BOSTON MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS
Boston is a city of history-makers, innovators, creators, and barrier-breakers. So, it's no surprise that our museums and attractions are iconic. Home to world-renowned museums, storied sports stadiums, star-studded concert venues, distinguished performance theaters, trendy nightclubs, vast urban green spaces, and 23 vibrant neighborhoods, you'll find what you're looking for in Boston.
See the listings below for more information on Boston's top attractions.
Museum Exhibits to see in 2023
Explore Black identity at the Peabody Essex Museum, uncover Boston’s influence on Jazz at the Museum of African American History, and examine the loss of natural diversity at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. See our top exhibits.
Top Family Attractions
Get up close and personal with over 160 species at Zoo New England, interact with the latest in science at the Museum of Science, or let your imagination run wild at Lego® Discovery Center Boston - here's how to never hear “I’m Bored!”
Top Boston Attractions
Step into history on the Freedom Trail, experience breathtaking views at View Boston, dive deeper at the New England Aquarium, explore masters at the Museum of Fine Arts, or find true nostalgia with a Swan Boat ride in the Boston Public Garden - here's our list of bucket list worthy attractions in Boston:
Museum of Fine Arts
The MFA is one of the world's premier art museums with masterpieces from around the world.
Boston Duck Tour
Get the best introDUCKtion to Boston as you cruise by the places that make us the city of firsts.
Fenway Park Tours
Explore the hallowed walls and legendary moments of America's Most Beloved Ballpark.
Boston Public Library
America's first public library features a collection of over 33 million items for you to explore.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Participate in the “Destruction of the Tea!”at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Modeled after a Venetian palazzo, the Gardner Museum houses some of the world's most remarkable art.
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Featuring 18 exhibits, the museum provides an unmatched look into the natural world.
Institute of Contemporary Art
Experience the oldest non-collecting contemporary arts institution in the United States.
Featured Exhibits
As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic
As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic looks at the myriad experiences of Black life...
Bats!
Meet bats — live and up close — in this multisensory exhibition exploring the wondrous world of bats...
Bruce Springsteen: Portraits of an American Music Icon
Curated by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music, Bruce Springsteen:...
Framing Mass Killings Exhibit
Revolutionary Spaces’ new exhibit at the Old State House, Framing Mass Killings, explores how the...
Free Admission at Harvard Art Museums
The museums are free to all visitors. Please check in at the Admissions desk. This new initiative is...
Gene Cultures
Who decides how and when transformative new biotechnologies will be used? What questions do we need...
Gio Swaby: Fresh Up
Gio Swaby (born 1991, Bahamas, works in Canada) is a multidisciplinary artist exploring the...
Gu Wenda: United Nations
Gu Wenda is among the most significant artists to emerge from China in the last 50 years. His...
Impassioned Destruction: Politics, Vandalism, and the Boston Tea Party
On December 16, 1773, radical Bostonians threw 340 crates of tea into Boston Harbor to protest what...
In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers: An Exploration of Change and Loss
In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers is a multisensory experience that marries art and science through a...
Indo-Pacific Coral Reef Exhibit at New England Aquarium
This exhibit showcases the vibrancy and richness of coral reef habitats and helps visitors...
Jazz Scene In Boston: Telling The Local Story
The Museum of African American History celebrates Boston's rich jazz history in this exhibit! Jazz,...
Objects of Addiction Exhibit: Opium, Empire, and the Chinese Art Trade
The Objects of Addiction Exhibit explores the entwined histories of the opium trade and the Chinese...
Painted Tintypes: Photography for the People
The “Painted Tintypes: Photography for the People” Exhibit explores the rich tradition of this...
Seeing in Art and Medicine
Try your hand at close-looking activities in this interactive exhibition, which examines objects...
Tender Loving Care: Contemporary Art From the Collection
The Tender Loving Care: Contemporary Art from the Collection exhibit invites visitors to explore how...
The Salem Witch Trials: Restoring Justice
Recurring daily until November 26, 2023. Salem’s witch trials are a definitive example of...
Tour the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame
Get an exclusive look at the Wang Theatre & the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame exhibits by...
The Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
The Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site is open for tours May...
Fashioned by Sargent
Fashioned by Sargent is on view at the MFA Boston from October 8, 2023–January 15, 2024. In...
Exhibition Tour: Seeing in Art and Medicine
Join curators Jen Thum and radiologist Hyewon Hyun for a tour of the exhibition Seeing in Art and...
Fleurs de Villes: Voyage
Experience flowers like never before at Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE - the world-famous flower show...
Itinerary Ideas
Discover what to see, where to go, and how to immerse yourself in authentic experiences in Boston!
Get Inspired
Search for hidden gems in Franklin Park, explore Boston's outdoor art scene, embark on a sunset cruise in the Harbor, or uncover over 400 years of history. No matter what's in your perfect itinerary, here's how to have a uniquely Boston experience.
Boston's Famous Landmarks
Boston, Massachusetts is home to an unrivaled array of famous landmarks and institutions that reveal...
12 Hidden Gems to Visit in Boston
Discover one-of-a-kind stops for your next Boston trip Sometimes you have to get off the beaten path...
10 Fun Things to Do on Your First Visit to Boston
So you are heading to the Hub for the first time and you need help - what to see, where to go, how...
Boston Summer Bucket List
Whether it is your first or fortieth time visiting Boston, we’ve gathered the ultimate Summer...
How to Explore Boston by Boat
The warmer season in Boston is like no other city, with easy access to beautiful water views,...
Top 15 Instagrammable Locations in Boston
We all know a picture is worth a thousand words. But we think the perfect photo is also worth a...
A Day in Boston: History Edition
Morning Start your day by exploring South Boston. We recommend grabbing a coffee and egg sandwich...
Harvard Square at your Feet
If you’re itching to explore the Square or perhaps, visit for the first time, then take a...
Outdoor Arts in Boston
Explore Boston's outdoor art scene on your next walk around the city! Boston is filled with...
Save on Attractions
Experience some of the best attractions in Boston for a discounted price with the Boston CityPASS® and Go City Pass.