Things to do in Boston

Things to do in Boston

1. DoRoxbury

   826 Boston

   Bigfoot Research Institute

   Volunteer and teach the next generation of poets and writers. Also sells a variety of "Big Foot" souvenirs, alongside books by local authors.

   Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM

2. DoAllston-Brighton

   Alumni Stadium

   Home of BC Eagles football, this stadium seats 44,500. Actually located within the city limits of Newton.

3. DoBack Bay-Beacon Hill

   Berklee Performance Center

   Owned by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, this performance space has something going on about 200 days out of the year. The college uses the 1200 seats at this location to present its most popular events, mainly featuring current students and faculty. Musical offerings such as the Singers Showcase, International Folk Festival, and the Beantown Jazz Festival all take place here.

   Box office: Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM·Free to $100 depending on the date and performer

4. DoDorchester

   Boston Bowl

   24-hour bowling extravaganza. Deadwood Brewery and Café located on premises. They offer a fun regionalism, candlepin bowling.

   24 hours daily

5. DoSouth End

   Boston Center for the Arts

   This non-profit coordinates multiple spaces in the South End, and is dedicated to hosting original events alongside visual and performing arts. Supports working artists by connecting them to the community, and patrons of the arts. Check the calendar daily for new performances, gallery openings, open studios, and more. The BCA has used the historic Cyclorama as its principal building since its inception in 1970. The city of Boston funded redevelopment costs in an effort to revitalize the South End area and the art scene.

   Times and locations vary·$0-50

6. DoSouth Boston

   Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

   Fantastically enormous indoor space holding showcases, expos, and other conventions all year long. Hosts everything from mega productions like PAX East, Boston Tattoo Convention, and Anime Boston. To smaller, quirkier events like Berklee Jazz Festival and the Harvard Model UN opening ceremonies.

7. DoDowntown

   Boston Duck Tours

   An institution in their own right, these modified World War II DUKWs give a great, breezy, 80-minute tour of the city by land and sea, all in the same vehicle. One of the most famous, or at least most visible, tours in Boston. Visitors will sing songs, quack like a duck, and irritate passing Bostonians going about their business. It doesn't get any more touristy than this. Tours also depart from the Prudential Center and the Museum of Science.

   Mar-Nov 9AM-sunset·$40 adult, $33 seniors, $27 kids 3-11, $11 infants & toddlers. Add $2 per ticket if you book online and $4 if you book over the phone

8. DoDowntown

   Boston Harbor Cruises

   Boston Harbor Cruises is the only real seagoing commercial compliment to the MBTA. They partnered with the New England Aquarium to offer a 90-minute whale watch cruise for $53. If that sounds too tame, they also have something called Codzilla. It's kind of a harbor tour, except you're on a jet engine with seats. Go fast and get wet for $29. Finally they offer a bunch of different harbor cruises. Check out the USS Constitution from the water, investigate a few of Boston's lighthouses, or just watch the sun go down. Costs range anywhere from $23-66 depending on which one piques your interest. Special events are usually a bit fancier and more expensive, in 2017 some cruises touring the Tall Ships cost over $300!

   5AM-midnight, varies

9. DoDowntown

   Boston Opera House

   Opened in 1928 as a movie theater, it was rededicated as a performing arts venue in 1980, and was restored in 2004. The Boston Ballet is the primary offering here.

10. DoDowntown

    Boston Segway Tours

    Everyone looks cool on a Segway. Right? Ticket price includes complimentary gloves (for your hands) and also water.

    9AM-5PM daily·$60 one hour, $90 two hours

11. DoSouth Boston

    Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

    Listen to colonial music while you climb aboard 18th-century ships afloat in Boston Harbor. Once aboard historical re-enactors teach you about the original tea party, and let you "toss the tea into the sea". These interactive participatory tours last about an hour. Be prepared to wait to get into this very popular and widely regarded tourist attraction.

    April 1-Oct-31ː 10AM-5PM daily. Nov 1-Mar 31: 10AM-4PM daily·$29.95 adult, $21.95 child

12. DoAllston-Brighton

    Brighton Music Hall

    Another great choice for seeing established local and national acts. Brighton Music Hall is about half the size of the Paradise, and owned by the same company. The hall is basically a big box with no mezzanine, so when it gets packed sightlines to the stage are cut off for all but the tallest attendees.

    Noon-2AM daily·$20-40

13. DoDowntown

    Charles Playhouse

    Performances of the Blue Man Group and Shear Madness play here. The building first opened in 1839 as a church, and was converted to a performing arts space in 1957.

14. DoDowntown

    Classic Harbor Line

    Another good option to meet your harbor cruise needs. This company is a little fancier, with two ships for you to choose from. One is a sort of steamboat-inspired art-deco vessel, or opt instead for a schooner and head into the harbor under good old fashioned sail power.

    10AM-9PM daily·$40-75, special events $100-165

15. DoBack Bay-Beacon Hill

    Community Boating

    CBI

    A non-profit, CBI offers members instruction for sailing and windsurfing, and allows members to use CBI-owned sailboats on the Charles River. They've also got kayaks and paddleboards for rent. Check out their yearly and monthly memberships if you're going to be in town awhile. Organized in 1946, it is the oldest continuously operating community sailing program in the country.

    Mon–Fri 1PM–sunset, Sat Sun 9AM–sunset·$40 daily kayak rental, $79 daily sailboat rental.

16. DoAllston-Brighton

    Conte Forum

    Kelley Rink

    Directly attached to Alumni Stadium and home of BC Eagles basketball and (ice) hockey, seating 8,600 for basketball and just under 7,900 for hockey. The "Kelley Rink" name is used only for hockey. As with Alumni Stadium, it's within the Newton city limits.

17. DoDowntown

    Cutler Majestic Theatre

    Performing arts owned by Emerson College. Originally designed for opera performances in 1903.

18. DoJamaica Plain-Mission Hill

    Footlight Club

    Eliot Hall

    America's oldest community theatre features a new program every other month or so.

    $20 per ticket, memberships $65

19. DoRoxbury

    Franklin Park Zoo

    Franklin Park Zoo, founded in 1912, is a 72-acre site nestled in Boston’s historic Franklin Park. This zoo contains a combined 10,000 sq ft of playground area and uses play to teach children about conservation and wildlife. In addition, it has an Australian bird aviary, a bird world's exhibit, an African lions exhibit, a tigers exhibit, a tropical forest environment, an outback trail, a butterfly tent, barn houses with farm animals, expansive giraffe and zebra savannah, a camel trek, a carousel, a train ride, a stationary jeep ride, picnic areas, a southwestern-themed grill concession stand, and a children's zoo!

    Summer: Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-6PM; Winter: 10AM-4PM daily·Adult $20, senior: $17, child $14. Members and children under 2, free

20. DoBack Bay-Beacon Hill

    Frog Pond

    A great place for the kids, and open year round. In the wintertime an ice skating rink is set up, and children and adults skate around in circles all day. During the warmer months, the Frog Pond expands beyond the rink, providing ankle deep water perfect for toddlers to wade around in. Right next door is the "Tadpole Playground" with all manner of slides and other activities for the little ones. Stroller city.

    Mon 10AM-3:45PM, Tue-Thu 10AM-9PM, Fri-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-9PM·Skate rental $6, humans shorter than 58 inches free

21. DoOuter Neighborhoods

    George Wright Golf Course

    Named for baseball Hall of Famer and Cincinnati Reds shortstop George Wright. The golf course is a Donald Ross-designed course and is considered one of his finest designs.

22. DoAllston-Brighton

    Great Scott

    Great Scott is a fantastic choice to check out big name acts a few years before they blow up, or hometown heroes having a great year. They play host to a wide variety of genres; like indie, rock, hip hop, and dance. Voted "Best Rock Club", "Best Bar", and host of the "Best Dance Night".

    Noon-2AM daily·$10-20

23. DoDorchester

    HallSpace

    A contemporary art gallery exhibiting work by both emerging artists and established but under-recognized artists. View the website to see the current exhibition.

    Fri–Sat noon–5PM·Free

24. DoAllston-Brighton

    Harrington Athletics Village

    This complex, opened in 2018 and within the Boston city limits, is home to BC baseball and softball. It consists of three structures—the playing facilities of Eddie Pellagrini Diamond and Boston College Softball Field, and the Pete Frates Center (not open to the public), which houses offices, locker rooms, and training facilities for both teams.

25. DoAllston-Brighton

    Harvard Stadium

    Soldiers Field

    This historic stadium was actually where football's forward pass was invented, and modern field dimensions were defined. Buy your tickets way in advance for the big Harvard-Yale game. Root for them to lose, if only to hear the cruel Crimson chant: "It's alright, it's OK, you're gonna work for us some day!" The stadium and grounds will also occasionally play host to concerts and music festivals, like Boston Calling for example. When there aren't games or other events planned, get here early to run up and down the 1000+ steps with the rest of the post docs.

    Gates open dawn-dusk·Free-$50

26. DoFenway-Kenmore

    House of Blues

    See all types of live concerts and special events at this popular entertainment chain. The first HoB opened in Harvard Square in the early 90s, but moved to this much larger location in 2009. They play host to bigger name national performers like The Flaming Lips and Run the Jewels. They also serve several southern inspired dishes, if you feel compelled to eat here.

    4PM-2AM·$20-50

27. DoSouth Boston

    Lawn on D

    A fun outdoor space with food trucks, adult beverages, musicians and other performances. It was dreamed up as a temporary event spot to "build community" while awaiting the necessary permitting to build another luxury condo. The Lawn on D has proven popular enough that it has become a permanent fixture in the neighborhood.

    Sun-Thu 7AM-10PM, Fri Sat 7AM-11PM·Free entrance, food $8-10, drinks $6-10

28. DoSouth Boston

    Leader Bank Pavilion

    The acoustics aren't perfect at this live event venue that seats 5000, but the location more than makes up for it. Feel the cool breeze rolling in off the ocean and smell the salt air while the band plays on. Speaking of cool breezes, avoid this place during the colder months, it's a big glorified tent after all.

29. DoFenway-Kenmore

    Lucky Strike Lanes

    Jillian’s

    Not into classical music, and the finer "intangibles" a bowstring might provide? No problem. Head here for an evening of bowling, billiards, and ping-pong. An attached dance club bills itself as "52 weeks of spring break", if you're up for that. The entertainment is spread out over several floors so you may find something to your liking. All areas serve alcohol and are 21+.

    11AM-2AM daily·Snacks $10

30. DoBack Bay-Beacon Hill

    Mary Baker Eddy Library

    Christian Science Center

    Don't be fooled into thinking that this is just a library. The archives of Mary Baker Eddy; one of the most famous women of the early 20th century are found here, as is the Mapparium; a three-story stained glass globe depicting the world as it was in 1935 that you can actually walk through! While waiting for the twenty minute tour to commence, you can explore the Hall of Ideas and literally find the thoughts of some of the world's greatest thinkers at your feet.

    Tue-Sun 10AM-4PM·$6

31. DoSouth End

    Matthews Arena

    Today owned by Northeastern University, and was the original home of the Boston Bruins. Matthews Arena opened in 1910 and is the oldest multi-purpose athletic building still in use in the world. It has undergone significant renovations over the years, so expect state of the art if you're catching a game here.

32. DoAllston-Brighton

    O'Briens Pub

    The smallest in terms of physical size and prominence of the acts they attract. It's more likely to attract local bands new to the touring circuit, but you never know. Sometimes the staff will just up and decide to grill a bunch of chicken wings for the crowd. They're not good, but they're free and you're drunk.

    Noon-2AM daily·$5-10

33. DoDowntown

    Old Town Trolley Tours

    Little touristic trollies that make the rounds to all the major sights downtown. You can hop on and hop off all day with your ticket. They also offer a "haunted" trolley tour during evenings.

    9AM-5PM daily·$18-41 depending on age and how you buy tickets

34. DoDowntown

    Orpheum Theatre

    Built in 1852, The Orpheum is one of the oldest theaters in America and was the original home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Seats 2,700 after many substantial rebuilds, including in 2009.

35. DoAllston-Brighton

    Paradise Rock Club

    Arguably the best established and longest running club in the area. This is a great intimate venue with space for less than a thousand. It's relatively compact and split into two levels, so you can usually get a good look at the performer without ever being too far from the bar!

    Noon-2AM daily·$20-50

36. DoDowntown

    Paramount

    Performing arts theater owned by Emerson College. This is the Art-Deco one opened in the 1930s as a movie theater. Two smaller spaces are here as well, the 150-seat Black Box Theatre, and a 170-seat screening room.

37. DoSouth Boston

    Polar Bear Plunge

    L Street Bathouse/Curley Community Center

    Take the "plunge" with the L Street Brownies and 1000 of your closest friends. Splash around in the freezing cold harbor around 8AM January 1st. You could also just jump in a block down the street if you don't feel like dealing with the news crews. It kind of goes without saying, but make sure you have a way to get warm after. A towel will not be sufficient.

    Mon-Fri 6:30AM-8:30PM, Sat Sun 8AM-3:30PM·Free

38. DoFenway-Kenmore

    Regal Cinemas Fenway 13

    Your basic giant urban multiplex theater, gets all those first run films. Pretty clean, concessions, popcorn, games, the works. Some parking in the attached garage, discounted with a valid movie ticket from that day.

    11AM-11PM daily·$14 adult, $11 child/senior

39. DoOuter Neighborhoods

    Ron's Gourmet Ice Cream and Twentieth Century Bowling Alley

    Grab a cone, a rickey, and get in some candlepin bowling at this stalwart bastion of New England traditions. Ice cream is made with high quality ingredients and can be enjoyed by connoisseurs. Tons of kids in here all the time, so the staff knows how to handle them.

    Mon-Thu 7:30AM-10PM, Fri 7:30AM-11PM, Sat 8AM-11PM, Sun 9AM-10PM·Bowling $4 per person per game, shoe rental $2.50. Ice cream $3-6

40. DoJamaica Plain-Mission Hill

    Samuel Adams Brewery

    All ages welcome for one hour tours (21+ for the tasting portion) departing every 40 minutes. No reservations, first come first serve. There is also a "Morning Mash-In" tour at 9:40AM, if brushing your teeth gets you in the mood to drink. There is of course a shop featuring exclusive t-shirts, hats and hoodies, as well as one-of-a kind beers brewed only at this location. Proust!

    Mon-Thu Sat 10AM-3PM, Fri 10AM-5:30PM·Suggested donation $2

Browse all 621 places in Boston

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Boston (CC BY-SA 4.0).