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Fun Things to do in Boston
Massachusetts
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city guide
Boston is best known for its famous baked beans, Fenway Park, The Boston Marathon, and of course for the bar from Cheers, but dig a little deeper below the surface and you'll find a surprising wealth of things that make Boston one of the best cities in Americaand the world.
Best time to go
The best time to visit Boston is from June to October. Mild autumn weather makes touring around on foot a joy. And even though summer brings in swarms of tourists and expensive hotel rates, the sidewalk cafes, baseball games and outdoor concerts make it worth a trip.
Fun city facts and activities
- No matter where your interests lie, you can always find fun in the Hub. The best things to do in Boston run the gamutfrom seriously entertaining to awesomely educational. Looking for culture? Spend a day exploring Boston's museums. Hungry? You've come to the right place because there are tons of amazing restaurants in Boston that highlight the city's rich and diverse culinary landscape. We've searched all across the city to assemble this list of the best things to do in Boston.
Neighborhoods to explore
- Charlestown
Chelsea
East Boston
Quincy
Medford
East Cambridge
Dorchester
Restaurants
Food Specialties
- New Englands days are growing longer, and the weather warmerwhich means its time to get out and eat at the best Boston restaurants. Lets all get ready for the months ahead, which will bring prime patio and outdoor dining, as we transition into sun-drenched spring. At the moment, we suggest making the most of these rising tempswhether it be by sitting down for an alfresco at Spoke, or by getting your fill of ice-cold raw bar favorites at seafood spots like Nautilus, Neptune Oyster and Saltie Girl. In any case, we simply encourage you to fall in loveor rediscoverall of the best restaurants in Boston this month.
Boston Offbeat activities
Free or cheap things to do
1. Have a Picnic at the Boston Common - Pack a picnic and spend a lazy afternoon in the oldest public park in America, the Boston Common. This 50-acre park is located in the heart of the city and is a great spot for people-watching and relaxing.
2. Go on the Freedom Trail - The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile path through downtown Boston and includes 16 historical sites, including the Old State House, Paul Revere House, and Granary Burial Ground. Follow the red brick path to learn more about the American Revolution.
3. Visit the Mapparium - Located inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library, the Mapparium is a three-story, stained-glass globe that visitors can walk inside. The globe is illuminated with colored lights and includes a narrator-guided tour.
4. Take a Duck Tour - Hop aboard a WWII amphibious vehicle, also known as a duck,
Fun things to do in with kids
Free or cheap things to do
1. The Freedom Trail Foundation's Walk Into History Tour
Led by guides in historic clothing, the tour guides take on the role of a real historical figure. It is a real walk into history as you learn about important events that led to the American Revolution through fascinating storytelling and taking you to important sites.
2. Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
A follow-up experience to The Freedom Trail is the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, another signature moment that contributed to the Revolutionary War.
3. Faneuil Hall, Charles Street, Boston Common
During the Freedom Trail walking tour, you will get to see Faneuil Hall and the Boston Common. But, if you want to explore these areas a bit more, there is quite a bit to see.
4. Ride The Swan Boats
If you come to the Boston Common, the oldest public park in America, a signature experience (in the warmer months) is to ride the signature Swan Boats in the Public Garden. The only boats of this type, a swan boat ride in the Public Garden is a relaxing and unique experience for visiting Boston that kids love!
5. Fenway Park
If you have a bit more time and are visiting in the summer or during baseball season, getting to tour the Fenway Park stadium or even getting to see a game and the Green Monster is well worth it. Several weekend games are designated as family events, and our kids love the activities they offer for families.
6. Whale Watching
There are a variety of boat tours and harbor activities you can do from the Boston harbour. But one of the most special is a whale watching tour. Our kids love this experience and getting to see whales breach in the ocean. It is definitely one of the best activities to do with kids in Boston.
7. Boston's Children's Museum
Seen from afar by its signature Hood milk bottle outside, Boston's Children's Museum in the Fort Point Channel (near Seaport District ) is a very fun, three-level interactive museum suitable for kids from toddlers on up. With a large climbing structure in the center, the museum hosts many interactive exhibits and educational hands on activities themed around exploration.
8. New England Aquarium
Another kid favorite spot in Boston is the New England Aquarium. Appropriately located right on the harbor, guests are greeted before they enter the building by sea friends in the Atlantic Harbour Seals exhibit. Upon entering, kids can touch rays and sharks, see penguins, meet more seals and sea lions, and discover the sea life and caribbean coral reef in a variety of aquariums throughout the building.
9. Visit North End For Dinner
One of our family's favorite things to do is to stroll around and enjoy a meal in Boston's North End. This area is home to Boston's Little Italy, and where you find authentic and delicious Italian restaurants of all sorts. A favorite restaurant of ours for family dining is Mi Familia Giorgio.
10. Stop At Mike's Pastry
While in the North End, after dinner, Mike's Pastry is a must visit for a famous cannoli. Don't be alarmed when you see the massive crowd inside. This place is famous and tourists come from all over to try it and get a box of sweets in one of the signature white and blue boxes.
City data and FAQ
Why should I visit Boston?
Please come, Bostonians love tormenting tourists. Why do you think our street plan is so confusing? That story about how the streets follow old cow paths is hooey. We did it out of spite.
Jim Campbell Lives in Lowell, MA
Do you need a car to visit Boston?
If you are rising Boston (city) park your vehicle and take the MBTA, no expensive parking everywhere you go. Faster to take the T or evan to walk to many places downtown.
Daniel McEleney Lives in Boston, MA
Not at all - particularly if your talking about Boston proper (eg staying downtown, the waterfront or uptown in the Back Bay area) or in Cambridge (eg the charming Harvard Sq area), right across the river. You can take the T (Bostons metro system) to get to most places of interest. Its easy to navigate. And then theres just walking. Its a very walkable city.
Joe Russell Lived in Boston, MA
Are two days enough to visit Boston?
Most people would say NO. You probably need more time to fully explore different landmarks, attractions, and so on. And I absolutely agree with them. It would be so much better if you could extend your stay to a week or something.
Monica Morkos
2 days would be cutting it close. To see the USS Constitution, the Freedom Trail, Bunker Hill, the Paul Revere House, and Faneuil Hall would take up 2 days , but leave no time for anything else (e.g. Fenway Park, the State House, the Theatre District, Harvard Square, etc.).
Bear Downize Lives in Boston, MA
Maybe if sight-seeing is all youre doing. Boston is a small walkable city with decent public transportation. to include museum visits, a sporting event or some historical tours, etc, 45 days would be adequate.
Steve Cashman Lives in Quincy, MA
It really depends on your sightseeing goals and stamina. It also depends on how much money you want to spend. What do you really want to see? If you only have two days I recommend you get up early and do the Freedom Walk. The first one of the day is ranger guided and its free. You dont have to complete it. It takes about three hours. Visit the USs Constitution. Thats free too. If you go early there are no lines. You can take the water shuttle back to Long Wharf and downtown for 4 dollars and its trip on the harbor. I recommend the Old Towne Trolley Tour. Its about 45 dollars and you can hop on and off all day. The free tour of the Boston Public Library is always worthwhile. It takes about 99 minutes. Theres a free tour of the State House also. I highly recommend the Charles River Boat Tour. Its only 15 dollars and the will take you either up the Charles to Harvard or through the locks to the harbor. Its a guided tour and the best bang for the buck and theres a full bar on board. It leaves from the Cambridge Side Galleria. I recommend James Hook Lobster for lobster rolls Al fresco and if you like lobster they will ship them home for you. While youre there you can visit the free observation deck at Independence Wharf which is not only a great view but really romantic. I always take people there.
Anyway that should hold you for two days and its not too expensive. I give tours and so a lecture series on Boston so I have a fair idea of things to do.
Jay Bazzinotti Lives in Boston, MA
Is Boston Worth visiting?
Absolutely. It is a very walkable city. Unlike New York, both Boston and Philadelphia have been able to preserve a number of Colonial buildings. If you like caseball and can get into a Red Sox game, Fenway is worthwhile. Also, they have one of the best aquariums in the country.
Mark Taranto - PhD in Finance, University of California, Berkeley
Boston is a vibrant, historic city with fantastic energy. It is a compact city where you can walk everywhere. The T (subway) is efficient and easy to navigate. Harvard Square is just across the river and offers lots of little shops, cafes, pubs. In Boston theres Chinatown, Copley Square, the Theatre District, the Freedom Trail, Boyleston Street for shopping and browsing, Fanieul Hall Market, the North End (Little Italy), Boston Commons, and more.
Patti Charron - Studied at Ohio University
What is Boston known for?
A very important port in medieval days, vital to the export of wool to Europe.
Ricky Tack Lives in Manchester, UK
Its probably most well known for its world class institutions of higher learning. The Boston area is home to Harvard, MIT, Boston College & Boston University, Berklee School of Music, Northeastern University and many, many more colleges & universities. It is called the Athens of America. I would say, Boston is known for its legendary sports teams, including the Red Sox, the Bruins, the Celtics, the Revs, and their passionate fans. It is also the host of the historic Boston Marathon.
Maria Buckley Lives in Boston, MA
