Choose from 71 Fun Things to Do in Boston
ShowingFilter 61-71 of 71 listings.
Cape Cod Maritime Museum
Lovers of land and sea can wander the quiet galleries of the Cape Cod Maritime Museum and gain unlimited access to historical documents, impressive models and incredible art. Travelers say the intimate space, which warmly welcomes visitors from across the globe, has a charming vibe and friendly, knowledgeable staff, too. The unique boathouse showcases some of the best of wooden boats and a boatbuilding workshop in the museum's basement offers travelers a behind the scenes look at how these beautiful old-school vessels are made. Guides and craftsmen will share stories about the old-world art and explain how the Cape Cod Maritime Museum helps local schools apply math and science concepts from the classroom in the real world. It's the perfect way to spend a few afternoon hours before heading to the nearby harbor for a boat cruise or a meal.
Practical Info
The museum is located at 135 South Street in Hyannis near the Inner Harbor. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
Address: 135 South St, Hyannis, MA 02601, USA
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun Noon-4pm
Admission: Adult $6, Student & Seniors $5, Child 8 & Under Free
From $ 57
Six Flags New England
Like most Six Flags parks, Six Flags New England is a combination theme and water park that's billed as the "Thrill Capital of New England." When the short summer months heat up in the northeast, it's a welcome oasis for visitors, and located just a mile from the Connecticut border, it's a popular destination for Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts residents.
The big draw at any Six Flags park is, of course, the thrill rides. The crown jewel, BATMAN: The Dark Knight, takes visitors on a 55-mile-per-hour blast up to 12-story heights and drops more than 110 feet in a matter of seconds. In the summer months, visitors flock from hundreds of miles to enjoy Six Flags' incredible Hurricane Harbor, a water park that offers everything from relaxing pools and meandering lazy river rides to high speed water slides and group rafting adventures.
Practical Info
Six Flags New England is conveniently located just off the Mass Pike (I-90) and I-91 and is easily accessible from all points in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. One-day paid parking is available for $20. Public transportation options, including discounted packages with park admission, are available via Peter Pan bus service from Boston South Station, Framingham, Worcester, Springfield, Mass. and Hartford, Conn.
Address: 1623 Main St., Agawam, Massachusetts 01001, USA
Hours: Vary
Admission: Varies
From $ 57
Buckman Tavern
Although it dates back to the early 18th-century, the Buckman Tavern secured its place in the history books during the American Revolutionary War, as a popular meeting place of the Lexington Minutemen. Its most significant moment came on April 19th 1775, when the militia gathered at the tavern to await the oncoming British troops - what would later be known as the Battle of Lexington and Concord, notorious as the starting point of the American War of Independence.
Today, the Buckman Tavern is preserved as a National Historic Landmark and museum, where visitors can learn all about its long history, and view original fittings, including a portrait of proprietor John Buckman and the old front door, complete with a bullet hole made during the infamous battle.
Practical Info
The Buckman Tavern is located on Bedford Street in Lexington and is open from March-November, daily from 10am-4pm. Adult admission at the time of writing is $8.
Address: 1 Bedford St, Lexington, Massachusetts 02420, USA
Hours: Open daily, March-November 10am-4pm
Admission: $8
From $ 57
Mary Baker Eddy Library
Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) was a 19th century American author, poet, teacher and founder of Christian Science, and this library, research center and museum gives visitors the chance to take a glimpse into her life. This inspiring New England woman achieved many things during her lifetime and was a pioneer in many fields from business to publishing, education and women's rights, especially during a time when women had very little power or voice to be heard.
At the Mary Baker Eddy Library you'll learn more about this remarkable woman through exhibits, collections and a library, which is home to "one of the largest collections by and about an American woman." While an attraction located in a Christian Science church might scare some off, the exhibits presented are interesting and informative, touching on an array of topics and issues.
Begin your exploration in the Quest Gallery to learn more about the achievements of Mary Baker Eddy through photographs, documents and exhibits and computer-based "quests" that electronically take you through life's challenges, many of which Mary Baker Eddy faced herself. In the "Journey Toward Home" exhibit visitors are taken through this woman's most significant moves, which is important to understand as Mary Baker Eddy viewed relocating as relating to power. And in "Transcending Boundaries" you'll see the work of young artists from Artists for Humanity as the exhibit showcases Polaroid portrait photos of these youths with captions that answer a question on global connections, for example, "What do you want to ask someone from across the globe?"
The highlight of a visit to the Mary Baker Eddy Library is undoubtedly the Mapparium, a three-story stained-glass globe that takes visitors into an inverted Planet Earth as it appeared in 1935 to literally be in the middle of the many countries and cultures around the globe. Learn about geography, history and have some fun with the globe's unique acoustics. A music and light show enhances the experience and reminds you that your ideas have the power to change the world. Additionally, artifacts and documents further tell the story of how this inspiring exhibit came to be.
Don't leave without perusing the gift shop, which sells books, clothing, artwork, accessories, memorabilia and an impressive selection of beautiful globes.
At the Mary Baker Eddy Library you'll learn more about this remarkable woman through exhibits, collections and a library, which is home to "one of the largest collections by and about an American woman." While an attraction located in a Christian Science church might scare some off, the exhibits presented are interesting and informative, touching on an array of topics and issues.
Begin your exploration in the Quest Gallery to learn more about the achievements of Mary Baker Eddy through photographs, documents and exhibits and computer-based "quests" that electronically take you through life's challenges, many of which Mary Baker Eddy faced herself. In the "Journey Toward Home" exhibit visitors are taken through this woman's most significant moves, which is important to understand as Mary Baker Eddy viewed relocating as relating to power. And in "Transcending Boundaries" you'll see the work of young artists from Artists for Humanity as the exhibit showcases Polaroid portrait photos of these youths with captions that answer a question on global connections, for example, "What do you want to ask someone from across the globe?"
The highlight of a visit to the Mary Baker Eddy Library is undoubtedly the Mapparium, a three-story stained-glass globe that takes visitors into an inverted Planet Earth as it appeared in 1935 to literally be in the middle of the many countries and cultures around the globe. Learn about geography, history and have some fun with the globe's unique acoustics. A music and light show enhances the experience and reminds you that your ideas have the power to change the world. Additionally, artifacts and documents further tell the story of how this inspiring exhibit came to be.
Don't leave without perusing the gift shop, which sells books, clothing, artwork, accessories, memorabilia and an impressive selection of beautiful globes.
Address: 200 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, 02115 MA, USA
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am - 4pm. Closed Mon.
Admission: General Admission: $6; Senior/Student/Youth: $4
From $ 57
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Built more than a century ago, Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum boasts one of the city's most well regarded fine arts collections. American, European and Asian pieces are all included in all varieties of media, including sculpture, paintings, tapestries and more.
In the 90s, the museum became the center of a high profile art theft that included 13 of its most valuable works. In total, the robbers escaped with more than $500 million in artwork, making it the single largest private property theft ever. To this day, the crime remains unsolved, and the whereabouts of the stolen works are unknown.
The museum hosts an ever-rotating blend of exhibits, from historic works to more contemporary examples. The dedication to the arts as a whole includes hosting onsite lectures, concerts and community events, while on Sunday afternoons, the museum's concert series invites musicians to play a variety of favorites, from time-honored classics to new music.
The curators maintain Isabella's deep love of horticulture by meticulously pruning and constantly changing the outdoor courtyard. Gardeners blend the green space in clever ways with sculptures, as well as existing architecture. The goal is to provide visitors with a unique, ever-changing perspective of the courtyard that assures no two visits to the museum are alike.
To this day, as a tribute to Isabella Stewart Gardner, admission is free to anyone named Isabella. All visitors are welcome to visit the museum for free on their own birthday.
Practical Info
The museum is open year-round except on most major holidays. Hours are Wednesday through Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Thursday, when closing time is 9 p.m. Via public transportation, take the MBTA Green Line E to the Museum of Fine Arts stop. Street parking is available but limited and metered around the museum.
Address: 25 Evans Way, Boston 02115, USA
Hours: Wed-Mon 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Admission: Adults $15, seniors 65+ $12, college student $5
From $ 57
The Old Manse
The cornerstone of Concord's historic attractions was the town's political and social center throughout the 19th century, and boasts an impressive list of former guests. Now preserved as a National Historic Landmark, the Old Manse was originally built in 1770, for Reverend William Emerson, and stands adjacent to Concord's Old North Bridge, where on April 19th 1775, it bore witness to the start of the American War of Independence, as Minutemen fired the infamous shot "˜heard around the world'.
The history of the Old Manse isn't only political though; the landmark building also has a rich literary heritage, home to both Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne, and serving as a meeting ground for other Transcendentalists, including Bronson Alcott, Henry David Thoreau and Margaret Fuller. Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved Georgian residence, where they can admire the original furnishings, spot writings from Nathanial & Sophia Hawthorne etched onto the window panes, and look out over the fabled North Bridge, before wandering through the vegetable gardens and orchards.
Practical Info
The Old Manse is located on Monument Street in Concord and is open daily from sunrise to sunset, with guided tours from noon-5pm. Adult admission at the time of writing is $10.
Address: 269 Monument St, Concord, Massachusetts 01742, USA
Hours: Open daily sunrise-sunset
Admission: $10
From $ 57
Otis House Museum
The Otis House Museum is actually a mansion, the last surviving one, in Bowdoin Square. This West End property was named for Harrison Gray Otis, a Federalist lawyer and politician. There are actually three Harris Gray Otis Houses in Boston, all of which were built by the noted architect Charles Bulfinch. The first, a National Historic Landmark, was built in 1796 and was inspired by a William Bingham house from Philadelphia. Owned by the Historic New England organization, this one now operates as a museum.
The house is a look into the lavish lifestyle of Otis and his wife Sally. Otis made his fortune developing Beacon Hill, was a representative in Congress and then later became mayor of Boston. The home's design is reflective of the Federal style, which Bulfinch introduced to Boston.
Otis House is three stories, in five bays. The entrance seen today was added after 1801, which has a Palladian window above and a lunette above that. The third floor has ceilings that are just over six feet tall. The floor plan of the home is Colonial fashion, which the characteristic two rooms on either side of the central hallway.
The home's interior showcases many aspects of the Otis' life, from the social and business aspects to understanding the role servants played in the home. The restoration was meticulous and required a lot of historical and scientific research.
Practical Info
Otis House is open Wednesday through Sunday year-round but is closed on major holidays. There is limited street parking or paid parking lots nearby. Otis House Museum is within walking distance of several MBTA stations.
Address: 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Hours: Wed-Sun year-round; closed major holidays
Admission: Adults: $10; Seniors $9
From $ 57
Franklin Park Zoo
Just inside Boston's large Franklin Park is the aptly named Franklin Park Zoo. This century-old, 72-acre animal park features some of the best wildlife exhibits in New England, as it is home to more than 200 species. Visitors are welcome to view them all within a wide variety of main exhibits, including the Tropical Forest, a three-acre structure that simulates the natural environment for a variety of native African animals such as bats, gorillas, crocodiles, lemurs and hippos.
The African-themed Kalahari Kingdom houses a lion named Christopher, who guests can see through the glass or up close by way of a Land Rover replica that appears to have "crashed" into his den.
The zoo's other fascinating exhibits include the Outback Trail, the Children's Zoo and Tiger Tales, which is home to two rescued tigers named Anala and Luther. Perhaps the zoo's modern day claim to fame is its appearance as the backdrop in the Kevin James 2011 comedy film Zookeeper.
Practical Info
During the summer (April 1-Sept. 30), the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on weekends and major holidays. In winter (Oct. 1-March 31), hours are until 4 p.m. daily. The zoo is easily reachable by car just off Storrow Drive, I93, or Route 128. Convenient public transportation options are also available via subway and bus. Free parking is offered year-round.
Address: 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121, USA
Hours: April 1-Sep 30 weekdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; weekends until 4 p.m.Oct. 1-March 31 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Admission: Adult $17.95, Senior $14.95, Child $11.95, Under 2 Free, Members Free
From $ 57
Louisburg Square
If you're looking to visit the most exclusive neighborhood in Boston, you'll want to stop by Louisburg Square in Beacon Hill. The townhouses lining the square have an average value of over $6.7 million, with many selling for well over $10 million.
The houses on Louisburg Square were built primarily in the 1840s, but the area was first settled back in the 1600's. Rev. William Blaxton moved to this part of Beacon Hill from Charlestown, where the Puritans had settled, to enjoy more peace and quiet.
From the time of the first house, the neighborhood was the most fashionable address in Boston. Famous names from shipping and merchant banking, such as Cabot and Appleton, used to call the square home, as well as some famous artistic figures. Charles Bulfinch, the architect of the Massachusetts State House and portions of the US Capital Building, lived in the square, as did Louisa May Alcott and artist John Singleton Copley. Today, US Secretary of State John Kerry lives on Louisburg Square.
Practical Info
Louisburg Square itself, the grassy park surrounded by a wrought-iron fence, is not open to the public. You can see the statues of Columbus and Aristides the Just from outside the fences, on Mt. Vernon Street and Pinckney Street. Louisburg Square is a popular stop on photography tours of Beacon Hill and cycling tours of Boston.
Address: Louisburg Square, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
From $ 58
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Overlooking the sea in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, the JFK Library and Museum documents the life and legacy of President Kennedy. The building holds official presidential documents and correspondence, a wealth of multimedia exhibits and artifacts, and literary gems such as some unpublished writings of Ernest Hemingway.
The Basics
Designed by architect I.M. Pei, this striking concrete and glass building sits on a scenic 10-acre (4-hectare) park on Columbia Point, which offers panoramic views of Boston Harbor and the Boston city skyline. Inside, you can peruse 25 immersive multimedia exhibits that cover topics such as President Kennedy's experience on the campaign trail, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Space Race, and the Kennedy family. The museum's art collection is also a must-see, featuring personal momentos such as a 1962 portrait of Robert F. Kennedy, a watercolor of the White House painted by Jacqueline Kennedy that once hung in the Oval Office, and a finger painting made by young Caroline Kennedy.
You can get free entry to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum with a Go Boston Card or Boston Explorer Pass. These also include access to other city highlights such as the Children's Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the New England Aquarium.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The on-site JFK CafeÌ boasts views of the Boston city skyline and provides a family-friendly setting for breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the day.
- Coat check service is not available, but there is a public coat rack for visitors to use.
- The museum is accessible to wheelchair users. Wheelchairs are offered free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to Get There
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is accessible via Interstate 93, and is roughly five miles (eight kilometers) from downtown Boston. There is a large, free parking lot located directly in front of the building. Alternatively take the MBTA Rapid Transit Red Line to JFK/UMASS Station; from there, a free shuttle bus goes to the library every 20 minutes starting at 8am.
When to Get There
The JFK Museum is open year-round, with the exception of New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Summer is the busiest season, when you can dine outside at the cafeÌ and enjoy stunning views from Columbia Point. Spring and fall often bring mild weather and smaller crowds. Between May and October, Kennedy's 26-foot (8-meter) sailboat Victura is on display in the museum.
Museum History
The library's location was of special significance to the president, who spent his upperclassman years nearby at the Harvard Graduate School of Business. Although the president chose the original site of the building in 1963, he was assassinated before construction began. The Kennedy family then chose relatively unknown architect I.M. Pei to design the building, which was dedicated in 1979.
Address: Columbia Point, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Hours: Daily 9am to 5pm
Admission: Adults: $14; Seniors and Students: $12
From $ 57
Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village is one of several living museums throughout Massachusetts and includes a working farm, three hydro-powered mills and almost 60 vintage buildings. A cast of interpreters in full costume roam the village, interacting with visitors to help gain an appreciation of New England life as it was some 200 years ago. The village is an incredibly popular attraction for tourists and armchair historians, as well as a major field trip destination for area schools.
The grounds are separated into three distinct areas, each providing a unique glimpse into various aspects of the life of early American settlers. The Mill Neighborhood consists of several commercial buildings, including a sawmill and gristmill, centered around an onsite millpond to generate power. Several farms, buildings and shops, including a blacksmith, school, pottery shop and covered bridge, are located in Countryside. Lastly, The Center Village, as one might expect, is the hub of town with a public green at its core. Visitors to the latter can visit several vintage meetinghouses, a tin shop, law office, bank and more.
Practical Info
The village is open year-round, but hours vary depending on the exact time of year. Free parking is available. The village is located on Route 20 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts and is accessible via I-84 and the Mass Pike (I-90). Via public transportation, the Peter Pan Bus line operates direct drop-off and pickup services at the village with connections in Hartford, Boston and New York City.
Address: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, Massachusetts 05166, USA
Hours: Year-round
Admission: Adults $24; seniors (55+) $22; youth (3-17) $8
From $ 57