Boston, Massachusetts – home to the famous baked beans, Harvard University, Fenway Park, the Boston Marathon, and of course to the bar from Cheers. From its waterfront restaurants to the best spots for families, there are so many things to do in Boston. 

For many, Boston often feels like a small town with the perks of city living. Boston is historic, but it is constantly changing. For instance, the city’s metro area treats people to a diverse culinary scene, cultural institutions, world-class schools, and so much more. This Massachusetts city, the largest in the state, may be advanced in terms of healthcare and technology, but its people’s love for pastimes like cheering on hometown heroes at Fenway Park will still be present. 

In this travel guide, we’ll take a look at the best things to do in Boston. We’re glad to have you here.

Your Definitive Guide To The Best Things To Do In Boston

Boston is impeccably beautiful, so it is just right that you take on a journey on the best things to do in Boston.

1. Journey At The Freedom Trail

The first activity on our list of the best things to do in Boston is journeying the famous Freedom Trail. Stretching two-and-a-half miles, this trail weaves past Boston’s most historic sites, such as the Old North Church, Paul Revere House, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. 

If you want to experience everything about Freedom Trail, it is advised that you allot at least half a day, and don’t forget to wear very comfy walking shoes. There will be a lot of walking. But, if you are just passing by, you can plot the points of your interest. 

Navigating the Freedom Trail on your own is easy, but many frequent travelers recommend that you avail of a guided tour or download the app that tells you about the sites here. 

2. Explore Boston Common, The Oldest Public Park 

Boston Common holds the reputation of being the oldest public park, together with the nearby Public Garden, which is America’s first botanical garden. A lot of history here, isn’t it?

The Public Garden is also a mini Paris park, laden with pathways designed for promenading, a petite lagoon fringed with weeping willows which a wrought-iron bridge crosses, and formal flower beds. 

Traveling with your kids? Your family should not forget to ride the Swan Boats, which – can you even believe? – was introduced in the 1870s.

Then, after enjoying the Public Garden, head over to the Boston Common, once a dangerous place but now a hangout area for lunch for students, families, and downtown office workers. There’s the Frog Pond where you can ice-skate, but this depends on the season. You may also play softball or tennis, lounge as you read a book, play with your pets, or picnic at the place’s open café seating with free Wi-Fi. Boston Common is open for everyone.

3. See Harvard University And MIT In-Person

For sure, at least once in your life, you’ve dreamed about studying at Harvard University. Or, if your course is science or engineering, you’ve also dreamed about schooling at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. If you are reading this “things to do in Boston” guide and you are studying in either of those universities, you should be so proud.

But for those who are not, you can be a tourist and see Harvard University and MIT up close and personal. To do so, head over to Cambridge, which is located around three miles northwest of Boston’s city center. 

Harvard University, for instance, welcomes visitors to a campus visit. This campus visit features an hour of information session with the school’s admissions officer and one to two current undergraduate students, followed by a one-hour campus tour facilitated likewise by a current undergraduate student. 

After exploring the campuses, you may also visit the Harvard Art Museums where you can find art styles through the years, modern photography, 13th century sculpture, paintings from legends like Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock, and so much more. If you are a history geek, you can visit Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology where there are exhibits about Latin American cultures and the evolution of American eating habits, among others. If science is more your forte, head to the Harvard Museum of Natural History where you can find dinosaur fossils, rare minerals, and more.

4. Feeling Eccentric? You’ll Love It At Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is among the most famous and favorite museums not just in Boston but across America. The museum presents the vast art collection of its eponymous, not to mention eccentric, founder, Isabella Stewart Gardner. In her will, she asked for her art collection to be permanently exhibited “for the education and enjoyment of the public forever.”

Stewart Gardner had a thirst for travel, the Bohemian lifestyle, and the fine luxuries of ancient civilization. The museum is set within a Venetian-style palazzo that surrounds a rather elegant courtyard. Here, you can find masterpieces from various artists in history such as Botticelli and Raphael. 

The founder herself delicately curated the collection consisting of over 7,500 fine and decorative art objects, 2,700 books and manuscripts, and more than 8,000 historic objects from across the globe, including textiles, metalworks, ceramics, and more which she collected when she was still alive. Definitely, this is one of the things to do in Boston that you should not skip during your trip.

Can’t get enough of this “things to do in Boston” guide? Find more on this website. 

5. Watch A Broadway Musical At The Boston Opera House

Who says you need to be in New York City to watch a Broadway musical? While the Big Apple is where the real Broadway is, there are also Broadway shows presented here at the Boston Opera House.

Small yet spectacular, the Boston Opera House is a Rococo building located nearby the heart of Downtown Crossing, and has an interesting past. It opened in 1928 and was previously named the B.F. Keith Memorial Theatre, and was designed by famous cinema architect, Thomas Lamb. 

For more than two decades, it thrived as a cinema then became an adults-only theater. The building did not withstand time, but in 2004, it was renovated and reopened, featuring its  baroque décor of fairytale white terra cotta, crystal chandeliers, and gilded moldings. 

Here, you can watch the Boston Ballet (they call the Boston Opera House their home), Broadway musicals, and big name musical sensations. 

6. Watch The Boston Red Sox At Fenway Park

Right now until early October (it started last April), it’s baseball season. People looking for things to do in Boston in this manner head over to Fenway Park, where fans gather to witness America’s favorite pastime, baseball.

Fenway Park is also home to the Boston Red Sox. This stadium has been the place where home runs, stolen bases, and grounders happen since 1912. Even if you are not a diehard Boston Red Sox fan, it is recommended that you include Fenway Park in your itinerary. Its architecture is breathtaking, a backdrop for the heart-pounding matches. 

Must-see attractions in the park include Pesky’s Pole, the right field foul pole named after former Boston Red Sox player, Johnny Pesky, as well as the 37-foot-tall “Green Monster” wall in the left field. 

Aside from this “things to do in Boston” piece, here’s another must-read from Photoguides: Best Photography Spots In Boston

7. Seaport Is Boston’s Best Place For Shopping

Seaport is a new bustling neighborhood in Boston that is oozing with such a unique appeal. It is where you can immerse into art, culture, food and drinks, and events. But aside from these all, Seaport has also been equated to limitless shopping. 

Some of the brands at Seaport include Bluemercury, Bonobos, Lululemon, Everlane, Reebok, and so much more. Though you cannot find the luxury brands here, such as Givenchy or Louis Vuitton, Seaport is still worth checking out.

8. Immerse Into History At Boston Public Library

There are a lot of things to do in Boston, and one of them is visiting the Boston Public Library. This library is the oldest municipally-funded lending library across America. For instance, the library’s McKim building is the masterwork of iconic Gilded Age architect, Charles Follen McKim. 

Here, you can participate in activities such as tours, lectures, and exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts make sure not to miss the library’s Art & Architecture Tours, featuring architectural marvels across history. 

But beyond books, the museum houses many other treasures, including the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, home to over 250,000 geographic objects.

9. Remember The Boston Tea Party

Of course, Boston was once the venue of one of the world’s most defiant acts, the Boston Tea Party. The Boston Tea Party was a political protest that happened in December 1773 at Griffin’s Wharf where American colonists dumped into the harbor over 300 chests of tea the British East India Company had imported, to show their frustration and anger at Britain for imposing “taxation without representation.” This event was the first major act of defiance to Britain’s rule over the colonists. 

Where else is best to remember this event than in Boston? Here, there is an interactive and a hands-on museum that provides visitors a closer look at the moments of the Boston Tea Party with an entertaining twist. 

Guests can toss fake tea overboard just like how the Boston Tea Party did it before, climb aboard replicas of ships, and talk to period actors about history. The exhibit also features 3D holograms, the authentic tea chest from the Boston Tea Party, and more. Also, two of the three ships have been recreated, the Eleanor and Beaver.

10. Join A Boston Walking And Tasting Food Tour

Nowadays, walking food tours are popular in various locations around the world because it allows tourists to explore a place’s food scene in one tour. Here in Boston, you can take a walking and tasting food tour that lets you sample some of the city’s most delicious bites, as well as enjoy a tour around the area’s charms and Italian heritage. 

You can choose between several start times, depending on what’s convenient for you, such as the tour offered by Viator. Be sure to bring your appetite. You’ll get to try clam chowder, lobster rolls, pasta, and cannoli. At the end of the food tour, you’ll also be able to enjoy a sumptuous “secret dish” that will only be revealed to you on the day of the tour. Sounds fascinating? Hop on!

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Things To Do In Boston: The Boston Food Scene

Aside from the best things to do in Boston, we are also going to take you on a culinary journey as we present the best restaurants where you can eat while you are in Boston. 

• o ya
• Mamma Maria
• Uni
• Faccia a Faccia
• Krasi
• Hunter’s Kitchen + Bar
• Mooncusser
• Bistro du Midi, and so much more!

Bring It On, Boston!

Nestled in the heart of New England, the state of Massachusetts exudes charm, history, and natural beauty. From Cape Cod’s rocky coastline to the Berkshires’ rolling hills, Massachusetts is a tapestry of scenic landscapes both diverse and breathtaking. The state is regarded for its historic spots, world-renowned universities, and a vibrant cultural scene.

If you are heading to Massachusetts, spend some time in Boston and explore the many things to do in Boston. 

Boston completely reflects what its home state is all about. This capital city of Massachusetts is a hub of culture, history, and innovation. Known as the “Cradle of Liberty,” the city features towering skyscrapers, chic boutiques, and trendy restaurants in its downtown area, seamlessly blending with historic landmarks such as the Old South Meeting House and Massachusetts State House.

Here, you can also find grand Victorian-era mansions and high-end shops that line the city’s picturesque streets – perfect if you are seeking the magnificence of history. Boston has successfully struck the balance between history and innovation, making it a must-visit city for anybody in search of a taste of quintessential New England charm and life.

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