There's something for everyone in Boston. Whether you're visiting for our storied history, star-studded live entertainment, renowned museums, eclectic food scene, or endless family fun, you'll agree that vacations in Boston Never Get Old!
Read on our list of the 50 best things to do in Boston.
1. Start your trip to Boston with a stop at the Boston Common Visitor Center or TheBOS Mobile Visitor Center to get insider tips, book iconic experiences, and purchase unique souvenirs.
2. Add Boston's top restaurants to your MYBoston Itinerary and eat your way through the city's culinary scene.
3. Escape to nature in the heart of Boston on the Emerald Necklace, a seven-mile string of public parks linking Boston Common to Franklin Park.
4. Immerse yourself in the soul of Boston's jazz scene at a legendary club like Wally's Cafe Jazz Club, Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen, Scullers Jazz Club, or The Beehive Restaurant.
5. View one of America's largest and most renowned art collections for free at the Harvard Art Museums.
6. Enjoy dinner and a performance in Boston's theatre district.
7. Head to the North End in search of the best cannoli. Do you prefer Bova's, Mike's, Modern, or somewhere else? Try the lot to find out!
8. Let your inner revolutionary out and throw tea into the Boston Harbor at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museums.
9. Plan a trip around one of Boston's annual events, such as the Boston Marathon, Harborfest, Head of the Charles Regatta, or First Night Boston.
10. Stop by a sidewalk cafe as you stroll the boutiques and shops along Newbury Street for the perfect brew and prime people-watching.
11. Explore Black history on the Black Heritage Trail®, at the Museum of African American History, or by visiting the Embrace monument.
12. Get a bird's-eye view of the city from the View Boston observation deck at the Prudential Center or aboard a private skyline tour with Helicopter Tour Boston.
13. Experience the City of Champions at a Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins, or Revolution game.
14. Spend an afternoon during the warmer months paddling the calm waters of the Charles River with a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard rental from Paddle Boston.
15. Putt, throw, or swing your way to an unforgettable night with friends at one of Boston's best experiential bars.
16. Awe at the Venetian Renaissance architecture, elegant courtyard garden, and delicately arranged art collection at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
17. Hop on a scenic ferry ride to the Boston Harbor Islands, where you can visit a historic fort, enjoy a summer hike, or camp under the stars.
18. Dress to impress and attend a concert from world-renowned performers such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra or Handel + Haydn Society at Boston Symphony Hall.
19. See the world as it was in 1935 at the Mapparium, a three-story stained-glass globe at The First Church of Christ, Scientist.
20. Tap into what's brewing in Boston and beyond on the Greater Boston Ale Trail.
21. Take a self-guided tour of the Innovation Trail, Equality Trail, Irish Heritage Trail, or Boston Women's Heritage Trail.
22. Search for hidden gems throughout Boston, like the Boston Athenaeum, Kelleher Rose Garden, and Franklin Park Bear Dens.
23. Dine al fresco no matter the season with patio, rooftop, and igloo dining.
24. Visit the Boston Public Library's Central Library in Copley Square for afternoon tea at the Courtyard Tea Room or sophisticated cocktails at the Map Room Lounge.
25. Taste New England fare at one of Boston's must-visit farmers' markets, including the Boston Public Market or Haymarket year round.
26. Discover the natural world at the New England Aquarium, Stone Zoo, Franklin Park Zoo, or the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
27. Hunt for unique treasures and vintage finds at thrift stores throughout Greater Boston, including the SoWa Vintage Market every Sunday.
28. Catch a concert under the stars at Fenway Park or Gillette Stadium. Not visiting during the summer months? Don't worry - Boston's iconic venues host can't-miss concerts every night of the week!
29. View contemporary art exhibits for free every Thursday night at the Institute of Contemporary Art.
30. Step back in time and experience prohibition-era cocktails and unique food menus at a speakeasy.
31. Read your way through Greater Boston at some of the area's top bookstores, including Brattle Book Shop, one of America's oldest used bookstores.
32. Find fun for the whole family at the Boston Children's Museum, Lego® Discovery Center Boston, or Museum of Science.
33. Explore the vibrant culture and cuisine of America's third-largest Chinatown on a Boston Chinatown Tour.
34. Take a day trip beyond Boston to Provincetown, Salem, Plymouth, Newport, or New Bedford.
35. Laugh out loud at one of Boston's top comedy clubs.
36. Uncover history at attractions like the Freedom Trail®, Commonwealth Museum, Concord Museum, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum, or Adams National Historical Park.
37. Embark on a whale watch with Boston Harbor City Cruises and get up close and personal with some of the largest animals in the world.
38. Channel your inner academic on a tour of Harvard or MIT with Trademark Tours.
39. Live like a local while exploring as many Boston neighborhoods as possible.
40. Relax and unwind at Breve Spa at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, The Spa at Encore Boston Harbor, or Dream Spa Medical in Canton.
41. Travel just outside the city to Blue Hills Reservation, a green oasis with over 125 miles of hiking trails, or Quincy Quarries Reservation, a rock climbers haven.
42. Marvel at nearly 500,000 works of art, including more Monets than any museum outside of Paris, at the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the largest museums in the world.
43. Snap the perfect selfie at one of Boston's most instagrammable locations and tag #meetboston.
44. Splash into the Charles River on a Duck Tour, or take things slow during a sunset cruise with the Charles Riverboat Company.
45. Experience four-season fun at the Frog Pond on Boston Common, including the summer spray pool, the Frog Pond Carousel, and the winter outdoor skating rink.
46. Become the resident wine expert of any friend group with a class at Commonwealth Wine School.
47. Tour historic landmarks like the Wang Theatre's Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame, Boston Public Library, Fenway Park, Symphony Hall, Trinity Church, King's Chapel, Old North Church, or Old South Meeting House.
48. Hear the tales of famed pirate Black Sam Bellamy at Real Pirates Salem or dive deeper into the Witch Trails of 1692 at the Salem Witch Museum.
49. Charter a private party boat for you and your favorites with Tiki Boat Boston or Cycleboat Boston.
50. Visit a food hall such as High Street Place, Time Out Market, Hub Hall, or Faneuil Hall Marketplace to try some of Boston's best chefs under one roof.
Discover everything happening in Boston on our things to do and events pages.
