Fun Things to do in Each Neighborhood in Boston MA
Walk the Freedom Trail:
This 2.5-mile walking route takes visitors through 16 historic sites related to the American Revolution, including the Massachusetts State House, Faneuil Hall, and the Paul Revere House.
Visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum:
This interactive museum offers visitors a chance to learn about the Boston Tea Party, one of the key events leading up to the American Revolution. Visitors can board a replica ship and dump tea into the harbor, just like the original protesters did.
Explore the Museum of Fine Arts:
This world-renowned museum features a vast collection of artwork from around the world, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Highlights of the museum include the Art of the Americas wing and the Japanese Garden.
Walk around Harvard University:
Located in nearby Cambridge, Harvard is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Visitors can take a self-guided walking tour of the campus, or join a guided tour led by a student.
Stroll through the Boston Public Garden:
This beautiful park in the heart of the city features well-manicured gardens, a large pond, and the famous swan boats. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the park or have a picnic on the lawn.
Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum:
This museum is home to a stunning collection of artwork and decorative arts, housed in a beautiful Venetian-style palace. The museum is named for its founder, a wealthy Boston socialite who collected art from around the world.
Catch a game at Fenway Park:
This historic ballpark is home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team, and is one of the most iconic sports venues in the world. Visitors can take a tour of the park or catch a game during baseball season.
These are just a few of the many things to do in Boston. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or sports, Boston has something for everyone
Nearby Boston Tourist Attractions
Boston Sign
Government Center
Tourist attraction
Old State House
Downtown
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark, Museum, History museum
The original seat of colonial government & later state capitol, today housing historical exhibits.
Boston Massacre Site
Downtown
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark
Cobblestone ring marking the site of the 1770 civilian massacre & Revolutionary War precursor.
The Boston Stone
Government Center
Tourist attraction
Freedom Trail Foundation
Downtown Crossing
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark
Walking tour of iconic American Revolution sites, including museums, churches & meeting houses.
Boston Irish Famine Memorial
Downtown Crossing
Tourist attraction
Snug park along the Freedom Trail commemorating the 1845 Irish potato famine with statues & plaques.
Faneuil Hall
Government Center
Tourist attraction, Food court, Shopping mall
Shopping center with many stores & restaurants comprising 3 historic market buildings & a promenade.
Old South Meeting House
Downtown
Tourist attraction, Gift shop, Historical landmark, Museum
National Historic Landmark & original site of the Boston Tea Party, reenacted here each December 16.
Rose Kennedy Greenway
Downtown
Tourist attraction, Park
Bustling urban park providing open lawns, benches, fountains & paved pathways amid waterfront views.
Street Performers
Government Center
Tourist attraction
Granary Burying Ground
Downtown
Cemetery, Tourist attraction
Samuel Adams & Paul Revere are among the patriots buried at this storied site on the Freedom Trail.
Red Auerbach Statue
Government Center
Tourist attraction
Monumento do Relógio
Downtown Crossing
Tourist attraction
Norman B. Leventhal Park
Downtown
Tourist attraction, Park
Pleasant city-center park with a garden trellis & walk-through sculptural fountain.
The Greenway Carousel
Downtown
Tourist attraction, Amusement park ride
Carousel in the Rose Kennedy Greenway with 36 seats designed after animals native to Massachusetts.
Black Heritage Trail
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction
Walking tour exploring the lives of 19th-century African-Americans with stops at historic homes.
Museum of African American History
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction, History museum
Rotating & permanent exhibits on local African-American history displayed in an 1835 schoolhouse.
Boston Downtown Mural
Downtown Crossing
Tourist attraction
Ghosts & Gravestones Tour Boston
Downtown
Tour operator, Haunted house, Sightseeing tour agency, Tour agency, Tourist attraction
Rings Fountain
Downtown
Tourist attraction, Fountain
The Paul Revere House
North End
Tourist attraction, Historical place, History museum, Historical place museum
Revere’s legendary ride began at this restored Colonial-era home, which includes family furnishings.
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
Downtown
Tourist attraction, Park
This popular city park featuring a play area, gardens & views of the water hosts many events.
Nichols House Museum
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark, History museum, Museum
A grand 1804 Beacon Hill residence turned museum, replete with antique furnishings, heirlooms & art.
North Square Park
North End
Tourist attraction, Park
Part of the Freedom Trail, this small historic square offers benches next to the Paul Revere House.
Paul Revere Statue
North End
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark
Statue of a mounted Paul Revere, a key figure in the American Revolution, on a tree-lined path.
Old North Church
North End
Tourist attraction, Church, Historical landmark, Episcopal church
Hallowed 18th-century church & launch point for Paul Revere’s revolutionary ride, with tours & more.
Boston Common
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark, Park, City park
Storied, nearly 50-acre urban park that hosted British troops during the American Revolution.
Boston Common Carousel
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction, Amusement park ride
Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction, Sculpture, Monument
New England Aquarium
Downtown
Tourist attraction, Aquarium
A giant glass tank spiraled by a multilevel walkway is the main draw at this waterfront attraction.
All Saints Way
North End
Tourist attraction
Long Wharf
Downtown
Tourist attraction
Observation Deck at Independence Wharf
Downtown
Tourist attraction, Park
Kids Fountain
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction
Chinatown Gate
Chinatown
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark, Cultural landmark
Traditional gate at the entrance to Boston’s Chinatown gifted to the city by Taiwan in 1982.
Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge
Bridge, Tourist attraction
Iconic bridge spanning the Charles River, notable for its dramatic, cable-supported architecture.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Tourist attraction, Amusement center, Historical landmark, History museum, Museum
Floating history museum with live reenactments, multimedia exhibits & a tearoom.
Duck Island
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction
Public Garden
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction, Botanical garden, Garden, City park
Placid, verdant, circa-1837 city park with a lagoon, boat rides, fountains & other sights.
Boston Children’s Museum
South Boston Waterfront
Tourist attraction, Museum, Children’s museum
Fun, hands-on educational exhibits aimed at kids 11 & under, plus a play space for toddlers.
Ether Monument
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark, Monument
Fan Pier Park
South Boston Waterfront
Tourist attraction, Park
Manicured & landscaped walk on the marina with grassy seating areas, benches, tables & fire pits.
George Washington Statue
Beacon Hill
Tourist attraction, Sculpture
North Point Park
West End
Tourist attraction, Park
Waterfront park featuring playgrounds, walking trails & scenic views of the river & skyline.
Museum of Science
Tourist attraction, Science museum, Museum
Venerable institution with interactive exhibits, dome-shaped IMAX/3-D film theater & a planetarium.
Fan Pier Walkway
South Boston Waterfront
Tourist attraction
Longfellow Bridge
Bridge, Tourist attraction
Boston Waterfront
South Boston Waterfront
Tourist attraction
Gibson House Museum
Back Bay
Tourist attraction, Museum
Tours, lectures & other special events take place at this brownstone with distinct Victorian flair.
Boston National Historical Park
Bunker Hill
Historical place
The 43-acre park with 2 visitor centers offers ranger-guided tours & talks about the city’s history.
USS Constitution Museum
Charlestown
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark, Museum, History museum
Interactive museum near the 1797 wooden frigate made famous as \
Charles River Esplanade
Back Bay
Tourist attraction, Park
This green space along the river offers a walking/jogging path, various events & views of the city.
Bunker Hill Museum
Charlestown
Tourist attraction, Historical place museum, History museum
Small museum with displays exploring the American Revolution & the founding of Charleston.
Peters Place
Charlestown
Tourist attraction
Bunker Hill Monument
Charlestown
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark, Monument, Museum, War memorial
Marking the Battle of Bunker Hill, this 221-ft. granite obelisk features 294 steps & scenic views.
Commonwealth Avenue Mall
Back Bay
Tourist attraction, Park
This historical, long avenue features a path through trees, grassy areas, park benches & statues.
MIT Museum
Kendall Square
Tourist attraction, Museum, Technology museum, Science museum
Highlights of MIT’s science & technology exhibits include kinetic sculptures, robots & holograms.
Boston Custom Tours
South Boston
Tourist attraction
Reflecting Pool at the Christian Science Plaza
Back Bay
Tourist attraction
Great Dome
Area 2/MIT
Tourist attraction
Built in 1916, this iconic Neoclassical building at MIT houses a library & a lecture hall.
Harvard Bridge
Area 2/MIT
Bridge, Tourist attraction
Connecting Boston to Cambridge, this long bridge with sidewalks offers scenic city skyline views.
The Fenway Garden Society
Fenway–Kenmore
Tourist attraction, Community garden
This literal WWII victory garden from 1942 is now made up of 7.5 acres of produce & flowers.
Emerald Necklace Conservancy Shattuck Visitor Center
Fenway–Kenmore
Visitor center, Environmental program, Tourist attraction
Medal of Honor Park
South Boston
Tourist attraction, Park, City park
Fenway Park
Fenway–Kenmore
Tourist attraction, Baseball field, Stadium
Historic, small-capacity ballpark, home of the Red Sox & occasional big-name concert venue.
Monument of John Endecott
Fenway–Kenmore
Tourist attraction
James P. Kelleher Rose Garden
Fenway–Kenmore
Tourist attraction, Garden
Small, charming garden with a variety of rose bushes, plus statues, a fountain & arched trellises.
Back Bay Fens
Fenway–Kenmore
Tourist attraction, Park
This large greenspace has multiple gardens, playgrounds, ball fields & memorials, plus picnic areas.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Fenway–Kenmore
Tourist attraction, Art museum
Neoclassical & modern wings house a vast collection from ancient Egyptian to contemporary American.
Draw Seven State Park
Assembly Square
Tourist attraction, State park
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Medical Center Area
Tourist attraction, Museum, Art museum
Evocative of a 15th-century Venetian palace, this museum houses a world-class art collection.
Reloj de chealse Boston
Tourist attraction
Roxbury Heritage State Park
Fort Hill
Tourist attraction, Park, State park
Small park centered around a Colonial-era house, now a museum, with picnic tables on the lawn.
Edward Everett Square
Dorchester
Tourist attraction, Historical place
Castle Island
South Boston
Tourist attraction, Park, State park
Site of Fort Independence (open in the summer), with beach, picnic & jogging areas.
Fort Independence
South Boston
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark, Fortress
Mid-1800s granite fort used as an armory during several wars, with cannons & Boston Harbor views.
Hall’s Pond Sanctuary
Tourist attraction, Nature preserve
3.5-acre urban park featuring a pond, formal garden & walking trail in a secluded, lush setting.
Riverside Press Park
Riverside
Tourist attraction
Somerville Museum
Spring Hill
Tourist attraction, Museum
Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East
Baldwin
Tourist attraction, Archaeological museum, Museum
Collection of archeological finds from the Near East, including Egypt, Israel, Iraq & Syria.
John Harvard Statue
Mid-Cambridge
Tourist attraction, Monument
Iconic bronze statue of John Harvard, the founder of the university, on a 6-ft. plinth.
Harvard Yard
Mid-Cambridge
Tourist attraction, Garden, Park
This sprawling treed area is the oldest part of the Harvard campus, with many historic buildings.
The Hahvahd Tour
Mid-Cambridge
Tourist attraction
Johnston Gate
Mid-Cambridge
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark
Stately, Georgian-style redbrick & wrought-iron gateway to Harvard Yard, constructed in 1889.
Harvard Square
West Cambridge
Tourist attraction
Home to America’s oldest university, this iconic area offers shops, eateries & theaters.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Dorchester
Tourist attraction, History museum, Museum, Public library, Library
President Kennedy exhibits, videos & research collections in a striking I.M. Pei–designed building.
Mystic River State Reservation
Tourist attraction, State park
This waterfront natural area offers biking & hiking trails, plus swimming, boating & sailing access.
John F Kennedy Memorial Park
West Cambridge
Tourist attraction, Park
This landscaped park features a fountain inscribed with JFK quotations, plus open fields & paths.
Cambridge Common
Neighborhood Nine
Tourist attraction, Park
A site of Revolutionary War history, this park now has fields, bike paths & a creative playground.
Charles River Reservation
Brighton
Tourist attraction, State park, Nature preserve
This urban park located along the river features paved paths for walking, running & skating.
Belle Isle Marsh Reservation
East Boston
Tourist attraction, Hiking area, Nature preserve, State park
Salt marsh preserve featuring a 28-acre park offering benches, paths & an observation tower.
Nathan Tufts Park
Powder House Square
Tourist attraction, Park
Franklin Park – Overlook Ruins
Roxbury
Tourist attraction, Historical landmark
Franklin Park
Roxbury
Tourist attraction, Park, City park
This large natural area with fields, wetlands & ponds offers a zoo, golf course & sports courts.
Danehy Park
Neighborhood Nine
Tourist attraction, Park
50-acre green space with activities such as softball & soccer, plus paths for jogging & a dog park.
Squantum Point Park
Marina Bay
Tourist attraction, Park
This parkland offers a fishing pier, bird watching, trails, picnic areas & harbor & city views.
Royall House and Slave Quarters
Tourist attraction, Non-profit organization, Museum
Fresh Pond Reservation
Tourist attraction, Park
Popular spot for spotting wetland birds & deer with wooded walking routes around a tranquil pond.
Hunnewell Visitor Center
Jamaica Hills
Tourist attraction, Arboretum
Chestnut Hill Reservation
Brighton
Tourist attraction, Park, State park
