell you about the sites. (You'll find a handful of apps available for Apple and Android devices.) If you have a Go Boston Card, standard guided tours given by the Freedom Trail Foundation are covered by your pass.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Every Friday and Saturday, Haymarket (one America's oldest open-air markets) pops up adjacent to Faneuil Hall. In order to navigate this often-chaotic scene successfully make sure to bring small bills, leave bulky bags at the hotel and keep it moving on the sidewalk. - Jill LeGrow

Four buildings – Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market – constitute Faneuil Hall Marketplace, with the oldest being Faneuil Hall. Built in 1742 and now a stop on the Freedom Trail , Faneuil Hall has had a long and important history in Massachusetts politics. Samuel Adams once stood here to push for resistance against the British, and abolitionists and suffragists have stood on their soapboxes here. In fact, this is where colonists famously challenged the Stamp Act of 1764 by proclaiming, "no taxation without representation." From those illustrious days, the marketplace has expanded to include more than 100 shops and restaurants.

Boston Public Garden Boston Public Garden free

Though the Boston Public Garden sits right next to Boston Common , the two are quite different. The public garden is newer (established in 1837) and holds the distinction of being America's first public botanical garden. Flowers and trees are beautifully organized and kept in quality condition throughout. You can see the colorful arrangements and exotic trees from the 6-acre pond as you glide along the water in a Swan Boat. Additionally, the park houses two of Boston's most iconic statues: Make Way for Ducklings (a bronze sculpture of a duck and her eight ducklings) and a sculpture of George Washington (which shows America's first president riding on a horse).

Visitors looking to relax after sightseeing will enjoy the Boston Public Garden. Parkgoers say you'll find plenty of shade beneath the park's trees, which comes in handy on hot summer days. Plus, you'll likely spot some ducks and geese swimming around the lagoon. And if you have a few dollars, visitors recommend taking a 15-minute ride on a Swan Boat. The large paddle boats cost $4.50 to ride (or $3 for kids ages 2 to 15 and $4 for seniors); travelers with Go Boston Cards ride for free. Swan Boats are usually available between mid-April and Labor Day.

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North End North End free

Chances are you'll end up in the North End at least once during your visit to Boston. It's steeped in the city's rich history as it holds the title of Boston's oldest neighborhood and houses three attractions on the Freedom Trail . What makes this neighborhood a top point of interest, however, is its Italian culture: The North End is considered Boston's Little Italy.

While Italians weren't the first to settle in this area (English settlers arrived first then European Jews, African Americans and Irish immigrants), their cultural influence on the North End withstood the test of time. Today, you'll find all kinds of Italian food from classic pizza pies served at the popular Regina Pizzeria to Sicilian-style seafood, such as black linguine (made with squid ink) and calamari meatballs at The Daily Catch . For dinner, try Mamma Maria for fine dining, Giacomo's for its affordable, made-in-house pasta or Bricco , which sources its meats and bread from its own meat and bread shop, located right next door. If you’re only interested in pizza, hit up Galleria Umberto for delectable solo slices or Antico Forno for its full-size, wood-fired pies. Prezza is known for its extensive wine list, boasting hundreds of wine labels to choose from. For dessert, make sure to pick up a cannoli at Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry , or tiramisu at the 24-hour Bova's Bakery .

Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Fine Arts

If you want to make the most out of the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the most comprehensive art institutions in the country, then you'll need to spend a good chunk of your day here. The museum is home to one of the best art collections in the world, including the celebrated Art of the Americas wing. Inside this sprawling collection, you'll encounter galleries showcasing iconic pieces from indigenous cultures in North, South and Central America to works by contemporary artists like Edward Hopper.

You'll also find an impressive collection of Asian art here, plus works from Monet, Renoir, Manet and Rembrandt on display. And in special temporary exhibits, you can admire masterpieces from Black artists like Diedrick Brackens and Picasso, among others.

Boston Common Boston Common free

The grounds of Boston Common started as a cow pasture in the mid-1600s. It was also used for Puritan punishments, like whipping, and even for hangings. In 1768, the area was transformed into a British camp. After the Revolutionary War, the park became a popular locale for public speeches and rallies. Now, the Common is best known because of its status as the oldest public park in the country. You'll also find a variety of activities and events – including theater and musical performances and free fitness classes – hosted here throughout the year. If you plan to traverse the Freedom Trail , you'll start the walk here at Boston Common.

Though some visitors say you won't find much to do in this park, Boston Common is great for picnics or a leisurely stroll. Travelers also mention that this site is a wonderful spot to take young children. In addition to ample running room on the park's green space, kids can play at the Tadpole Playground or Frog Pond. Frog Pond offers a spray pool during the warmer months and an ice skating rink in the winter. Some visitors do note that the park tends to draw Boston's homeless population, particularly at night.

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Fenway Park Fenway Park

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you want to watch a Sox game without a ticket, head to the Bleacher Bar on Lansdowne Street. Located beneath the bleachers of Fenway, the best tables are positioned directly in front of the huge garage window that overlook centerfield. – Jill LeGrow

Fans of America's favorite pastime won't want to miss a game at Fenway Park. Home to the Boston Red Sox, this stadium has been the site of home runs, stolen bases and grounders since 1912. Regardless of whether or not you're a diehard Red Sox fan, you should try to catch a game and admire the ballpark's original architecture. Must-see features of the park include Pesky's Pole – the right field foul pole named after former Red Sox player Johnny Pesky – and the 37-foot-tall "Green Monster" wall in left field.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

After Isabella Stewart Gardner's husband died in 1898, the art enthusiast carried out their plan to buy land in Boston's Fenway area and open a museum to display her impressive collection of Italian art. The museum, which was fashioned after the Palazzo Barbaro in Venice , was completed in 1901, at which point Gardner moved in to the fourth floor and began installing her collection. Today, you can visit this Boston museum to get your fill of the Italian masters, such as Raphael and Titian. The building also showcases a cache of beautiful furniture, photographs, sculpture and rare books straight from Europe. The museum's New Wing, designed by Renzo Piano, includes a glass atrium, greenhouses and landscaped gardens.

The art isn't the only interesting thing here: the museum is also the site of the single largest property theft on Earth. In the wee hours of March 18, 1990, two thieves made their way into the museum disguised as police. The duo stole 13 works, including pieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas and Manet. Today, the museum has empty frames on the walls as placeholders until the art returns to the museum. As you may have guessed, the crime has not been solved and the works haven't been recovered. The museum is even offering a sizable reward ($10 million) for information leading to the art. 

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Boston Public Library Boston Public Library free

A library isn't always all about books. The main branch of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, which opened in 1895, is so much more, according to recent visitors who call the architecture "beautiful" and a “must-see.” Walking into the Renaissance Revival building is akin to visiting a museum. On Dartmouth Street, two immense stone lions sculpted by Louis Saint-Gaudens stand guard by the main entrance. Inside, Bates Hall, the library's main reference reading room, is a 218-foot-long room with a barrel-arch ceiling soaring 50 feet high.

Visitors can take a free tour and learn all about the murals found throughout the library, including John Singer Sargent's series on the "Triumph of Religion." Other murals include works by French artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, who depicted eight library-centric disciplines in "The Muses of Inspiration," and Edwin Austin Abbey's "The Quest and Achievement of the Holy Grail."

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

A must for any history buffs or fans of our nation's 35th president, this excellent library and museum details the life of President John F. Kennedy. Exhibits include his presidential papers; masses of Kennedy memorabilia, including re-creations of his desk in the Oval Office and of the television studio in which he debated Richard M. Nixon in the 1960 election; and artifacts from the U.S. space program. There's permanent display on the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis plus plenty of other artifacts and information about Kennedy's life and presidency. The building itself is quite striking and was designed by architect I. M. Pei.

Museumgoers say that while the museum is off the beaten path (it sits about 5 miles south of downtown on Columbia Point), it is well worth the trek thanks to the exhibits and staff. However, some wish the exhibits had a more detailed explanation of Kennedy and events during his life. The views from the museum are amazing, add some visitors.

Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park

If you want to get outdoors in the greater Boston area, consider hopping a ferry (which operates from mid-May through mid-October) to the Boston Harbor Islands. This collection of 34 islands located in the Massachusetts Bay boasts plenty of things to do and see including historic sites, hiking trails, beaches, wildlife and much more. Popular islands include Spectacle, Georges and Peddocks, though ferries also go to Lovells, Grape, Bumpkin and Thompson.

The 114-acre Spectacle Island is a great option for those looking to hike. Here, you'll find 5 miles of trails, including one which leads to the harbor's highest hill, offering incredible views of Boston's skyline. If you’re looking for a place where you can sink your toes into the sand, head to Lovells Island. Here, you’ll find secluded shorelines as well as tide pools (when it's low tide, a whopping 71 acres are added to the island's land mass). Meanwhile, history lovers will enjoy a trip to Georges Island. Georges Island is home to Fort Warren, which the U.S. government used for patrolling and training Union troops as well as housing Confederate prisoners during Civil War times. Peddocks Island, one of the largest of the Boston Harbor Islands, offers a little bit of everything. This island is considered a prime camping spot and features scenic hiking trails that pass through coastal forests, headlands connected by tombolos and the biggest beach of any island. You'll also find a little bit of history thanks to Fort Andrews and a restored chapel from World War II.

Newbury Street Newbury Street free

Located in the Back Bay along eight blocks between Massachusetts Avenue and Arlington Street, Newbury Street is home to gorgeous 19th century brownstones. It's also Boston's premiere destination for dining and shopping. Newbury Street has been called one of the most expensive streets in the world, thanks in large part to the significant cluster of expensive shops on the lower end (by numbered address) nearest Arlington Street.

Starting at the higher end, by Massachusetts Avenue, you'll find more budget-friendly retailers like TJ Maxx and Forever 21, as well longtime local favorites Newbury Comics and Trident Booksellers. In fact, Newbury Comics' opening in 1978 was the catalyst that began the transformation of Newbury Street from a heavily upper-class retail destination to a hipper, trendier spot for everyone.

Samuel Adams Brewery Samuel Adams Brewery

Despite its location outside of city center, visiting the Samuel Adams Brewery is a popular stop for beer lovers. This brewery location acts as Samuel Adams' testing facility for new and specialty brews, which patrons can try. You can also take a guided tour of the facility to learn more about the brewing process.

Whether you're a local or a tourist, odds are you'll enjoy a visit to this brewery. Visitors say the staff is knowledgeable, but note there can be long entry lines.

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Cambridge Cambridge free

Cambridge, which sits about 3 miles northwest of Boston's city center, is home to both Harvard University and MIT , but there's more to see in Cambridge than just the schools themselves. The city features an impressive array of cultural institutions that feature collections and exhibitions ranging from fine art to technological innovations.

The Harvard Art Museums , which include the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum and Arthur M. Sackler Museum, house a wide range of periods, styles and mediums within its walls. Here, you’ll find a mix of modern photography, 13th century sculpture, paintings from legends like Georgia O’Keeffe, Picasso and Jackson Pollock, and much more. If you prefer history, head to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology , which boasts exhibits exploring everything from ancient Latin American cultures to the evolution of American eating habits and tableware to the lives of Native Americans. If science is more your speed, head to the Harvard Museum of Natural History to view dinosaur fossils, rare minerals and animal specimens from New England to Asia.

Beacon Hill Beacon Hill free

Beacon Hill is arguably Boston's most beautiful neighborhood. Located north of Boston Common , Beacon Hill is awash with quaint, cobblestone-lined alleyways, corners dotted with gas street lamps, stately townhouses affixed with bay view windows and vibrant, flower-filled window boxes. It's Beacon Hill's incredible style, a stunning mix of Federal and Greek revival architecture, that make this neighborhood an attraction in and of itself. And recent visitors couldn't agree more.

Travelers who venture to Beacon Hill are charmed by its beauty and say that it's the perfect place to take a long stroll and wander around. While here, make sure to make your way to noteworthy spots including the picturesque Louisburg Square and Acorn Street, the latter of which is one of the most photographed places in Boston. After, head down Charles Street, where you'll find restaurants, shops and bars. Fans of the TV show "Cheers" will want to walk down Beacon Street to find the bar that inspired the program.

Old North Church Old North Church

Most people who know anything about American history have heard of Paul Revere's famous midnight ride, when he rode through town to warn people about the arrival of British troops. Before heading off to Lexington, Revere gave orders at Old North Church. Robert Newman – the church's sexton – and Captain John Pulling Jr. – the church's vestryman – then climbed the steeple and held two lanterns as a signal that the British were indeed coming, but by sea.

The church itself, which is officially named Christ Church, is filled with beautiful relics from the past, including North America's oldest set of change ringing bells and chandeliers brought in from England in the early 1700s. The pews have a long history as well; Pew No. 54 was reserved for Paul Revere's son.

Boston Children's Museum Boston Children's Museum

With a giant milk bottle structure at the front of the building, it's hard to miss the Boston Children's Museum. Here, hands-on exhibits present a fun and engaging way for kids to learn about various sciences, culture, art and health and wellness, among other subjects. Among the museum's standout exhibits are "Construction Zone," where little ones can learn about and play with kid-sized construction equipment, "The Common," where kids play with color, games and music, and "Japanese House" – a 100-year-old authentic Japanese house reconstructed in Boston by Japanese carpenters.

Museumgoers praise the variety of engaging exhibits tailored to kids within different age groups and can't recommend it enough. Others warn the museum gets crowded, especially in the summer.

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway free

Boston is packed with cool outdoor spaces, but this nearly 1½-mile-long series of parks and gardens offers more than most. The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway was established to link Boston's diverse neighborhoods through a series of lawns, parks and walkways that occupy a former highway tunnel. Since opening in 2008, visitors have flocked to this sprawling green space to enjoy temporary public art displays, bubbling fountains, numerous food vendors and a carousel. Plus, the park offers free weekly events, including food and art festivals, summer concert performances and seasonal fitness classes.

Many previous visitors said the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway not only offers a much-needed respite from the city, but also an easy way to explore Boston with kids during the warmer months. And, in many sections of the Greenway, you're never more than a few steps away from the Freedom Trail .

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Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

This hands-on museum offers an entertaining look at one of Boston's pivotal moments. You can toss (fake) tea overboard, climb around replica ships and converse with period actors about Colonial issues. Exhibits at the museum, which is located on Griffin's Wharf (close to where the actual Tea Party occurred on Dec. 16, 1773) include 3D holograms, talking portraits and the Robinson Tea Chest, an authentic tea chest from the Boston Tea Party. Two of the three ships have been recreated, the Beaver and the Eleanor, which are fun to explore. The film "Let It Begin Here" depicts the events that immediately preceded the American Revolution. You can also grab a cup of tea or a snack in Abigail's Tea Room, which has one of the best views of the harbor around.

Visitors love the interactive nature of the museum and tossing tea overboard, saying their time there was entertaining for all ages. They also add that the guides are informative and stay in character.

Museum of Science Museum of Science

If you're traveling with young ones in tow, be sure to swing by the Museum of Science. Here, kids can learn about astronomy, earth sciences and anatomy, not to mention participate in some fun interactive exhibits. Budding scientists can examine the Arctic in "Arctic Adventure: Exploring with Technology" exhibit or play on swings to learn about physics in "Science in the Park." The museum also features the Charles Hayden Planetarium, where you can indulge your inner astronaut during shows. Meanwhile, at the Mugar Omni Theater, you'll feel like you're actually in the IMAX film thanks to its cutting-edge sound technology and five-story-high projection screen.

Although the museum is very kid-focused, past visitors said that young-at-heart adults and even teens will get a kick out of the museum's engaging displays and shows. Though most travelers spend about half a day exploring the museum, you could easily allocate an entire day to this attraction. Also, remember that separate tickets (which cost extra) are needed for some museum features, such as IMAX films, planetarium shows and the Garden Walk and Insect Zoo.

Boston Duck Tours Boston Duck Tours

Wander Boston for a couple of hours and you're sure to see a Duck Tour quacking its way through the streets (and waterways). These "Truck Duck" vehicles recreate the look of a DUKW truck used by the U.S. military during World War II and transport tourists all over the city by land and water. The tours drive past a number of landmark sites including the Old State House, Newbury Street , Prudential Tower, Public Garden and the Swan Boats, and Copley Square (home to the Boston Public Library ). Once launched into the water, you'll cruise down the Charles River checking out MIT, the Longfellow Bridge, as well as the Esplanade and the Hatch Shell. 

Besides giving tours around the city, Boston Duck Tour boats have been used in all of the victory parades since 2002 for the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins (the city's major teams for football, baseball, basketball and hockey, respectively). What started off simply as a way to roll the Patriots through downtown Boston for a Superbowl celebration has turned into a much-loved tradition that continues today.

Boston Symphony Orchestra Boston Symphony Orchestra

Even if you're not a classical music aficionado, you can't miss attending one of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's world-renowned performances at Symphony Hall. The BSO began performing in 1881. Today, the symphony performs everything from family shows to traditional concerts and Boston Pops – a lively performance filled with singing and a variety of music. The BSO performs at Symphony Hall from September through April, then heads to Tanglewood (which is about 130 miles west of Boston) in the summer.

Past spectators not only praised the world-class talent, but also noted the impressive acoustics of Symphony Hall as a main selling point for attending future concerts. If you can't score tickets to an orchestra performance, consider taking a free tour of Symphony Hall. Tours, which are offered in the fall, winter and spring, provide information about the property, as well as insight into the orchestra's musicians and conductors.

New England Holocaust Memorial New England Holocaust Memorial free

Gaze up at the six 54-foot glass towers that comprise the New England Holocaust Memorial, and you're bound to be awestruck. Dedicated in 1995, each haunting tower is etched with numbers. The 6 million numbers represent the Holocaust's victims, while the towers represent the six major death camps. There is also a granite path covered in quotes from survivors that leads visitors inside the towers.

Recent visitors described walking through the columns as an emotionally charged and unforgettable experience. The monument's location next to Faneuil Hall Marketplace makes it very accessible while walking the Freedom Trail .

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Paul Revere House Paul Revere House

For a glimpse of what life was like in the late 1700s, head to Paul Revere's former residence in the North End . The house, which is situated on the Freedom Trail , offers insight into how homes looked in Revere's time (it's even filled with period pieces, including fine silver). Inside, history fans can admire the building's sweeping beams, spacious fireplaces and some original furnishings owned by the Revere family.

If you like American history, travelers say you'll enjoy seeing the Paul Revere House. This house is small, though, so don't allot more than an hour to tour the property. Docents are friendly and knowledgeable.

Massachusetts State House Massachusetts State House free

The golden-domed Massachusetts State House is an important building for many reasons and is one of the stops on the Freedom Trail . The land it sits on was originally used as John Hancock’s cow pasture. It was designed by Charles Bulfinch and completed in 1798 and the cornerstone was laid by Samuel Adams in 1795. A copper dome was installed by Paul Revere in 1802 (later covered in gold). Nowadays, senators, state representatives and the governor conduct the Commonwealth's business here.

Free tours are offered by docents who explain the building's history and discuss the important art and architecture within. Make sure to look for the Sacred Cod in the House of Representatives Chamber. The almost 5-foot wooden cod symbolizes the importance of the salt cod industry to the area.

New England Aquarium New England Aquarium

Your kids will find plenty to love at the New England Aquarium, starting with the Atlantic harbor seals that hang out just beyond the ticket booth. Inside, you'll find thousands of marine critters to study, and at the center: the Giant Ocean Tank. This four-story tank includes a coral reef habitat that houses more than 1,000 underwater creatures including green sea turtles, eels and barracuda. In other parts of the aquarium, you'll find exhibits dedicated to penguins, sea jellies and seadragons, plus a six-story high projection movie screen with digital surround sound, where you can watch films about sea creatures and more. And don't forget to check out the Shark and Ray Touch Tank, which allows visitors to graze sharks and rays as they swim by.

While some visitors bemoan the aquarium's compact size (which, in turn, made for thick crowds), many appreciate the attraction's variety of animals. Several travelers also recommend watching a penguin or seal feeding.

USS Constitution USS Constitution free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Every July 4th, the USS Constitution takes her annual "turnaround" sail in Boston Harbor. The particular sail is the only one open to the public and the US Navy holds a lottery with the lucky winners getting to board "Old Ironsides." – Jill LeGrow

History lovers, boat enthusiasts and military aficionados alike can't miss the chance to board the USS Constitution. Docked at the Boston National Historical Park in Charlestown, this historic vessel is the world's oldest commissioned warship still operational today. It is helmed by United States Navy sailors, who also serve as the ship's guides. The ship's accompanying museums displays nearly 2,000 artifacts related to the ship's history.

Bunker Hill Monument Bunker Hill Monument free

Bunker Hill Monument is part of the Boston National Historical Park and a stop on the Freedom Trail . The first major battle of the American Revolution took place on Breed's Hill in June 1775, though originally it was supposed to take place on nearby Bunker Hill. Names aside, the British won the battle but fared worse than their American foes. The British sacrificed about nearly half of their 2,400 men; American casualties were between 300 and 500 out of an army of 1,400 to 1,800 soldiers. Construction of the monument started in 1827 and was completed in 1842. The 221-foot granite obelisk offers fabulous views from its observatory, though you have to work for it by climbing 294 steps to the top.

Start your visit at the Bunker Hill Museum, located across the street. Exhibits explain the Battle of Bunker Hill, the construction of the monument, and the history of Charlestown. Free tickets are required to climb the monument and you can also pick them up at the museum. Visitors enjoy the museum and say the monument is awe-inspiring and the grounds beautiful.

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View Boston View Boston

U.S. News Insider Tip: To save some cash on your sightseeing, pick up a Boston CityPass which allows you to visit up to four attractions (such as the Museum of Science , New England Aquarium , Boston Harbor City Cruise and View Boston) for one discounted price. – Jill LeGrow

Replacing the iconic Top of the Hub restaurant and Skywalk Observatory that closed in 2020, View Boston opened in June 2023 to offer 360 panoramic views of Boston from atop the 52nd floor of the Prudential Center. Taking over the top three floors of the Prudential Center, View Boston includes an observatory, a wraparound roof deck and indoor/outdoor cocktail bar called Stratus, and a floor with interactive exhibits such as a projection-mapped 3D model of Boston. There's also Beacon, a bistro offering seasonal beverages and food.

The Mapparium The Mapparium

Located at the Mary Baker Eddy Library, this three-story, stained glass globe never fails to elicit wonder. Designed by the architect of the Christian Science Publishing Society building, Chester Lindsay Churchill, the globe depicts the world as it was in 1935.

The "How Do You See the World" experience includes the globe; the "Our World: Mapping Progress," which highlights humanity's achievements since 1935; and "Points of Progress," where you can learn about significant events in human rights, scientific advances, exploration, and other fields. A 10-minute audio narration features clips from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jane Goodall, Wangari Maathai (a Kenyan Nobel laureate) and others. One of the coolest features of the globe is that it is a "whispering gallery." Stand at one end of the gallery while a friend stands at the other. Whisper something to them and they will be the only one to hear it.

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23 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Boston

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Mar 19, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Perhaps no other city in America holds as much history of the colonial and Revolutionary War era as Boston. It's not surprising then that its main sites have become a pilgrimage trail for Americans and for others who hope to get a sense of that history.

But more than that, the Freedom Trail is a good introduction to today's city, connecting or passing close to some of its best loved tourist attractions. Boston is easy to navigate on foot, as its major sights are relatively close, and America's first subway system, the T, connects its important neighborhoods.

Across the Charles River, a watery summer recreation area whose Boston shore is reserved as the Esplanade park, is Cambridge. Although a separate and independent city, for tourist purposes, Cambridge is part of Boston and connected by the same transit system.

Here, you'll find two of America's most prestigious and important universities, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) . These and the many other universities and colleges in the area help keep Boston a youthful and vibrant place to be, with a lively cultural scene. With all the music, theater, and entertainment options, plus its abundance of restaurants, you'll never be at a loss for things to do in Boston at night.

Maybe because I've lived there and know its sometimes puzzling web of downtown streets, I find Boston a thoroughly comfortable city to visit; despite its tall buildings, its compact neighborhoods make it seem more like a cluster of small towns. Join me in a tour of my favorite city, and discover the best things to do, with this handy guide to the top attractions in Boston.

Walk the Freedom Trail

See a game or take a tour of fenway park, faneuil hall, boston common and public garden: ride the swan boats, museum of fine arts boston, isabella stewart gardner museum, uss constitution and bunker hill (boston national historic park), museum of science, harvard square and harvard art museums, old north church and boston's north end, boston tea party ships & museum, new england aquarium, harvard museums and the glass flowers, newbury street & back bay, boston public library and copley square, boston harbor and whale watching cruises, john f. kennedy presidential library and museum, beacon hill and the black heritage trail, boston harborwalk and christopher columbus waterfront park, rose fitzgerald kennedy greenway, boston pops and boston symphony orchestra, arnold arboretum, massachusetts institute of technology, where to stay in boston for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to boston, best time to visit boston, ma.

The three-mile Freedom Trail leads you past – and into – 16 of the city's principal historic monuments and sites. It's easy to follow, by the line of red bricks in the sidewalk and by footprints at street crossings. Begin by picking up brochures on the attractions at the Visitor Center in the Boston Common before heading to the State House .

The trail will take you to Old Granary Burying Ground (where Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock are buried), King's Chapel Burying Ground (Boston's oldest cemetery with the graves of Governor John Winthrop and two Mayflower passengers), Old South Meeting House (where the ringing speeches of patriots spawned the Boston Tea Party), and the Old State House . This is Boston's oldest public building and the site of the Boston Massacre .

The Freedom Trail continues through Boston's North End, past the Paul Revere House and Old North Church , and ends across the bridge in Charlestown with the 54-gun frigate USS Constitution and the 220-foot granite Bunker Hill Monument. With all these attractions and places to see, it's no wonder the Freedom Trail is one of the best walking trails around Boston .

Known as "America's Most Beloved Ballpark," Fenway Park is one of the most fabled sports complexes in the country, and even if, like me, you're not a sports fan, a tour of it is both fun and interesting. And sitting inside, surrounded by cheering fans and singing "Sweet Caroline" is a quintessential Boston experience.

The home of the Boston Red Sox looks much the same as it did when it opened on April 20, 1912. One of its most recognizable features is the Green Monster , the 37-foot green wall in left field, and the park still maintains some of the remnants of "old time" baseball such as the hand-operated scoreboard.

Fenway Park also has the lowest seating capacity in the Major Leagues holding only 33,871 spectators (a fact that makes tickets exceedingly scarce).

Author's Tip: If you manage to get tickets, don't even think about driving to a game. Park outside the center and take any MBTA Green Line train (except one labeled Heath St.) to Kenmore Square and follow the crowd on the short walk to the stadium.

Address: 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, Massachusetts

Known as the "cradle of liberty," Faneuil Hall was built in 1740-42 by Huguenot merchant Peter Faneuil as a market hall and presented to the city on condition that it should always be open to the public.

The ground floor is still occupied by market stalls; on the upper floor is a council chamber, which in the 18th and 19th centuries was the meeting place of revolutionaries and later, of abolitionists. On its fourth floor is the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Museum , with weaponry, uniforms, and paintings of significant battles.

The adjoining Faneuil Hall Marketplace includes three long halls (Quincy Market, North Market, and South Market), dating from the early 19th century, now occupied by a lively assortment of shops, restaurants, and exhibitions.

In good weather, I love the block-party atmosphere here, with street performers and buskers putting on shows in the square around the market, and in any weather I never tire of browsing through the shops selling jewelry, clothing, gifts, and souvenirs. You can never have too many Red Sox caps, or you can get a coffee mug inscribed with a Boston/English dictionary. It might come in wicked handy talking with locals.

The food stalls in Quincy Market are some of the most popular places to eat lunch in Boston. My favorites are Fisherman's Net and the family-run Boston Chowdah for seafood, and West End Srollers for panini sandwiches I can walk around with as I browse. Ethnicities from Hispanic to Asian Fusion are represented, and Boston Halal is opening in 2023.

Address: Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, Massachusetts

In the heart of the city is Boston Common, America's oldest park and the start of the Freedom Trail . In this large green space, which is much used by locals year-round, are various monuments and the Central Burying Ground of 1756.

You can rent skates to use on the Frog Pond from November through mid-March, enjoy the spring blossoms and fall foliage colors reflecting in its surface, and in summer, watch youngsters splash about in the wading pool.

Adjoining it on the west side of Charles Street, is the 24-acre Public Garden, America's oldest botanical garden. Along with the Victorian-style monuments and statues, including an equestrian statue of George Washington, are the popular modern bronzes of a family of ducks immortalized in Robert McCloskey's children's book Make Way for the Ducklings .

Joining the ducklings to give the Public Garden its whimsical air is one of Boston's most iconic experiences for all ages: riding around the lake in the garden's center on the famous Swan Boats , first launched in the 1870s.

Generations of children have ridden these and returned with their own children and grandchildren (I know this because I'm in one of those families). If you're in Boston with kids, take them for a ride here, and start your own multi-generational tradition.

Address: Public Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

One of the leading art museums in the country, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts excels in its collections of Impressionist paintings, ancient Egyptian treasures, Asian and Persian fine arts, and works from ancient Greece and the Middle East.

Its crowning achievement is the construction of an entire American Wing to house, integrated in chronological order, outstanding collections of American paintings, furniture, decorative arts, folk art, silver, glassware, and design dating from pre-Columbian arts to the Art Deco and Modernist eras. To see all these works of art shown in context with other creative accomplishments of their time is an exciting journey through the world of American creativity, one I never tire of taking.

Highlights elsewhere include a 12th-century lacquered-wood sculpture of a Buddhist Bodhisattva and Korean painted screens, the ivory and gold statue of the Minoan Snake Goddess from 1500 BC, and a statue of the Egyptian pharaoh Mycerinus and his queen from 2548-2530 BC.

For me, in addition to the American Wing, the museum's highlight is the group of 35 paintings by Claude Monet , one of the largest collections outside of France. These are exhibited in good company, alongside works of Gaugin, Renoir, and Degas.

To see and appreciate all the museum's galleries and collections could take a full day, but the mind can only absorb as much as the feet can endure. So unless you are a devoted art enthusiast, plan from two hours to half a day here and concentrate on those sections that interest you most.

The museum is about a 1½-mile walk from Copley Square and other neighborhoods for sightseeing; an easier way to get there is on the MBTA Green Line. Take a car marked Heath St. from Copley or Park St. stations.

Address: 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts

Set in a building its eccentric creator modeled after a 15th-century Venetian palace, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum displays its collections in rooms surrounding a four-story central courtyard filled with flowering plants and fountains.

The priceless 2,500-piece collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, tapestries, decorative arts, books, and manuscripts reflect the personal tastes and considerable expertise of Mrs. Gardner herself, whose own flamboyance further adds to the charm of the museum.

Behind the palazzo, a 70,000-square-foot glass-clad building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano creates new viewpoints for the original palazzo and stunning spaces for music and visual arts, allowing the museum to showcase exceptional contemporary works and artists. Rather than clash or compete with the original building, Piano's wing simply provides a new glass through which to view Mrs. Gardner's palazzo.

From almost anywhere in the new building are uninterrupted prospects of the palace and gardens through transparent walls. After you tour the museum, stroll through the Fens , a long green space, where you'll find a beautiful rose garden in bloom from June through October.

Author's Tip: The Gardner is only a few steps from the Museum of Fine Arts, making it tempting to combine them in one day. But unless art is your passion, it's best to see them on different days, so you can appreciate each. Visiting the Gardner is to immerse yourself not just in art, but in the 15th- and 16th-century artistic world of Renaissance Italy.

Address: 280 The Fenway, Boston, Massachusetts

Nicknamed Old Ironsides , USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned ship in the United States Navy, and is still commanded and crewed by Navy personnel. The ship is open to visitors, who can go below desks and hear about the ship's construction and action at sea.

Across the pier, the USS Constitution Museum provides historical context through interactive exhibits that illustrate life aboard a naval vessel two centuries ago. Another ship you can tour here is the Cassin Young , a World War II destroyer.

Charlestown Navy Yard is part of the Boston National Historical Park, and it's a short walk to the Bunker Hill Monument and Museum, also in the park. The 221-foot-tall granite monument marks the hilltop site of the earthen fort built by New England soldiers prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first pitched battle of the American Revolution.

Address: Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts

Exhibits in the extensive Museum of Science encourage learning through hands-on exploration of science and technology, but the museum is not just for children. Physics, biology, chemistry, ecology, zoology, astronomy, computers, and more are explored in more than 700 permanent, hands-on exhibits that are enhanced by stage presentations and interpreters. I find it every bit as engaging as my children do, and can easily spend a whole day here.

Highlights are a 65-million-year-old fossil discovered in the Dakota Badlands, an electricity dome with continuing programs, the Butterfly Garden where you can walk among free-flying butterflies in a conservatory filled with exotic plants, a live animal center, a chance to join local meteorologists to learn weather forecasting, and ComputerPlace , where you can operate a robot and explore how your computer stores information. The planetarium presents daily laser and star shows, and the Mugar Omni Theater has a five-story domed screen.

Author's Tip: Save money on a family day at the museum by bringing your own lunch. You are welcome to enjoy it in the Atrium, on the front plaza, or at picnic tables behind the museum. No snacking in the exhibit areas, though.

Address: Science Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Harvard University , founded in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and is widely considered one of the world's leading academic centers. Go to the Harvard Information Center to take a spirited and entertaining free walking tour of the campus guided by a student who will share history, Harvard lore, and personal perspective. Or you can download a tour from their website.

Harvard Yard sits right in Harvard Square , a lively hub for students, "townies," and visitors, filled with shops, bookstores, and allegedly more places to buy ice cream than any other U.S. city.

Adjoining Harvard Yard is the Renzo Piano-designed home of the Harvard Art Museums , including three formerly separate collections, each of which ranked high as major U.S. art museums. Few universities have such enviable collections. Fogg Art Museum concentrates on Italian early-Renaissance art, the Busch-Reisinger on Expressionist art of central and northern Europe, with Bauhaus objects and paintings by Kandinsky and Klee.

Another important feature of the museums is one of the world's best collections of Chinese jade, as well as Chinese bronzes, Japanese prints, Indian art, and Greco-Roman antiquities, especially vases and sculptures.

If you're as bookish as I am, don't miss browsing in The Harvard Bookstore , just across Massachusetts Ave. from The Yard. Not associated with the University, this indy store has been a fixture in this same spot since 1932.

If you're looking for Harvard insignia souvenirs, the place to go is the Harvard Coop , across the square.

Address: 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Boston's lively Italian neighborhood, known as the North End, is one of Boston's oldest, where the silversmith and activist leader Paul Revere lived at the time of the American Revolution. The Paul Revere House, which he bought in 1770 and lived in when he made his famous ride, is the only patriot's home on the Freedom Trail, and is open to tour.

You can climb to the tower of Old North Church , where lanterns were hung in April 1775 to alert Paul Revere that British troops were headed to Lexington to arrest the patriot leaders and confiscate the munitions supplies. The beautiful white interior of the church still retains its historic box pews.

The North End is a favorite spot for tourists for reasons that go well beyond its important historic sights. Although it has changed a bit over the years since it was filled with newly arrived immigrants from Italy, it retains its Italian character and lively flair.

You'll find Italian restaurants; cafes; bakeries; and shops fragrant with aromas of cured olives, fresh-roasted coffee, and Italian cheeses. For my family, Modern Pastry on Hanover St. is a required stop, for cannoli and pignoli cookies.

You'll also find the North Bennet Street School , where skills such as bookbinding, cabinet and furniture making, carpentry, silver and gold work, and violin making are taught. Their gallery shop is like a museum of fine craftsmanship and a good place to shop for one-of-a-kind gifts.

On the night of December 16, 1773, more than a year before the first battle of the American Revolution, angry Bostonians protesting a tax on goods shipped to the colonies, stormed ships from England and threw the tea into the harbor at this site. With full-scale replicas of the original ships from which the Sons of Liberty dumped tea overboard, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum offers tours with a participatory reenactment of that event.

Costumed historical interpreters lead visitors through that historic night, through interactive exhibits, films, and multi-sensory experiences. Of course, everyone gets to dump tea into the harbor. In the museum, you'll see the only known tea chest from that ill-fated cargo.

This is more a history-as-entertainment attraction than a living history museum. But kids are drawn into the fun as they learn about shipboard life and American history, so it's no wonder this is one of the favorite things to do for families in Boston.

Address: 306 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts

Overlooking the waterfront, the New England Aquarium features more than 20,000 fish and aquatic animals representing over 550 species. A man-made Caribbean coral reef houses a large variety of tropical fish and underwater life including sharks, turtles, and moray eels. The Edge of the Sea touch tank allows visitors to handle small invertebrates like crabs, starfish, and urchins.

Outside the aquarium, visitors can watch harbor seals play, perform, and live in their enclosed habitat. The New England Aquarium also sponsors educational programs and whale-watching tours outside of Boston Harbor, and the adjacent IMAX Theater shows 40-minute films on nature subjects.

To be sure of admission at this popular family attraction, reserve timed entry tickets in advance. Nearby parking is expensive, but it's easy to get here by public transit; the aquarium has its own stop on the MBTA's Blue Line.

Address: Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts

Although the four Harvard Museums that make up this complex contain treasures such as the artifacts brought back by Lewis and Clark, for most people, the highlight is the more than 3,000 models of 830 species of flowers and plants, some with insects, and all so realistic that you will have trouble believing they are made of glass. I marvel at these anew, each time I see them.

Created between 1887 and 1936 by German artisans Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, the flowers are unique in the world, and their secret process has never been replicated. These are part of Harvard's massive research collections, shown under one roof in the Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology , the Mineralogical Museum , the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Botanical Museum .

Particularly strong in Native American exhibits , the Peabody shows artifacts and art interpreted as part of a living culture, even when that culture has vanished. You can admire some of the finest examples of Native American arts from many periods and tribes, and also see how these changed as Europeans provided a new market for their goods.

Those who like the Victorian "Cabinet of Curiosities" feel of old traditional museums will love the Pacific Islands balcony - it's like stepping back a century. The Museum of Comparative Zoology , founded by Louis Agassiz in 1859, contains an extensive collection of fossils, including a 25,000-year-old mastodon . The mineralogy collections include a dazzling display of rough and cut gemstones , a world-renowned meteorite collection, rocks, ores, and minerals from around the world.

Address: 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Both atmospheric and fashionable, Boston's Back Bay (it was once under water, before a hill was leveled to fill it in) is the heart of the 19 th -century city, home of the "Proper Bostonian" of legend. Streets of sedate Brownstone and brick townhouses line the grid of streets between the Public Garden and the Fenway, bounded on the north by Storrow Drive and the Charles River Esplanade.

Stroll its tree-lined streets, especially Newbury Street, to find an almost European atmosphere of small (mostly trendy) shops and boutiques, art galleries, and cafés and restaurants that spill out into sidewalk terraces. Architecture throughout the neighborhood is eclectic, with some fine examples of ornamental terra-cotta and brickwork.

I love walking through Back Bay residential streets at any time of year – in the spring when Magnolias bloom in the tiny front yards, in the winter when the wrought-iron fences sketch patterns against the snow, and in the fall when fallen leaves crunch underfoot.

The main square of the Back Bay area is surrounded by both old and ultra-modern buildings. One side is formed by the Boston Public Library , founded in 1848 as the first publicly funded lending library in the country. Architect Charles Follen McKim designed the present building in 1895.

Go inside to see the library's Renaissance Revival architecture and murals by John Singer Sargent and Edwin Abbey. Granite medallions over the entrance arches are the work of the pre-eminent American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The three sets of bronze doors in the vestibule were created by Daniel Chester French. Regular Art and Architecture Tours are among the several free things to do in Boston.

Author's Tip: Boston's best-kept secret may be the elegant afternoon teas served in the tearoom overlooking the beautiful Italianate Courtyard of the Boston Public Library. Crisp white linens and silver-edged crystal set the stage for proper tea sandwiches, scones, and trays of dainty sweets.

Facing the library, across a grassy lawn, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch with neighborhood office workers, is Trinity Church , a red sandstone building designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson in his distinctive style, known as Richardson Romanesque. Trinity is widely considered to be his finest work. The murals, frescoes, and painted decorations inside are by John La Farge and much of the fine stained glass is by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.

On a third side of the square is the venerable Boston institution, the Fairmont Copley Plaza ; these three buildings, backed by the sheer glass wall of a skyscraper, create a stunning cityscape. A block down Boylston Street, look for the finish line of the Boston Marathon , run each April on Patriot's Day.

Just beyond is the Prudential Center , a 32-acre complex of apartments, shops, restaurants, and a 52-story tower. On its 50th floor, you can visit the Skywalk observation deck for 360-degree views of Boston and its surroundings.

Address: 700 Boylston Street, At Copley Square, Boston, Massachusetts

At Rowes Wharf, you can board the Odyssey to cruise through Boston Harbor, from Castle Island to George's Island, then east to the Boston Light on Little Brewster Island, and back north to Charlestown Naval Yard before returning to the wharf.

You can enjoy lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch as you savor the views of the Boston skyline from the water. The skyline is especially beautiful at night when you can take a starlight or full moon cruise.

You can travel outside the confines of Boston Harbor on Boston Whale Watching Cruises , for a chance to see humpback and fin whales, as well as dolphins and porpoises, in the wild. This three-hour, naturalist-led tours are very popular and claim to have whale sightings on every trip.

Dedicated to the memory of the 35th U.S. President, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the official national memorial to JFK, designed by noted architect I.M. Pei and opened in 1979. The museum, which stands on the shore south of the city, features three theaters, personal memorabilia, photographs, and historical exhibits that document the life of JFK and his presidency.

Exhibits cover the presidential campaign trail, the Oval Office, First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, and the Kennedy family. Interactive experiences here include the free and family-friendly Highlights tours and the Hands-on Cart programs, which include the PT-109 story and a closer look at the Race for Space.

Address: Columbia Point, Boston

One of Boston's most beautiful neighborhoods and right in the center of the city, the south side of Beacon Hill has traditionally been the home of Boston's "old money" families, known locally as "Brahmins." Well-kept brick homes in Federal and Greek Revival styles line its tree-shaded streets, and at its heart is Louisburg Square, where homes face onto a leafy private park. Author Louisa May Alcott lived here from 1880 to 1888.

The Nichols House Museum , a Federal-style home by Boston architect Charles Bulfinch, shows how Beacon Hill's upper-class residents lived and is filled with collections of 16th- to 19th-century furnishings and decorative arts. At the western foot of Beacon Hill, Charles Street is lined with boutiques and shops that have traditionally catered to the neighborhood and are popular with visitors as well. Beyond Charles Street, facing the Public Garden, The Bull and Finch , established in 1969, inspired the popular television program, Cheers .

Restaurants and cafes come and go quickly along classy Charles St, but one that has maintained its elegant ambiance and traditional Tuscan country menu is Toscano , where you can dine on melt-in-the-mouth veal scaloppini or a simple four-cheese pizza.

The north side of Beacon Hill is far more modest and has been home to immigrants, including a sizable African American community, since the early 19th century. National Park Service Rangers offer free guided tours of the Black Heritage Trail from April through November and you can follow the trail on a self-guided tour year-round.

The Boston African American National Historic Site includes 15 pre-Civil War homes, businesses, schools, and churches that give a picture of Boston's 19th-century African American community. The Museum of Afro-American History operates the African Meeting House , the country's oldest (1806) church built by and for Black Americans and now restored to its 1854 appearance.

The 1834 Abiel Smith School was the first public grammar school for African American children. Displays at both include artifacts, films, art, and sculpture related to the black experience in Boston and New England.

The Boston waterfront has seen many changes since its early beginnings as a colonial shipping port. After a period of decline for much of the 20th century, new life was breathed into the area in the mid-1970s with an ambitious redevelopment plan.

Today, this interesting mix of residential and commercial space is connected by HarborWalk , an attractive walkway along the waterfront, with parks, public art, benches, cafés, interpretive signs, and access to several means of exploring the harbor by cruise boat, ferry, or water taxi. A shuttle boat also runs to the Charlestown Navy Yard .

Although it extends from Charlestown to South Boston – and will expand considerably farther – the part you won't want to miss goes from the North End through the wisteria-draped pergola of Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park , past Commercial Wharf, India Wharf, and Long Wharf , and by Rowes Wharf before curving along the harbor into the vibrant Seaport District to the Institute of Contemporary Art , an art museum dramatically cantilevered above the water.

One of the newest of Boston's many public parks and green spaces, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway fills the swath of downtown Boston left bare by the removal of the elevated Central Artery.

Nearly 1.5 miles of parks and gardens connect several diverse neighborhoods, including the financial district, the North End, Chinatown and Faneuil Hall Market, all just a few steps from the linear park.

Public art, gardens, benches, a farmers' market, food trucks, and playgrounds enliven the park, along with a fanciful carousel of whimsical animals, where children can ride on rabbits, a butterfly, turtle, lobster, or a grasshopper. All 36 creatures on the Greenway Carousel were inspired by drawings made by Boston school children. The carousel is specially designed to be accessible to adults and youth with disabilities.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra gave its inaugural concert in 1881, and its first at Symphony Hall , one of the world's most acoustically perfect concert halls, when it opened in 1900. Over more than a century of history, its conductors have included greats such as Pierre Monteux, Serge Koussevitzky, Charles Munch, Seiji Ozawa, and James Levine.

In addition to its regular symphony season, the hall is home to the Boston Pops Orchestra , which sets an international standard for performances of lighter music. For many visitors, the highlight of a trip is a Pops concert, either in Symphony Hall or at the Hatch Memorial Shell , an Art Deco outdoor music shell on the riverside Esplanade that has become a Boston landmark.

The shell hosts a regular program of concerts and other special events, and is especially famous for the Boston Pop's yearly performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture on July 4th. Audiences sit on the lawn in front of the shell with views of Cambridge, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill, and the Pops orchestra is accompanied by real cannon fire and ringing Boston church bells.

Following the concert is a spectacular fireworks display over the river; both are televised all over New England. When I lived on River St, a block from the Esplanade, I took my lawn chair and a book to a grassy spot near the Shell at 10 am to get the best spot; now you'll have to wait until noon to stake your claim.

You can go behind the scenes on a tour of Symphony Hall where you'll hear the history and traditions of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, its musicians and conductors.

Address: 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts

A "museum of trees," the Arnold Arboretum is especially colorful in the fall, when the maples are ablaze in reds and yellows, and in the spring, when cherry trees, lilacs, or magnolias are in full bloom. But the Arnold Arboretum is beautiful all 12 months of the year. When the trails through its 281 acres are covered in snow, they are popular places to snowshoe and cross-country ski.

A National Historic Landmark , designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, the Arboretum is maintained by Harvard University , which uses it as a teaching laboratory. Along with a wide variety of trees, shrubs, vines, and perennial flowering plants, are exceptional collections of lilacs, azaleas, and rhododendrons; the Bonsai & Penjing Collection is also a highlight.

The Explorers Garden , occupying a small microclimate within the grounds, is home to two of the world's largest Franklin trees, a species now extinct in the wild. Docent-led tours range from quarter-mile introductions suitable for all abilities to a 90-minute Keeper's Tour.

Address: 125 Arborway, Boston, Massachusetts

The 150-acre MIT campus is of special interest to fans of modern and postmodern architecture , a living museum of works by noted architects including Alvar Aalto, Eduardo Catalano, I. M. Pei, Frank Gehry, and Eero Saarinen.

In addition, the campus displays hundreds of sculptures and art installations that you can see with the help of a self-guided walking tour map, by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Jacques Lipchitz, and Auguste Rodin. In the Hart Nautical Gallery are ship models, and the Compton Gallery shows contemporary art.

Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Official site: www.mit.edu

Most of Boston's major tourist attractions are relatively close to the downtown area and Boston Common, where the Freedom Trail begins. Beacon Hill, Copley Square, and the Waterfront/North End are all within easy reach of these highly-rated hotels in Boston.

Luxury Hotels :

• These hotels are in Boston's most prestigious - and convenient - locations: Copley Square and Beacon Hill. Fairmont Copley Plaza is the Grand Dame of Boston hotels, an elegant and gracious landmark property overlooking Copley Square and minutes from the Public Garden's Swan Boats.
• The intimate Lenox Hotel is known for personal attention in the heart of Back Bay, adjacent to Prudential Center and Copley Square, close to museums and Newbury Street shopping.
• XV Beacon crowns historic and fashionable Beacon Hill, next to the State House and overlooking Boston Common.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Boston's waterfront extends from the North End Italian neighborhood to the newly blossoming Seaport area, handy to harbor cruises, seafood dining, museums, and historic sites. Boston Marriott Long Wharf overlooks Boston Harbor, close to the New England Aquarium and North End attractions.
• Seaport Boston Hotel guests enjoy sweeping views across Boston Harbor and the downtown skyline, excellent service, and a no-tipping policy in the hotel and its restaurants.
• In a skillfully repurposed brick factory building, Residence Inn Boston Downtown Seaport is steps from the Boston Children's Museum and downtown attractions.

Budget Hotels:

• Even Boston's budget-friendly options are conveniently close to the center. The Revolution Hotel , in the chic South End restaurant and arts neighborhood, has double, triple, and quad rooms, some with shared dorm-style bathrooms.
• Especially handy to sports and entertainment events at TD Garden, Hotel Indigo Boston Garden is an easy walk to the North End and Quincy Market.
• Across the street from the TD Boston Garden, and within walking distance of the North End, citizenM Boston North Station has tech-savvy, soundproof rooms.

Sightseeing:

• For first-time visitors to Boston, the best way to see the attractions and get acquainted with the city layout is to take a Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour . This tour stops at all the major tourist attractions and gives you the freedom to stop where you want and see the city at your own pace.

Day Trip to Martha's Vineyard:

• Explore more of the Bay State with a 12-hour Day Trip to Martha's Vineyard , traveling by bus through Cape Cod to Falmouth, before boarding the scenic cruise to the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. Here, you'll have six hours to explore the island on your own, or you can add a guided bus tour to see Gay Head Light and the historic village of Edgartown.

Day Trip to Newport:

• See the famous summer palaces of Belle Epoch society on the Boston to Newport Small-Group Day Trip with Breakers & Marble House Admission . On an 11-hour small group tour of "America's First Resort" you'll visit the two most famous mansions, as well as Cliff Walk, Ocean Drive, and St. Mary's Church, where Jack and Jacky Kennedy were married.

If you're looking for a seamless vacation packed with fun adventures and ideal weather conditions, the best time of year to go to Boston is during the late spring and early fall . This is technically Boston's high season.

From May through the end of June , things are starting to warm up nicely. You're looking at highs in the upper 60s to high 70s and more comfortable lows in the 50s. Not too hot nor too cold, these temps are perfect for wandering the streets all day. Still, you'll want to pack layers to be sure you're prepared for the fluctuating temperatures.

The months of September and October also present visitors with optimal highs in the mid-60s (October) to high 70s (September). Lows range between high 40s to high 50s. Again, you'll likely need layers. At this time, you'll witness an impressive sight: vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues envelop the city in the form of fall foliage, especially towards the end of October, rewarding photographers with picture-perfect backdrops.

Boston hotels will be more expensive during this time, and you can expect to see larger crowds of tourists, but overall, late spring and early fall are the best times to visit Boston . Since many of the city's best attractions are outside (i.e. the Freedom Trail and Fenway Park ), you're guaranteed an enjoyable visit that allows you to visit the city's most popular points of interest with ease. Plus, you'll be able to ride a Swan Boat in Boston Common . This "ride" is closed during the cold winter months.

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The 17 Best Things to Do in Boston

Built on almost 400 years of history, Boston's character is as layered and distinct as a Kennedy accent. The city has reinvented itself countless times over, serving at different times and to different communities as the birthplace of the American Revolution, as an international academic capital, and as a biotech hub. Boston’s wharves whisper of tea parties, its libraries of literary greats, and its ballpark of curses broken. Each year, its famed universities keep this old city young with an ebb and flow of some 150,000 students from around the world—and these smarties keep the city lively round the clock.

All that, plus some of the finest  food and  drink make Boston one of America’s greatest and most enduring cities. Across its patchwork of squares, corners, and crossings, here are the best things to do in  Boston —including the occasional jaunt across the Charles River to neighboring  Cambridge —whether you're in town for Marathon Monday (better known as Patriot's Day around here), making a summer stop on your way to the Cape and islands , or on a fall foliage journey .

Read our complete Boston travel guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Arrow

This is one of  our favorite museums in Boston —and the country. At once intimate and unparalleled in its grandeur, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum draws on the vast art collection of its eponymous (and eccentric) founder, who had a thirst for travel, a bohemian lifestyle, and the fine luxuries of ancient cultures. Set within a Venetian-style palazzo, surrounding an elegant courtyard, masterpieces by the likes of Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, and John Singer Sargent share space with impressive architectural elements. Stewart Gardner herself delicately arranged the collection of more than 7,500 fine and decorative art objects, 2,700 books and manuscripts, and over 8,000 historic objects from around the world, including sculptures, furniture, textiles, metalworks, and ceramics, that she collected during her lifetime. A Renzo Piano–designed wing opened in 2012, and provides interdisciplinary, multipurpose space for contemporary artists, musicians and scholars.

New England Aquarium Arrow

It all starts with the penguins—when you first enter, you're greeted by African Penguin and Rockhopper colonies that are by any measure an absolute delight to watch. Just past, the main attraction is the 40-foot wide, floor-to-ceiling, 200,000 gallon salt water Ocean Tank, home to about 1000 marine animals, including turtles, eels, and tropical fish. A cylindrical walkway makes it possible for guests to experience the tank from every depth and angle, and a number of smaller satellite rooms contain informational displays and touch tanks that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This is a popular field trip spot, so you're likely to be surrounded by schools of rambunctious kids on any given day, especially from the lunch hour onwards. The museum implemented timed ticketing during the pandemic and is likely to keep it moving forward, which acts as a good form of crowd control, but the quietest times to visit are still weekdays first thing in the morning.

High Street Place Arrow

Food halls are complicated. Make them too pedestrian and they quickly fall into the “food court” category, recalling the sad shopping mall eateries of our youth. But throw in a James Beard finalist, and an eclectic mix of some of Boston’s most discerning foodie favorites from across the city, and you’ve got a worthwhile detour for locals and visitors alike. Highlights include: bagels and pastrami from Brookline favorite Mamaleh’s; artisanal doughnuts from Blackbird; and Bubble Bath, a Champagne bar complete with Moët & Chandon vending machine. There’s tons of seating, a sleek LED entertainment system playing multiple sports games at once, and an airy, atrium-type feel that never feels overly crowded or cramped. There are a number of excellent food halls serving downtown Boston’s office-dwelling population, but this one feels less like a corporate convenience stop and more like a proper microcosm of the city’s food scene.

Public Garden Arrow

Bostonians may breeze through the Public Garden to get from one side of town to the other, but there's plenty to linger over in this city-center oasis. The lagoon, which wanders almost the entire length of the garden, is where the famed Swan Boats have been peddled for over a century; and the flowers are beyond vivid. The Commonwealth Avenue entrance serves as the park’s most enchanting introduction, where a statue of George Washington comes flanked by flowers at the gate. In this pleasurable moment, remember that Victorian Bostonians found this park to be offensively bright. My, how times have changed.

Boston Public Library Arrow

There’s a lot to love about the Boston Public Library: It’s the oldest municipally-funded lending library in the country, its McKim Building is considered the masterwork of iconic Gilded Age architect Charles Follen McKim, and an ongoing calendar of free events all year-round means there is quite literally always a tour to go on, lecture to attend, or exhibit to peruse. Architecture nuts should reserve a spot on one of the thrice-weekly Art & Architecture Tours, which unlocks some of the premises’ lesser-known gems, including tile arches by famed Spanish builder Rafael Guastavino, and the first mural commission from John Singer Sargeant. The museum is home to all sorts of treasures beyond just books–including the lesser-known but entirely worthwhile Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, which houses over 250,000 geographic objects.

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Arrow

A gorgeous 281-acre green space within Boston, Arnold Arboretum of  Harvard University is the oldest public arboretum in North America (c. 1872) and the highlight of Frederick Law Olmsted's famed  Emerald Necklace series of green space in the city. Prolific biking and walking trails zigzag past more than 16,000 accessioned plants, many meticulously marked with signs. The natural splendor is a feast for the eyes, which are able to spot the sheer diversity of trees and plants at every turn. QR-coded signs and the arboretum’s easy-to-use  Expeditions app make it possible to dig deep into the environment.

The Freedom Trail Arrow

The Freedom Trail starts at the  Boston Common , the oldest public park in the United States, following a red brick path lined with 16 historic landmarks, which paint a picture of Boston’s revolutionary history. Although tourists flock to the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, this pedestrian path also coincides with day-to-day rush of downtown Boston. You’ll see revolutionary sites in a modern setting and walk alongside commuters and after-school kids. If you’re short on time, prioritize the North End section of the trail, home to landmarks like the  Paul Revere House , Old North Church, and Copp’s Hill Burial Ground, in a historic neighborhood that’s known as Boston’s Little Italy. If you want to go deeper, find all the hidden Freedom Trail spots locals love to visit here.

Charles Street Arrow

Beacon Hill, one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods, is home to some of the finest examples of Federal-style brick row houses in the country, and Charles Street is the perfect launching point from which to explore it all. Tiny sidewalks, gaslit corners, and Instagrammable charm await on this busy thoroughfare, which starts by the Massachusetts General Hospital campus and concludes on the Boston Common. Charles Street has an independent bent that locals love to support. Come here for contemporary accessories at December Thieves, mouthwatering truffles at Beacon Hill Chocolates, custom stationery at Gus + Ruby Letterpress, and “this might have belonged to a Kennedy” antiques at Upstairs Downstairs Home. And if you’re a book lover (or bookstore lover), don’t leave town without visiting Beacon Hill Books & Cafe , a stunning townhome-turned-bookshop that’s restoring this city’s faith in the importance of independent booksellers.

Lookout Rooftop Arrow

With a deserved reputation as Boston's premiere rooftop bar, Lookout often reaches capacity with the city's work-hard, play-hard young professional crowd (Reservations are required these days; no walk-ins). For most, Lookout isn't a novelty—it's a mainstay—though you may find the occasional bridge-and-tunnel-type folks later on weekends. The crowd definitely likes a solid cocktail but they're here for the views and highly social atmosphere. In a city that skews historic and can feel sometimes like a  college town, The Lookout Rooftop provides big-city appeal with a cool crowd, awesome skyline views, and strong drinks. It's a place to hang out with friends and just have some boozy fun.

Fenway Park Arrow

What’s Boston without Fenway Park? America’s “Most Beloved Ballpark” isn’t just a stadium–it’s a piece of living history. It’s the home of the Red Sox, who play there each year from late March through October, but it’s also known for its popular summer concert series, and its fascinating behind-the-scenes tours offered in the off-season. Sure, there are parts of Fenway’s history that aren’t exactly worth celebrating–the Red Sox remained segregated longer than any other MLB team, and it wasn’t until Lady Gaga’s Joanne World Tour came in 2017 that a woman headlined a concert there–but at the end of the day, it’s one of the most enjoyable places to visit in Boston. When you’re in the cheap seats, having paid way too much for a beer and a hot dog and the crowd starts singing “Sweet Caroline,” it’s clear there’s a sense of history here that even non-sports lovers can get excited about.

Charles River Esplanade Arrow

If you’re exploring Boston for the day, take a walk up through Back Bay from Massachusetts Avenue and loop back down along the Esplanade or head over the Harvard Bridge to Cambridge (Ironically, the Harvard Bridge ends at M.I.T.). It's a narrow paradise along both sides of the Charles River, stretching for several miles between the Longfellow Bridge to the west and the Boston University bridge to the east. More than 1,500 trees line the walkway (or runway, if it's marathon-training season), while playgrounds, ponds, and gardens bring a lyrical quality to this meandering landscape. It's best viewed in autumn, when the Esplanade shows its true colors. The Hatch Shell is a performance space that serves as home base for all things at the Esplanade including the famous performance by the  Boston Pops on the Fourth of July.

South End Arrow

This neighborhood has the kind of charm that'll make you move to Boston. There are so many historic plaques that show off the neighborhood's rich past and an abundance of hidden art galleries and boutiques that will keep you searching for more. Design aficionados should definitely come here on Sundays, when you can visit SoWa Open Market (short for South of Washington Street) for food trucks and entertainment as well as SoWa Vintage Market and the SoWa Farmer's Market, and a number of one-of-a-kind boutiques and design showrooms. Plus, a foodie's trip to Boston isn't complete without a stop here casual bistros and oyster-slinging wine bars: Don't miss Black Lamb , an elevated American brasserie that impresses with a sensational raw options and sublime lobster rolls. Late night, stop by Beehive or Wally's Cafe for lively local jazz sets in casual bar settings. And for one of Boston's best dive bars (and best burgers) where everybody knows your name, hit cozy wood-paneled DeLux Cafe on cobblestoned Chandler Street.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Arrow

The MFA’s vast collection of art and artifacts is exceptional by any standard. The museum houses one of the best collections of Korean art outside the Korean peninsula, the only permanent exhibition space for ancient coins in the United States, one of the world’s largest holdings of ancient Egyptian treasures, and a comprehensive collection of work by John Singer Sargent. The museum’s claims to fame are so varied, in fact, you could spend weeks documenting its exceptionality. Whatever you take in during your visit, don’t miss the Claude Monet gallery in the European Wing, with one of the greatest caches of the Impressionist’s work outside of France, or the impressive Arts of Islamic Cultures Gallery, whose 2019 reinstallation was developed in collaboration with local Muslim groups. All said and done, the MFA is the crown jewel of  Boston's art scene .

Seaport District Arrow

Boston Seaport is one of the city's most talked-about neighborhoods—and for good reason. The former no-man's land, just over the bridge from Downtown, has quickly evolved into a center of innovation, mixed-use development, and modern culture, attracting prominent companies like Amazon, big names in biotech, and major developers competing to erect Boston’s priciest, sky-scraping condos. A young, ambitious work force has followed, as have some great businesses—including the  Institute of Contemporary Art ,  Legal Harborside 's rooftop bar, Wood Hills Pier 4 for farm-to-table cuisine, darts bar Flight Club, the Lookout Rooftop, and Mediterranean hotspot  Committee.

The Barking Crab Arrow

The last vestige of the old Seaport—a once rough-around-the edges neighborhood that’s now filled with glass skyscrapers, corporate types, and Lululemon stores—this indoor-outdoor seafood institution fills with diners and happy hour revelers of all stripes, from construction workers to management consultants. The waterfront destination feels like a coastal summer clam shack with its tented roof and picnic tables, and, indeed, it got its start as a seasonal restaurant back in 1994. Now, it includes a more permanent wing with an old time-y tavern feel, but the seaside, atmosphere persists throughout. That vibe pairs perfectly with the menu of seafood platters; raw bar favorites; fried scallops, shrimp, and clams; fish sandwiches; entrees; and lobster in all forms, including boiled, grilled, roasted, and rolled.

Brattle Book Shop Arrow

In the heart of Boston’s downtown, carts and shelves of $1, $3, and $5 books fill an alley off of West Street. The seller: Brattle Bookshop, a store that encompasses three floors of used books, the top one filled with rare collectibles. Its purveyor, Ken Gloss, is a regular appraiser on the PBS’ Antiques Roadshow and has gained modest fame among antiquers and public-television addicts.  Independent bookshops attract an eclectic mix of characters, and that’s as much a part of the experience as the books themselves. Curmudgeonly regulars, bespectacled students, and travelers who value a good read all make Brattle Bookshop an institution. Even the famously reclusive J.D. Salinger stopped here once.

Harvard Square Arrow

Take an afternoon and evening to sink into this corner of Cambridge, and you’ll have discovered a city unto itself. You certainly don’t have to be a student to savor this neighborhood. There are  art and  natural history museums on Harvard’s campus, quirky boutiques for souvenirs like Black Ink, Grolier Poetry Book Shop (the oldest in the country, c. 1927), and local-loved, world-class restaurants like  Alden & Harlow . Tourists turn out in droves to walk the famous Harvard Yard, and despite the crowds it's worth taking a genuine wander.

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » Massachusetts (MA) » 25 Best Things to Do in Boston (MA)

25 Best Things to Do in Boston (MA)

Boston, founded in 1630, is Massachusetts’ capital and also its largest city and, as of 2020, has approximately 684,000 residents. It is famed for the key role it played in the American Revolution as well as being home to many prestigious universities and technical colleges such as Harvard Medical and Business Schools, MIT, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, Tuffs University and University of Massachusetts Amherst to name just a few.

One of the best ways to get a real feel for this interesting city is to explore it by foot, and I have suggested a few walking tours within this guide. Let’s explore some of the best things to do and see in Boston.

1. Museum of Fine Arts

Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is one of North America’s largest, and home to more than 450,000 works of art. The museum is huge, so make sure the family have on their comfortable walking shoes.

The museum’s collection is spectacular, and includes a wonderful array of French Impressionist paintings as well as a magnificent Classical collection, where you can enjoy taking in the plentiful amount of frescos and sculptures from the Villa of the Contrado Bottaro in Pompeii.

There are regular special exhibits too and certainly something for the whole family to enjoy. Plan on making a whole day of it.

2. Boston Public Garden

These charming public gardens were created in 1634 and modified in the Victorian Age, with the assistance of the then newly formed Boston Parks and Recreation Department, introducing over 80 species of plants from both local and varied locations around the city.

Vibrant floral patterns were created using the very new techniques of hybridizing and propagating, eventually leading to the importing of exotic trees and plants. A popular attraction for all the family as you stroll past the famous Swan Boats operated and created over 100 years ago, the lovely lake and fountains, and variety of trees. There are plenty of benches on which to relax, too.

3. Fenway Park Tour

Take the family on a tour of Fenway Park, home to the famous Boston Red Sox. It will make attending future games even more fun. Fenway Park is the oldest ball park in Major League Baseball history and, though relatively small and only able to seat 40,000 spectators, has certain seen plenty of exciting baseball, soccer and hockey action, not to mention political and religious campaigns.

Fenway has hosted the World Series ten times, its inaugural season starting from the 1912 World Series. You will tour the stadium, visitors’ club house, press room, and the seats above the ‘Green Monster’, nickname for the 37’2” high left field wall, popular because it is only 310 feet away from home plate.

4. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

A completely new type of museum, this is where the family can view not only artifacts of historical importance but also enjoy a multi sensory experience.

This floating museum is made up of high tech interactive exhibits, restored tea ships, absorbing documentaries all about this famous event and knowledgeable actors bringing you a sense of how it all happened, with a perfect sense of flair and drama! There is also the opportunity of throwing the tea overboard. A very interesting and enlightening time for all, rounded off with a visit to the café and well stocked gift shop.

Recommended tour: Boston Tea Party: Ships & Museum Interactive Tour

5. John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library

Dedicated to the tragically brief life of John F. Kennedy, this museum and library depicts the famous man’s leadership and legacy, while at the same time illustrating the nature of a President’s office.

The beautiful building was constructed to overlook the President’s beloved Boston, offering a wonderful view of the city skyline as well as an outdoor walkway along the Dorchester Bay.

The museum is full of fascinating artifacts, photos and videos which also include interesting items such as a number of his spouse Jackie’s dresses.

6. Old North Church

This is Boston’s oldest surviving church. Founded in 1722, Old North Church is also the city’s most visited historical site being the location from which the phrase “One if by land, and two if by sea” signal is thought to have been sent, which relates to Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride of April 18, 1775 preceding the American Revolution battles of Lexington and Concord.

Within the church is also a bust of George Washington. A small but interesting historical church which the whole family will enjoy visiting.

7. Boston Brewery Tours

These fun tours offer both a day and evening option, and consist of a super time for the visiting adults of the family. The tours focus on the city’s popular brew/pub scene with the chance to learn all about the mechanics and history of brewing beer, as well as visiting four different Boston breweries.

Enjoy learning all about the making of beer, talk with some brewery owners, participate in either a lunch or dinner (dependent on which tour you have chosen) and the opportunity to sample between 15 to 20 award-winning pilsners, stouts and other beers.

There will be a small amount of walking involved. The tours are also wheelchair accessible.

Related tour : Craft Brewery Beer Tour

8. Yummy Walks

How does a culinary walking tour for all the family that includes plenty of mouth watering goodies sound?

This three and a half hour outing will take you through North End, Boston’s Italian district, stopping at various venues to sample amazing balsamic vinegars, olive oil, pancetta and delicious cheeses, before sitting down to a lunch consisting of ample portions of three different pasta dishes, then continuing on to a pizzeria serving huge slices of wood fired pizza.

Next, enjoy several local artisanal caramels and chocolates. And, if you still have room, a final stop to sample one of the best cannolo that you and your family will have ever tasted.

Website : https://foodtoursboston.com/

9. Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill, a neighborhood of Federal style row houses, is not only a historic part of Boston but also one of the most desirable areas to live in these days! It is worth having a walk around the area to view its brick sidewalks and narrow streets with their prettily decorated lampposts.

As you and your family explore the district passing through Charles Street and Louisbourg Square, home to some of Boston’s most lavish properties, you will understand why it is such a popular spot. There are also some lovely cafes and shops to explore.

10. The Arnold Arboretum

This is a lovely spot for the whole family to enjoy. Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum was designed by American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and is the second largest “link” in the Emerald Necklace, which consists of a 1,100 acre chain of parks that are linked by waterways ad parkways throughout Boston.

The Arboretum consists of trees and shrubs from all over the globe which are all well marked and described. There is a choice to follow the regular pathways or ones which can take you off the paved roads. A fabulous day out and also a super learning experience for all the family. Easily accessible for wheelchair users.

11. The Museum of Science

Together with over 700 interactive exhibits and various live presentations on show throughout the building, the Museum of Science is a Boston landmark. As well as its presentations, it is also home to the Mugar Omni Theater and Charles Hayden Planetarium.

And if that wasn’t enough to keep the kids interested, the museum is also part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and home to over 100 rescued and rehabilitated animals.

The MOS is a perfect learning arena for both adults and kids, even very little ones. There is also a lovely café serving delicious food (though you are allowed to bring your own refreshments).

Included in : Boston CityPASS

12. Quincy Market

One of Boston’s favorites, Quincy Market is located in a historic area constructed in 1824 and named in remembrance of Mayor Josiah Quincy, who had arranged its construction without any debt or tax.

The colorful, always lively market is made up of interesting knick knacks, souvenirs in which to buy your mementos of Boston and a fabulous food hall that has so many delectable culinary items you really will be spoilt for choice.

And if any members of the family enjoy playing chess and other games, there are even tables set up for this during the day. And for all of you “Cheers” fans out there, there is a replica of the famous bar there too.

13. The Printing Office of Edes & Gill

This printing office is a real hidden gem and could easily be missed as it is so small!

Founded in 1713, the Clough House is one of Boston’s oldest surviving brick residences and, walking into the historic building, you and your family are sure to feel as if you have stepped back in time.

Within the printing office are members dressed in colonial attire, happy to demonstrate the mechanics of the printing press, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of free speech and the necessity of communication distribution.

Nearby are two adjoining townhouses, used for social, civic, administrative, and educational and parish programs.

14. Boston Children’s Museum

In 1909, the idea for a children’s museum in Boston was developed when several local science teachers decided it would be a wonderful idea to create a general learning arena. The museum is popular with both locals and visitors, having earned its reputation for never treating children in a condescending manner or taking them less than seriously.

The exhibits within are appealing to kids of a wide age spectrum, including an enormous sculpture in the middle of the first floor where they can safely climb up 3-4 floors. The museum is well run, clean, and safe and with an abundance of hands on activities to keep kids of all ages happily amused.

15. New England Aquarium

Opened in 1969, this aquarium is now a global leader in marine conservation and ocean exploration. It draws more than 1.3 million visitors a year as well as being a primary public education resource.

Its huge multistory level tank is filled with fascinating sea life, with helpful software that is attached to glass viewing panels that enables you and the family to identify its inhabitants. There is lots of fascinating marine life to see, from stingray touching pools to little sharks and from horseshoe crabs to starfish.

The kids will love the star attraction; the penguins and the great amusement they procure when it’s time for their meal.

Book online : New England Aquarium Entry Ticket

16. Skywalk Observatory

For a magnificent view of Boston, take the family to the Skywalk Observatory which is the city’s only sky high vantage point offering a sweeping 360 degree view.

The Observatory is situated in the Prudential Tower (spoken of locally as ‘The Pru’). You can also learn a lot about Boston’s history by listening to one of the available Acoustiguide tours (available in a variety of languages) which details the history of this great city. The kids will love it simply for the view.

You can visit either in the day or the evening, when you will be able to appreciate the glittering night view.

17. Boston Ballet

The Boston Ballet was New England’s first professional repertory ballet company, founded in 1963, and now made up of 69 dancers and 20 nationalities, performing within the historic 2,500 seat Boston Opera House.

Boston Ballet opened the Nervi Festival in Italy in 1979 and was also the first American dance company to perform in the People’s Republic of China.

Famous for its performance of The Nutcracker and voted ‘Best Loved Nutcracker Production in the U.S. in 2009, a visit to one of the ballet’s shows will be a real hit with the ballet lovers of the family.

18. Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop

For a taste of the sweeter side of the Revolution, why not drop into this historic chocolate shop, where you can learn all about the history of chocolate and how it was produced and eater during the American colonial period?

Named after the owner himself, within the shop you and your family will be able to learn all about the chocolate making process by one of the knowledgeable staff, dressed in period clothing, and also have the opportunity to sample either a historically accurate colonial style chocolate drink or a piece of the wonderful confection itself.

19. The Mapparium

This fascinating attraction, built in 1935 by Rand McNally, is made up of a three story tall stained glass globe which is viewed from a 30 foot long bridge through its interior.

The Mapparium was designed so that the countries of the world could be viewed in accurate geographical relationship to each other, hence its design, a mirror image, concave reversal of the Earth, viewed from within.

This is a wonderful learning experience for all the family with the opportunity to view the world as it then was, showing long disused ‘labels’ such as Siam and Italian East Africa.

20. The Paul Revere House

Not only the original colonial home to the American patriot Paul Revere during the time of the American Revolution, but this is also the oldest house in Boston, built about 1680.

Now a museum, this three story house is home to a well preserved interior in which your family will feel as if they were living a piece of famous history itself.

There is plenty of commentary to listen to from the museum’s enthusiast staff and though no pictures are allowed to be taken in the house, there are many mementos to purchase such as Paul Revere reproductions, cards, prints, educational material and books for both adults and kids.

21. RoomEscapers

This is a fabulous team building exercise for all family. RoomEscapers offers 60 minutes of interactive fun in which you can put together your individual talents to solve the clues and puzzles you will be presented with, all based on real events in New England, so you will be benefiting from a fun history lesson as well.

With perfectly thought out clues and rooms designed to ensure you get the most out of them, this really makes for an interesting and invigorating time for everyone. And, should you get stuck at any time, proprietor Jeff is on hand to give you some helpful hints.

22. Franklin Park Zoo

Usually careful about encouraging visits to each and every zoo, I have no hesitation in recommending Franklin Park Zoo to everybody.

The 72 acre zoo’s mission is to inspire people to sustain and protect the natural world by creating engaging experiences that help integrate wildlife and conservation programs.

The zoo is clean and easy to navigate with lots of interesting information about its various residents. This is a lovely outing for all the family; just bear in mind however that during the winter months you might not be seeing all the animals as some of them might be tucked up and cosy, waiting for the warmer weather.

Book online : Franklin Park Zoo Entry Ticket

23. Trident Booksellers & Cafe

This surely has to be the perfect venue to satisfy all the readers and foodies in the family.

Since 1984, this busy and friendly bookseller and café has been providing the Boston community with sustenance for both body and mind.

The café offers delicious food, a generous choice of refreshments from aromatic coffees, teas, to smoothies and fruit juices for the youngsters, and thousands of books from which to take your pick.

As if that wasn’t enough, the cafe also offers free Wi-Fi and an eclectic variety of magazines and cards. A perfect venue to spend time and talk about your Boston vacation!

24. The Paint Bar

The Paint Bar is a fun, well run business where the whole family can enjoy some creative time together.

Each session lasts for two and a half hours, which should be enough time to make your artistic mark. The Paint Bar will supply you with a 16’ x 20’ pre-stretched canvas, brushes, acrylic paint, easels, and apron.

You can either bring your own food and drink or purchase it there, and there is even a BYOB option for family members over 21 years of age. The friendly staff will be happy to guide and advise your family from the first moment they are presented with a blank canvas to step by step, creating a respectable piece of art.

25. Boston Harborwalk

Take a family walk along the Harbor by following the Waterfront Trail which passes along the edge of wharves, piers, beaches and shoreline.

You will discover some very quaint areas as you traverse the city’s many different attractions, while at the same time enjoying some fresh air and exercise. And, if you get a little weary, you can always take a water taxi.

Harborwalk is in the process of expanding and, when fully completed, will extend in total to 46.9 miles from Chelsea Creek to Neponset River.

25 Best Things to Do in Boston (MA):

• Museum of Fine Arts
• Boston Public Garden
• Fenway Park Tour
• Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
• John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library
• Old North Church
• Boston Brewery Tours
• Yummy Walks
• Beacon Hill
• The Arnold Arboretum
• The Museum of Science
• Quincy Market
• The Printing Office of Edes & Gill
• Boston Children's Museum
• New England Aquarium
• Skywalk Observatory
• Boston Ballet
• Captain Jackson's Historic Chocolate Shop
• The Mapparium
• The Paul Revere House
• RoomEscapers
• Franklin Park Zoo
• Trident Booksellers & Cafe
• The Paint Bar
• Boston Harborwalk

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• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

The 50 best things to do in Boston

Experience the absolute best of the city this summer with our epic guide to essential eats, drinks, culture, parks and more.

August 2024: Looking for the best things to do as summer winds down in Boston? The iconic coastal city shines this time of year with outdoor concerts, must-see museum exhibits and bountiful seafood (best enjoyed on an outdoor patio ). Soak up the warm weather at SoWa , cruise around the harbor and catch Shakespeare on the Common.

Classic attractions like Fenway Park , strolling (or splashing ) on Boston Common and kayaking in the Charles River continue to draw crowds each summer, but there’s so much more to see and do in Boston. Our on-the-ground editor and writers traverse the metro area looking for the best of the best to curate this ultimate guide to things to do in Boston each month. So plan your dining itinerary—from morning fuel to memorable meals and the best desserts —and enjoy Boston at its best this summer.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Time Out Market Boston

Time Out is a global authority on where to eat right now, and we hand-pick restaurants to represent our cities at   Time Out Market . The Fenway food hall and cultural market has more than a dozen dining options, including bodacious  doughnuts , authentic French pastries, crêpes  and more brunch specials. With two bars showcasing local   craft beer   and seasonal cocktails, it’s a   one-stop shop   to try all the flavors of Boston. Plus, the   market hosts frequent events   like pop-up markets, free fitness, local beer fests, drag brunch and more.

Best things to do in Boston

1.  see the city from the water.

• Things to do

What is it? There are many ways to cruise around Boston Harbor, from expert-led boat tours to yachting experiences with dinner and drinks.

Why go? Many Bostonians agree, the city’s skyline is best viewed from Boston Harbor. Plus, have you sat in traffic lately? Some day trips are much better by boat. From Boston, you can take a ferry to Salem, Hingham or Provincetown.

Don’t miss: The classic harbor vessel Spirit of Boston recently got a top-to-bottom makeover with more modern fixtures and finishes. Check out Boston Harbor City Cruises for a variety of brunch, dinner and evening events on board this and other vessels.

2.  Go on an ice cream crawl

What is it?  Summer’s essential sweet is taken seriously in Boston, with iconic and craveworthy creameries found in every neighborhood. Find your favorite by going cone-by-cone this summer.

Why go? We have so many local institutions for frozen fare, like  J.P. Licks  with branches across the city,  Christina’s  in Inman Square,  Toscanini's  with two locations in and  Picco in the South End, where you can enjoy gourmet pizza followed by homemade ice cream.

Don’t miss: Far Out Ice Cream  at Time Out Market, which swirls fresh fruit into cool twists of soft serve.

3.  Catch an outdoor movie

• Movie theaters
• Independent

What is it?  A blockbuster summer activity is seeing a movie under the stars. Sure, you can catch the biggest releases in air-conditioned comfort at one of  Boston’s top cinemas  (even  one of the most beautiful cinemas in the world ) , but outdoor movie screenings are a fleeting seasonal pleasure.

Why go?  With screenings hosted by local movie theaters, museums, parks and more—featuring everything but recent hits to classics—it brings art to the people across the metro area.

Don’t miss: The final  Movie Monday  of the season at Time Out Market:  The   Parent Trap  on Monday, Sept. 9.

4.  Check out a new beer garden in the neighborhood

What is it? The Alianza Park Series from Roundhead Brewing and Fresh Food Generation brings diverse beer and food offerings to public parks around Boston. Two-weekend stints span locations in  Franklin Park and Brighton in September.

Why go? One of the best new breweries in Boston, Roundhead is serving up four draft beers as well as non-alcoholic options like Peruvian chicha morada. Fresh Food Generation serves a signature combination of Caribbean and modern American cuisine, plus neighborhood-specific menu items to celebrate the Alianza Park Series.

Don’t miss:  Live music and other programming during select events.

5.  Hit the beach

What is it?  A number of beautiful, breezy beaches in the city and beyond are worth checking out this summer.

Why go? Some of the best stretches of sand can be accessed by public transit. Crane Beach  offers a shuttle bus from the Ipswich commuter rail station throughout the summer, while  Singing Beach and Good Harbor Beach  are also accessible by the commuter rail. Wollaston Beach, meanwhile, is the largest public beach along Boston Harbor and is on the Red Line.

Don’t miss: If you head to one of Southie's beaches, grab lunch from the  beloved local institution  Sullivan’s Castle Island , a snack shack selling  fried seafood, lobster rolls and hot dogs.

6.  Root for the home team at Fenway Park

• Sport events
• Fenway/Kenmore

What is it?  Seeing a Red Sox game at Fenway Park has been a rite of passage for Bostonians since it opened in 1912.

Why go?  The oldest ballpark in the majors, Fenway is also one of the smallest. Tickets aren't too hard to come by this season though, and the home team has been on a tear since June. Let's go!

Don’t miss:   If you get the chance, take a seat atop the stadium ’ s most distinctive feature, the 37-foot-high left-field wall known as the Green Monster. Before or after the game, check out the great restaurants, bars and other activities in the Fenway neighborhood .

7.  Tour Fenway Park

What is it? The best part about Fenway Park is that it is a blast to visit, even if the Red Sox aren't playing. 

Why go? Public tours are offered year-round, wowing even non-baseball types by detailing the park's colorful history and intricate details.

Don't miss: Take a 60-minute guided tour of Fenway Park using Get Your Guide  to see where Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore filmed scenes for their 2005 romance,  Fever Pitch .

8.  Stroll the Greenway

What is it? This verdant, mile-long ribbon of botanical parks and outdoor resting places connecting Chinatown to the North End.

Why go? The park is dotted with water fountains and splash pads and serviced by food trucks and beer gardens. It also hosts frequent events, including the Greenway Artisan Market every weekend, a summer jazz concert series on Thursdays, and a free Planty of Flavor vegan food festival on July 14.

Don’t miss: Along with the ever-popular Trillium on the Greenway, Night Shift Brewing has a Greenway beer garden this summer, too. Find it at Dewey Square near South Station.

9.  Eat the freshest local oysters

What is it?  Boston is famous for its fresh seafood, so enjoying a dozen local oysters at one of the city’s top raw bars is a must.

Why go?  Ever since the Union Oyster House opened in 1826, raw oysters have been integral to Boston’s culinary scene. Today, these briny bivalves appear on restaurant menus throughout the city. You'll find locally-sourced varieties including Wellfleet, Cotuit and Glidden Point as well as popular imports like Kumamotos. Oyster happy hours are a great way to sample these goodies at a lower price.

Don’t miss:  Island Creek Oysters' farm is a destination-worthy day trip in Duxbury, about an hour south of Boston. The outdoor raw bar boasts views of the harbor where these delicious delicacies grow and thrive. 

10.  Go rollerskating in Cambridge

What is it? A developing area of Kendall Square is a pop-up roller rink all summer long. Rollerama is located at “Kendall Common,” on the corner of Third and Broadway near Kendall/MIT on the Red Line. 

Why go? Skating includes free skate rentals, and there will be food and drinks for purchase open later in July. 

Don’t miss: The large mural of the roller rink painted by Massiel Grullón .

11.  Visit a new restaurant patio

What is it? New outdoor dining options, new menus and new views abound in Boston this season.

Why go? While the tried and true best patios in Boston , rooftop spots and outdoor bars are always a good bet on sunny days and pleasant nights, there are several new-ish spots with outdoor dining that should be on your radar. 

Don’t miss: Black Cat @ Vee Vee , a collab between chef Valentine Howell, a 2023 James Beard award-nominee and Jamaica Plain neighborhood favorite, Vee Vee. While still maintaining its cozy vibe, the restaurant and patio has a totally new menu with Afro/Latin Caribbean flair—think: rotating tacos, shrimp tostada, elotes, pineapple buñuelo and more. 

12.  Sunbathe (or catch the sunset) on the Esplanade

• The Esplanade

What is it? A public park running parallel to the Charles River, this beautiful greenspace and trail network is a perfect place to catch some rays.

Why go? With a refreshing breeze continuously coming off the water, the Esplanade attracts runners, cyclists or anyone looking to take a stroll. If you’re lucky, you can snag one of the highly coveted benches that are peppered throughout this pedestrian paradise. Otherwise, you can seek shade under one of its many trees and haul out some packed picnic supplies.

Don’t miss: The Boston Public Dock, where people stretch out on towels and try to get a tan.

13.  Stock up on fresh ingredients in the Seaport

What is it? The Boston Fish Pier hosts a weekly farmers market this summer for the first time in its 110-year history.

Why go? The Saturday market features local businesses like Rocky Neck Fish, Stillman’s Farm produce, McGuire’s Mushrooms, Copicut Farms meats and more local vendors.

Don’t miss: The most  bountiful season in Boston.

14.  Wander around Boston Common and the Public Garden

What is it? America’s oldest public park and first botanical garden (established 1634 and 1837, respectively). The dual jewels of the Emerald Necklace perfectly reflect the vision of the venerated landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. 

Why go? Splash around the Frog Pond , play softball or tennis, or simply lounge with a book on the 50-acre Boston Common. Across Charles Street, the Public Garden boasts pathways for promenading, formal flower beds and a petite lagoon fringed with weeping willows. 

Don’t miss: The seasonally operated Swan Boats (introduced in 1877), which kids adore.

15.  Watch out for whales

What is it?  Whale watching isn’t just for school field trips. Hop on one of the boats departing Boston Harbor daily and rediscover how awesome it actually is to get that close to one of the largest mammals on Earth.

Why go?  The waters surrounding Boston offer some of the best whale watching opportunities in the U.S. Bring a sweater, park yourself at the hull of the boat for the day and keep your eyes on the water. 

Don’t miss:  D on ’t make the rookie mistake of shunning sun protection while on the water, else you ’ ll resemble one of our famous New England lobsters.

16.  Immerse yourself at WNDR

What is it?  A new art exhibition hall in Downtown Crossing invites you to interact with its art.

Why go?  Instead of idly observing, this museum actually encourages  visitors  to engage with multi-sensory installations by cutting edge artists.

Don't miss: One of the best 10 immersive experiences in the U.S.

17.  Kayak on the Charles River

What is it?  The Charles River, which runs from Boston Harbor out towards Hopkinton.

Why go?  Our city loves that dirty water, especially now that isn't quite as dirty anymore. On warm days, the Charles is flowing with activity, with everyone from the Harvard Crew Team to casual kayakers putting their watercrafts into the river. 

Don’t miss:  If you want a piece of the aquatic action and don’t own a boat, rentals are available from organizations like  Charles River Canoe & Kayak  and  Community Boating Boston . 

18.  Take a hike

What is it? Serious hikers may travel to the White Mountains or the Appalachian Trail, but when you just need a little bit of nature, there are plenty of quality hikes near Boston.

Why go?  W hether it’s rambling through scenic wooded preserves or exploring waterfront trails, these Boston hikes are perfect for walking off the chaos of downtown.

Don't miss:   Just a few minutes outside of Boston proper is the 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation with 125 miles of pristine hiking trails. Climb to the top of Great Blue Hill and enjoy an unmatched view of the Hub's skyline.

19.  Sample the city’s freshest lobster rolls

What is it? Hot or cold on a humble toasted bun or more modern and upscale like Eventide Fenway ’s brown-butter lobster roll on a soft Chinese-style bun, decadent lobster can be found on menus across town any time of the year.

Why go?  Nothing’s better than a buttery lobster roll in the summertime. 

Don’t miss: For a low-key, no-frills lobster roll experience, head to Belle Isle Seafood just outside the city in quiet Winthrop. 

20.  Visit the penguins at the New England Aquarium

• Attractions
• Zoo and aquariums

What is it?  New England’s largest aquarium and one of Boston’s most popular attractions.

Why go?  More than 80 African, rockhopper and little blue penguins live in the New England Aquarium’s first-floor display. Watch them go wild during feeding time in front of the Giant Ocean Tank, a massive coral reef exhibit that's home to a myriad of other marine creatures, including sharks and loggerhead sea turtles. The building is designed in such a way that the penguins can be seen from multiple vantage points. 

Don’t miss:   Be sure to say hi to the harbor seals in their enclosure outside, which is free and open to the public.

21.  Go candlepin bowling

• price 2 of 4

What is it?  Candlepin bowling is uniquely New England—the pins are tall and much thinner than those of standard 10-pin, and balls are closer to softball-sized. A local favorite for playing this regional game is the lovingly maintained Sacco’s Bowl Haven, which dates back to 1939 and now sits inside a pizza restaurant in Somerville.

Why go?  This nowling alley has the added perk amazing thin-crust pizza and a great selection of local craft beer.

Don’t miss:  Reservations are accepted Monday-Thursday, or on weekends for groups of eight or more only. Call ahead or expect to wait.

22.  Try a Thai-inspired pub

What is it?  Merai  just opened in Brookline from the team behind Boston Thai food favorites, Mahaniyom.

Why go? The cozy pub showcases a fusion of Thai flavors and global techniques, set in an unpretentious neighborhood cocktail bar.

Don't miss: The housemade "hot dog," a pork sausage in a butty bun with the flavors of the spicy-basil stir-fry known as krapow.

23.  Picnic in a park

What is it?  What better way to take advantage of the warmer weather than to head outdoors for a city picnic?

Why go? You don't need a reservation—just grab a blanket, pack up your meal (and maybe a sneaky bottle of wine) and find your way to one of the most peaceful picnic spots in Boston.

Don't miss:  A hidden gem in Dorchester, Pope John Paul II Park Reservation (aka Pope Park) is a 66-acre Massachusetts state park bordering the Neponset River with easy walking trails, picnic tables and water views.

24.  Retrace historic steps along the Freedom Trail

What is it?  A stroll along the Freedom Trail is a great way to take in local history and culture.

Why go?  The Freedom Trail isn’t the only historical walking tour in town, it's the most famous for a reason. The self-guided, 2.5-mile tour provides a sightseeing starting point for newcomers, and locals always spot something new to appreciate along the way.

Don’t miss:  After seeing Paul Revere's House, take a break and refuel with a slice of pizza from Galleria Umberto.

25.  Laugh it up at the best Boston comedy clubs

What is it? There are many opportunities to laugh your socks off this summer at one of Boston's veteran comedy clubs and other venues. The Improv Asylum in the North End has a loyal following, especially when it comes to the more risque late-night shows.

Why go? Some of America’s most popular contemporary comedians like Conan O’Brien and Bill Burr honed their craft in Greater Boston.

Don't miss: I Mostly Blame Myself , a NYC-based improv comedy troupe, has its first-ever show in Boston on July 13 at the Lyric Stage.

26.  Go big at Encore Boston Harbor

What is it?  A little slice of Las Vegas in New England, Encore Boston Harbor is a mega-casino resort just outside the city in Everett.

Why go? The 210,000-square-foot complex—which cost nearly $3 billion to build—includes 15 high-end dining and lounge venues, an ultra-premium spa and more than 600 guests rooms for the ultimate staycation. 

Don't miss: The four-season, six-acre Harborwalk features pedestrian and bike paths, a picnic park, a gazebo, viewing decks, waterfront dining and lush green space with magnificent floral displays.

27.  Watch the leaves turn at the Arnold Arboretum

What is it?  A National Historic Landmark and one of the best preserved landscapes designed by the famous Frederick Law Olmsted. 

Why go?  With thousands of trees, shrubs and woody vines, this Jamaica Plain gem is recognized as one of the most comprehensive and well-documented botanical gardens worldwide. 

Don’t miss:  Taking a stroll on a nice day to see bursts of green, blooming flowers and plenty of chirping birds.

28.  Get wild at the Franklin Park Zoo

What is it?  The city ’ s quaint zoo is a kid-friendly local favorite.

Why go?  As fascinating as animals seem on the TV screen, they’re far more impressive in real life. The zoo—whose mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain endangered species—is home to zebras, gorillas, giraffes and a host of other exotic animals that you definitely wouldn’t normally see in the wilds of New England. 

Don’t miss:  Franklin Park Zoo recently welcomed a baby Hartmann’s mountain zebra, the first of this zebra species  to be born in Boston ; as well as a new yellow-billed stork chick and a wattled crane chick.

29.  Discover the deCordova Museum & Sculpture Park

• Art and design

What is it?  The former estate of Massachusetts merchant Julian de Cordova  hosts the region ’ s premier outdoor sculpture park.

Why go?  West of the city in the leafy suburb of Lincoln, the 35-acre deCordova Museum & Sculpture Park attracts art lovers year-round. Even during the dog days of summer, it's the perfect place to get some fresh air while checking out world-class art. The ever-changing indoor exhibits provide shelter from the sometimes-fickle elements.

Don’t miss:  Yoga sessions, moonlight sculpture tours, live music and more special outdoor events  this summer.

30.  Learn something new at the Boston Public Library

• Libraries, archives and foundations

What is it?  The BPL contains approximately 19 million volumes and electronic resources, making it the second-largest public library in the U.S. —coming right  behind the Library of Congress.

Why go?  At nearly 1 million square feet, the main branch in Copley Square impresses in a way that few libraries can. The original structure, designed by Charles McKim and completed in 1895, now serves as the research library, while an extension (opened in 1972) functions as the general library. Talks, performances and tours delight culture vultures from near and far.

Don’t miss:   At the center of the library is a cloistered courtyard, one of the city ’ s most beautiful, tranquil places to read a book.

Want to see more in the area? Book a tour . 

31.  Set sail on Jamaica Pond

What is it?  Jamaica Pond, part of the Emerald Necklace of parks, is a picturesque, glacial kettle hole and the perfect place for an afternoon sail or stroll.

Why go? Courageous Sailing  offers sailing instruction and a new fleet of kayaks and standup paddleboards out of the  Jamaica Pond Boathouse. 

Don't miss:  The Summer Sundays in the Park series features free, family-friendly evening concerts and movies.

32.  Splurge on Newbury Street

What is it? One of the coolest streets in the world , Boston’s premier retail strip is perfect for both shopping and people-watching.

Why go?  Between Arlington Street and Massachusetts Avenue, there are eight blocks of beautiful brick townhouses housing ultra-luxe designers, chic boutiques and international chains. With a never-ending assortment of galleries, salons, cafés, bars and eateries to explore, you can easily spend an entire afternoon browsing, relaxing and indulging here.

Don’t miss: Le Mari , a new, chef-owned restaurant with a patio opening this summer on Newbury Street.

Need some guidance? Book a tour . 

33.  Go back in time at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

• Mission Hill

What is it?  Modeled on a Venetian palace and mostly untouched from the eccentric collector's time in Boston, the former home of American art collector Isabella Stewart Gardner is a sightseeing gem.

Why go?  The museum's most famous treasures remain exactly where Gardner had arranged them, including the empty frames that once held priceless works of art stolen during the infamous 1990 theft. The museum also boasts a flower-filled courtyard that blooms all year long.

Don’t miss:   Enjoy free admission on your birthday; a nyone with the first name Isabella gets in for free as well.

34.  Have a meal with a side of waterfront views

What is it?  Boston is blessed with plenty of waterfront restaurants to get your fix of sun, sea, salty air and snacks.

Why go? Take advantage of the warm weather while it lasts and savor the sunshine at a fabulous restaurant with a view.

Don't miss: Boston Sail Loft is a low-key favorite that also serves one of  the  best clam chowders  in town.

35.  Discover a lost world at the Mapparium

What is it?  Located inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library, the Mapparium is essentially a three-story model of the globe built to scale. 

Why go?  This colorful sphere runs 30 feet in diameter and can be crossed by means of a glass bridge bisecting its interior. Inside, sound bounces off the room ’ s rounded walls, amplifying it ten-fold, so keep in mind that there are no secrets in the sphere —no matter how softly you may whisper.

Don’t miss:  The 608 stained-glass panels recreate the world as it was in the mid-1930s, when the project was completed. So keep keen eyes on those outdated borders.

Save money on tickets with a Go Boston Pass

36.  Have a drink outside

What is it? Head to an outdoor bar in Boston where you can enjoy sun and fun.

Why go? From cheery terraces to waterfront views, these outdoor bars in Boston offer al fresco drinks and a good dose of fresh air. 

Don't miss: Some spots like SRV  offer cozy outdoor space to enjoy both excellent drinks and delicious food.

37.  Tour a historic building

What is it?  Boston is blessed with so many historic buidlings open to the public, such as the Old State House and Faneuil Hall. 

Why go?  Learn more about the city's — and the country's — rich history, in some cases for free.

Don’t miss:   Walking the entire  Freedom Trail , so you can enjoy the outdoors while seeing national landmarks.

38.  Check out a food truck

What is it?  Meals on wheels park themselves near the city's busiest picnic spots, like Copley Square, Government Center or the Rose Kennedy Greenway. 

Why go?  From gourmet grilled cheeses to ice cream cookie sandwiches, Boston's fleet of wheeled restaurants have a range of fast, fun bites for on-the-go eating.

Don't miss:  If you have your heart set on food from a specific vehicle, check social media to see if the company has shared its daily route.

39.  Please everybody at Boston's best food halls

What is it? The food hall trend is exploding in Boston, with a wealth of food halls popping up around the city.

Why go? Spanning numerous cuisines all in one spot, food halls are a great  choice when you’re dining with a group—there’s something for everyone. They make for a great anytime meeting spot; just show up and see what kind of mood you’re in.

Don't Miss: Eataly is a haven for Italian food enthusiasts. The Boston Public Market has fresh produce in addition to prepared foods. And Time Out Market Boston showcases the best of the city under one roof.

40.  Get an inside view of artist studios at SoWa

What is it?  The city ’ s premier artistic hub, SoWa Artists Guild at 450 Harrison Ave. is a veritable hive of creative activity. 

Why go?  Many artists open their doors a few times a month for open studio events, where they greet South End residents and visitors. First Fridays (5-9pm) is the flagship event, where more than 200 artists, galleries, shops and showrooms welcome the public for an evening of art, wine, cheese and mingling each month.

Don’t miss:  On Sundays, get your fill of art as well as locally grown produce and artisan-made goods at the SoWa Open Market .

41.  Explore the JFK Library

What is it?   Located behind UMass Boston ’s Dorchester campus, the JFK Presidential Library and Museum occupies a dramatic concrete-and-glass monolith by architect I.M. Pei.

Why go?  The  multimedia journey through the former president’s life continues to fascinate, as do temporary exhibits and special events that focus on politics, culture and current events.  On the ground floor, the stunning atrium commands panoramic views of the sea and the city. Downstairs, the museum contains an extensive display of memorabilia, as well as a series of temporary shows. 

Don’t miss:  Wednesday evenings from 5-8pm through August 14, the museum is open free of charge with special themes and make-and-take opportunities.

42.  Take a foodie crawl through Chinatown

What is it?  As one of Boston ’ s most densely-packed and unique neighborhoods, Chinatown thrills gourmands with its array of authentic eateries. 

Why go?  Many of  the city ’ s best Chinese restaurants  can be found in Chinatown. Rather than sticking to one spot and eating a single big meal, walk around the area and slowly snack along the way. Some ideas: Stamp your culinary passport at Taiwan Cafe , where you can sample a selection of dumplings and more. At Peach Farm , you can select seafood straight from the tanks.

Don’t miss:  Exotic hand-pulled noodles at Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe .

Want to see more of the area? Book a walking tour .  

43.  Dance the night away at a hot club

What is it?  Boston’s best clubs might not compare to the nightlife in Miami or Vegas, but there are plenty of popular options for late-night fun.

Why go?  With hot spots such as Royale , Venu  and Icon , the Theatre District hosts ’ s biggest concentration of nightclubs. Newcomers like The Grand , Big Night Live  and Mystique offer more elevated late-night options similar to those you'd find in other cities. A far cry from the Top 40 club-banging hotspots on the other side of the river, Central Square has an eclectic assortment of places to shake it like there's no tomorrow. Popular options include house DJ nights at  Middlesex Lounge  and eclectic throwback parties at Phoenix Landing .

Don’t miss:  If toe-tapping along to live jazz is more your speed, check out Grace by Nia  for soul food and some smooth music. 

44.  Study at the Harvard Art Museums

What is it?  Harvard’s history and status has allowed it to cultivate one of the most impressive university art collections. 

Why go?  Visitors are able to peruse highlights from the Ivy League institution's collection of roughly 250,000 pieces — from Neolithic sculptures to 21st-century conceptual installations—under one Renzo Piano-designed glass roof. 

Don’t miss:  Harvard ’ s   Museum of Natural History , which houses the famous Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants.

Want to see more of Harvard? Book a tour . 

45.  Drink a proper pint at an authentic Irish pub

What is it?  Boston ’s collection of  cozy, welcoming Irish pubs like  The Burren  and The Druid all but guarantee a lively night of  craic . 

Why go?  In a city chock full of proud Irish expats and Irish-Americans, it’s little wonder why Boston is brimming with an excess of quality pubs. To get the full experience, head in on a spirited trivia night, or during a live performance of authentic Irish music.

Don ’t miss:  For a centrally-located option with nightly live tunes, look no further than the Black Rose .

46.  Go hard on a Southie Sunday

• South Boston

What is it? A neighborhood tradition, where local yuppies finish the weekend strong with long, boozy brunches. 

Why go? In more recent years, South Boston has become known for its high concentration of young professionals who are always down for a good time. Sundays are no exception, and nearby restaurants cater to the crowds with creative brunch specials, buckets of bubbles and lots of beer. Kick off your Sunday Funday festivities at popular brunch spots like Lincoln, The Broadway and Loco. True troopers continue their day drinking at bars like Stats and Lucky’s Lounge. 

Don’t miss: Hydrating, especially if you’re over the age of 25 and have work on Monday morning. 

47.  Eat at one of these healthy spots

Boston has plenty of opportunities for you to indulge, but with the holidays approaching it may be wise to check out a few healthy spots along the way as well. These are the best and tastiest places for a light meal. 

48.  Try the best clam chowder in Boston

What is it?  A time-honored, New England culinary tradition.

Why go?  There are few things that scream "spring in Boston" more than grabbing a belly-warming bowl of the good stuff after a breezy day outside.

Don’t miss: Chowderfest , an annual event that occurs each summer when you can sample some of the city's best chowders.

49.  Save some cash and check out the city's free activities

What is it? Not all of the best things in life come for free. But gratis enjoyments can be found all around Boston, a city known for its high cost of living.

Why go? A simple stroll throughout Boston makes for a pretty great cheap date, owing to the city’s ample history, architecture, museums, green spaces and exciting performances.

Don't miss: The city's museums are world-class, even more attractive on their various free days.

50.  Catch a game or a show at the TD Garden

• Event spaces

What is it?  Besides serving as the home for the NBA’s Celtics and NHL’s Bruins, the city’s premier arena hosts big-name concerts and events.

Why go?  While it’s not the original Boston Garden (a no-frills venue that hosted some of the most important cultural events in Boston history), the spirit of Boston sports runs deep throughout the venue. An assortment of fans—from intense locals whose season tickets go back decades to new-school supporters sporting the latest in merch and gear—scream and shout while supporting the local teams.

Don’t miss:  Fuel up before a big game with a killer Italian meal in the neighboring North End .

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11 top experiences in Boston in 2024

Mar 2, 2024 • 7 min read

Make the most of beautiful Boston with these 11 top experiences © Anthony Tulliani/Lonely Planet

As one of the oldest cities founded in the USA and considered by many to be the cradle of the American Revolution, Boston is a gift to history buffs.

But there's more to this northeastern metropolis than American history. Renowned sports teams that contend for national titles, museums and galleries around every corner, diverse and welcoming communities, breathtaking natural beauty and a thriving dining scene – Boston has a lot to offer, and it can be difficult to know where to begin.

The key is not trying to pack everything into one trip – that's the fun of returning! Savor Boston and let these 11 incredible experiences create lifelong memories.

1. Walk the Freedom Trail 

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walk through the city that leads past 16 colonial and revolutionary historical sites, and it's one of the city's most popular visitor attractions. Stops include the Boston Common (the city's main green space), the golden-domed Massachusetts State House , Faneuil Hall , Paul Revere House , the warship USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument . 

There are group tours that lead you along the Freedom Trail, with guides in 18th-century costumes. You can also do it yourself – just download a map from the Freedom Trail website and follow the bricks on the sidewalk.

A self-guided tour allows you to go at your own pace, giving you the flexibility to stop at Faneuil Hall to munch through a few of the local food stalls, or to book a supplementary tour aboard the USS Constitution .

Planning tip:  Spread the trail out over several days to make the most out of each of the Boston neighborhoods it winds through. 

2. Surround yourself with culture at Boston's museums

There's a museum for just about every taste in Boston. If fine arts is your jam, there are paintings, sculptures and tapestries at the Isabella Stewart Gardener , while the sprawling MFA  features more than 450,000 works of art. For more targeted collections, there's the Institute of Contemporary Art , the Museum of Science , the Boston Children's Museum and the ever-popular fish-filled  New England Aquarium .

3. Explore Boston's distinct neighborhoods 

Each of Boston's various neighborhoods has its own personality and unique allure. There are technically 23 designated neighborhoods, but a few of the most noteworthy include the South End, known for its brownstones and multitude of restaurants; Back Bay, where the long Commonwealth Avenue Mall is a year-round highlight of trees, park benches and statues; the newly developed Seaport where highrises are juxtaposed against the harborfront walk; and the North End, otherwise known as "Little Italy."

There's also South Boston, which used to be known for its Irish-American culture but is now a young professional's playground with lots of bars and restaurants; not to mention Fenway-Kenmore, Chinatown, the downtown financial and theater district, and charming Beacon Hill.

Planning tip: Dedicate a few mealtimes to the North End – there's simply too much to eat and drink here for one visit. Hanover Street can be touristy, but being part of the crowd is part of the experience to fully enjoy the authentic pizzerias, salumerias , coffeehouses and pastry shops (try the cannoli at both Mike's Pastry and Modern's to weigh in on the longstanding local debate of who makes them better).

4. Drink a craft beer (or two)

In 1984, Samuel Adams revived the craft beer scene when it released its Boston Lager – "the full-flavored beer they deserved," says the brand. Today, the local brewery still pours its iconic beer at two taprooms in the city, while also offering rotating seasonal brews and tasting flights. Use Samuel Adams as a starting point in a craft beer tour, then try some of the other local craft brands that have followed, like Night Shift, Trillium, Harpoon, Jack's Abby and Cisco. 

Local tip: If you're visiting in the late spring, summer or early fall, look for popup beer gardens from the aforementioned brands that take advantage of Boston's riverside, public gardens and harborfront. The scenery complements the signature and seasonal beers – sipping a fruity roast under the summer sun or enjoying an Oktoberfest among crunchy autumn leaves.

5. Catch a game at Boston's famed stadiums and parks

Boston is a sports city, and whether or not you're a sports fan, the city's commitment to its home teams is contagious. Fenway is a great place to start; opened in 1912, it's the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. There's also TD Garden , home to the Celtics, Bruins and mainstream concerts. Gillette Stadium is about 27 miles away, but worth the trip for a Sunday tailgate before watching the Patriots play. 

Local tip: If you missed out on tickets, don't sweat it! Pull up a bar seat at one of the many sports bars throughout the city – Bleacher Bar , Cask'  n Flagon , Stats Bar & Grille , The Greatest Bar , Banners Kitchen and Tap or The Sporting Club will all provide a taste of the dedication to local sports on game day.

6. Indulge in New England's culinary traditions

Positioned at the heart of New England , Boston has premier access to some of the best seafood in the nation. Whether you're at a casual waterside venue like James Hook & Co. or The Barking Crab , or settling into a settee at a more formal restaurant like Row 34 or B&G Oysters , pescatarians will be in heaven. The most popular orders include oysters on the half shell, New England clam chowder, lobster rolls (both buttered and with mayonnaise) and steamed clams. 

7. But also seek out regional rising stars of global cuisine

Though seafood is traditional in Boston, we'd be remiss not to mention some exciting spots for global eats. Xenia Greek Hospitality has Krasi and Bar Vlaha , while Yunnan Kitchen serves delicious Dian cuisine from southwest China. Borrachito Taqueria brings tacos to Boston via the original NYC outpost for Mexican eats.

8. Shop and gallery hop along Newbury Street

Multi-level brownstones line Newbury Street, Boston's charming one-mile stretch of boutique shops, art galleries, established restaurants and cozy cafes. Of Newbury's eight blocks, the first (between Arlington and Berkeley) is unofficially dedicated to high-end fashion, hosting designers such as Tiffany's, Chanel, Loro Piana and Cartier.

The sidewalks get crowded on the weekends, especially in summer – on summer Sundays, the street is closed to vehicular traffic for a pedestrianized-only experience. In winter, storefronts sparkle with holiday displays and in spring, restaurants open their patios, which overflow with patrons sipping spritzers through summer and well into autumn, of which the season is extended by standing heaters and warm drinks.

Local tip: Some of the best shops and bars are not at street level, so look up to find places like Bar á vin 1855 , a wine bar above popular French restaurant  La Voile , and also down to restaurants like Puro Ceviche Bar .

9. Walk or cycle along the Esplanade 

This three-mile path of green along the Charles River stretches from the Museum of Science to the Boston University Bridge. It's a popular exercise route for locals but also a leisurely way for visitors to enjoy Boston's natural beauty. Rent a bike and cycle your way along, or opt for a stroll.

10. Get out on the water 

Whether you're interested in a sailing lesson on the Charles River or entrusting a local captain to do the work on a boat trip in the Harbor, there are plenty of opportunities to experience Boston by water. In addition to sailing lessons, there are outfitters along the Charles for kayaking, canoeing, rowing and stand-up paddleboarding. On the harbor, operators offer everything from hour-long tours, boats for day charter and leisurely sunset cruises. There are also Duck Boat Tours that traverse both land and water.

Planning tip: If you're booking a harbor cruise at sunset, reserve a table at one of the Seaport's popular restaurants to beat the crowds coming off your boat. Favorites include  Woods Hill Pier 4 , Nautilus , LoLa 42 and Strega . 

11. Tack on a day trip to one of Boston's coastal escapes

If you're visiting during the summer and can add on some extra time to your vacation, consider a day trip to one of Boston's coastal towns. Take a half-day trip to the North Shore to explore the quaint port towns of Gloucester and Newburyport, or venture down to the South Shore to beach towns like Duxbury and Cohasset.

For a longer excursion, drive to Cape Cod ("the Cape," as locals refer to it). Chatham, Dennis and Orleans are all within a two-hour drive and have one-street towns with bakeries and boutiques to spend the morning at before an afternoon lazing on the sands of the many nearby beaches.

Further afield is Provincetown, which can be a long drive, but there's also a fast ferry that runs throughout the summer. It can pick you up from Long Wharf in the morning and whisk you to Ptown in 45 minutes for a day of eating and perusing its artsy streets. 

Planning tip: If you opt for the mid-Cape on a summer weekend, leave extra time for traffic as back-up times on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons can teeter on doubling your drive time. Opt for a weekday if possible.

This article was first published May 27, 2021 and updated Mar 2, 2024.

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• Destinations
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Boston Travel Guide

Boston is not only one of America's oldest cities, it's also one of the most walkable, and we'd even go as far as saying it's one of the easiest to explore. From the Italian roots of the North End to Boston's quintessential brick facades and New England charm, the city has historical and cultural fascination around every corner. First-time visitors wondering what to do in Boston will be thrilled to find that there is an activity to please every kind of traveler—Red Sox games for the sports fans, oysters shucked fresh at the Boston's best restaurants for the foodies, Freedom Trail walking tours for the history buffs, and public green spaces for relaxing in the summertime.

Boston is an intimate city, but its cultural breadth makes it feel like a much larger hub. You can feast on some of the country's best dim sum in Chinatown, then walk 15 minutes and be at a brewery by the water. You can go spend an afternoon at a world-renowned art museum and wind up at a Sox game that night, or start your day strolling the Harvard University campus and end the day taking in a concert at the legendary House of Blues.

Eastern Standard Time (Daylight Savings Time, seasonal. Dates vary)

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Boston is from May to November. The late spring and summer months bring beautiful weather (temperatures reach nearly 70 by May and hover in the low 80s by July). Fall in Boston is picturesque, with Harvard University, MIT, and Boston University's campuses trimmed in foliage and temperatures slipping into the low 70s in September and low 60s in October.

Visiting in the late spring means catching the Bruins and Celtics close to the playoffs, but you'll want to avoid the graduation weeks in May if at all possible. The summer is lovely in Boston—it's not too hot, and while tourists flock to the city in June, July, and August, the student population clears out. Fall is by no means the off-season, with tourists continuing to arrive and students moving in, but visiting in September and October affords you some of the very best Boston weather. We'd recommend avoiding Boston travel from November to April, as these are the coldest, grayest months.

Things to Know

Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States dating back to 1634.

Boston was the first U.S. city to build a subway line, the Tremont Street Subway built in 1897.

Another Boston first was Revere Beach, the first public beach in the country.

Boston baked beans, New England clam chowder, Boston cream pie, lobster rolls, and Fenway Franks are some of the foods associated with the city.

Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood is one of the city's oldest communities, named for the beacon that once warned locals about invasions. Today it's a protected historic district, and its classic homes can be admired on a self-guided walking tour .

The National Park Service manages several of Boston's popular tourist sites.

How to Get Around

Trains: Public transportation in Boston runs through Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which offers two types of trains: the metro and the commuter rail. There are 13 commuter rail lines, all of which will take you out to various suburbs of the city. There is also a comprehensive metro—which Bostonians call "the T"—that runs throughout Boston and can easily bring you to most major attractions and neighborhoods in the city. The T has four lines—the red line, blue line, orange line, and green line—and is generally very easy to navigate. Find the subway map here .

You can purchase a CharlieCard , a reusable card to use on MBTA trains and buses.

Buses: The MBTA offers a vast number of city buses , all numbered and servicing different areas of the city. They also have Silver Line buses that go to Logan Airport from South Station.

Taxis: While taxis are not as abundant here as they are in, say, New York City, it's still simple to grab a cab at Logan Airport or at South Station (a central transportation hub where most buses and trains from other cities arrive). You can also, of course, call in advance for a taxi from a local cab company like Boston Cab Dispatch .

Car service: Uber and Lyft are available in Boston, as are black car services like Master Livery .

Best Hotels

Boston harbor hotel.

Address: 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 Phone: (617) 439-7000 Book Now

The epitome of luxury hospitality in Boston, Boston Harbor Hotel is a five-star property right on the water with 232 rooms and suites. The centrally located hotel is walking distance to South Station, Faneuil Hall, and State Street. Guests will enjoy dining on-site at Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, exercising in the private health club, and languishing in the beautifully designed common areas.

Encore Boston Harbor

Address: 1 Broadway, Boston, MA 02149 Phone: (857) 770-7000 Book Now

Bringing Las Vegas hotel vibes to Boston, Encore Boston Harbor opened in 2019 offering the chic atmosphere promised by Wynn Hotels. In Everett, Massachusetts, it's slightly out of the way, but you can still make it to the heart of downtown Boston in 15 minutes by car. Encore Boston Harbor has a 24-hour casino and exemplary dining at Rare Steakhouse.

Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Address: 200 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 351-2036 Book Now

Four Seasons Hotel Boston gives travelers a taste of the Back Bay and is near Boston's Freedom Trail and Beacon Hill. The hotel is perfect for long-term stays or families. Four Seasons Hotel Boston has a lovely heated indoor pool and on-site dining with views of the Boston Public Garden at Aujourd'hui Lounge. "You can tell that the staff of Four Seasons Hotel Boston considered every angle of the guest experience," said Liz Cantrell, a T+L senior editor.

The guest rooms were redone in 2019 and the property underwent a renovation of the public spaces in 2023. "The new design is stunning and reflects the Boston Public Garden and pays homage to the historic brownstones around the neighborhood of Back Bay," Cantrell added. "There are shades of green and botanical touches throughout the hotel, but I found the most stunning example to be the impressionist mural — depicting the Public Garden's flora and fauna — behind the reception desk."

XV Beacon Hotel

Address: 15 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 Phone: (617) 670-1500 Book Now

Named for its address of 15 Beacon Street, XV Beacon Hotel is a five-star property with a boutique spirit and a historic facade. The beaux-arts building in the luxe Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston is home to just 63 rooms, cultivating an intimate, exclusive feel. But even more remarkable is the fact that there are only seven rooms to a floor, which guarantees ample space and privacy in each guest room.

Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel

Address: 90 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108 Phone: (617) 772-5800 Book Now

On Boston's iconic Tremont Street, Kimpton Nine Zero is an inviting boutique hotel with complimentary wine happy hours and 190 rooms and suites with chic decor pieces (if you're lucky, you might end up with an Eames chair set by the window). The hotel sits at the intersection of Downtown Crossing, Beacon Hill, and the Financial District, and is a short walk to Faneuil Hall, Boston Common, the waterfront, and TD Garden for those keen on catching a Celtics or Bruins game.

The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Address: 215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 224-4000 Book Now

On Charles Street, The Liberty has North End charm with exposed brick-lined interiors and high-end Italian fare at Scampo. The hotel was once the Charles Street Jail, and the common spaces really play into that theme. Visit Alibi for cocktails and small plates "set in the old 'drunk tank' of what was Boston's historic Charles Street Jail," and their seafood restaurant called CLINK, also on-site.

The Charles Hotel

Address: 1 Bennett Street,Boston, MA 02138 Phone: (617) 864-1200 Book Now

The Charles Hotel is a Cambridge landmark located right in Harvard Square—situating it next to great coffee houses, music venues, shopping, and some of the most idyllic brick-lined streets in Cambridge. The rooms at The Charles Hotel are furnished with historic pieces from all over New England and some offer views of the Charles River. You'll also find high-end suites to accommodate larger families, including the Dean's Suite, Presidential Suite, and Chancellor's Suite.

The Verb Hotel

Address: 1271 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215 Phone: (617) 566-4500 Book Now

A boutique, three-star hotel near Fenway Park known for keeping the spirit of rock music alive, The Verb Hotel features eclectic music-inspired decor and vibrant colors. The vibe in the rooms and common spaces is very retro-chic, and the hotel has an outdoor pool and lively pool deck. You can also dine on-site at The Verb's sushi restaurant, Hojoko.

907 Main Hotel

Address: 907 Main Street, Boston, MA 02139 Phone: (617) 354-9907 Book Now

A boutique hotel in Cambridge, 907 Main Hotel just opened in fall 2020 as a city venture by independent New Hampshire hotel company Hay Creek Hotels. In the buzzing Central Square, 907 is minimalist and cozy with a rooftop bar (the only rooftop bar in Central Square, in fact). And it's close to both Harvard University and MIT.

The Newbury Boston Hotel

Address: 1 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 536-5700 Book Now

The Newbury Boston Hotel opens in spring 2021 and will sit at the intersection of Newbury and Arlington streets. Formerly the Taj Boston Hotel, this iconic property at 1 Newbury Street was originally a Ritz-Carlton when it opened in the 1920s. Located in the Back Bay, one of the famously high-end neighborhoods of Boston, The Newbury is walking distance to the Boston Public Garden and a myriad of other Boston attractions.

Best Restaurants

Neptune oyster.

Address: 63 Salem Street #1, Boston, MA 02113 Phone: (617) 742-3474 Website

An iconic North End seafood restaurant, Neptune Oyster serves great lobster rolls and the freshest of fish. But most patrons come for the oysters, as Neptune features eight or nine varieties, as well as for the clams, which are served fried or on the half shell. You'll have to navigate the mad scramble for the coveted seats at the counter, or wait a while for a table in this intimate but lively space, but it's worth it either way.

Oleana Restaurant

Address: 134 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: (617) 661-0505 Website

Oleana Restaurant is a signature Cambridge restaurant featuring outstanding Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine, and an imaginative mix of small plates with bold flavors. A popular place that generally requires reservations, you'll be exposed to a creative use of spice blends, delicious leafy vegetables, and a classic cassoulet .

The Boston Sail Loft

Address: 80 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02110 Phone: (617) 227-7280 Website

When you think of the Seaport District, your first thoughts may stray to tea being dumped in the harbor. But as more and more restaurants are calling this area home, visitors have flocked to the Seaport for a wide range of cuisines. The Boston Sail Loft, winner of multiple Best Clam Chowder in Boston awards, may be no-frills, but it certainly has a lot to offer, including their broiled fresh scrod that's sure to please.

Santarpio's Pizza

Address: 111 Chelsea Street, Boston, MA 02128 Phone: (617) 567-9871 Website

An East Boston landmark for more than 100 years, now with a location in Peabody, too, Santarpio's is in the Pizza Hall of Fame. Four generations of Santarpios have been assembling "upside-down" pizzas—toppings, cheese, and then sauce—on a thin crust that is unequivocally regarded as the best pizza in the city. It's hard to find, in the shadows of Logan Airport, but it's where discussions about great pizza begin and end.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe

Address: Multiple locations Website

It's not often that a bakery starts from one's home and in 14 short years expands to 18 brick-and-mortar bakeries, including two in Washington, D.C.. Nor is it easy for a bakery to be gluten-free, but Tatte's does have a "gluten-friendly" menu that's a big hit. While pastries and desserts are a big draw for patrons, Tatte's does have a dinner menu, an all-day menu, and a weekend brunch.

Christina's Homemade Ice Cream

Address: 1255 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: (617) 492-7021 Website

Featuring some of the area's finest homemade ice cream, this Cambridge institution has been hand-cranking out its product for almost 30 years. Conveniently located between Harvard and MIT, Christina's is known not only for its innovative and bold flavors, but for the sheer number of flavors that practically forces you to return multiple times. Thankfully, it's open seven days a week.

Address: 1 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 412-4600 Website

Part of the Columbus Hospitality Group, operating seven restaurants and two hotels in the Boston area, Sorellina brings contemporary Italian-Mediterrranean cuisine to historic Copley Square. The extensive wine list is sure to impress, and their knowledgeable staff complement the "warm-modern design and chic decor" that brings loyal patrons back again and again.

Modern Pastry

Address: 257 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113 Phone: (617) 523-3783 Website

In the ongoing cannoli wars in the city's North End, Modern consistently earns top prize. A family-owned business dating back 90+ years, their hand-crafted pastries attract such a following that lines often snake out the door and around the corner. Want something other than a cannoli? Try their carrot cake, ricotta pie, or their delicate pizzelle.

Address: 9 East Street, Boston, MA 02111 Phone: (617) 654-9900 Website

Omakase, a form of Japanese dining where patrons leave themselves entirely in the hands of the chef, is elevated to art form at O Ya. If you don't wish to splurge on omakase, the sushi à la carte is exceptional, and there's a nice range of sakes available to complement the sushi.

Mamma Maria

Address: 3 N Square, Boston, MA 02113 Phone: (617) 523-0077 Website

Mamma Mia is a Boston institution, featuring regional Italian dishes that leverage the local markets, and the bountiful New England produce, meats, and seafood. Romantic, old-world, and authentic are some of the adjectives used to describe this intimate restaurant overlooking North Square, with its cobblestones and historic buildings that transport you back in time.

Address: 21 Bow Street, Somerville, MA 02143 Phone: (617) 616-5319 Website

Union Square in Somerville, just across the Charles River from Boston, is home to this gem of a restaurant, serving luscious Peruvian food. As you immerse yourself in Andean culture, you'll be guided through the staples of Peruvian cuisine, like slow-cooked stews and ceviches. The original "closed-door" in-home restaurant has now expanded to its current space, and integrates Andean music, art, and design for a full sensory experience.

Hei La Moon Restaurant

Address: 88 Beach Street, Boston, MA 02111 Phone: (617) 338-8813 Website

Situated on the outskirts of Chinatown, Hei La Moon has a huge space and a menu to match. It's a great spot for dim sum, available seven days a week, with authentic Chinese food items ranging from shark fin dumplings to fried taro cake.

Alive & Kicking Lobsters

Address: 269 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: (617) 876-0451 Website

Lobster rolls, with a twist. Perfectly seasoned lobster meat, salt, pepper, minimal mayo, layered not on a hot dog bun, but two beautifully buttered and toasted pieces of scali bread is what you'll find at Alive & Kicking Lobsters. It's an actual lobster sandwich, that you can take outside and eat, sitting at their picnic tables of this unassuming Cambridge shop. It's definitely worth crossing over the Boston bridges for this tasty treat.

Things to Do

Fenway park.

Address: 4 Jersey Street, Boston, MA 02215 Phone: (877) 733-7699 Website

Visiting Fenway Park is a rite-of-passage activity, because one of the best things to do in Boston is drink beer on the third baseline at a Red Sox game. Opening day at Fenway tends to fall in April, and baseball season—if the Sox make the playoffs—will run into October. Whether you're in Boston on a summer day, or you have to bundle up for a game in late September, it's always worth it to catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

The Freedom Trail

Violet Smirnova/Travel + Leisure

Address: 204 Freedom Trail, Boston, MA Website

Walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail as a self-guided tour. It starts at Boston Common and passes 16 important Boston landmarks, including Old North Church and Paul Revere's house. The Freedom Trail organization also offers guided tours, homing in on specific subject matters, from Boston breweries to revolutionary women.

Quincy Market

Address: 206 S Market Street, Boston, MA 02109 Website

Historic Quincy Market, which opened in 1826, is a Boston food hall that first-time visitors won't want to miss. Grab a steaming chowder in a bread bowl from Boston Chowder Co., or an ice cream cone at Quincy's Place. You'll also love shopping at the adjacent North Market, where you'll find local retailers, like Boston Pewter Co., and a myriad of souvenir shops.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Address: 25 Evans Way, Boston, MA 02115 Phone: (617) 566-1401 Website

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is regarded as one of the most beautiful museums in the country, not just because of the art, but thanks to the opulent courtyard garden. The idyllic courtyard blooms year round, featuring hydrangeas in May and June, bellflowers in August and September, and even winter tropical plants in January. Art lovers will also enjoy the contemporary selection juxtaposed with iconic pieces by Rembrandt, and of course, an ever-relevant rotation of new exhibits.

Museum of Fine Arts

Address: 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 Phone: (617) 267-9300 Website

One of the most recognizable museums in the world, the MFA hosts exceptional traveling exhibitions—including impressionist exhibitions featuring the memorable works of Monet and Cezanne. They also have long-standing collections that delve into contemporary art and a stunning repertoire of global work.

Boston Common

Address: 139 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111 Website

Boston Common is the start of the Freedom Trail, but it's also just a beautiful place to sprawl out for the day in the summer or fall. On Boston Common, you'll find Frog Pond, a picturesque pool in the warmer months and a delightful skating rink in the winter. The park dates back to 1634 and is considered America's oldest park.

Boston Public Garden

Address: 4 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02111 Website

Next to Boston Common is Boston Public Garden, another prime place to relax on a Saturday in Boston. The artfully landscaped gardens are home to iconic artwork, like the Make Way for Ducklings statues. The garden's centrally located pond is where you'll find the famous Swan Boats for a quintessentially romantic Boston experience.

Address: 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 624-1000 Website

TD Garden is where the Celtics and the Bruins play, which means you have the chance to catch a basketball or hockey game while staying in the heart of the city. (In fact, a big perk of Boston is that three of their four major sports teams play in Boston proper.) Catch the Bruins from October to April (or even May if they make the playoffs) and the Celtics on a similar timeline.

House of Blues

Address: 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston, MA 02215 Website

Certainly the most iconic music venue in Boston, the House of Blues on Lansdowne Street is where you can find A-list musical talent. You'll want to scour Ticketmaster in advance of your trip to see if there are any good shows when you're visiting.

Boston Sailing Center

Address: 54 Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA 02210 Phone: (617) 227-4198 Website

Sailing in Boston Harbor is a delightful way to see the city in the summertime. If you're a proficient sailor, you can rent a boat at Boston Sailing Center, but you can also go out with an instructor for a private sailing lesson.

Charles River Bike Path

There are ample biking and running trails in Boston, including the Minuteman Bikeway, which runs from Cambridge all the way to Bedford, Massachusetts, and Cambridge's Fresh Pond. But one of the best Boston paths is the 24-mile Charles River Bike Path, which runs along both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river passing landmarks from Boston's Museum of Science to Watertown Square, just outside the city.

Trillium Brewing Company

Fancy an outdoor craft beer? Trillium Brewing Company has three prime locations in Boston, one in Fenway with indoor and outdoor space, one near the Seaport district which boasts a great restaurant, and a lively seasonal beer garden near the waterfront.

Best Shopping

Newberry street.

Newbury Street is the most luxurious shopping street in Boston whether you're ready to buy one-of-a-kind pieces at high-end boutiques or you're more of a window shopper. Highlights include Bobbles & Lace for women's clothing and Rothy's Newbury Street for the cult-shoe enthusiasts.

SoWa Vintage Market

Address: 450 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 Website

The South End is known for SoWa Vintage Market, which is quite a trendy shopping scene. You'll find vintage apparel, furniture, a slew of gorgeous old leather goods, and of course, vinyl records galore.

Address: 98 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 722-9200 Website

For those who love a luxurious independent boutique in a charming neighborhood, look no further than Good on Charles Street. You'll find elevated New England home goods, jewelry, and accessories, not to mention a well-curated selection of vintage.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Address: 4 S Market Street, Boston, MA 02109 Website

The Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a shopping epicenter of Boston, situated right in front of Quincy Market and adjacent to North Market and South Market. Faneuil Hall Marketplace is where you'll find everything from souvenir shops to New England home goods to favorite, fashion-forward chain stores. Think of Quincy Market, North Market, South Market, and Faneuil Hall as one expansive shopping area, where you'll find great food, plenty of shopping, and a hefty dose of American history.

The Shops at Prudential Center

Address: 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199 Phone: (617) 236-3100 Website

Have you ever wondered what's actually in the Prudential Center? Well, there's quite a lot going on at the Pru, but many see it as a shopping capital of Boston. With more than 75 stores, including essentials like Saks Fifth Avenue and Canada Goose, and a number of restaurants, it's a lovely place to spend an afternoon on a cold day.

Brattle Book Shop

Address: 9 West Street, Boston, MA 02111 Phone: (617) 542-0210 Website

One of Boston's famous independent book stores is Brattle Book Shop, right off Tremont Street near Boston Common. First opened in 1825, it's "one of America's oldest and largest antiquarian book shops."

Boston Public Market

Address: 100 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113 Website

Boston Public Market, near the Haymarket metro station and Quincy Market, is a popular indoor food market open year-round. It feels like a gourmet indoor farmer's market, where you'll find artisanal, locally sourced goods and delicious prepared foods.

Formaggio Kitchen

Address: 268 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 Phone: (617) 350-6996 Website

For the passionate foodie, Formaggio's Kitchen is a culinary institution with a truly revelatory cheese selection. They started out in Cambridge (where they have two locations), and have now expanded to a Boston location in the South End on Shawmut Avenue—and have even set up a shop in New York City.

Copley Place

Address: 100 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 262-6600 Website

Copley Place, in the Back Bay, is a prime shopping area for legacy brands. The enclosed shopping center has more than 50 high-end boutiques, including coveted names like Louis Vuitton and Burberry.

December Thieves

Address: 51 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (857) 239-9149 Website

Venture to the chic enclave of Beacon Hill—which some might think of as a more intimate version of the Back Bay—and you'll find December Thieves, which offers a "curious and cultivated" selection of clothing, accessories, and home goods. The Beacon Hill boutique fuses luxury comfort, high-fashion, and academia.

Neighborhoods to Know

Back Bay: Often regarded as the ritziest neighborhood in Boston, Back Bay is home to Newbury Street, Copley Square, and the Prudential Center. Come for the classic Boston attractions, stay for the luxury, brick-facade row houses.

Cambridge: Cambridge sits directly across from Boston, with the Charles River separating the two. Cambridge is, of course, home to Harvard University and MIT. Think of it this way: Boston is to Manhattan as Cambridge is to Brooklyn. Known for more than just the ivy leagues, visitors will love poking around Harvard Square during the day, grabbing a cup of coffee from the Peet's featured in Good Will Hunting and picking out a book at The Coop, and checking out the lively scene in Central Square at night.

South End: Tucked just beyond Back Bay and Fenway/Kenmore, the South End is known for its Victorian-style row houses. It's a low-key neighborhood with residential charm, but still offers local shopping and trendy eateries.

North End: The North End is right by the water, across from East Boston, and a short walk from Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. It's the hub of Italian culture in Boston—often called Boston's Little Italy—and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston, home to landmarks like Old North Church and Paul Revere's house.

Seaport: Southeast of downtown, nestled by the Boston waterfront is the chic yet laid-back Seaport neighborhood. The Seaport is a charming area to simply walk along the water and fantasize about living in the high-rises overlooking the harbor.

Fenway/Kenmore: In terms of hanging out in the Room Where It Happens, Fenway/Kenmore tends to be the heart of the action, especially during baseball season. Fenway/Kenmore is home to Fenway Park, the House of Blues, pub-lined Landsdowne Street, and a slew of great restaurants. It's also where you'll find the famous Boston Latin Academy, and is adjacent to the Back Bay and close to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Winter : Expect up to nine days of rain or snow in the winter months, and temperatures dipping into the low 30s. Generally, December to February is cold and snowy—with quite a bit of slush. Spring : You'll still get about eight days of rain per month in the spring, but temperatures will start to rise by April to the mid 50s, and by May can get up to the high 60s. Summer : If you like a warm breeze on summer evenings, you'll love Boston in June, July, and August, when temperatures are in the high 70s and low 80s. Summer is extremely pleasant (and mild compared to the Southeast), though it does get a bit humid. Fall : September temperatures can still be in the 70s during the day, but by October, you can feel dips into the 40s at night. Nonetheless, fall brings mild temperatures and lovely foliage.

The following are average Fahrenheit lows and highs by month. Average annual precipitation 21.14 inches.

January 23 - 37 February 24 - 38 March 31 - 45 April 41 - 56 May 50 - 66 June 59 - 76 July 66 - 82 August 65 - 80 September 58 - 73 October 47 - 62 November 38 - 52 December 29 - 42

Apps to Download

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Top 21 Things to Do in Boston, Massachusetts

TripSavvy / Violet Smirnova 

Boston is a one-of-a-kind American city that offers visitors opportunities to relive history, immerse themselves in the arts, cheer for hometown sports teams, explore museums, discover "hidden" harbor islands, and imbibe at local breweries. If you're visiting Boston for the first time or if you've never spent an extended period in Massachusetts' capital city, here are our picks for Boston's 21 must-see places and attractions.

Feel Scholarly at Harvard

Most college campus tours are designed for incoming students, but Harvard University in Cambridge is a tourist attraction in and of itself. It's not only the oldest university in the U.S., but one of the most prestigious schools in the world, counting among its alumni eight U.S. presidents, over 150 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of Rhodes Scholars and Marshall Scholars. Harvard Yard is the center of campus and the oldest part of the school, surrounded by the iconic red-brick buildings that the university is known for. Campus tours are free to attend and led by current students, with options of a historical tour or an arts walk.

Indulge in Oyster Happy Hour

Oysters are a New England staple, and no trip to Boston is complete without slurping down at least a few of these bivalve delicacies. Although they may seem like a lavish snack, many local bars and seafood restaurants include a daily "oyster happy hour" where you can get a few oysters and a drink for a reasonable price. Fresh oysters are practically ubiquitous throughout the city—and New England—but some of the best places to try them include the Union Oyster House , which is America's oldest continuously operated restaurant, or Lincoln . However, feel free to ask a local for their favorite spot and you won't be steered wrong.

Take a Trip to a Venetian Palace

Corbis / Getty Images

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum isn't just an art museum, but an art museum housed inside a replica of a real-life Venetian Palace. Isabella collected works from celebrated painters like Vermeer and Rembrandt and promised to keep them on display to the public. Apart from the expansive art collection, one of the most impressive parts of the museum is the inner courtyard, styled after the Palazzo Barbaro in Venice with its distinctive Renaissance architecture and year-round garden. Isabella was known as an eccentric socialite in her day and that legacy lives on in her museum. For example, anyone with the name "Isabella" has lifetime membership and can enter for free.

Step Inside the World's Largest Walk-in Globe

The Mary Baker Eddy Library

If you're a geography nerd, you can't miss taking a stroll through the Mapparium, the world's largest walk-in... world. Located inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library, this three-story globe offers a perspective of the Earth in a way you've never seen it before. Built in 1935, the Mapparium still shows the world as it was then and includes former countries and bygone borders. The exhibit also includes a special presentation called "A World Of Ideas" of orchestrated music, lights, and narration to enhance your experience.

Walk Along the Freedom Trail

Violet Smirnova / TripSavvy

A walk along the two-and-a-half-mile Freedom Trail is one of the best ways to get acquainted with Boston and to efficiently visit the city's bounty of historic landmarks . If you're in a hurry and in pretty good shape, you can cover the length of the trail in as little as an hour, but that won't really allow you time to stop and visit any of the sites along the way. Your best bet is to allow three hours or more to walk the trail at a leisurely pace and see all of its Revolutionary landmarks. Boston also has an Irish Heritage Trail you may want to explore.

Visit the Boston Public Garden and the Swan Boats

Boston Public Garden, located along Charles Street adjacent to Boston Common, is the nation's oldest botanical garden. The famous Swan Boats return to Boston Public Garden each spring and have done so since they were first invented in 1877 by Robert Paget. The rental business, which operates from mid-April through Labor Day, is still run by descendants of the boats' inventor.

Shop (and Eat) at Quincy Market

 TripSavvy / Taylor Nealand 

Quincy Market is actually just one part of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, but many locals refer to the whole complex as "Quincy Market." The famous indoor-outdoor market is a great place for both shopping and dining, and a perfect place to try local specialties (like the lobster rolls). Quincy Market colonnade houses more than thirty food merchants, so definitely arrive hungry in order to fully take advantage of this culinary attraction.

See a Reenactment of the Boston Tea Party

TripSavvy / Violet Smirnova

The Boston Tea Party is reenacted daily, and you can participate. Really! Steep yourself in history at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum . Rebuilt and reimagined following a devastating 2001 fire and another in 2007, the attraction reopened in 2012, and it's now one of the city's most engaging experiences.

Watch the Red Sox Play at Fenway Park

On a sunshine-filled summer afternoon, there is perhaps no better place to be in all of New England than Fenway Park, the historic home of Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox. Baseball fans have been energized and agonized by the exploits of some of baseball's greatest players at Fenway since 1912. If you can't score tickets to a Red Sox game , look into behind-the-scenes tours of Fenway Park .

Visit the Museum of Science

Boston's museums are as good as any you'll find in the world, and one of the most visited is the Museum of Science at Science Park. It has more than 700 interactive exhibits including A Bird's World, a 4-D theater, Thrill Ride 360°, a butterfly garden, and a planetarium. Take the kids for a full day of easy entertainment.

Taste Beer at Sam Adams Brewery

Violet Smirnov / TripSavvy

These days, Samuel Adams is known as much for being a brewer as a patriot. Tour the Sam Adams Brewery in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston—which is also home to the Boston Beer Museum—for a glimpse of the beer-making process and a sample of the finished product. The brewery itself is on the outer edges of the city, but you can always visit the Sam Adams Tap Room right in the city center for a more conveniently located taste of this all American beer.

Visit the New England Aquarium

Want to see sea lions smile and penguins play? Head to the New England Aquarium , one of Boston's perpetually popular family attractions . Once inside, you'll find yourself immersed in a watery world, where you can wave your flippers at cavorting sea lions and press your nose right up against the glass of the poisonous fish tank—if you dare!

Take a Day-Trip to a Boston Harbor Island

Kim Knox Beckius

Want to swim, hike , explore the ruins of an old fort, and camp out under the stars at a National Park? Believe it or not, you can do all of these things without leaving the city of Boston. The Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area consists of 34 narrow isles scattered in New England's most historic harbor, and you can visit these "hidden" outdoor spaces by boarding seasonal ferries from Quincy and Boston's Long Wharf .

Take a Walking Tour of Back Bay

Back Bay is one of Boston's oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods—especially if you time your trip with the fall foliage . Start with a walk along the Charles River to take in the beauty of this historic neighborhood near downtown Boston. Enjoy a quiet stroll down Commonwealth Avenue, admiring the brownstones that dot this tree-lined street modeled after Paris’ Haussmann renovation. Continue south to shop along trendy Newbury and Boylston streets. If you prefer a bit of guidance, ​ free walking tours are available almost year-round.

Relax at Boston Common

 TripSavvy / Violet Smirnova

The oldest city park in the United States—established 1634—the Boston Common consists of 50 acres between Charles Street and Downtown Boston. Originally used to graze cattle, the Common is now the place for Bostonians to come to graze during a lunch break or a weekend picnic. The Common is also the beginning of the Freedom Trail, making it the perfect place to sit for a while after walking it. When winter arrives, ice skating is available at the Boston Common Frog Pond.

Take in the History of the Boston Public Library

 TripSavvy / Taylor Nealand

While a trip to a public library may not rank highly on everyone’s vacation to-do list, the Boston Public Library is a must-see for visitors thanks to its many prominent murals, huge reading rooms, and Italian Renaissance-inspired interior courtyard complete with fountains and arched pathways. The library also hosts unique, free events throughout the year, ranging from readings to theater performances. 

Relive the 1960s at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

President John F. Kennedy's library and museum offers a glimpse into the 1960s and a chance to experience the life of the president firsthand. While Kennedy only spent a thousand days in office, the museum is home to more than 20 multimedia exhibits and period settings from the White House. I.M. Pei designed the memorial, which sits on a 10-acre waterfront site on Columbia Point. From there, you can see Boston's skyline and nearby Harbor Islands. 

See Ballet at the Boston Opera House

 Getty Images

Initially built in 1928 as a movie palace, the Citizens Bank Opera House lay empty from 1991 to 2004. Following a massive restoration and refurbishment, the Boston Opera House became home to the Boston Ballet. The ornate theatre is also the place to catch touring Broadway shows as well as their annual production of The Nutcracker each holiday season. 

Hover Over Boston Harbor at the Institute for Contemporary Art

One of the best pieces at the Institute of Contemporary Art? The building itself. This South Boston museum is housed in a modern piece of glass architecture that contrasts the rest of Boston’s historic buildings. A highlight is the rear of the museum, a cantilevered glass expanse that hovers over Boston Harbor.

Support Local Productions at Huntington Theatre

Boston’s leading professional theatre since 1982, the Huntington theatre has won the Tony award for "Best Regional Theater" and more than 150 Elliot Norton and Independent Reviewers of New England Awards. Since its opening, the Huntington has played to over 3.5 million people, and presented more than 200 plays—18 of which went on to Broadway or off-Broadway.

Have a Toast at "Cheers"

Famous as the inspiration for the television show Cheers , the former Bull & Finch Pub, now officially known as Cheers Boston, is located in Boston's Beacon Hill District. It's definitely a tourist trap with souvenirs galore for sale and overpriced pub food, but it's still one of those places that fans of the show make a beeline for when they're in Boston. There's a second replica of TV's most famous bar now, too, at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

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