Being one of the oldest cities of the current day America, Boston has over 400 years of rich history to be explored. However, apart from being a perfect destination for history lovers, Boston has something to offer for each and every one out there. The city also boasts about its rich architectural and art collections, sports culture, as well as a long list of world-renowned tourist attractions.
If you are visiting this beautiful city of Massachusetts for the very first time and are confused about what to do in Boston, here is the list of top 10 things to do in Boston, without which, your visit to this amazing city would remain incomplete. Also, if you want to travel in Boston at a tight budget, you can check out these amazing 10 tips to save money and travel cheap in Boston.
1) Take a walk along the Freedom Trail: Taking a tour along the Freedom Trail in Boston is one of the most popular tourist activities of the city. The 4 kilometre long trail has been marked with red colour along the sidewalks of the city. This trail takes you through various museums, burial grounds, meeting houses, parks, markets, as well as a ship that best depict the history of the city related to the American Revolution. You can also take one of the tours organized by the Freedom Trail Organization to explore this trail in the best way possible.
- Price: Variable
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Tours Information Link: https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/
2) Visit the Boston Harbour Islands: One of the most popular places to visit in Boston, the Boston Harbour Islands Park consists of 34 small islands that are in the near vicinity of the city’s coastline. Several of these islands are accessible by public ferry. There are a number of unique attractions including a historic fort, campsites, and picnic spots along with a number of hidden adventures to be explored. You can plan a visit to one of the islands based on the schedule of the ferry. You can even plan to spend a night at one of the islands under the starry sky. This visit can also turn out to be one of the best things to do for couples, without any safety issues. However, do keep in mind that these islands are accessible only during the warmer months of the year, i.e., from mid-May to mid-October.
- Ferry Schedule & Ticket Price: https://www.bostonharborislands.org/ferry-schedule/
3) Witness the beauty of the city from the Skywalk Observatory: The Skywalk Observatory is a 360 degree viewing deck which provides the visitors with beautiful views of the major attractions of the city, including its majestic coastline. You can also choose to take an audio tour which will allow you to explore the attractions of the city in a better way and also allow you to learn about their history, atop the Prudential Tower. You can also choose to dine in one of the finest restaurants in the city situated in the tower while witnessing the sunset across the beautiful city.
- Information Link: https://www.skywalkboston.com
4) Visit the Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Downtown Boston: Established in 1742, the Faneuil Hall Marketplace was initially built as a public gathering hall which has also witnessed a number of political events, town meetings, as well as famous speeches. Situated right in the heart of Boston city, the place now serves as a marketplace with historical cobbled streets, artifacts shops, galleries, iconic restaurants as well as pubs. Experience the best of the food in Boston at this marketplace, adore its unique architecture, experience the Boston nightlife, and learn a bit about its rich political history.
5) Explore the famous museums of the city: Boston is home to a number of well known museums. The most renowned ones that cannot be missed out by anyone include the Museum of Science and the Museum of Fine Arts, which holds one of the best collections of paintings and artifacts, ranging from the ancient Egyptian civilizations to the present day. A few other museums which you can plan to visit based on your interest include the USS Constitution Museum, Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, Boston Children’s Museum, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
- Museum of Fine Arts:
- Entry Fee: $25 (Adults), $23 (Senior Citizen above 65), Free (Kids below 6)
- Timings: Wednesday-Friday (10 A.M. – 5 P.M.), Saturday-Tuesday (10 A.M. – 10 P.M.)
- Booking Link: https://www.mfa.org/visit
- Museum of Science:
- Entry Fee: $29 (Adults above 12), $24 (Children 3-11), $25 (Senior Citizen above 60)
- Timings: 9 A.M. – 5 P.M (Saturday to Thursday), 9 A.M. – 9 P.M.
- Booking Link: https://www.mos.org/visit/admission
6) Take a Stroll along the Harbourwalk: Boston has a beautiful coastline of over 75 Kilometres, around 60 kilometres of which is walkable along the Harbourwalk. The walk stretches over 8 neighbourhoods of the city, passing across 40 parks, various museums, and 9 beautiful beaches of the city, providing the visitors with a beautiful view of Boston’s skyline on the one side and the endless coastline on the other. The best section of this endless walk is from the Long Wharf to the New England Aquarium. You will also find various spots along the walk offering coin operated binoculars to view the distant attractions.
- Harbourwalk Map: https://www.bostonharborwalk.org/
7) Explore the Boston Common and Public Garden: One of the most peaceful places to visit in Boston, established in 1634, Boston Common is the oldest Public Garden of the whole of the USA. Spread over 50 acres of land, this beautiful park is situated in Downtown Boston, providing relief from the sky touching buildings. The most popular attraction of the Boston Public Garden is the Swan Boats, which provides the visitors with a peaceful pedal boat ride along the waters in the middle of the park. The Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden is divided by just a street in between, with endless water bodies, picnic spots, performing areas, and beautiful orchards, making it a favourite amongst the travelers as well as the locals.
8) Walk along Boston’s Black Heritage Trail: Similar to the Freedom Trail, Boston’s Black Heritage Trail is a 2.4 kilometres long path, passing majorly through the Beacon Hill Neighbourhood. It passes through 14 major attractions which perfectly depict the lives as well as the history of the black community of Boston from the 19th and 20th Centuries. A must visit attraction in this trail is the Museum of African American History which is dedicated to preserving, showcasing the contributions of African Americans across the country.
- Museum of African American History: https://www.maah.org/
9) Get onto one of the Boston Duck boat tours: There cannot be a better way to explore the city of Boston than getting onto one of these iconic Duck Boat tours. You will be accompanied by a local Boston tourism expert who will let you know about each of the attractions that you pass by. Having a ride with your fellow passengers on these unique boats is going to be a unique experience in itself. The major attractions that you will pass by on this amazing boat tour include the Trinity Church, Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, Zakim Bridge, Harvard, MIT, and various museums.
- Ticket Price: $45.99 (Adult), $36.99 (Senior Citizen above 62), $30.99 (Children between 3-11)
- Duration: 80 minutes
- Booking Link: https://tickets.bostonducktours.com/Info.aspx?EventID=3
10) Take a Day tour to the New England Aquarium: One of the most popular family attractions in Boston tourism, the New England Aquarium is a perfect escape into the lives of the underwater creatures. The major attractions at this aquarium include the penguins and sea lions. You will also get a chance to meet the deadly sharks, stingrays, as well as the beautifully preserved mass of coral reefs. Do not miss out on life-like 3D IMAX screen shows about nature and the underwater world.
- Admission Ticket Price: $32 (Adult), $23 (Children), $30 (Senior Citizen)
- Timings: 9 A.M. – 5 P.M. (Monday – Friday), 9 A.M. – 6 P.M. (Saturday, Sunday)
- Booking Link: Click Here
Boston is a beautiful city with an endless number of natural as well as man-made attractions. However, covering all of them in one single visit can never be possible. Therefore, if you wish to experience the best of the city within the limited time available, just indulge in the above mentioned 10 things to do in Boston and you would be good to go. If you are planning to visit NYC or San Francisco any time in the future, do not forget to follow these 10 tips to save money and travel cheap in NY and 10 tips to save money and travel cheap in SF respectively for a budget friendly, yet a fulfilling trip.
