Things to do in Boston and around
From harbor cruises and whale watching to the red line of the Freedom Trail and day trips along the Charles River, Boston rewards visitors with experiences for every kind of trip.
Signature experiences
The categories that define a first trip to Boston — walking the Freedom Trail, a harbor cruise, and a walk through the North End for cannoli.
Boston Harbor cruises
Boat tours on Boston Harbor and out to the Harbor Islands, plus whale-watching trips to Stellwagen Bank running roughly April through October.
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Freedom Trail and history tours
Guided walks along the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail's red line, from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument, covering its 16 official sites including the Paul Revere House and Old North Church.
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Ghost and haunted history tours
Evening walks built around the region's darker history, including Salem's 1692 witch trials, told as guided storytelling rather than verified hauntings - Salem gets crowded during the October Haunted Happenings, worth knowing before booking.
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Walking tours of Boston
Guided walks through downtown Boston, Beacon Hill and the North End covering local history and architecture beyond the Freedom Trail route itself.
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Food and drink tours
Walking tastings in the North End - cannoli from Mike's Pastry or Modern Pastry - plus clam chowder, lobster rolls, oysters and Boston cream pie, and breweries such as Samuel Adams, Harpoon and Trillium.
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Museums and attractions
The Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the New England Aquarium, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, and the USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard.
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Day trips from Boston
Outings to Plymouth, Lexington and Concord, Newport and Providence in Rhode Island, Portland and Kennebunkport in Maine, Portsmouth in New Hampshire, and Mystic in Connecticut.
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Neighborhood tours
Guided visits to Beacon Hill, the North End, Back Bay, Cambridge's Harvard Square and other neighborhoods beyond the Freedom Trail.
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Hop-on hop-off bus tours
Bus routes with multiple stops around downtown Boston, Back Bay and Cambridge, for seeing the city's landmarks at your own pace.
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Outdoors and nature
Time along the Charles River Esplanade, out on the Boston Harbor Islands, or further afield on Cape Cod and the North Shore's coastline.
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Cooking classes and workshops
Hands-on classes covering New England specialties such as clam chowder and lobster rolls, taught in small groups.
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Bike, segway and pedicab tours
Guided bike, segway and pedicab routes through downtown Boston and along the Charles River Esplanade, with Bluebikes stations across the city.
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Shows and entertainment
Live music, theatre and other evening entertainment around downtown Boston and Cambridge.
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Thrill rides
Boston has few dedicated thrill attractions downtown; the closest is the open-air deck and glass floor at View Boston, in the Prudential Center.
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Photo sessions in Boston
Professional photo shoots at Boston Common, the Public Garden and other Boston locations, with edited digital images.
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Private guided tours
Private tours with a dedicated driver-guide, tailored to a group's pace across Boston's sights and neighborhoods.
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Logan Airport transfers
Private and shared transfers between Logan Airport (BOS), reachable by the free Silver Line SL1 or by shuttle and the Blue Line, and hotels around the city.
2 guidesMore ways to experience the region
Specialist interests and practical planning - photo sessions, classes, seasonal timing, and the comparisons every first-time visitor searches for.
Planning your trip
Practicalities for a first visit - ESTA or a B-2 visa depending on nationality, US dollars, Massachusetts' 6.25% sales tax and typical tipping customs.
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Tours worth comparing
Similar Boston tours, such as harbor cruises or Freedom Trail walks, placed side by side to compare route, duration and inclusions before choosing one.
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Seasonal Boston activities
Activities shaped by the calendar, from Swan Boats in the Public Garden from mid-April to early September, to fall foliage from late September to late October and the Boston Marathon on Patriots' Day.
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Getting around Boston
The "T" (MBTA) with its Red, Green, Orange, Blue and Silver lines, a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket, Commuter Rail to Salem, Plymouth and Concord, and Bluebikes for shorter trips.
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Family-friendly activities
Tours and activities in Boston suited to traveling with children, from the New England Aquarium to Swan Boats in the Public Garden and the Boston Harbor Islands.
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Accessible Boston tours
Boston tours and attractions noted for wheelchair access or reduced-mobility accommodations.
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Low-cost things to do
Free and low-cost ways to spend time in Boston, including walking the Freedom Trail, Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Charles River Esplanade.
3 guidesBrowse by destination
Tours and activities organised by where you're headed — the best of each city and region.
Good to know about things to do in Boston
Boston's activities range from a single red line painted on the sidewalk to a full day on the water. 5 miles (4 km) from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument, and walking tours cover it with or without a guide. Harbor cruises and whale-watching trips leave for the Stellwagen Bank between April and October, while ferries reach the Boston Harbor Islands. Food and drink tours center on the North End's Italian bakeries and cannoli, alongside clam chowder, lobster rolls, and oysters found across the city, and breweries like Samuel Adams, Harpoon, and Trillium.
Museums range from the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and the New England Aquarium. Hop-on-hop-off buses, bike, Segway, and pedicab rides, neighborhood tours, and — around Halloween — ghost and haunted tours in Salem round out the list, alongside private tours, cooking classes, shows, thrill rides, photoshoots, and airport transfers to and from Logan.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Boston
What is the Freedom Trail exactly?
A 2.5-mile (4 km) red line on the sidewalk connecting 16 official historic sites from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument — it's a route, not a neighborhood.
When can I go whale watching?
Trips to the Stellwagen Bank run from April to October.
Are Salem's ghost tours worth it in October?
They're popular for the Haunted Happenings events, but the town gets genuinely crowded that month — worth knowing before booking.
What food should I try in the North End?
Cannoli from bakeries like Mike’s Pastry or Modern Pastry, plus clam chowder, lobster rolls, and oysters found across the city.
How do I get to and from Logan Airport?
The Silver Line SL1 is a free ride to downtown, or take a shuttle bus connecting to the Blue Line.
Boston Harbor cruises and Harbor Islands ferries on GetYourGuide
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GetYourGuide does not provide a product photo for this activity — the image shows the meeting point, photographed by us.
