Things to do in Boston
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If you’re looking for things to do in Boston, look no further. My family and I have lived near Boston for the last 2 decades and we love to explore this awesome city!
Boston is one of the oldest cities in America and it offers a rich culture that can’t be matched. There is history here, great food, and some of the best universities in the country for all levels of study.
Ready to explore Boston? Here are some things you should do when you get there!
Walk the Freedom Trail
The Freedom trail will give you a great overview of everything Boston has to offer, while you learn the history of the city. This is a must-see for all who come to Boston.
Here’s what you can expect:
The Freedom trail begins at Boston Common and ends at the Bunker Hill Monument, winding through 16 of the most historic sites in America. Make sure to check out Paul Revere’s House and The Old North Church as well! If you pass by Faneuil Hall Marketplace on the way, that’s a great destination for food.
You will visit historic buildings, churches, and locations of importance to American/Massachusetts history.
It is basically a self-paced walking tour of Boston!
If you want a guided tour of the Freedom Trail, there are many available, but the best is the costume guided one that caters to families.
*If you only have one day in Boston, I would recommend the Freedom Trail as the thing you do for the day. You will get a great overview of historic Boston and see things you have read about your entire life.
Watch a Red Sox game in Fenway Park
The Boston Red Sox are one of America’s most historic baseball teams and have been around since 1901. They play in Fenway Park, which is located right next to Boston University, so if you’re visiting BU especially, it’s the perfect opportunity to get out and watch some ball!
Fenway park is open for guided tours that are an hour long. This is a great tour for baseball lovers!
Check out Harvard University
Boston is home to one of America’s finest universities, Harvard. The campus is filled with breathtaking buildings, which you can go inside during certain months for tours. If you’re lucky enough to visit when events are going on, make sure to check them out. Many of these events are free, but some come at a cost.
You can schedule a free tour of the historic campus.
Take a Duck Tour
Duck tours have popped up all over the United States, but they originated in Boston. On your tour, you will go on land and water as you learn about all of Boston’s secrets. It is a must-do for any tourist because it allows them to see the city from an entirely different perspective.
If you only do one city tour, this is the one you should do. It’s tons of fun and the drivers are very informative for adults and kids. It is my favorite thing to do in Boston.
Go to the Boston Public Library
This is one of Boston’s most famous landmarks, and it houses thousands upon thousands of books. You can do research here or just wander around, admiring the beautiful architecture that makes this place so unique.
There are lots of events here throughout the years you can enjoy tons of literary fun.
Even if you aren’t interested in sitting down with a good book the Boston Public Library is a great spot to rest your legs after a long day walking the Freedom Trail.
Spend the afternoon at the New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the United States. This one is located right next to the Harbor, so it provides a great view. You can pet stingrays and even touch a shark!
Your kids will love spending the afternoon at the New England aquarium and exploring all the variety of fish that live in the ocean.
This is a great rain day activity!
Visit the Boston Common
The Boston Common is a public park that has been around for over 300 years. It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for a break from the city or some greenery since it is absolutely gorgeous and immaculate.
While you are in the park make sure to visit:
- “Make Way for Duckling” statues that will delight your youngsters. The statues were made in honor of the story written by Robert McCloskey.
- Take a ride on the swan boats. The swan boats are another symbol of Boston and a ride on the boats should be part of any trip to Boston.
Boston Museum of Science
Boston is home to one of the best science museums in America and it offers a great deal of education and entertainment for all ages.
On your visit you will encounter:
- One of the largest dinosaurs ever uncovered. It’s called Camarasaurus, and it’s on display in the museum.
- A planetarium that will give you an amazing view of space, as well as lectures from scientists who tell you about their experiences throughout history.
- A huge variety of hands-on exhibits for children and adults to enjoy together. This includes interactive displays on concepts such as magnets, sound, electricity, etc . There are also plenty of live demonstrations going on throughout the day where visitors can learn about what they’re seeing more directly.
- A theater that is used for lectures, 3D movies, and performances.
Your kids will love exploring all the exhibits at the museum and you will relish in their excitement.
The Isabelle Stewart Gardner Musuem
If you are interested in art, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner is a must! It will provide you with hours of entertainment and education.
To name just a few of the exhibits you can expect to see here:
- Rare paintings by famous artists such as Rembrandt Van Rijn, Vincent van Gogh, and Johannes Vermeer, just to name a few.
- Plus there is the fascinating story of the stolen pieces of art that have never been recovered.
- This museum is perfect for art lovers and those who are interested in learning more about the world of art.
- A variety of gardens on the estate that will delight your senses as well as plenty of sculpture to admire throughout the museum’s grounds.
Children’s Museum of Boston
This Children’s museum is filled with fun and interactive exhibits that will keep your children busy and entertained for hours.
You can expect to see:
- Bubble stations
- Learning about Firefighters
- Understanding how power works
- Plenty of exhibits on cars as well as another water collection area.
- A huge variety of puzzles for children to solve, including a huge climbing tower that will entertain your kids for an hour at the least.
Your kids will love the Children’s Museum and it is one of many awesome things to do with kids in Boston.
Bow Market
Bow Market Address: 51 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143
The Bow Market is an outdoor market in nearby Summerville, MA. You can find a number of vendors selling handmade goods as well as delicious foods. You can find seafood, poutine, burgers, vegetarian concoctions, and some amazing desserts.
There are tons of seating options and lots of places to explore in the market.
Take a Picnic to the Greenway
The Greenway is one of the newest green spaces in Boston. It was built on old freeway land and it now features gardens, sculptures, fountains, bike paths, and lots of benches for picnicking.
There is a carousel in the Greenway, fountains, picnic areas, and more!
Don’t be surprised if you see several people picnicking on their lunch breaks. There are plenty of benches and places to sit, so why not pack a little something to eat and enjoy it outside?
The Greenway is adjacent to parts of the Freedom trail, and it is worth taking a break from a walking tour to rest!
The Skywalk the at Prudential Center
It is one of Boston’s tallest and most recognizable buildings. Make sure to go up to the skywalk observatory for a breathtaking view of the city.
From the observatory deck you can see the Boston skyline, as well as parts of Cambridge and Somerville. If you love to get a good look at the city you are visiting like the CN tower in Toronto or The Edge in NYC you will love the Prudential Building.
This has been closed since the pandemic.
Old Ironsides
You can’t go to Boston without going on a tour of Old Ironsides also known as the USS Constitution. This famous ship won her fame for her fight in the war of 1812 and has never been defeated in battle.
The USS Constitution is now docked permanently at the Charlestown Navy Yard where you can take a tour and learn all about the wars the ship has seen.
The tour guides are all well-versed in the history of this vessel, so it’s definitely worth going for the stories as much as the history.
Newbury Street
Newbury Street is Boston’s most popular street for shopping. It features all the big name brands you can think of as well as some more indie boutiques.
While there are dozens of stores on Newbury St, there are also plenty of restaurants with outdoor seating if you want to make a day out of shopping.
Check out the original site of Newbury Comics while you are there.
Franklin Park Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo has over 150 different mammals and over 200 different species of birds. It features several fun events throughout the year as well as a carousel for children to ride.
You can expect to see:
Multiple themed play areas for children such as a digging zone and even a water zone!
Don’t miss the underwater viewing area where you can watch penguins dive for their food.
The Franklin Park zookeeper feedings take place during select days at 11 AM and 2 PM where you can get up close with some of your favorite animals.
Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall
It’s one of Boston’s oldest markets that has become an enormous foodie destination. Similar in scope to Philly’s Redding Terminal, Pike’s Place, Chelsea Market in NYC, or Grand Central Market in LA.
You can find any kind of food imaginable in this market: Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and more. My advice is to go before the lunch rush starts (around 11:30) or head there for a late lunch. Seating can be hard to find during the busiest times of day.
It makes for a great lunch spot if you are walking the Freedom Trail. This is also a great spot to grab a souvenir from Boston!
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Museum of Fine Arts Address: 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the top art museums in North America. They feature both more modern pieces as well as ancient artifacts from all over the world. You can expect to see works by Monet and Van Gogh as well as Egyptian mummies and Greek statues.
There’s also a cafe on sight if you want to grab a bite before or after visiting the museum (or even while you visit!)
Harvard Square
Harvard Square Address: 87-135 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Harvard Square is located in Cambridge and features some fabulous places to eat and lots of shopping.Harvard Square is right near the red line which makes it a fast commute from anywhere in Boston.
Harvard has many different shops where you can browse through clothes, books, records, art supplies, etc.
There are also plenty of restaurants with outdoor seating where you can relax and watch the world go by. Plus most of the restaurants have a vast menu of food from all over the world.
Paul Revere Home
The Paul Revere Home Address: 19 North Sq, Boston, MA 02113
Part of the Freedom Trail, the Paul Revere Home is a great stop for kids and history buffs alike.
You can learn about the events leading up to the American Revolution as well as Paul Revere’s role in it. Including his famous ride where he told the surrounding towns, “The British are coming!”
Old North Church
Old North Church Address: 193 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113
The Old North Church is also part of the Freedom Trail and is a beautiful old church that dates back to 1723.
It’s most famous for being where two lanterns were hung in the steeple to signal that the British were coming by sea. This gave Paul Revere enough time to warn the townsfolk.
The church is open for tours and is $5 to enter. The church has recently added a family scavenger hunt to their offerings and it is great fun for kids.
The Old North Church is in the historic North End of Boston, so while you are there you may want to take an historic walking tour and a food tour.
Get tickets for walking tour here
Boston Tea Party Museum
The Boston Tea Party Museum is a small museum that tells the story of the Boston Tea Party.
The tour begins with a town hall meeting, where costumed actors will take through the affairs of the day. After some rousing speeches by “Samuel Adams” you will board the replica boat.
The replica was very good and costumed reenactors will get help from the crowd to throw tea into the bay!
This is a great way to teach your kids about the beginnings of the United States and the Boston Tea Party.
Mapparium
The Mapparium Address: 210 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02116
The Mapparium is one of the most interesting things to visit in Boston. This enormous glass globe was created to be looked at from the inside out. You can look through a portal into the center of the Earth and see what it looks like from that perspective.
If you are looking for something a little unusual to do in Boston, you won’t want to miss this.
JFK Library
JFK Library Address: Columbia Point, Boston, Mass
The JFK Presidential library features plenty of historical artifacts from John F. Kennedy’s campaign as well as his presidency. Memorabilia and photos adorn the walls.
There is a museum dedicated to JFK as well as a film room where you can watch historical clips of his life and Presidency.
This library also features Jackie Kennedy and her amazing life as well. There is an amazing collection of some of her most beautiful clothes that you can walk through.
Visit Nearby Lexington and Concord
These historic towns are near Boston and worth checking out if you have time during your stay. Visit the locations of the “Shot heard round the world” as well as the National Park dedicated to the Battle of Lexington.
These towns are located on the Minuteman trail so don’t forget to visit Minute Man National Park while you’re in the area!
Concord is the famous as being the home of Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorn. You can visit their homes nearby.
You will need to rent a car to visit these locations. This is one of many options for day trips from Boston.
Great Treats to Eat in Boston
Eat Cannoli at Mike Pastry
Mike Pastry Address: 300 Hanover St, Boston
You can’t come to Boston without trying a cannoli from Mike Pastry. It is located right off the Freedom Trail in North End, near the North Church, and has been there for almost 100 years.
They are known for their super flaky shell filled with sweet ricotta cream. Yum!
The Cannoli come in all kinds of flavors and my personal favorite is the pistachio one!
Best ice cream at Toscanini’s
Toscanini’s Ice Cream is a super popular ice cream shop located in several places throughout Boston. It can be quite crowded at times so either come early or go late to avoid a long line!
They have flavors from all over the world and my favorite is the 3 B which has browned butter, brown sugar, and brownies. Trust me it is some of the best ice cream you will ever try!
If you want something lighter the Kulfi flavor is also amazing with Cardamom, pistachio, and almond.
Tatte Bakery
If you love nuts you have to try the pecan tart at Tatte in Boston. (There are locations throughout the city.)
They have a huge assortment of amazing pastries and desserts that are all to die for.
Plus the Shakshuka is a delicious option morning or afternoon!
Treat Yourself to a Mousse Cone
The chocolate mousse cone at Gate Comme des Filles in Bow Market is so good you will want a dozen.
The delicate chocolate mousse is piped into a chocolate sable cone and together they are sublime. (My sister used to live down the street from Bow Market and I am guilty of eating way too many!)
Where to stay in Boston?
If you’re looking for a centrally located hotel with a lot of character, I would recommend the Lenox Hotel. This family-friendly is right in the heart of Boston and has beautiful decor as well as a great on-site restaurant. Plus it is right next door to the Boston Public Library and a block from Newbury Street.
Boston is one of my favorite cities in the United States! The history, the food and tons of fun stuff to do. Bring the whole family and experience the biggest city in New England and use the guide to find the best things to do in Boston.
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