After more than a decade living in Boston, I’ve gotten pretty good at fielding the “so what should we do?” text from visiting friends and family. This is my go-to list of the stuff that’s actually worth doing while you’re here. And yes, I’m skipping the Fenway Park tour and Duck Boat ride, because they’re fun, but you already know about those.
Wondering where to stay in Boston? Read our review of the Mandarin Oriental Boston, the city’s best luxury hotel.
Marriott Custom House Observation Deck
The Marriott Boston Custom House Observation Deck is one of the best under-the-radar free things to do in the city. The historic 492-foot building is one of the most recognizable on Boston’s skyline, and was the tallest building in the city from 1915 to 1965. The observation deck at the top is completely free, but you’ll need to plan ahead. While hotel guests can go up anytime, non-guests need to call the front desk at 617-310-6300 at least 48 hours in advance to reserve a spot. Reservations are capped at eight people, so book as early as you can. The deck is open to the public at 2 pm daily (except Fridays) and may close in bad weather. No backpacks or large bags are allowed.
A security guard will escort the group up, and then you’re free to linger as long as you like.
Catch a Movie at the Museum of Science IMAX Dome
The Museum of Science’s Mugar Omni Theater is unlike any movie theater you’ve been to. Its five-story domed screen shows IMAX films that make you feel like you’re inside them — from blockbusters to shorter, dome-specific films on topics like space exploration or, yes, superpower dogs.
You can buy a movie ticket without paying museum admission. If you’re visiting the museum anyway, don’t miss the 4-D films in a separate theater, which are 15-minute shorts shown in 3-D with in-theater effects like wind and real snow.
Museum of Ice Cream
Is the Museum of Ice Cream just an elaborate excuse to eat all-you-can-eat ice cream? A little bit, yes — but that doesn’t make it any less fun or delicious. This colorful, self-guided interactive museum walks you through the history and production of ice cream, with plenty of samples and photo ops along the way. The Boston location has a local twist, with lobster roll ice cream, Boston cream ice cream sandwiches, and a Funway Park arcade room.
Roxy’s Arcade
Want to enjoy arcade-style games without having to elbow kids out of the way for your chance to play Pac-Man? Head to Roxy’s Arcade in Cambridge, a speakeasy-style arcade bar hidden behind a freezer door.
Four-Handed Illusions Magic Show
Boston is a notoriously casual city when it comes to fashion, so if you’re looking for an excuse to get dressed up, this is it. Four-Handed Illusions is an intimate magic show in Beacon Hill with a dress code: jackets are required for men and no jeans or sneakers are allowed. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at the Hampshire House’s Baker Bar before moving into the library for the show itself. I won’t give anything away, but this show will blow your mind — I’m still wondering how some of the tricks were done.
Glass Flowers at Harvard Museum of Natural History
While museums such as the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Institute of Contemporary Art should all be on your list of fun things to do in Boston, there’s one unique exhibit that not a lot of people know about — the glass flowers at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Created by a father-and-son duo over 50 years from 1886 through 1936, these 4,300 scientifically accurate glass models look unbelievably realistic.
Bow Market
Bow Market is an outdoor courtyard market in Somerville’s Union Square neighborhood, just across the river from Boston and an easy ride on the Green Line. The space brings together a rotating mix of permanent small businesses and pop-up vendors covering food and drink, retail, and arts and entertainment, all in one walkable, open-air spot. Admission is free.
Grab a beer from the brewery inside and pair it with food from the Saus, a restaurant dedicated to the art of the French fry. Check the calendar on their website before you go (there are often events like record store pop-ups, candle-making workshops, game nights, or seasonal celebrations worth timing your visit around.) In the winter, you can reserve a firepit seat in the courtyard to keep things cozy.
Creemee Window at Momma’s
Vermont’s maple creemees are a summertime staple in New England. This ultra-rich frozen concoction is a creamier and denser version of soft serve ice cream, flavored with real maple syrup. If you don’t have time for an out-of-state road trip, head to Momma’s, a charming neighborhood grocery in Cambridge that serves them right through a dedicated creemee window.
Codzilla
Codzilla earns a spot on our list for its punny name alone. You can’t miss the bright red boat in Boston Harbor that takes guests out on the water and spins them around in circles for a fast and fun thrill ride. Prepare to get wet.
Bike the Dr. Paul Dudley White Charles River Bike Path
Rent a Bluebike from any of the city’s many docking stations and ride the Dr. Paul Dudley White Charles River Bike Path, a 24-mile car-free loop along both shores of the Charles, from Boston out to Newton.
Puttshack
Get your game face on for a fun round at Puttshack in the Seaport. It’s tech-enhanced mini golf with balls that automatically track scores, creative hole designs (including one where you answer trivia to pick your shot), and a full bar. It’s family-friendly during the day and adults-only at night.
Tiki Boat Cruise
Boston isn’t exactly known for tropical vibes, but for an hour or two you can pretend. A Tiki Boat cruise takes you around Boston Harbor with frozen drinks in hand. Want to extend the theme? Head to Wusong Tiki Bar or Shore Leave afterward.
Candlepin Bowling
Candlepin bowling is one of those “only in New England” things you have to do while you’re in Boston. Played similarly to bowling, candlepin bowling uses small balls without finger holes and narrower pins, and you get three rolls per frame. Play it at Sacco’s Bowl Haven, which has been around since 1939, where you can follow up your game with an excellent flatbread pizza.
Boston Harbor Islands
For a nature escape without leaving the city behind entirely, take a ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands. Spectacle Island has hiking and swimming across 114 acres; Georges Island has a Civil War-era fort; Peddocks is home to historic structures and roaming wild deer and turkey. Summer often brings concerts, clambakes, and other events on the islands.
MFA at Night
On the third Thursday of every month, the Museum of Fine Arts opens from 5–10 pm for just $5. There are performances, the café stays open late, and it’s a fun evening out. Tickets sell out fast, so book ahead.
Improv Asylum
Some of Boston’s best comedians perform at Improv Asylum. The Main Stage shows are great, but if you’re up for something more R-rated, the late-night Raunch show on Saturdays is worth staying out for.
High Tea at the Boston Public Library
Boston’s Public Library is beautiful and free to visit, but make your visit extra special by treating yourself to high tea in the library’s Courtyard Tea Room, an airy dining room overlooking the sunny courtyard. You’ll get a towering tray of treats, your own pot of tea, and the option to add Champagne or cocktails. Gluten-free and vegan options are available. Reservations open 29 days in advance and book up quickly.
Kayak the Charles River
Rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard from Paddle Boston and see the city from a completely different angle.
Looking for more New England travel advice? Read our stories on the Best Nantucket Ferries from Hyannis and The Best Luxury Glamping in New England.
