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19 Top Things To Do In Boston

Authors
  • avatar
    Name
    Jonathan Chum
    Twitter
    @jchum

Introduction

Boston is one of the oldest cities in America. It was founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers who arrived from England on the Mayflower. Boston has a rich history, which you can explore by visiting some of its most famous historical sites and monuments. The city also has plenty to offer visitors today like shopping, sightseeing, dining, and much more!

Historic Sites

  • Faneuil Hall: The oldest public meeting hall in America and the site of many historic events.

  • Old North Church: Where Paul Revere took his famous ride to warn of the approach of British troops, who ended up burning down much of Boston.

  • Paul Revere House: The home where Paul Revere lived for part of his life (he was a local silversmith). This museum is located near Old North Church, so you can visit both sites in one trip!

  • USS Constitution: Not only does this ship still float, but it's also open for tours that go deep into its history---you'll learn how it was built and how it fought both in battle and at sea.

  • Bunker Hill Monument: A memorial honoring those who died fighting English troops during the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775; there are great views from here over downtown Boston.

  • Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum: Learn about this important event from American history while touring three replica ships from that period!

Fenway Park Tours

Fenway Park Tours are available for the public and can be scheduled through a variety of groups. Tours are also available for children, seniors, families, and adults. If you're a student, they have discounted ticket prices too!

Shopping along Newbury Street

Shopping on Newbury Street is a must. The shopping district is known for its high-end stores, including Chanel and Louis Vuitton, and you'll find many other big-name brands as well. The street itself is lined with restaurants and coffee shops that make it easy to grab lunch before or after your shopping spree.

If you're looking for shoes, there are many options on Newbury Street---including Alden shoes, which are handmade in Massachusetts (and come at a price tag of $600). Some of the best vintage clothing stores in Boston can be found here as well; just keep an eye out for hand-painted signs that say "vintage" or "antiques".

The Italian North End

The Italian North End is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Boston. Here, you will find a great selection of restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and open-air markets.

The North End also happens to be a great place to visit during the summer months! It's known as "Little Italy" but it has become an increasingly diverse neighborhood over the years; visitors from all over the world come here to experience its unique culture.

Go for a walk along the Charles River

  • Walk the Charles River Esplanade, which is an easy 2-mile loop that takes you around some of Boston's most iconic sites, like the famous MIT dome and Harvard Yard. There are also many other great spots to stop along the way, including:

  • The Boston Public Garden - A beautiful park with ponds, fountains, and flowers galore! Perfect for bringing your pup too!

  • Boston Common - An urban park that is home to Frog Pond (where you can rent boats during warm weather), as well as a couple of museums (like The Cyclorama Center) and landmarks such as Paul Revere's House (which offers historical tours). You'll also find public restrooms here too!

  • Commonwealth Avenue - This tree-lined street has some pretty cool high-rise buildings along it (including Avery Hall at Harvard University), so enjoy some window shopping if you want! The area gets pretty busy during rush hour though--so maybe come then instead :)

Visit the Boston Public Garden and ride the swan boats

  • Ride the swan boats. The Boston Public Garden and its famous swan boats are classic tourist attractions that are worth visiting, either to ride them or just to look at. They are free, and you can ride them all day long if you want (though they're closed from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.). If you do go for a ride, don't be shy about getting out of the boat---it might slow down traffic!

  • Eat at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. There are several restaurants inside this landmark building, which also includes shops selling souvenirs as well as plenty of street performers playing music throughout the day and night.

  • Shop at The New England Aquarium: Located on Boston's waterfront near Quincy Market, this aquarium offers over 5 million gallons of water filled with more than 500 different species from all around the world including sharks, penguins, and piranhas! Open daily 10 am-5 pm except for Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day when it is closed but open 9 am-5 pm on those days only."

Walk the Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walking tour that you can do in about three hours if you're not rushing around too much. The trail starts at Boston Common and ends at the Bunker Hill Monument, highlighting 16 historically significant sites along the way. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and rest along the way, so if you have kids with you who need a break from walking (and there are many), this is a great option!

There are also plenty of stops where you can get food or drinks; some even offer samples of the specialty drinks they serve (like beer!). Make sure to check out my post on where to eat near Boston Common for more ideas! I recommend bringing snacks with us so that we could enjoy them while we walked through parts of town that didn't have many food options within our budget range yet still had enough space for everyone else who wanted to eat something different than what we would find back home (since most restaurants were expensive).

Take in magnificent works of art at the Museum of Fine Arts

Who doesn't love a good museum? The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world, with a collection of over 450,000 pieces. It's free to enter and open every day except Monday.

If you're looking for something to do in Boston on a rainy day, this is one option that won't disappoint---or break your bank account!

Enjoy a meal at Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a historic marketplace in downtown Boston. It's home to many shops, restaurants, and food stalls that make it an ideal dining destination. The marketplace is open year-round and offers plenty of entertainment options to enjoy with friends or family.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Boston. It's a great place to see historic sites, and it also offers many fun activities to enjoy with family and friends!