Boston MassachusettsATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Boston, Massachusetts.
1. Fenway Park
HISTORIC BASEBALL STADIUM
Fenway Park is a hallowed ground to baseball fans and the century-old home field of the Boston Red Sox. Fans often flock to this iconic stadium to catch a game over beer and hot dogs during the baseball season. The historic ballpark is considered one of the most beloved sporting venues in America, offering a unique atmosphere that blends tradition with modern entertainment.
2. Freedom Trail
HISTORIC WALKING PATH
The Freedom Trail is a historical trail showcasing a scenic walk past key landmarks of Boston's revolutionary history, complete with clear signage and engaging stops. This 2.5-mile red-brick path connects 16 nationally significant historic sites throughout the city. Visitors can explore the trail at their own pace or enhance their experience with guided or audio tours that bring Boston's rich history to life.
3. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
INTERACTIVE HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE
The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum offers interactive reenactments that bring this pivotal historical event to life, complete with period costumes and a hands-on tea-throwing experience. The museum includes full-scale replicas of the Eleanor and Beaver, two of the ships involved in the original protest. Visitors can also enjoy the diverse tea room and gift shop to complete their immersive journey into Revolutionary War history.
4. Museum of Fine Arts
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston houses one of the most comprehensive art collections in the world with over 450,000 works of art. The museum features an impressive range of exhibits from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary art installations. Visitors can explore galleries showcasing European masterpieces, Asian treasures, American classics, and rotating special exhibitions that highlight diverse artistic traditions and innovations.
5. North End
BOSTON'S LITTLE ITALY
The North End is Boston's oldest residential neighborhood and a vibrant Italian-American enclave filled with narrow streets and historic charm. Visitors can indulge in authentic Italian cuisine at numerous restaurants, bakeries, and cafes that line Hanover and Salem Streets. The neighborhood is also home to important historical sites including the Old North Church and Paul Revere's House, making it a perfect blend of culinary delights and American history.
6. Boston Public Garden
SCENIC URBAN OASIS
The Boston Public Garden is America's first public botanical garden, established in 1837 as a Victorian-style paradise. Visitors can enjoy the famous Swan Boat rides that have been operating on the garden's lagoon since 1877. The meticulously maintained grounds feature seasonal flower displays, ornamental trees, and iconic statues including the popular Make Way for Ducklings sculpture that pays homage to Robert McCloskey's beloved children's book.
7. Boston Public Library
ARCHITECTURAL LITERARY TREASURE
The Boston Public Library, founded in 1848, was the first large free municipal library in the United States and remains one of the most architecturally significant. The McKim Building in Copley Square features stunning Renaissance Revival architecture with breathtaking interior spaces including Bates Hall and the Abbey Room with its famous murals. Beyond its impressive collection of over 23 million items, the library offers art exhibitions, lectures, and tours of its historic buildings.
8. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
VENETIAN PALACE OF ART
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum houses an extraordinary collection of art displayed in a stunning Venetian-style palace built by its eponymous founder. The museum is arranged exactly as Gardner intended, with paintings, furniture, textiles, and objects from various cultures and periods integrated throughout the atmospheric rooms. Visitors can also enjoy the spectacular glass-enclosed courtyard garden that changes with the seasons and provides a tranquil center to this unique cultural institution.
9. Bunker Hill Monument
REVOLUTIONARY WAR MEMORIAL
The Bunker Hill Monument is a 221-foot granite obelisk that commemorates the first major battle of the American Revolution fought on June 17, 1775. Visitors can climb the 294 steps to reach the top, where they're rewarded with stunning views of Boston's waterfront and skyline. The interpretive center at the monument's base includes interactive exhibits about colonial life, military tactics, and the historical significance of this pivotal Revolutionary War battle.
10. Old North Church
REVOLUTIONARY WAR LANDMARK
Old North Church, completed in 1723, is Boston's oldest standing church building and one of the most revered historical attractions in the city. The church became famous for its role in Paul Revere's Midnight Ride when two lanterns were hung from its steeple on April 18, 1775, signaling the advance of British troops. Today, visitors can explore this beautiful example of Georgian architecture and learn about its pivotal role in launching the American Revolution through informative guided tours.
11. Faneuil Hall Marketplace
HISTORIC SHOPPING DESTINATION
Faneuil Hall Marketplace combines historic Faneuil Hall with three modern market buildings: Quincy Market, North Market, and South Market. This bustling marketplace features over 100 shops, restaurants, and food vendors offering everything from Boston classics like clam chowder to international cuisine. Street performers and artists add to the vibrant atmosphere of this popular destination that has served as a marketplace and meeting hall since 1743.
12. New England Aquarium
MARINE LIFE SHOWCASE
The New England Aquarium is a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation housing thousands of aquatic animals from around the world. The centerpiece of the aquarium is the giant four-story Ocean Tank, a 200,000-gallon tank simulating a Caribbean coral reef ecosystem complete with sharks, sea turtles, and hundreds of tropical fish. Visitors can also enjoy the outdoor harbor seal exhibit, penguin colony, touch tanks, and IMAX theater that showcases nature documentaries on a massive screen.
13. Harvard Square
INTELLECTUAL CULTURAL HUB
Harvard Square is a vibrant commercial center and cultural hub adjacent to Harvard University in neighboring Cambridge. This historic gathering place features an eclectic mix of bookstores, cafes, restaurants, and unique shops that reflect the area's intellectual heritage. Visitors can enjoy street performers, seasonal festivals, and the opportunity to explore both the Harvard campus and the diverse urban landscape that surrounds this iconic university district.
14. Newbury Street
UPSCALE SHOPPING BOULEVARD
Newbury Street is Boston's premier shopping destination, stretching eight blocks from the Public Garden to Massachusetts Avenue through the historic Back Bay neighborhood. This charming tree-lined boulevard features a mix of luxury brands, local boutiques, art galleries, and salons housed in converted 19th-century brownstones. Visitors can enjoy sidewalk cafes, fine dining establishments, and people-watching in one of America's most picturesque shopping districts.
15. Legal Sea Foods
ICONIC BOSTON SEAFOOD
Legal Sea Foods is a Boston institution that began as a fish market in 1950 and has grown into one of the city's most recognized restaurant groups known for fresh, quality seafood. The restaurant's signature clam chowder has been served at every presidential inauguration since 1981. With multiple locations throughout the city, including their flagship Long Wharf restaurant overlooking Boston Harbor, Legal Sea Foods offers visitors an authentic taste of New England's maritime culinary traditions.