Things to do around Boston
From shows to sporting events, there is always something going on in Boston.
We have information on theaters, museums, and free (and mostly) free things to do in the City.
Free (and mostly free) events
Free (and mostly free)
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View the City's art collection, watch artist interviews, and find public art throughout Boston. |
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Take a 35-45 minute tour of the State Capitol. Admission is free. |
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Climb to the top of the monument to the first major battle of the American Revolution for free. |
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Paddle through the Public Garden Lagoon on a 15-minute cruise. It costs $2.75 for adults, $1.50 for kids, and $2.00 for seniors. |
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Visit the Charles Street Meeting House |
The Beacon Hill landmark has a collection of shops, cafes, and historical sites. (Located at the corner of Charles and Mt. Vernon streets) |
P&G Gillette Floating Dock |
The floating dock on the east side of Fort Point Channel is free to the public. You can launch non-powered crafts like kayaks and canoes. (Launching dock open from dawn until dusk, stationary dock open 24 hours) |
There are roughly 450,000 objects in the museum collection. Admission is suggested donation on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. |
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The gallery and library have rare documents from our nation's history, including the “Remember the ladies” letter from Abigail Adams to her husband, John Adams. |
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Visit the oldest commissioned warship in the world. Admission and guided tours are a suggested donation |
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The Coit Observatory at Boston University offers free observations of the night sky on clear Wednesdays. An hour-long program teaches you about astronomy while you're stargazing. |
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The Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade offers free events throughout the summer. |
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If you have a library card, you can get a discounted pass to many of the City's museums. |
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The museum preserves the contributions of African American in New England. Admission is just $5. |
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The nation's first public library features architecture and artwork from many famous figures. |
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If your name is Isabella, you can sign up for free admission for life. You can also get free admission on your birthday by showing your ID. |
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Faneuil Hall street performers include jugglers, magicians, clowns, mimes, and musicians. |
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The institute on Boston's revitalized waterfront features contemporary art and culture. Admission is free on Thursdays from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. |
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Among its stops, the ferry will take you from Long Wharf in Downtown Boston to the Charlestown Navy Yard. |
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The museum partners with Target to offer $1 Friday nights for families from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. |
Walks and trails
Walks and trailsEvent or location | Details |
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Through the self-guided Freedom Trail tour, you’ll see 16 historical sites in Boston. |
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Women's Heritage Trail |
The Heritage Trail explores the different cultures that are part of Boston's history. The tours are mostly self-guided and maps are available online. |
Visit the same places President John F. Kennedy often visited in Boston. |
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Discover the story of Boston's newest urban park that connects people and places once divided by an elevated highway. |
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Climb to the top of the monument to the first major battle of the American Revolution for free. |
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Explore Boston’s many green spaces. |
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Walk to the Sea is a tour of historical landmarks and City skyscrapers. |
Shopping and Dining
Shopping and Dining
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There are food trucks in 20 different locations throughout Boston, all offering various types of food. |
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Downtown Crossing is home to boutiques, national department stores, and pushcarts. |
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Faneuil Hall has more than 40 pushcart eateries and 16 world-class restaurants. There’s also plenty of great places to shop. |
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Haymarket |
An open fruit and vegetable market takes place every Friday and Saturday. It’s located along Blackstone Street between Hanover and North Streets. Haymarket even has its own stop on the MBTA. |
The first and only locally sourced market in the US. Everything sold at the market is from local New England vendors. |
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Some of the most chic and fashionable stores in Boston are located on Newbury. |
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The upscale mall is filled with great stores and restaurants. |
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Located on Boylston Street, the Pru is packed with options for shopping and dining. |
Theater
Theater
LOCATION OR SHOW |
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Get half-priced tickets to performance arts shows in the City. |
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The Boston Symphony Orchestra is now in its 129th season. They've performed throughout the US and the world. |
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The venue is full of French and Italian styles, and is a great example of the design from the vaudeville era. |
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The Wilbur is a great destination for music and comedy in Boston. |
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You can see world class acts of every genre at the Shubert. |
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The Wang offers many different types of performances, from Broadway shows to opera. |
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Calderwood is both a theater hub and cultural landmark. |
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The award-winning nonprofit theater is in the Back Bay. |
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A comedy play that's been active since 1980 and is different every time you see it! |
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Strand Theatre | The Strand serves as a cultural and educational resource to artists and audiences. |
Museums and Gallery Spaces
Museums
MUSEUM OR GALLERY |
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The school remembers the life of African Americans from the beginning to the end of slavery, with a focus on the work to give everyone an education. |
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The museum has interactive and educational exhibits for kids, in addition to hosting a ton of awesome family friendly events |
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Learn the story of the African American community in 19th-century Boston. |
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The Athenaeum was founded in 1807. It's the oldest independent library and cultural institution in the US. |
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The Mayor’s Gallery and Scollay Square showcase local artists and groups. The temporary exhibits support the City's creative diversity. |
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The museum has taken up space in the old firehouse on Congress Street since 1983. You can see memorabilia and learn more about firefighting. |
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The nation's first public library offers free tours with plenty of architecture and art to explore. |
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Relive December 16, 1773, the famous day when American Colonists opposed British rule (and steeped the Harbor with liber-tea). |
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The Stone, 808, Annex, and Sherman Galleries are all within walking distance to the school’s campus. |
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The home to the Boston Society of Architects features a gallery on architecture and design. Admission is free. |
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The museum about Massachusetts focuses on the history of the state and its people. |
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The Library founded in 1854 features information about the religious activities of the early American colonists. |
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The institute educates the public about the role of the Senate in our government. |
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The French Library and Cultural Center is a nonprofit that promotes the culture and language of France. |
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The Back Bay museum is a historical single-family home that's preserved with original furniture and features dating from the mid- 1800’s. |
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The organization is the oldest and largest regional heritage preservation group in the US. |
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Located on Boston’s waterfront, the picturesque museum is home to works of contemporary art from the past 65 years. The unique architecture in the Poss Family Mediatheque alone makes a visit worthwhile. |
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A vibrant woman and patron of the arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner’s legacy lives on in her Venetian style home preserved as a Museum. The Gardner Museum features contemporary and historic art, music, and even has an artist-in-residence program. |
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The library located in Dorchester is a tribute to the life and leadership of President Kennedy. |
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At the museum and research library, you can find out why Mary Baker Eddy was one of the most influential women of the 19th century. |
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The independent research library preserves the history of Massachusetts. |
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Metropolitan Waterworks Museum | The museum has exhibits and educational programs about one of the country's first metropolitan water systems. |
The museum works to maintain an accurate history of African-American lives in colonial times. |
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The museum features many exhibits and galleries, including one of the world's largest Asian art collections in addition to one of the most important Egyptian collections both in breadth and depth |
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From butterflies to nanotechnology: the interactive museum features hands-on exhibits and even a planetarium. |
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Learn more about the City of Champions and Boston’s sports legacy at the museum inside TD Banknorth Garden. |
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The historic home shows what domestic life was like in Beacon Hill at the turn of the last century. |
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The oldest surviving church in Boston is also the place where two famous lanterns were lit to signal Paul Revere’s ride. |
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The National Historic Landmark was part of the events that shaped democracy in the US. |
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Find out the role the Old State House played in the American Revolution. |
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The former home of Paul Revere and the oldest building in downtown Boston. |
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Trinity Church is still home to a thriving congregation in Copley Square. |
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Learn the history of the ship and the people who sailed her. |
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Discover the story of Mass General Hospital through interactive exhibits, artifacts, and photos. |
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A place to learn about Jewish culture and history for ages 12 and up. |
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The collection of roughly 15,000 artifacts and cases includes anatomical models, photos, paintings, and more. |
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Once home to the author William Hickling Prescott, the museum features his original study and a bedroom from the late 18th century. |
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The neighborhood museum preserves the history and culture of the West End. |
Sports
Sports
EVENT OR TEAM |
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Visit Fenway Park, home of the eight-time World Champion Red Sox. |
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New England Patriots | Learn about the five-time Super Bowl Champions. The Patriots play at Gillette Stadium. |
Head over to Gillette Stadium, where our Major League Soccer team plays. |
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The Major League Lacrosse team plays at Boston University's Nickerson Field. |
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TD Garden is home to the six-time Stanley Cup Champions play. The Bruins were the first team to be awarded an NHL Franchise. |
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The Celtics won 17 world championships, including eight in a row from 1959 - 1966. |
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Head of the Charles Regatta | The Head of the Charles is the world's largest boat race. Each October, rowers come from around the world to take part. |
Boston Marathon | The Marathon is held each April on Patriot's Day. Learn about one of the most prestigious and oldest marathon events. |
Our college teams have been gaining national recognition in hockey, basketball, and football. |
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The Boston Sports Trail takes you on a tour of our City's sports history. Download the guide on your phone or GPS. |