Boston has so much to offer. To help you plan your trip, we’ve compiled this list of the best things to do in Boston, USA. Although it was once called the Athens of America, the city of Boston is much more than the prestigious universities that have made it famous around the world. A walk around the neighborhood will quickly show you all that Boston has to offer all its visitors.
A city of incredible charm, Boston is, along with New York, one of Quebecers’ favorite cities. Are you planning to go there, but your budget is limited ? No worries, because there are plenty of things to do that won’t cost you anything! Read down below and find out what you can do for fun in Boston.
Fun things to do in Boston
See an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest museums in the United States. Very rich, it is full of marvels and offers very varied collections ranging from the Old Egyptian Empire to French painting from the end of the 19th century, for example. On Wednesday evenings, after 4 p.m., admission is free. You give what you want.
Take a walk by the sea
A walk along the seafront is a most pleasurable activity for the senses and it is completely free. We advise you to do it at the end of the day or in the evening, even prettier!
Explore Farmers Markets
There are over 120 farmers’ markets in the state of Massachusetts and Boston has quite a few. Walk among the stalls and meet the producers, it’s a fun activity that won’t require you to put your hand in your wallet…unless you’re feeling a little irrepressible.
Visit Samuel Adams Brewery
There are tours that are high in calories and here is one! Visit the Samuel Adams Brewery , Boston’s most iconic beer . It’s free, but participants usually donate $2 to the guide.
Attend a street performance at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Street theatre, magicians, urban performers, musical shows, etc. : activities abound at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace . Wander the streets and attend all kinds of performances for free!
Visit the Arnold Arboretum
The Arnorld Arboretum is part of the prestigious Harvard University. A real 100% nature walk, you won’t spend anything to visit it either.
Take a guided city tour
Be your own guide! To do this, visit The Boston Harborwalk MP3 Tour website where you can download an application on your smart phone on which a guided tour in mp3 format is available. All that remains is to walk!
Take a walk in the public garden
With or without the assistance of an audio guide, the Boston Public Garden is worth the detour. It’s a little gem in the heart of the city!
Visit Harvard University
Not everyone can boast of having studied at Harvard, but everyone can visit the famous university for free! Discover the campus and its various establishments, as well as the locations of various popular American films.
Go window shopping on Newbury Street
New York has its 5th Avenue, Paris its Champs-Élysées and Boston has Newbury Street . Of course, shopping there is very expensive, but going for a walk and window shopping won’t cost you a penny!
Stroll Beacon Hill
In pretty Beacon Hill, you might feel like you’re walking through England rather than America . It’s normal: this historic district was one of the first to be founded by European settlers.
Even today, its old brick houses are lined up along the small tree-lined streets where it is pleasant to stroll. While the hill has become an upscale residential neighborhood, it remains one of Boston’s must-visit places.
Hike the Freedom Trail
You will have understood: Boston has a long history of which we can still see many testimonies today. Founded in 1630 by English Puritans, it was an epicenter of the American Revolutionary War in the 18th century.
The best way to relive this turbulent past is to take the Freedom Trail. 4 kilometers long, this path marked with a red line will take you to discover the symbolic places of the city. You should also know that many guided tours are offered around the Freedom Trail.
See a baseball game at Fenway Park
What to do in Boston to fully immerse yourself in American culture? See a baseball game! Fenway Park , the city’s baseball stadium, is one of the great meeting places for Bostonians.
Opened in 1912, it has since hosted the home games of the local team, the Boston Red Sox. All you have to do is put on your foam hand, buy a hot dog, and let yourself be carried away by the supercharged atmosphere of the stands.
Lunch at Quincy Market
Perhaps you will have seen it while walking the Freedom Trail : Quincy Market is one of the most emblematic places in Boston. Inaugurated in 1826, this large covered market was in a way the granary of the city, and sold all kinds of foodstuffs to the inhabitants.
Today, behind its proud colonnaded facade, hides a multitude of stalls and delis . People sit down for a quick lunch alongside locals and visitors in one of the epicenters of Boston social life.
Admire the monuments
A city steeped in history, Boston is naturally home to a good number of monuments that are worth seeing. Among them, don’t miss the Massachusetts State House , which is one of the Freedom Trail ‘s key stops . Its golden dome and brick walls house the governor’s offices as well as the General Court of the State.
Among the monuments to see in Boston, we can also mention the Trinity Church . This Richardsonian Romanesque Episcopal Church is all the more spectacular in that it is surrounded on all sides by contemporary skyscrapers.
Along the same lines, the Old State House is another place to visit in Boston. Built in 1713, it stands out against the towers of the financial district.
Stroll along the waterfront
Who says visit to Boston, says walk on the waterfront! Indeed, there is no better place to take a breath of fresh air while enjoying the excitement of the city. In addition, there is no shortage of activities at the edge of the ocean.
So, the Boston Aquarium is a must-visit for families, while culture vultures will delight in the Institute of Contemporary Art . But for everyone, the seafront is above all a place of relaxation. You can both relax in the parks and taste the local fishing products on the restaurant terraces.
Get some fresh air at Boston Common
Are you more of a nature lover than a culture lover? No worries: you’ll also have plenty to do in Boston. The city is indeed home to beautiful green spaces, including the Boston Common , which is the oldest park in the United States.
Founded in 1634, it is still today a green lung for the city, where the inhabitants come to breathe fresh air and have fun. In winter, you can try your hand at ice skating before visiting the nearby antique shops. In summer, we stop there for a picnic under the watchful eye of the famous American chipmunks (big squirrels).
