To frequent visitors, Boston feels like a bit city with a small town feel. Sure, there are some tall buildings, however, most travelers meander down the narrow streets and pass historic buildings. There is a friendliness to Boston, like you’re part of the family as residents share their unique New England culture with travelers. From the bountiful seafood to the integral part that it played in American History to its world-class museums, Boston is a top destination in the U.S. For visitors, here are the best things to do in Boston.
23 Best Things to Do in Boston
Visit the Public Garden
Walk through the Boston Common
Walk The Freedom Trail
Visit a Burying Ground
See Faneuil Hall
Visit the Old North Church
Tour Paul Revere House
Visit the Old South Meeting House
Walk by the Boston Massacre Site and the Old State House
Stroll through the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Tour the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Visit the New England Aquarium
Head to the Boston Children’s Museum
Stroll Along the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway
Play at the Boston Children’s Museum
See a Game at Fenway Park
Take the Sam Adams Brewery Tour
See the Trinity Church
Tour the Boston Public Library
Visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
Walk Through Copley Square
Shop Newbury Street
Visit the Universities in Cambridge
Visit the Public Garden
In the center of Downtown Boston, there are two parks side-by-side. One is the Public Garden, and the other is Boston Common,
The Public Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the U.S. Established in 1837, it offers a peaceful escape with winding paths and lots of landscaping, more decorative than the Boston Common.
For most first-time visitors, I recommend riding on one of the Swan Boats. It is a Boston tradition. Robert Paget launched the first swan boat in 1877.
The Public Garden also houses the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture, dedicated to Robert McCloskey’s iconic children’s book. The bronze Mallard Duck and Her Ducklings by Nancy Schön has been a park landmark since 1987. It is located at the corner of Beacon St. and Charles St.
Located at 4 Charles St. Open from mid-April until Labor Day. Spring hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission $4.50 and $2.50 kids for kids 2-15 with babies 2 and under riding for free.
Walk through the Boston Common
Boston Common is the oldest park in the U.S., dating back to 1634. It was a cow pasture until 1830 when the British Army camped there during the Revolutionary War.
Now, it’s the official start of the Boston Freedom Trail. The Boston Common is 50 acres in size.
Located at 115 Boylston St. Free to visit and open from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Boston Common Visitor Center
The Boston Common Visitor Center offers brochures about Boston, and the start of the Freedom Trail is outside its building. Outlined with red brick (or sometimes red paint), the Freedom Trail will guide visitors along its route.
139 Tremont St., it is Open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., is free to enter, and has public restrooms.
How to See Boston in One Day along the Boston Freedom Trail
Walk The Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile paved trail through Boston. Visitors can see the 16 most important sites from the American Revolution against England by walking along its route that snakes through Downtown, North End and Charlestown.
The best way to see Boston is to walk The Freedom Trail. There are several options. You can take a guided walking tour. Or you can download a self-guided tour and walk it on your own. I have done both, and it’s up to your schedule and budget.
The Freedom Trail organization offers several tours that start on the hour and last 90 minutes.
The National Park Service offers an official NPS Boston App with the Freedom Trail. It is free, and I have used it on one of my trips,
Visitors will visit several National Park sites along the Freedom Trail, part of Boston National Historical Park. There are two visitor centers for Boston National Historical Park: Faneuil Hall Visitor Center and Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center. Both offer maps, restrooms, Park Rangers and Junior Ranger Booklets.
Junior Ranger booklets are available at the visitors center on the first floor of Faneuil Hall. Open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Worth noting several buildings along the Freedom Trail charge admission.
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Visit a Burying Ground
Really, there are several burying grounds, or historic cemeteries in Boston. Some of the gravestones are so old they are slowly falling down.
They are free to visit and open during the day. Just a reminder, please stay on paths. Here are a couple of the most popular.
Granary Burying Ground
Find Paul Revere and John Hancock’s gravestones in the burying ground (cemetery). Established in 1660, it was named after the granary (a building that stored grain) located next door.
With 2,300 gravestones, visitors will find some with soul effigies, creepy little skull with wings. I know it sounds creepy, though it’s an official stop, and my school-age kids loved it–who knew.
Located on 95 Tremont St.
The King’s Chapel and the King’s Chapel Burying Ground
Founded in 1696, the King’s Chapel was the first Anglican church. The current building was erected in 1754 and made of granite. The King’s Chapel Burying Ground is the oldest English cemetery in Boston.
Located at 58 Tremont St.
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See Faneuil Hall
A busy marketplace since 1742, Faneuil Hall has been named the cradle of liberty. Colonists protested against the Sugar and Stamp Acts at Faneuil Hall, which also hosted the first town meeting in Boston.
Inside, you can find out more information about Grand Hall tours. Kids can earn their NPS Junior Ranger badge at Faneuil Hall, too. This is one of the top places to see Boston in One Day with kids.
This is an ideal time to take a break and get a bite to eat. Faneuil Hall is part of a three-building area with shopping and dining. Quincy Market is also located nearby, and this area offers street performers and is pedestrian-friendly.
Located at 1 Faneuil Hall Square. Free to enter. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as the NPS Visitor Center. The Great Hall is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both are operated by the National Park Service.
Visit the Old North Church
Built in 1723, it is the oldest church in Boston. On April 18, 1775, two Sons of Liberty placed lanterns in its steeple, signaling the advancement of the British Redcoats to the patriots.
Visitors can also visit its crypt. This is in the basement, and over 1,100 graves are located here.
Located at 193 Salem St. Open Monday day to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $5 per person.
Tip: If your kids are tired, you can grab a taxi or ride share to U.S.S. Constitution and skip Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. From Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, it’s a .9-mile walk to the U.S.S. Constitution. We did this to save time and steps.
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Tour Paul Revere House
Built in 1680, Paul Revere bought the house in 1770 for his family. He shared the house with his mother, his wife and nine of his 16 children.
The Paul Revere House is the oldest structure in downtown Boston. It offers a glimpse into Colonial Boston’s domestic life. It is a must-visit for your Boston in One Day with kids. I have visited the Paul Revere House several times.
Located at 19 North Square. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (4:15 p.m. in winter) and closed on Mondays in January, February and March. Admission is $6 for adults and $1 for kids 5 to 17.
Visit the Old South Meeting House
Built in 1729, it was the largest building in Colonial Boston and where the talks of revolution started. A public museum since 1877, it offers an in-depth history lesson about the Boston Tea Party.
This is a must-stop along the Freedom Trail.
Located at 310 Washington St. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round. Adult admission is $15, students are $13, kids 6 to 12 are $8. Admission is required and covers the Old South Meeting House and Old State House.
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Walk by the Boston Massacre Site and the Old State House
Built in 1713, the Old State House housed the Colonial government and is the oldest surviving public building in Boston. On March 5, 1770, five colonists were killed by British soldiers in a confrontation outside of the Old State House.
This confrontation became known as the Boston Massacre and led to the American Revolution. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read from its balcony.
Located at 206 Washington St. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round. Adult admission is $15, students are $13, kids 6 to 12 are $8. Admission is required and covers the Old South Meeting House and Old State House.
Stroll through the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
This is the primary art museum in Boston and the 20th largest art museum in the U.S. With 8,161 paintings and more than 450,000 works of art it is one of the most comprehensive in the U.S. If you have time for just one art museum, pick the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
If you are a Claude Monet fan, the MFA Boston boasts the largest selection of Monet’s work outside of France. In a dedicated gallery, visitors can see Egyptian mummies and over140 objects from the ancient culture.
The MFA Boston offers dedicated galleries to Chinese art and objects, as well as Korean works. Visitors will find the art of the Pacific, with decorative objects from New Guinea, Easter Island and Hawaii.
Located at 465 Huntington Ave. Open Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Adult admission is $27, youth (7 to 17) are $10 and those 6 and younger enter for free.
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Tour the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Built in 1901 by heiress Isabella Stewart Gardner, this building is not her house, as some visitors initially thought. Architect Willard T. Sears built it specifically as a museum.
This museum displays its art in the salon style, so it is stacked on the walls in smaller rooms. Visitors must use a guide to identify artwork inside the wall placards most museums use today. Highlights at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum include several works by John Singer Sargert, including El Jaleo and a portrait of Gardner.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum displays examples of European, Asian, and American art. An avid traveler, Isabella Stewart Gardner collected many items on her travels. In total, the collection includes 7,500 paintings, sculptures, furniture, textiles, silver and ceramics, along with a collection of rare books.
However, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is most known for the art heist on March 18, 1990. In the wee hours, two thieves entered the museum and carted off 13 works of art. The works included three from Rembrandt: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Christ in a Storm on the Sea of Galilee and A Lady and Gentleman in Black. Several works by Edgar Degas were stolen, including some of his sketches. The Concert by Johannes Vermeer and Chez Tortoni by Edouard Manet was also removed. The artist was never returned, and the thieves remain at large.
Located at 25 Evans Way. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Adult admission is $20, students are $13, and those 18 and younger enter for free. Timed entry online reservations are recommended.
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Visit the New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is located on Central Wharf and overlooks the Boston Harbor. It is a must for animal lovers.
It offers exhibits with Atlantic Harbor Seals and California sea lions, both popular for their personalities. The penguin exhibit takes a central place in the aquarium with over 50 African and Southern Rockhopper penguins.
The New England Aquarium also offers fresh and saltwater tanks with Giant Pacific octopuses, rays and sharks. Visitors will find a Green Sea Turtle too.
In addition to the aquarium, visitors can watch an interpretive film. The New England Aquarium also offers whale-watching tours. Outside, Dockside is open to the public and offers a beer garden and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
Located at 1 Central Wharf, Boston. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $34, kids (3 to 11) are $25, with those 2 and younger entering for free.
Head to the Boston Children’s Museum
For families with younger children, the Boston Children’s Museum is a must. It sits on the Children’s Wharf along the Fort Point Channel and is the second-oldest children’s museum in the U.S.
Visitors can enjoy a hands-on facility with an emphasis on STEM activities. With three floors, the exhibits run from the Japanese House to the Fenway Gardens to maker labs and more.
Located at 308 Congress St, Boston. Open Sunday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General Admission is $22 per person, 1 and older and babies are free.
Take a Ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Parks
Located in Boston Harbor, Boston Harbor Islands National and State Parks encompass 34 islands and peninsulas. Some of the more popular islands are Georges Island, Paddocks Island, Spectacle Island and Cathleen Stone Island (formerly Thompson Island).
Each offers its own activities, from exploring Fort Warren on Georges Island to the visitors center on Paddocks Island to the programming at Cathleen Stone Island. Visitors should take food and water for their trip.
During my last visit, I took a ferry to Cathleen Island for an evening event. From its beach, it offers a stunning view of Boston. We could see the aircraft on final approach at Logan International Airport.
A ferry is required to visit the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Parks. Ferries run from mid-May until mid-October. Adult ferry tickets start at $24.95, kids (3 to 11) are $17.95 and kids, 2 and younger ride for free. All passengers need a ticket to ride the ferry.
Stroll Along the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway
A generation ago, Boston’s Big Dig made headlines as the city pored under downtown Boston to move Interstate 93 underground. The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway is a 1.5-mile-long greenspace where the roadway once was.
It offers lots of green space to explore. Visitors can use the route to get to the North End, the New England Aquarium and Faneuil Hall. It offers the Greenway Carousel, outdoor tables and swings for both adults and kids. There is lots of landscaping and water features.
It is located on Atlantic Ave. It is free to enter.
Play at the Boston Children’s Museum
For families with younger children, the Boston Children’s Museum is a must. It sits on the Children’s Wharf along the Fort Point Channel and is the second-oldest children’s museum in the U.S.
Visitors can enjoy a hands-on facility with an emphasis on STEM activities. With three floors, the exhibits run from the Japanese House to the Fenway Gardens to maker labs and more.
Located at 308 Congress St, Boston. Open Sunday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General Admission is $22 per person, 1 and older and babies are free.
See a Game at Fenway Park
It takes less than a minute to realize that Bostonians love their hometown team: The Boston Red Sox. After watching a game at Fenway Park, I am here to say it’s worth the hype. So if you’re a baseball fan, try to snag some tickets.
If the Boston Red Sox are on the road, you can still tour the 1912 ballpark called America’s Most Beloved Ballpark. Tours are offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., spring to fall and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the winter. Tours depart on the hour, adult admission is $25, and kids ( 12 and younger) are $17—reservations are required.
Located at 4 Jersey St, Boston.
Take the Sam Adams Brewery Tour
Bostonians love their baseball. And they love their beer, Sam Adams Beer. You can get a pint of Sam Adams at any bar in Boston.
However, to learn more about beer, schedule a tour of the brewery. It offers several types of tours: Sam Adams Signature Experience and Beyond the Brewhouse. Both are about an hour.
I took the Sam Adams Signature Experience, which included an overview of the brewing process. During our tour, we sampled several beers, from its Boston Ale to seasonal flavors. Best of all, we got to keep our tasting glass. It was a fun experience for adults (21+), and kids were allowed on the tour. They just have to be 21+ to sample.
Located at 30 Germania St., Boston. Several tours are offered daily, and tour tickets start at $10 per person.
See the Trinity Church
The Trinity Church is a National Historic Landmark, designed by Henry Richardson and completed in 1877. It’s one of the ten most significant buildings in the U.S. by the American Institute of Architects.
It offers tours of the building from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and during July and August, it offers tours on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult (15+) admission is $10 and kids enter for free.
Located at 206 Clarendon St., and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
Tour the Boston Public Library
The Boston Public Library is a National Historic Landmark designed by McKim, Meade, and White in 1895. It is in the Renaissance Beaux-Arts Classicism style and features a mural by John Singer Sargent and an inner courtyard.
The central library offers free Art and Architecture tours several times a week. They are first come, first served and last about an hour.
Located at 700 Boylston St, Boston.
Visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, designed by IM Pei, is part of the University of Massachusetts. It offers exhibits covering the 35th U.S. President from his early life through the 1960 election.
In addition, visitors will see a replica of the Oval Office from his administration. Exhibits discuss the U.S. space program and one is dedicated to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.
Located at Columbia Point, Boston. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $18, youth (13 to 17) are $10 and kids 12 and younger enter for free.
Walk Through Copley Square
A popular area in Back Bay, it features hotels, restaurants and shopping, as well as the Prudential Building and the John Hancock Building. It also features historic buildings like the Trinity Church, the New Old South Church and the Boston Public Library.
Bound by Boylston Street, Clarendon Street, St. James Avenue and Dartmouth Street.
Shop Newbury Street
Located in Back Bay, Newbury Street is a dining, shopping and entertainment district. Its 19th-century brownstone buildings add to the ambiance.
Newbury Street runs east-west from the Public Garden to Brookline Avenue in Back Bay.
Visit the Universities in Cambridge
Across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge is technically a suburb of Boston. It is home to Harvard University.
Travelers head to Cambridge to tour Harvard University or visit its museums, like the Harvard Art Museum and The Harvard Museum of Natural History. Another top spot to visit is Harvard Square.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is also located in Cambridge. Families with teens can spend an entire day in Cambridge. To tour colleges, make reservations in advance as the tours fill up.
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