THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Boston - 2024 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Massachusetts (MA)

Things to Do in Boston

Things to Do in Boston, MA - Boston Attractions

Things to Do in Boston

A history buff's playground, filled with museums and heritage tours. Take it all in by sea or land (Bunker Hill and Freedom Trail are musts), then catch a baseball game.

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Ways to tour Boston

Book these experiences for a close-up look at Boston.

The Revolutionary Story Epic Small Group Walking Tour of Boston
733
Historical Tours
from
$76
per adult
Reserve
Martha's Vineyard Daytrip from Boston with Round-Trip Ferry & Island Tour Option
477
Full-day Tours
from
$119
per adult
Reserve
Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America's Most Beloved Ballpark
919
Historical Tours
from
$33
per adult
Reserve
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Admission
740
Historical Tours
from
$35
per adult
Reserve
Boston Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with 14 Stops
1,673
Historical Tours
from
$42
per adult
Reserve
Boston Small-Group Walking Food Tour With Tastings
447
Food & Drink
from
$115
per adult (price varies by group size)
Reserve
Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise
139
Private and Luxury
from
$48
per adult
Reserve
Boston Historic Sightseeing Harbor Cruise with Up-Close View of USS Constitution
350
Historical Tours
from
$46
per adult
Reserve
Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour
1,095
Historical Tours
from
$23
per adult
Reserve
View Boston Observation Deck Admission Tickets
57
Skyscrapers & Towers
from
$35
per adult
Reserve

Day Cruises

Top Attractions in Boston

These rankings are informed by traveler reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.

Arenas & Stadiums

Hallowed ground to baseball fans, this century-old ballpark is the home field of the Boston Red Sox. Fans often flock to Fenway Park to catch a game over beer and hot dogs—the game season typically runs from April through October. You might want to stay till at least the eighth inning to sing “Sweet Caroline” with the crowd. The stadium is also home to the iconic Green Monster wall, a 37-foot-tall left-field wall. Apart from games, you can join a year-round guided tour of the stadium to learn about the history of the sport and the team, as well as get a behind-the-scenes peek into the locker room. – Tripadvisor

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2. Freedom Trail

Historic Walking Areas

Learn about early Boston and U.S. history on this 2.5-mile-long trail that passes through 16 historic locations. Look out for the brick markers—starting in downtown Boston, crossing through the North End, and finishing at the famous Bunker Hill Monument in neighboring Charlestown. You'll pass by notable stops like Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House, and the USS Constitution frigate. You can embark on the Freedom Trail for free and at your own pace, but audio guides and guided tours are also available. The trail is lined with lots of cool cafes and restaurants for you to fuel up along the way. – Tripadvisor

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3. Museum of Fine Arts

Art Museums

Boston's oldest, largest and best-known art institution, the MFA houses one of the world's most comprehensive art collections and is renowned for its Impressionist paintings, Asian and Egyptian collections and early American art.

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4. Boston Public Garden

Parks

This Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park, famous for its Swan Boats, has over 600 varieties of trees and an ever-changing array of flowers. It is America's first public garden.

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5. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Ships

Admission tickets from $35

The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is a history lesson you won’t forget. Relive the event that started the American Revolution with historical interpreters, interactive exhibits, and full-scale replicas of 18th-century sailing vessels. Join a town meeting, hang out with talking portraits, and take part in the tradition of tossing tea into the harbor. Then, enjoy a spot of afternoon tea in Abigail’s Tea Room or visit the gift shop for some souvenirs. Entry to the museum is on a first come, first-served basis, so join the line early. – Tripadvisor

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6. Boston Public Library

Points of Interest & Landmarks

The main branch of the Boston Public Library opened in 1852 as the first free, publicly-funded municipal library in America. The library, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, houses over 20 million items. Enjoy a free tour of the building to learn about its history and marvel at the treasured artworks and architecture that spans three centuries. After that, sit back for a cup of tea in one the library’s tea lounges. When you're done, go shopping or check out the restaurants in Back Bay, the busy district where the library is located. – Tripadvisor

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Neighborhoods

Boston's Little Italy is the city’s oldest neighborhood, famous for its Italian restaurants and pastry shops, and centuries-old architecture. Stroll around this Italian American enclave to discover its narrow, cobbled alleys and iconic streets like Hanover Street. The best way to taste some of the fantastic food here is by joining a walking food tour. Or book yourself on a history tour to learn about the significance of landmarks like Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church. The North End is also part of the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path that retraces the early history of the United States across 16 significant locations. – Tripadvisor

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8. John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library

Speciality Museums

Relive the Kennedy era in this dynamic combination museum and library, where your visit starts with a short film and then leaves you on your own to explore a series of fascinating exhibits, including the Kennedy-Nixon debate, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the space program, 1960s campaign paraphernalia and displays about Jacqueline and other Kennedy family members. The striking, I.M. Pei-designed building overlooks the water and the Boston skyline.

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9. Boston Common

Parks

Whether it's a summer picnic in the grass or winter ice-skating on Frog Pond, Boston's oldest public park is the perfect escape from the bustle of the city.

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10. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Gardens

A Venetian palace in the middle of Boston, Gardner's home is now a museum displaying her impressive, eclectic collection of European, American and Asian art, including sculpture, paintings, furniture, ceramics and textiles. Visitors can stroll or rest in a spectacular skylit courtyard filled with plants and flowers.

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11. Samuel Adams Brewery

Breweries

Visit us at the Sam Adams Boston Brewery! Join one of our experiences to learn about the brew process of our R&D brewhouse or dive into exclusive barrel-aged beers paired with local cheese. Our Beer Garden and Taproom feature a constant rotation of limited-release beers and events like weekly trivia and live music.

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12. USS Constitution

Ships

Historic warship from 1797, featuring below deck explorations and navy personnel ready to share military tales. Includes steep stairs and low ceilings, nestled in a picturesque harbor.

This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.

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Day Trips

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