Things to do around Boston

Boston Public Art

View the City's art collection, watch artist interviews, and find public art throughout Boston.

Tour the State House

Take a 35-45 minute tour of the State Capitol. Admission is free.

See the Bunker Hill Monument

Climb to the top of the monument to the first major battle of the American Revolution for free.

Ride the Swan Boats

Paddle through the Public Garden Lagoon on a 15-minute cruise. It costs $2.75 for adults, $1.50 for kids, and $2.00 for seniors.

Visit the Charles Street Meeting House

The Beacon Hill landmark has a collection of shops, cafes, and historical sites. (Located at the corner of Charles and Mt. Vernon streets)

P&G Gillette Floating Dock

The floating dock on the east side of Fort Point Channel is free to the public. You can launch non-powered crafts like kayaks and canoes. (Launching dock open from dawn until dusk, stationary dock open 24 hours)

Visit the Museum of Fine Arts

There are roughly 450,000 objects in the museum collection. Admission is suggested donation on  Wednesdays from 4 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.

Visit the Mass Historical Society

The gallery and library have rare documents from our nation's history, including the “Remember the ladies” letter from Abigail Adams to her husband, John Adams.

Tour the USS Constitution

Visit the oldest commissioned warship in the world. Admission and guided tours are a suggested donation

Check out the Coit Observatory

The Coit Observatory at Boston University offers free observations of the night sky on clear Wednesdays. An hour-long program teaches you about astronomy while you're stargazing.

See a movie or concert at the Hatch Shell

The Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade offers free events throughout the summer.

Get a discounted pass to a museum

If you have a library card, you can get a discounted pass to many of the City's museums.

Tour the Museum of African American History

The museum preserves the contributions of African American in New England.  Admission is just $5.

Tour the Boston Public Library at Copley

The nation's first public library features architecture and artwork from many famous figures.

Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

If your name is Isabella, you can sign up for free admission for life. You can also get free admission on your birthday by showing your ID.

Check out the Faneuil Hall Street Performers

Faneuil Hall street performers include jugglers, magicians, clowns, mimes, and musicians.

Visit the Institute of Contemporary Art

The institute on Boston's revitalized waterfront features contemporary art and culture. Admission is free on Thursdays from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Ride the public transit ferry

Among its stops, the ferry will take you from Long Wharf in Downtown Boston to the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Visit the Children's Museum

The museum partners with Target to offer $1 Friday nights for families from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Boston Food Trucks

There are food trucks in 20 different locations throughout Boston, all offering various types of food.

Downtown Crossing

Downtown Crossing is home to boutiques, national department stores, and pushcarts.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Faneuil Hall has more than 40 pushcart eateries and 16 world-class restaurants. There’s also plenty of great places to shop.

Haymarket

An open fruit and vegetable market takes place every Friday and Saturday. It’s located along Blackstone Street between Hanover and North Streets. Haymarket even has its own stop on the MBTA.  

Boston Public Market

The first and only locally sourced market in the US. Everything sold at the market is from local New England vendors.

Newbury Street

Some of the most chic and fashionable stores in Boston are located on Newbury.

Copley Place

The upscale mall is filled with great stores and restaurants.

Prudential Center

Located on Boylston Street, the Pru is packed with options for shopping and dining.

Abiel Smith School

The school remembers the life of African Americans from the beginning to the end of slavery, with a focus on the work to give everyone an education.

Boston Children's Museum

The museum has interactive and educational exhibits for kids, in addition to hosting a ton of awesome family friendly events

Boston African American National Historic Site

Learn the story of the African American community in 19th-century Boston.

Boston Athenaeum

The Athenaeum was founded in 1807. It's the oldest independent library and cultural institution in the US.

Boston City Hall Galleries

The Mayor’s Gallery and Scollay Square showcase local artists and groups. The temporary exhibits support the City's creative diversity.

Boston Fire Museum

The museum has taken up space in the old firehouse on Congress Street since 1983. You can see memorabilia and learn more about firefighting.

Boston Public Library

The nation's first public library offers free tours with plenty of architecture and art to explore.

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

Relive December 16, 1773, the famous day when American Colonists opposed British rule (and steeped the Harbor with liber-tea).

Boston University Art Gallery

The Stone, 808, Annex, and Sherman Galleries are all within walking distance to the school’s campus.

Boston Society of Architects Space

The home to the Boston Society of Architects features a gallery on architecture and design. Admission is free.

Commonwealth Museum

The museum about Massachusetts focuses on the history of the state and its people.

Congregational Library and Archives

The Library founded in 1854 features information about the religious activities of the early American colonists.

Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

The institute educates the public about the role of the Senate in our government.

French Cultural Center

The French Library and Cultural Center is a nonprofit that promotes the culture and language of France.

Gibson House Museum

The Back Bay museum is a historical single-family home that's preserved  with original furniture and features dating from the mid- 1800’s.  

Historic New England

The organization is the oldest and largest regional heritage preservation group in the US.

Institute of Contemporary Art

Located on Boston’s waterfront, the picturesque museum is home to works of contemporary art from the past 65 years. The unique architecture in the Poss Family Mediatheque alone makes a visit worthwhile.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

A vibrant woman and patron of the arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner’s legacy lives on in her Venetian style home preserved as a Museum.  The Gardner Museum features contemporary and historic art, music, and even has an artist-in-residence program.

John F. Kennedy Library and Museum

The library located in Dorchester is a tribute to the life and leadership of President Kennedy.

Mary Baker Eddy Library

At the museum and research library, you can find out why Mary Baker Eddy was one of the most influential women of the 19th century.

Massachusetts Historical Society

The independent research library preserves the history of Massachusetts.

Museum of African American History

The museum works to maintain an accurate history of African-American lives in colonial times.

Museum of Fine Arts

The museum features many exhibits and galleries, including one of the world's largest Asian art collections in addition to one of the most important Egyptian collections both in breadth and depth

Museum of Science

From butterflies to nanotechnology: the  interactive museum features  hands-on exhibits and even a planetarium.

New England Sports Museum

Learn more about the City of Champions and Boston’s sports legacy at the museum inside TD Banknorth Garden.  

Nichols House Museum

The historic home shows what domestic life was like in Beacon Hill at the turn of the last century.

Old North Church

The oldest surviving church in Boston is also the place where two famous lanterns were lit to signal Paul Revere’s ride.

Old South Meeting House

The National Historic Landmark was part of the events that shaped democracy in the US.

Old State House

Find out the role the Old State House played in the American Revolution.

Paul Revere House

The former home of Paul Revere and the oldest building in downtown Boston.

Trinity Church

Trinity Church is still home to a thriving congregation in Copley Square.

U.S.S. Constitution Museum

Learn the history of the ship and the people who sailed her.

Russell Museum of Medical History and Innovation

Discover the story of Mass General Hospital through interactive exhibits, artifacts, and photos.

The Vilna Shul

A place to learn about Jewish culture and history for ages 12 and up.

Warren Anatomical Museum

The collection of roughly 15,000 artifacts and cases includes anatomical models, photos, paintings, and more.

William Hickling Prescott House

Once home to the author William Hickling Prescott, the museum features his original study and a bedroom from the late 18th century.

West End Museum

The neighborhood museum preserves the history and culture of the West End.