With an enduring revolutionary spirit, Boston welcomes visitors looking to explore America’s past and the city’s current culture. Follow the Freedom Trail to discover colorful neighborhoods dotted with historic sites and parks. Then try the chowder (or chowda, as the locals would say). Also consider heading to the Italian-centric North End for cannoli and pizza or catching a ballgame at Fenway Park. From its unique eats to cultural institutions to historical attractions, there are plenty of things to do in Boston.
Here, get your guide to Boston’s best attractions, tours, and more.
The city is best-visited in the early fall, when the New England leaves have started to turn, yet the weather is still sunny and pleasant. Summers can be hot and humid, but they welcome a wealth of outdoor things to do in Boston, from baseball games to Italian feasts in the North End. Spring is mild and comfortable, while winters are cold and often snowy.
The city’s public transit system, known locally as the T, has three metro and two light rail lines that serve most parts of the city. To supplement the T, there is extensive bus coverage throughout the city. Boston is fairly compact, and it is easy to both walk and bike around it.
Driving is an option, though parking can be difficult, depending on which part of the city you are in. If you’re flying into Logan International Airport, you can rent a car, use a ride-hailing app, or take the Silver Line, a bus rapid transit system that connects to South Station downtown.
Spread across 1,100 acres (445 hectares), the Emerald Necklace is a long chain of parks and waterways designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead. Notable green spaces within the Emerald Necklace include the Boston Common, the Boston Public Garden, and Arnold Arboretum. Visit one of the parks to bike, walk, picnic, or simply take a break from sightseeing. Other extensive parkways include the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, formed after the Big Dig project moved a major highway underground in the early 90s.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone EST (UTC -5) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 75 | Tours 380 | Reviews 51,179 |
A native New Englander, Boston-based Angelica spends as much free time by the ocean as possible, and her favorite coastal town is Newport, Rhode Island.
explore each of the downtown neighborhoods on foot. Walking the Freedom Trail, either independently or on a tour, is a good way to get started.
starts with brunch at Lincoln Tavern and includes a walk along the Waterfront or Seaport, shopping at Faneuil Hall, and an Italian dinner in the North End, with espresso martinis at Caffè Vittoria afterward.
Fenway Park. It's the oldest ballpark in America and great even for non-baseball fans. Take a stadium tour or catch a Red Sox game during baseball season.
stop by some of the historical sites, such as the Paul Revere House or Bunker Hill Monument, or catch a Red Sox, Bruins, or Celtics game. It doesn’t hurt to try a lobster roll either!
take a harbor cruise, get drinks at a rooftop bar (try the Envoy Hotel), or walk across the Harvard Bridge and see Boston from the Cambridge side of the Charles River.
If you have just one day here, discover historic highlights of the Freedom Trail (including Faneuil Hall and Boston Common) before walking or biking along the Charles River. You can also admire city views on a Boston Harbor boat tour, browse boutiques on Newbury Street, and explore the city’s lively Chinatown.
...MoreOne of the country's oldest cities, Boston is famous for its history, boasting landmarks such as Faneuil Hall and the Paul Revere House. It's also known for its world-class universities (including Harvard, technically in nearby Cambridge), seafood, and sports: don't miss the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
...MoreYes, Boston is generally a safe city, and its most central neighborhoods typically have lower crime rates than the outlying areas that visitors are less likely to explore. Like any major city, it's worth being street-smart: be attentive to valuables (especially in crowded areas where pickpockets may operate), and take caution at night.
...MoreThree days is plenty of time to discover the city’s highlights. On day one, tour the historical landmarks along the Freedom Trail and visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. On the second day, explore nearby Cambridge (and Harvard University, its top highlight). Devote the third day to the characterful neighborhoods such as Back Bay, Fenway-Kenmore, and Chinatown.
...MoreBoston is full of unmissable sights, and no visit is complete without a stroll on Boston Common, a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, and a trip to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. It's also worth visiting Harvard University in Cambridge—and indulging in a lobster roll at a seafood restaurant.
...MoreYes. It was recently ranked the third-most expensive city in the United States, and high-end hotels and top-drawer restaurants cost a pretty penny. That said, there are plenty of budget-friendly things to do in Boston, from strolls along the Freedom Trail to brewery tours at Sam Adams and cheap eats in Chinatown.
...MoreBecause of its rich history, Boston is best explored with a local expert who can help you delve deeper into the city’s heritage. Get your guide to lead you down the Freedom Trail and reveal the top North End spots for Boston’s famous Italian cuisine.
...More
