Things to Do in Boston
A walkable city of Revolutionary landmarks, old neighborhoods and a busy waterfront.
See top-rated activities »About Boston
Boston is one of the easiest big American cities to see on foot. The Freedom Trail, marked by a red brick line in the sidewalk, starts at Boston Common and threads past the State House, the Old Granary Burying Ground, the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House and Faneuil Hall before crossing into the North End and on to Charlestown. Most people walk part of it with a costumed guide and finish the rest on their own; the full route takes about half a day with stops.
The North End, the city's oldest residential neighborhood, is packed with Italian bakeries, cafes and restaurants, and it holds Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church, where lanterns signaled the British march in 1775. Across the harbor in the Charlestown Navy Yard, USS Constitution, launched in 1797, is still a commissioned ship of the Navy and open for free visits. Near the Seaport, the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum reenacts the 1773 protest with replica ships.
West of downtown, the Public Garden, with its swan boats and Make Way for Ducklings statues, sits next to Boston Common, and Beacon Hill rises behind them with brick sidewalks and gas lamps. Back Bay has Newbury Street shopping, Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library on Copley Square. Farther out, Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in the major leagues, offers daily tours, and the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum sit a few blocks apart on the Fenway.
On the waterfront, the New England Aquarium is beside Long Wharf, where harbor cruises and ferries to the Boston Harbor Islands depart in season. The Seaport District, once warehouses and parking lots, now has hotels, seafood restaurants and the Institute of Contemporary Art. The subway, called the T, connects all of it, and most first-time visitors never need a car.
Don’t Miss
A 2.5-mile red-brick route linking 16 Revolutionary-era sites, with guided tours from the Freedom Trail Foundation.
The country's oldest public park beside the first public botanical garden, with seasonal swan boats.
Home of the Red Sox since 1912, with guided tours most days of the year.
One of the largest art museums in the country, with strong American and Asian collections.
A Venetian-style palace built around a flowering courtyard, filled with one collector's art.
The oldest commissioned warship afloat, part of Boston National Historical Park, with a museum nearby.
A four-story ocean tank, penguins and a harbor seal exhibit on the downtown waterfront.
Replica ships and actors retell the 1773 protest; you can throw tea overboard yourself.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Boston
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TiqetsTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best in Mass may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Boston — FAQ
How long does the Freedom Trail take?
Walking it end to end takes about 90 minutes without stops. With visits to the Old State House, Paul Revere House and USS Constitution, plan on most of a day.
What is the best way to get around Boston?
On foot and by the T, the MBTA subway. Driving and parking downtown are slow and expensive. Water taxis connect Logan Airport and the waterfront.
Can I tour Fenway Park on a game day?
Yes, tours run on many game days but end a few hours before the first pitch and skip some areas. Check the schedule on the Red Sox site.
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