Top Things to Do in Boston Massachusetts
FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, then you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in Boston Massachusetts will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. You will find landmarks, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in Boston Massachusetts.
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100 Unforgettable Things to Do in Boston Massachusetts
Top 5 Things to Do in Boston Massachusetts
- Walk the Freedom Trail
- Visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
- Eat cannoli at Mike’s Pastry
- Eat lobster roll(s) at Quincy Market
- Shop for souvenirs at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Must Do Attractions and Activities in Boston Massachusetts
- Walk the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path to 16 historical sites.
- Visit the Paul Revere House, the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston.
- See the Old North Church where the famous “One if by land, two if by sea” signal was sent.
- Visit Faneuil Hall, the “Cradle of Liberty” and “home of free speech”.
- Check out the stained glass windows at Trinity Church.
- Visit King’s Chapel, one of the oldest churches in the city full of colonial history.
- Tour Harvard University and Harvard Yard
- Visit the Boston Public Library, the first large free municipal library in the United States.
- Go Candlepin Bowling at Sacco’s Bowl Haven.
- People watch at Copley Square Farmer’s Market.
- Explore the Fort Independence military fortification site on Castle Island.
- Watch a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park.
- Attend a Public Lecture at Harvard or MIT.
Best Museums in Boston Massachusetts
- Relive the protest that sparked the American Revolution at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
- Explore the Paul Revere House, home of one of America’s most famous patriots.
- Tour the Old State House Museum, the site of the Boston Massacre.
- Step aboard “Old Ironsides” and learn about its history at the USS Constitution Museum.
- Admire the Golden Dome and learn about state government at the Massachusetts State House.
- Tour Isabella Steward Gardner Museum set in a Venetian-style palace.
- Learn about the life and legacy of JFK at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
- Tour the Longfellow House, the historic home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
- See Monet’s Water Lilly at the Museum of Fine Arts.
- Browse contemporary art at the Institute of Contemporary Art.
Outdoor Activities in Boston Massachusetts
- Grab your morning coffee and take a walk on the Boston Harborwalk.
- Take a cruise on the Charles River and enjoy the city skyline.
- Walk or bike along the Charles River Esplanade.
- Grab a pastry and relax under a tree in Boston Common, the nation’s oldest public park.
- Kayak or paddleboard along the Charles River Esplanade.
- Take a ferry to explore the Boston Harbor Islands.
- Wander the Seaport District along Fan Pier Park.
- Take a ride on the Minuteman Bikeway.
- Hang out at the Lawn on D in South Boston.
- Go lobstering in Boston Harbor.
Where to Eat in Boston Massachusetts
- Grab a quick lunch from a vendor at Quincy Market or Eataly Boston.
- Enjoy a slice of Boston cream pie from where it originated, the Omni Parker House Hotel.
- Try the apple cider donuts at Boston Public Market.
- Enjoy a blackberry lavender donut at Blackbird Doughnuts.
- Indulge in afternoon tea at The Langham Afternoon Tea.
- Have dinner at the Union Oyster House, America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant.
- Eat Boston chowder at Faneuil Hall.
- Eat lobster rolls and Ipswich fried clams at Yankee Lobster Company.
- Binge on cannoli at Mike’s Pastry in the North End.
- Eat oysters at the Neptune Oyster.
- Head to the North End for an Italian meal.
- Enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at Legal Sea Foods or a steak at The Capital Grille.
- Have lunch at the Gourmet Dumpling House in Chinatown.
Boston Massachusetts Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs
- Have a beer at Cheers in Beacon Hill.
- Tour Sam Adams Brewery or sample craft beers at Trillium Brewing Company.
- Have a beer and listen to live Irish music at the Black Rose.
- House of Blues: Catch a live music performance in this iconic venue.
- Enjoy a drink at The Bell in Hand Tavern, America’s oldest tavern.
- Listen to live jazz at The Beehive.
- Flashback to the Rat Pack era at Lucky’s Lounge.
- Relax with a glass of wine and live music at the City Winery.
- Sing along with the dueling pianos at Howl at the Moon.
- Sip a cocktail with a view at the Rooftop at Revere, Coppersmith, Lookout Rooftop Bar or Top of the Hub.
- Spend the night dancing in Central Squares Clubs.
Shopping in Boston Massachusetts
- Shop for souvenirs in Faneuil Hall Marketplace or the Seaport District.
- Wander through one of the Harvard Square bookstores.
- Browse the South End Open Market (SoWa) on a Sunday morning.
- Explore the Charles Street boutiques and carriage houses.
- High-end shop on Newbury Street or Copley Place.
Instagrammable Places in Boston Massachusetts: Lookouts, View Points and Selfies
Photograph the Brattle Bookshop, statue of Edgar Allan Poe, Paul Revere Statue, Trinity Church, Spite House, Zakim Bridge at night, Liberty Hotel, MIT Stata Center, Bates Hall in the Boston Public Library, Boston Athenaeum (library), Museum of Fine Arts entrance, Beacon Hill’s row houses and gas lamps on Acorn Street.
Take selfies at the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library, under the heart arches at the Cambridge Center roof garden, in front of the Fenway Park iconic Green Monster, in front of the famous Harvard gates, in the Harbor Fog Sculpture at the Rose Kennedy Greenway, or under the arbor at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park.
Take in the view of the harbor from the Observation Deck at Independence Wharf or Castle Island.
Photograph the Boston skyline from the Longfellow Bridge, Skywalk Observatory, Hancock Tower, Piers Park, or Bunker Hill Monument.
Special Events in Boston Massachusetts
Check the Boston Massachusetts Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Plan your Trip to Boston Massachusetts
Why Visit Boston Massachusetts
Boston Massachusetts had almost 23 million visitors last year. Boston is an amazing city full of American history. You will find public gardens, brownstones, brick sidewalks, gas lamps, food halls, breweries, and Boston Cream pie.
How Many Days in Boston Massachusetts is Enough
3 days in Boston Massachusetts is enough to experience the city. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.
Is Boston Massachusetts Safe for Solo Travelers
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in Boston Massachusetts is low with a medium risk of mugging. Stay aware of your surroundings and do not walk alone at night. Check their website for more information.
Best Time to Visit Boston Massachusetts
June to September is the peak tourism season, expect crowds and high hotel rates. The average temperature in the summer is 81-88°F. Fall (September to December) and Spring (March to June) are shoulder seasons with fewer crowds and lower prices. Winter (January and February) is off-season. Expect snow and temperatures of 20–25°F.
How to Get to Boston Massachusetts
Several airlines fly nonstop to the Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). A nonstop flight from LAX to Boston Massachusetts is 5.5 hours. Prepare for your flight!
Boston is well connected to major US cities by train. A train ride from NYC to Boston on the Amtrak Acela line is 2.5 hours nonstop, 3 hours with stops.
How to Get Around Boston Massachusetts
Boston Logan International Airport is 20 minutes from the city by car. Ride Share (Uber and Lyft) and taxis are available. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provides transportation from the airport to the city by subway, bus, or water ferry.
The Blue Line Subway is your best route to Back Bay, Downtown Boston, Fenway Park, Boston University, Northeastern University, Boston College, Brookline, the Longwood Medical Area, Newton, and North Station. It also connects to the Orange Line at State Street and to the Green Line at Government Center.
The Silver Line 1 (SL1) bus connects Boston Logan to Boston’s South Station and is free for travelers from the airport to downtown. The SL1 is your best route to Downtown Boston, South Station, the Seaport District, Cambridge, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and MIT.
For Water Ferry take Route 66 to and from the Water Transportation Dock and the terminals. This option may be good for Boston’s Long Wharf or the South Shore.
Where to Stay in Boston Massachusetts
I stayed at YOTEL Boston in the Seaport District. The hotel had a great rooftop bar and was close to the SL1 airport bus.
What Should I Budget for Boston Massachusetts
According to Budget My Trip, the daily cost of travel is $255 per person per day. As always, cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
What Should I Pack for Boston Massachusetts
Boston experiences all four seasons and the weather can be unpredictable. Summers are hot, pack lightweight 100% cotton clothing. Fall is perfect for sweaters and sweatshirts. Winter is cold, pack long underwear and heavy coats.
Are There Any Romantic Things to Do in Boston Massachusetts
- Glide together on a peaceful swan boat ride in Boston Public Garden.
- Enjoy an intimate Italian dinner at one of the North End restaurants.
- Take a romantic Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise and watch the sunset over the city.
- Dress up and enjoy a night at the Boston Opera House, Boston Ballet, or Boston Symphony Orchestra.
- Book a romantic gondola ride on the Charles River with Gondola di Venezia.
- Rent a sailboat and spend an afternoon sailing on the Charles River.
- Learn about wine and cheese pairings at Boston Wine School.
- Watch an outdoor movie or concert at the Esplanade Hatch Shell.
- The Eliot Hotel: Treat yourselves to a luxurious stay at this elegant and historic hotel.
Things to Do in Boston Massachusetts with Young Children
- Splash around the Boston Common Frog Pond spray pool or at the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
- See the penguins and giant ocean tank at the New England Aquarium.
- Play around with the interactive exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum.
- Spend a day at LEGOLAND Discovery Center on the LEGO-themed rides.
- Check out the Museum of Science planetarium and live demonstrations.
- Enjoy a land and water tour of the city in a Boston Duck Tours amphibious vehicle.
- Explore dinosaur skeletons, minerals, and wildlife exhibits at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
- Visit the children’s section for storytime at the Boston Public Library.
- Watch the reenactment at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
- Learn about firefighting history with hands-on activities at the Boston Fire Museum.
- Ride the unique, handcrafted carousel in Rose Kennedy Greenway.
- Watch a performance at the Boston Children’s Theatre.
- Tour the Harbor Sweets Chocolate Factory Tour factory and taste delicious chocolates.
Things to do in Boston Massachusetts with Teens
- Catch a Red Sox game or tour the iconic Fenway Park baseball stadium.
- Watch street performers at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
- Shop for souvenirs while enjoying live music at the Sunday South End Open Market.
- Engage with exhibits on science, technology, and innovation at the MIT Museum.
- Learn about world cultures at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.
- Take a spooky Ghosts & Gravestones Tour of Boston’s haunted sites.
- Play lawn games and enjoy food trucks in The Lawn on D.
- Glide through the city on a guided Segway tour.
Day Trips from Boston Massachusetts
- Enjoy a day of witchy fun in Salem Massachusetts.
- Take the ferry to Provincetown and spend the day on the US National Seashore.
- See the Plymouth Rock and learn more about the Pilgrims at the Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth Massachusetts.
- Visit Revolutionary War sites in Concord Massachusetts.
Visiting More Cities in Massachusetts?
Check out our Massachusetts Destination Guides including must-see destinations and itineraries!
Booking Resources for Boston Massachusetts
Boston Massachusetts Travel Guide
Pick up a Massachusetts Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Boston Massachusetts Now
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Boston Massachusetts Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
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