Boston offers more things to see and do than you can possibly pack into one trip, or even a dozen. 

From famous historical attractions to iconic events to whale watching cruises to sports and theater, Boston is full of interesting activities and places for you to explore and enjoy.

Boston's small, compact size makes getting around easy. 

Take a look at all the possibilities, and then choose your favorite things to do and see while you're here.

Top photo: Duck boat splashing down in the Charles River


Top Attractions, Sightseeing, & Things to Do

Top 10 Boston Attractions

Top 10 Boston Attractions

First visit to Boston?  Start here when planning what to see.  More

Fenway Park, home to Boston Red Sox

More Boston Attractions

Want more suggestions?  You'll find a lot more things to do and see here.  More


Best Boston Tours

Best Boston Tours

Find out about all the fun ways to see Boston.  Duck Tours, Guided Walking Tours, Bike Tours, and lots more!  Pick what you like best!  More

Boston Sightseeing Map & Guide

Sightseeing Map & Guide

Use our map to get familiar with Boston's neighborhood layout and find locations for all the top attractions.  More


Boston restaurants - Best bars near TD Garden

Hop On Hop Off Trolleys

Looking for a fun way to see Boston?  The hop on hop off trolleys take you to see all the city's top attractions - plus you can get off and explore on your own whenever you want.  More

Boston restaurants - Quincy Market

Boston Duck Tours

See Boston from land and see on a duck tour.  You'll drive past top historic sites, and then splash down in the Charles River for a tranquil ride along the Boston and Cambridge shores.  More


Explore Boston's Brew Culture

Looking for an entertaining but legit way to see Boston and learn about its history and culture?  

From the time of the first Puritan settlers, beer and taverns have been front and center in Boston life.  These tours give you a fascinating glimpse of this important part of Boston history and current culture:


Entertainment, Sports, & Cultural Things to Do

With four pro sports teams, every kind of music you can imagine every night, a vibrant theater and performing arts scene, and world class museums, you'll never run out of things to do here!

Boston's Theatre District Shows & Performances

Shows & Performances

Boston's lively Theatre District is where to come when you want to experience a great show - everything from Broadway hits to avant garde to Blue Man Group.  More 

House of Blues, site of many Boston Concerts

Concerts

International super stars, jazz, symphony orchestras, indie rock bands, opera - whatever your taste in music, you'll find concerts and shows every night of the year.  More


Boston restaurants

Dining

Lobster dinners, steak houses, Italian, French, and lots more!  Find the best restaurants in top Boston neighborhoods, whether you're a devoted foodie or just want something good to eat.  More

Boston Sports - where to see a game

Sports

Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Patriots - with four winning prof teams and a passionate - some might say "obsessed" - sports culture, you'll find lots to cheer in Boston.  More


Boston comedy clubs

Comedy Clubs

Improv, open mic, standup - Boston's comedy clubs offer top local and national acts, with lots to choose from every night.  More

Boston restaurants - Steakhouses

Boston Nightlife

Looking for something exciting to do after the sun goes down?  Find out about Boston's lively nightlife scene.   More


Boston Museums

Museums

With 50+ museums featuring everything from art to sports, Boston offers collections for every interest.  Find the ones to match your favorite interests.  More

Boston Art Galleries

Art Galleries

Thanks to Boston's large community of artists, you can immerse yourself in galleries all over the city.  Find out where the best art galleries are located.  More


Parks & Green Spaces

Flowers blooming along Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston

Boston Most Famous Parks

Find out about Boston's famous parks and green spaces - Boston Common, the Public Garden, the Greenway, the Esplanade, and more of the city's recreational areas you won't want to miss.  More

One of Boston's almost-secret lesser-known parks

Boston's "Secret" Parks

These parks aren't actually a secret - but even many Boston locals don't know they exist.  They are worth seeking out, and we'll tell you where to find them. 


Celebrations, Top Events, & Fun Things to Do

New Year's Eve / First Night Fireworks

New Year's Eve / First Nights

Celebrate the New Year at First Night festivities with free concerts, fireworks, ice sculptures, performances, & more.  More

Christmas in Boston

Christmas in Boston

Come experience this magical time of the year in Boston, as the city glows with sparkling lights and good cheer.  More


Boston Marathon

Boston Marathon

Come watch (or run) as Boston's world-famous Marathon challenges elite athletes from all over the world.  More

July 4th Celebrations at Boston's Hatch Shell

July 4th Celebration

Boston's Independence Day celebration features a thrilling outdoor concert by the Boston Pops plus fireworks over the city.  More


Boston's Top Holidays & Celebrations

New Year's Eve / First Night  |  Valentine's Day   |   Chinese New Year's Parade  |   St Patrick's Day  |  Patriot's Day   |    Boston Marathon    |    Mother's Day   |   Memorial Day   |  July 4th Concert & Fireworks   |    Labor Day Weekend   |  Indigenous Peoples Day   |   Halloween   |   Veterans Day   |   Thanksgiving  |  Christmas in Boston   |  New Year's Eve / First Night  |  All Boston Events  

More Fun Events & Things to Do

Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race - The biggest flat-bottomed boat race in New England takes place in April

Head of the Charles Regatta - Biggest 3-day rowing race in the world on the 3rd weekend in November


More Things to Do in Boston Each Month

Find the top things to do in Boston each month:

January  |  February  |  April  |  July  |  October  |  November  |  December

Top Events each Month

Free Things to Do & See in Boston


Boston Hotels:  Where to Stay

Choosing a hotel for your Boston visit?   You'll find what you need in our Boston Hotel Guide:

Boston Hotel Guide

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Check our complete Guide to Boston Hotels


Easiest Way to Find a Cheap Boston Hotel

Boston hotel rates can be high - sometimes very high.  How can you find affordable hotel rates for your visit?

The quickest way to find hotels with the cheapest rates is to enter your travel dates on this Boston hotel map from Booking.com.  Zoom in with the + button if necessary, and you should be able to see at a glance which hotel (and apartments and short-stay rentals) offer the lowest rates:

Booking.com

More about how to save on Boston hotels



Exploring Boston

Best Boston Maps

Best Boston Maps

Our recommendations for the best Boston maps to help you get around easily - including our favorite, which is free.   More

Boston Neighborhoods

Boston Neighborhoods

Beacon Hill, Downtown, Back Bay, the North End - find out about the neighborhoods that make up Boston.  More


Sightseeing on the Water

Whale Watching Cruises

Whale Watching

There's a whole other world just beyond Boston Harbor - find out how you can experience whales, dolphins, & sealife.  More

Fall Foliage Cruises

Fall Foliage Cruises

Soak up spectacular fall color around Boston's waterways and up the New England and Canadian coastline.  More


Fall Foliage Cruises

Boston Harbor Islands

Soak up spectacular fall color around Boston's waterways and up the New England and Canadian coastline.  More

Whale Watching Cruises

Harbor & River Cruises

Loooking for another way to see Boston?  Check out these fascinating Boston Harbor and Charles River cruises.  More

More Boston Harbor and river cruises

Last-Minute Cruise Deals from Travelocity 


Fun Things to Do & See

Boston's Beaches

Boston's Beaches

You can easily reach all these wonderful beaches in and close to on public transportation.  More

Boston Kids Favorites

Kids' Favorites

Find all the reasons why kids love Boston - and plan things to do with them now.  More


Fall Foliage in Boston

Fall Foliage in Boston

The best places to see spectacular fall foliage without leaving the city.  More

Rainy Day Activities in Boston

Rainy Day Activities in Boston

Fun things to do in Boston on rainy, snowy, and steamy days.  More


Fun Activities for Each Season

See Boston on Foot - Self-Guided Walking Tours


Top Shopping Destinations

Boston Shopping Guide

Boston Shopping Guide

From fashion boutiques to trendy outdoor markets to art galleries, and more - find out where to go.  More

Wrentham Village Discount Outlets

Wrentham Village Discount Outlets

Want to save money on clothing, home goods, and even chocolate?  Here's where you'll want to go.  More


Where to Find Discounts & Savings

Boston's Ramler Park on an October afternoon
Boston's skyline in November

Want to save on things to do in Boston?  Here are some of our favorite savings tips:


Things to Do Beyond Boston

Day Trips from Boston

Day Trips from Boston

Find out about wonderful places such as Provincetown,  Martha's Vineyard, Newport, and New York City to explore and things to do near Boston.  More

Cruises from Boston

Cruises from Boston

Did you know that Boston's Cruiseport is the gateway to so many places you can visit from Boston?  Europe, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, & more!  More

Don't miss out on these last minute cruise deals from Expedia





Need a Boston Hotel or Apartment?

Use this handy map from Booking.com to find the perfect place to stay.  Just enter your dates to find what's available, see the best rates, and make your reservations.

Booking.com