Boston Attractions

Things to do in Boston

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

To get a flavor of things to in Boston, take a look at the following list of attractions.  It's really just a small sample of what you'll find to do here - so click on the links to get more details as well as more suggestions.

And when you're planning your Boston visit, don't forget to check our Boston Event Calendar, where you'll find even more attractions and things to do.

Observation Decks
Get the "big picture" of Boston from high above ground at Prudential Skywalk observatory, or enjoy spectacular views while you dine at Top of the Hub.  As a free alternative, check out a lesser-known waterfront observatory located near where the Sons of Liberty held their famous Boston Tea Party.

Entertainment and Culture
Enjoy world-class shows, drama, opera, and dance in Boston theaters, ice shows and other spectacular performances at TD Garden, and concerts by renowned performers and newcomers.  Catch a movie at Boston movie theaters.  And get ready to laugh all night in Boston's comedy clubs.

Sightseeing Tours - by land and by water
You'll see colorful tour trolleys and Boston Duck Tours all over Boston and in the Charles River.  Whether or not you're new to the city, a ride on one is hugely entertaining and a super way to see some of the most famous Boston attractions.  For a different kind of tour, go for a Swan Boat ride in the Public Garden.

Boston Bike Tours
Get some exercise during your Boston sightseeing when you join a group tour led by avid cyclists who'll share details about the city's history and culture as you ride.  Or rent a bike and tour the city on your own as you explore various bike paths and sightseeing routes.  More about biking in Boston

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

Waterfront
A top Boston attraction is our waterfront!  Enjoy the waterfront by walking or jogging down the Boston Esplanade or sailing in Boston Harbor and the Charles River.  Or stroll along Harborwalk, a scenic path winding through Boston's waterfront neighborhoods.  Or spend a few hours at nearby Boston beaches.

Whales
Although not right in the city, whale-watching cruises are among the biggest Boston attractions.  Finback and humpback whales gather at nearby coastal feeding grounds.  You can join an exciting whale watching tour just by strolling over to the city's wharfs.  Don't forget your camera!  More about Boston whale watching cruises

Museums
Over 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.  Check out our suggestion to find the ones you want to visit.   More about Boston's museums

Parks and Gardens
Boston attractions such as the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston Common, the Public Garden and its Make Way for Ducklings statue, Arnold Arboretum, and Post Office Square are just a few of the green spots that make this city so wonderful.  Enjoy spectacular waterviews from the Boston Esplanade and Harborwalk.

Fall Foliage
When summer turns to fall, brilliant autumn color becomes one of the top Boston attractions.  Check out the best places to see 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.

Spectator Sports
Sports fans, get ready to enjoy some of the biggest Boston attractions - Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, New England Revolution, Boston Blazers.   And don't forget the Boston Marathon in April, when spectators line up along the 26 mile Boston Marathon route to cheer the runners.

Sports Activities
If you love to participate in sports, you'll find lots of opportunities.  Enjoy sailing in Boston Harbor, jog or bicycle along the Boston Esplanade, ice skate on Frog Pond, swim at one of the nearby Boston beaches, and enjoy winter at Massachusetts ski areas.  You can even run in the Boston Marathon.

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.

Historic City Neighborhoods
Beacon Hill, the North End, Bay Village, Back Bay, Fenway, the South End . . . what other city has so many historic neighborhoods with such beautifully preserved buildings?  If you like gas lamps, cobblestone streets, architectural details, and history everywhere, you're going to love visiting Boston!   More about Boston's neighborhoods

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. To see more, just stroll through most Boston city neighborhoods.

Freedom Trail
Perhaps the most popular of all Boston attractions, the Freedom Trail is a self-guided 2.5 mile journey through history.  Follow the Trail's red stripe through Boston's most historic neighborhoods and visit 17 sites where events central to America's fight for liberty began.  More about Boston's Freedom Trail

Other Trails
Other top Boston attractions include several self-guided walking tours - the Black Heritage Trail, the Literary Trail, the Irish Heritage Trail, the Women's Heritage Trail. Prefer a guide? Several local groups lead culinary tours, photography tours, and every other kind of tour you can imagine.

Faneuil Hall / Quincy Market
This top Boston attraction includes a Freedom Trail site plus 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.

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.  See the Green Monster up close, tour the dugouts, the bullpens, the Hall of Fame Room, and more.

Festivals
Festivals happen all year - the Dragon Boat Festival in June, Fourth of July celebrations, August Moon Festival in Chinatown, and North End festivals every summer weekend. But that's just the beginning.  You'll also enjoy the Boston Film Festivals, Oktoberfest, Boston Wine Festival, and many more - check the Boston Event Calendar for details.

Markets
We love Boston's outdoor markets! Stroll through SoWa Open Market to see the latest offerings by local artisans and crafts people. Or enjoy the farmers' markets that pop up all over the city.  The oldest of all is Haymarket, an open-air produce market where Bostonians find rock-bottom prices on fruits and veggies.

Holiday Celebrations and Parades
Boston has many holidays (some of them unique to this area), celebrations, and parades . . . First Night, Evacuation Day, the South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade, Patriot's Day, Bunker Hill Day, fireworks on the Fourth, the South End's "Divas Unleashed" Halloween Pet Parade, and much more.  The Boston Event Calendar lists them all.

Shopping
You'll love Boston shopping . . . Newbury Street's glitzy designer shops and art galleries. . . elegant Copley Place, Shops at Prudential Center, and other fabulous Boston shopping malls . . . historic Quincy Market . . . unique Beacon Hill boutiques and antique shops. . . plus, check out our tips for great holiday shopping in Boston.

Reenactments
Members of local minutemen organizations reenact Revolutionary War events.  Although tourists (and locals) enjoy them, the participants' goal is to preserve Boston history and pay tribute to the fight for liberty. Highlights include horseback rides by Paul Revere and William Dawes.  Find details on the Boston Event Calendar for April.

Eating
Fabulous restaurants are a huge Boston attraction.  You'll find many delicious local specialties - lobster and other seafood, great steakhouses, and every ethnic cuisine like Italian and French.  Plus, check out our favorite Boston Cheap Eats.   More about Boston's restaurants

Drinking
Boston clergyman Cotton Mather wrote in 1675, "every other building in Boston is an ale house."  Over 300 years later, you'll still find historic taverns along with sports bars, bars near Fenway Park, and bars near TD Garden.  They're popular attractions for tourists and locals alike.  Stop by for a pint.

Brewery Tours
The Puritans considered beer safer to drink that 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.

Universities and Colleges in Boston
With 65+ universities and colleges in Boston, Cambridge, and other nearby towns, you'll see why we have the highest number of students per capita in the US.  Students add energy to the city, and many campus cultural and sports events are open to the public.  More about universities and colleges in Boston