What are the must sees and dos when visiting Boston, MA

Old North Church in Boston
Boston, Massachusetts is a fantastic city, filled with both rich American history and stylish contemporary art and attractions. If you’re looking for a wide variety of activities, Boston has everything from great sports teams to impressive contemporary art to unique Boston cuisine. We’ve compiled a list of 11 of the best spots in Boston so you don’t feel overwhelmed by the Hub of the Universe during your stay.
Visit the Boston Public Garden with Swan Boats
The Boston Public Garden is the country’s oldest botanical garden and is known for its unique boats in the shape of swans. The Swan Boats were invented in 1877 by Robert Paget and the Paget family still owns and runs the Swan Boats to this day! The rich and colorful foliage mixed with the fairytale-esque swan boats will make you feel as though you’ve stepped into a storybook and you’ll wish never to return to reality.
Walk the Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is 2½ miles long, and with so many landmarks along the way, you can pack a lot of Boston history into the one hour trail. However, with stops like the USS Constitution, an incredible ship replica, or the Paul Revere House, you’ll have a hard time not spending the whole day on the Freedom Trail.
Watch a Historical Reenactment of the Boston Tea Party
On December 16, 1773, American colonists got fed up with Britain’s “taxation without representation” stance and dumped a shipment of British tea into the Boston harbor. Now, every single day at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, there is a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party. Fun, exciting, and filled with Boston pride, the historical reenactment of the Boston Tea Party is one that everyone will enjoy.
Grab a Drink at the Samuel Adams Brewery
Samuel Adams was a Boston-born patriot of the United States who served a vital role in our country’s founding, but he was also a brewer. Unlike many other breweries and bars you may have been to, the Boston Brewery provides an immersive experience. From tours of the historic brewery to seeing how the beer is made to tasting new flavors in the Tap Room, your stop at the Boston Brewery will leave you satisfied, loving both history and beer a little more.
Visit the Boston Museum of Science
If you’re bringing the kids along for your visit to Boston, you’ll want to plan a stop at the Boston Museum of Science at Science Park. With over 700 different interactive exhibits, you and your family will be occupied for hours with fun, revolutionary exhibits. Inside the Boston Museum, you’ll find anything from a butterfly exhibit filled with exotic plants you can walk through to hands-on science experiments the whole family can enjoy.

Photo by Daniel Brubaker
Visit Boston Harbor Islands
The Boston Harbor Island National Recreation Park is made up of 34 islands and peninsulas that can only be reached by ferry just outside the hustle and bustle of the city. The islands are perfect for outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and swimming. There’s so much to discover at New England’s historical harbor, so take some time out of your day to get out of the city and into nature
Learn About the Animals at the New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions for families in the Boston area. You can accidentally spend an entire day watching all of the penguins, sea lions, and other aquatic animals in the aquarium if you’re not careful! If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, there are close-encounter events that you can schedule ahead of time for the entire family.
Spend Some Down Time at Boston Common
In 1634, the Boston Common was created as the first city park in all of the U.S. which spans over fifty acres. From April to November, pop on by to the Brewer Fountain Plaza to get something to eat from the food trucks, just like the locals. In the winter, stop by Frog Pond to skate on the infamous Bostan ice skating rink. No matter what time of year, you’ll be able to find something down in the Boston Commons to relax and enjoy the city like a local.

Photo by Taylor Rooney
Cheer On the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park
There is no city that takes its sports quite as seriously as Boston. If you’re visiting Boston during baseball season, you MUST stop and watch a game at Fenway Park. Fenway Park is one of the best, if not the best place, to catch a baseball game in the U.S. as the seats make you feel like you’re right on the field with the players. Cheer on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park and feel some of that inherent Boston pride.
Eat and Shop at Boston’s Chinatown
One of the most popular neighborhoods in Boston is Boston’s Chinatown. Chinatown offers great, authentic meals from restaurants such as the Hong Kong Eatery which claims to have the best wontons in the city (and it’s hard to argue once you’ve tried them). Besides the food, you’ll also have a wonderful time exploring the shops and culture of Boston’s Chinatown. From bubble tea cafes, herbal medicine shops, Chinese grocery stores, and dim sum restaurants, you’ll have your hands (and plates) full in Boston’s Chinatown.
Take the Walking Tours at Back Bay
Back Bay, once an actual bay, is now an area rich in art and architecture and you can tour through and discover the artistic history of Boston. On the tour, you can enjoy nature in the area of Commonwealth Avenue as well as great designer shops through Boylston and Newbury streets. Free walking tours are available almost every single day, throughout the whole year
If you’re planning a trip to Boston in the near future, take into account our suggestions, but also take some time to research on your own . There is something for everyone in the city and you don’t have to limit yourself to historical sights. You can shop, eat at upscale restaurants, and even enjoy some outdoor recreation all in Beantown. Boston is frequently a place that people put back on their list for future trips there is just too much to pack in during one stay. No matter what you decide to do, you’ll have a grand time and understand a bit more of that Boston unity and pride.
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