Things to do · Boston, Massachusetts, US

Things to Do in Boston

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Getting there
Boston is served by Logan International Airport, which sits about four kilometres from downtown and handles most domestic and many international flights, especially from New York, Chicago, and Washington. Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor brings the city within a three‑hour train ride from New York and a six‑hour trip from Washington, while major interstates (I‑90, I‑95) and the MBTA commuter rail provide easy road access from surrounding New England towns.
Who goes
The city welcomes roughly twenty million visitors each year, a mix of history enthusiasts, food lovers, college students and business travelers. Summer months draw the largest crowds, particularly around July and August, whereas the quieter winter period sees fewer tourists, though locals still fill museums and restaurants.
Budgeting
A careful traveler can expect to spend around $70‑$100 per day (roughly €65‑€95) on lodging, meals and transit, while a more comfortable pace runs closer to $150‑$200 (≈€140‑€190). Accommodation and dining typically account for the biggest expenses; buying a weekly MBTA pass and opting for street‑food‑style meals in neighborhoods like the North End can shave a noticeable amount off the total. Estimate →

  1. Freedom Trail

    trail · 4.6 rating

    A 2.5-mile marked walking route through downtown Boston connecting 16 historically significant sites related to the American Revolution. Travelers follow it to experience the city's colonial and Revolutionary history on foot.

  2. Fenway Park

    stadium · 4.7 rating

    The historic home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox and the oldest active Major League Baseball stadium. A must-see for sports fans and travelers drawn to its landmark status.

  3. Public Garden

    park · 4.7 rating

    America's first public botanical garden, adjacent to Boston Common, known for its Victorian landscaping, lagoon with Swan Boats, and iconic Make Way for Ducklings sculptures. Travelers come for a scenic urban stroll.

  4. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

    museum · 4.8 rating · $27

    One of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the United States, holding a vast collection spanning ancient to contemporary works. Travelers come for world-class art across many cultures.

  5. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

    museum · 4.6 rating

    An interactive museum with restored ships reenacting the 1773 Boston Tea Party. Visitors participate in immersive Revolutionary history experiences.

  6. North End

    neighborhood · 4.7 rating

    Boston's oldest residential neighborhood and its Italian quarter, famous for traditional restaurants, bakeries, and narrow historic streets. Travelers come to dine on Italian food and soak up the lively atmosphere.

  7. Boston Common

    park · 4.4 rating

    The oldest public park in the United States, a large central green space in downtown Boston. Travelers visit to stroll, relax, and access nearby historic sites.

  8. Haymarket

    market · 4.5 rating

    A historic open-air produce and fish market in downtown Boston operating on weekends, where vendors sell fruits, vegetables, and seafood at bargain prices. A gritty, atmospheric slice of old Boston commerce.

  9. Boston Public Market

    market · 4.7 rating

    An indoor year-round marketplace featuring local vendors selling fresh food, produce, and prepared meals. Visitors come to sample regional New England foods and shop local goods.

  10. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

    museum · 4.6 rating

    A presidential library and museum on Columbia Point dedicated to the life and legacy of John F. Kennedy, with archives and exhibits overlooking the harbor. Travelers visit for its historical exhibits and I.M. Pei-designed building.

  11. Quincy Market

    market · 4.3 rating

    A historic 19th-century market building at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, now a bustling hub of food stalls, shops, and street performers. Travelers come for the lively food hall and historic atmosphere.

  12. Harvard Art Museums

    museum · 4.8 rating

    A complex of three art museums affiliated with Harvard University, holding extensive collections spanning Western, Asian, and Islamic art. Travelers go to view world-class art across many periods and cultures.

  13. Museum of Science

    museum · 4.4 rating · $33

    A large science and technology museum with hundreds of interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and an IMAX theater. Travelers visit for hands-on educational fun for all ages.

  14. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

    museum · 4.5 rating · $22

    A museum housing a personal collection displayed in a Venetian-style palazzo around a lush central courtyard. Travelers visit for its unique art collection and famed unsolved art heist history.

  15. Old North Church

    church · 4.7 rating

    The historic church famous for the 'one if by land, two if by sea' lantern signal of Paul Revere's ride in 1775. Travelers visit this Freedom Trail landmark for its Revolutionary War significance and colonial architecture.

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