Boston Attractions

Best things to do in Boston

Boston attractions range from duck boat sightseeing tours to whale watching cruises, from observation decks to historic neighborhoods, from fashion designer shopping on Newbury Street to historic markets, and everything in between.

To find a wide range of Boston attractions such as the Freedom Trail, the Boston Marathon, Duck Tours, Boston museums, and the waterfront, take a look below at Boston Discovery Guide's list of everything to see and do in Boston.

Or, if you're here for only a day or two and want to consider just the top, do-not-miss sights and adventures, go straight to our list of the Top Boston attractions.

And don't forget to check our Boston Events Calendars, where you'll find even more attractions and things to do.

Observation Decks

Head to Prudential Skywalk observatory to get the "big picture" of Boston - use your Boston discount card for free admission.

Alternately, dine at Top of the Hub for the same view.

More about Boston observation decks

14 Top Boston Attractions

Planning a visit to Boston and not sure where to start? Take a look at our list of 14 Top Boston attractions

Pick whatever interests you the most. Use our Boston sightseeing map if you want to look at locations.

More about Boston vacation planning

Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail takes you on a 2.5 mile walk through history. Follow the Trail's red stripe to visit 16 sites where America's fight for liberty happened.

Don't want to do the whole Trail? No problem! Pick just a few sites:

Summer Activities

Activities for warm-weather fun in Boston:

- Sailing in Boston Harbor
- Boston bicycle tours
- Boston swan boat rides in the Public Garden
- Garden tours
- Boston beaches

More Boston Activities for Summer

Winter Activities

Boston Insider tip: Here's the secret to surviving Boston winter weather: go outside and enjoy it!

- Ice skating on Frog Pond
- Skiing at Massachusetts ski areas
- Head north for New England ski areas and even ski vacation resorts

Or, stay inside and stay warm: 7 best indoor Boston winter activities

More Boston winter activities

Rainy Day Activities

Pouring rain . . . ice storms . . . temperatures soaring to 100° with high humidity . . . thunderstorms . . . in Boston, you always need a few foul-weather options.

That's why you'll want to check out our list of 10 top rainy day activities. And don't forget to pack your umbrella.

Sightseeing Tours

You can't miss the tour trolleys and Boston Duck Tours - the brightly colored vehicles Boston's downtown streets and the Charles River. Conductors entertain you with tales about Boston attractions as you pass by. Best of all, Boston sightseeing passes include some these tours.

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Entertainment and Culture

Enjoy world-class shows, drama, opera, and dance in Boston theaters, ice shows at TD Garden, and concerts at Symphony Hall and Jordan Hall.

During July and August, theater moves outdoors for Shakespeare on the Common. For more entertainment options, check out Boston movie theaters and comedy clubs.

Boston discount passes - save on attractions


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Compare Boston discount passes for Prudential Skywalk Observatory, New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Harbor tours, Tall Ships cruises, Salem Witch Museum tour, Plimouth Plantation, and many other top Boston attractions, tours, and cruises.

Waterfront

Fun ways to enjoy Boston's waterfront:

- Walk or jog along the Boston Esplanade
- Take the subway to one of the nearby Boston beaches
- Stroll along Harborwalk, the shoreline path
- Go sailing in Boston Harbor and the Charles River
- Take a Boston cruise

Whales

Just a few miles from Boston is a different world, and a whale-watching cruise will take you there. Stroll down to the city's wharfs, and hop on a cruise boat. Soon, you'll be watching as finback and humpback whales gather at nearby coastal feeding grounds. Don't forget your camera!

More about Boston whale watching cruises

Museums

30+ Boston museums showcase everything from antique cars to electric cars, ancient fossils to cutting-edge biotech, the Boston Tea Party to the Boston Red Sox, and Egyptian relics to avant-garde artists. Boston discount cards will give you free admission to many of these museums.

More about Boston's museums

New England Aquarium

A huge ocean tank soars 3 floors high in the center of the Aquarium, providing an ever-changing panorama of sea life.

With penguins, seals, and many special exhibits, the Aquarium is a special favorite of kids and teens.

More about the New England Aquarium

Boston Sports Events

Sports fans, get ready to enjoy some of the biggest Boston attractions - Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots. And don't forget the Boston Marathon in April, Dragon Boat races in June, and the Head of the Charles Regatta in October!

More about Boston sports

Fenway Park Tour

Can't attend a Red Sox game while you're here? Do the next best thing - tour historic Fenway Park. Visitors who have taken this tour have called it the "highlight" of their trip to Boston. Sit on top of the Green Monster, tour the dugouts, the bullpens, the Hall of Fame Room, and more.

More about Fenway Park Tours

Boston Marathon

Famous through the world, the Boston Marathon takes place each year on the 3rd Monday in April. Watch the race along the Boston Marathon Route - or check the Boston Marathon qualifying times if you want to run. If you're visiting for this event, find out about the best Boston Marathon hotels.

More about the Boston Marathon

Boston Film Festivals

Boston hosts almost 2 dozen film festivals throughout the year, attracting top directors, producers, actors, and enthusiastic fans and exploring every film genre imagineable.

Whether your interest focuses on sci-fi, indie, foreign, ethnic, documenaries, old, or latest films, you're sure to find a festival of interest.

More about Boston Film Festivals

Boston Harbor Islands

Leave Boston and go to the Islands . . . the Harbor Islands, that is. Hop on a ferry at Long Wharf, and head out to this gorgeous offshore park, one of the best Boston attractions.

You'll find gorgeous sandy beaches, a Civil War fort, miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and even camping grounds.

More about Boston Harbor Islands

Parks and Gardens

Boston's parks don't just look pretty - they're also the center of lots of activities and events. Several of the best:

- Rose Kennedy Greenway
- Boston Common
- Public Garden, home to the Make Way for Ducklings statues
- Boston Esplanade

Fall Foliage

As summer turns to fall, brilliant autumn color blankets the city. Check out the best city locations to see gorgeous Boston fall foliage plus our Fall Foliage Report and Fall Foliage photo archives.

And to see the colors from a new perspective, go on a fall foliage cruise.

Libraries

Boston has fascinating libraries for you to visit: the treasure-filled Boston Public Library, the Mary Baker Eddy Library and Mapparium, the visitor's gallery of the private Boston Athenaeum, New England Historic Genealogical Society's library, and the French Library at Alliance Francaise.

More Trails to Explore

The Freedom Trail may be Boston's most famous path through history, but other trails in this walkable city offer additional historic perspectives.

More self-guided walking tours to try: the Black Heritage Trail, the Literary Trail, the Irish Heritage Trail, the Women's Heritage Trail.

Faneuil Hall / Quincy Market

This Freedom Trail site includes many shops in the Marketplace's historic buildings. Enjoy mouth-watering food in Quincy Market or at the nearby centuries-old historic taverns. You can also explore Haymarket, Boston's almost 200-year-old outdoor produce market, right around the corner.

More about Faneuil Hall Marketplace / Quincy Market

Boston for Free

Did you know . . . many of Boston's best events, experiences, and attractions are free (or almost free) all the time, and many others such as museums may be free some of the time. Read our long list of all the things to do and enjoy in Boston without spending money.

More about what to do in Boston for free

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Historic Houses

You can tour houses from many periods: Colonial style Paul Revere House, Georgian style Longfellow house in Cambridge, Federal First Harrison Gray Otis house, Greek Revival style Nichols house, and Victorian style Gibson house are just a few of these Boston attractions.

More about Boston city neighborhoods.

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Running of the Brides - CANCELLED

Unfortunately, this special Boston shopping event has fallen victim Filene's Basement bankruptcy filing. Boston Discovery Guide is leaving our Running of the Brides pages up because - well, frankly, we can't bear to take them down. Take a look if you'd like to see beautiful gowns and beautiful brides-to-be made possible by this long-time Boston tradition.

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Historic Taverns

Boston clergyman Cotton Mather wrote in 1675, "every other building in Boston is an ale house." (Was he complaining or bragging?) 300+ years later, you'll still find historic taverns along with sports bars, bars near Fenway Park, Irish pubs, and bars near TD Garden.

More about Boston's Historic Taverns

Brewery Tours

The Puritans considered beer safer to drink than water, and Boston's breweries continue the tradition of locally-made beer. You can join free brewery tours/samplings at two of them, and savor local beers with a meal at others. Some visitors claim that breweries are the best Boston attractions! Some Puritans might have agreed.

Holiday Celebrations and Parades

Boston has many holidays (some of them unique to this area), celebrations, and parades . . . First Night, the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, fireworks on the Fourth, the South End's "Divas Unleashed" Halloween Pet Parade, and much more.

Check Boston Events Calendars for a complete list plus dates.

Best Things to Do in Boston Each Month

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How to see more attractions and spend less


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