17 Must See Attractions in Boston

Boston has been at the heart of many of the country’s most important historical events, so you’ll be spoiled for choice of attractions to enjoy here.

Tourists flock to the city to explore picturesque neighborhoods, admire centuries-old architecture, stroll in lush parks, and appreciate world-class art. Boston is also perfectly positioned close to other fascinating cities that make ideal day trips if you have the time to spare.

Without further ado, let’s delve into the 17 must-see Boston attractions that you’re certain to love.

1. Freedom Trail

• Website: thefreedomtrail.org
• Address: Freedom Trl, Boston, MA

Take a walk along the three-mile Freedom Trail to discover 16 of Boston’s most important historical sites. Start your adventure at the visitor center in Boston Common and follow the line of red bricks on the sidewalk and footprints at crossings.

The trail passes by the Old Granary Burying Ground where Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere are buried, the Old North Church, and the Old State House. The end point is across the bridge in Charlestown, where you’ll see the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument.

2. Faneuil Hall Marketplace

• Website: faneuilhallmarketplace.com
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 9.00 pm Monday to Saturday / 11 am – 7 pm Sunday

Faneuil Hall Marketplace is home to three individual halls: Quincy Market, North Market, and South Market. This site traces its origins to the early 19th century and is now home to a vibrant selection of restaurants, cafes, shops, and entertainment. This is a great spot to buy souvenirs like Red Sox caps and other sporting memorabilia.

3. Historic Parks

Boston holds the accolade of being home to the oldest park and botanical gardens:

Boston Common

• Website: boston.gov/parks/public-garden
• Address: 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 6.00 am – 11.30 pm

Boston Common is America’s oldest park and a popular place to take a break from the hubbub of the city. Head to the park’s Frog Pond to ice skate during winter and hit the splash pool in the hotter months.

Boston Public Garden

• Website: boston.gov/parks/public-garden
• Address: 4 Charles Street, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 6.30 am – 11.00 pm

Boston Public Gardens is a sprawling 24-acre green space and America’s oldest botanical garden. Stroll among the well-maintained lawns and admire the Victorian-style monuments, and don’t miss the chance to take a ride on the historic swan boats.

4. Salem

Salem is located less than an hour away and makes a fascinating day trip where you can learn the lore of the city’s dark but intriguing past. Known by many as Witch City Salem was the location of the 17th-century witch trials. Visitors can explore landmarks and museums independently or join a guided tour to hear spooky stories of all that happened here.

5. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

• Website: bostonteapartyship.com
• Address: 306 Congress St, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm daily

In December 1773, over a year before the American Revolution commenced, furious Bostonians stormed English ships and threw their tea into the harbor. Protesters were fighting a tax on goods shipped to the colonies, and this night changed the course of history forever.

Visitors to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum will learn all about that fateful night through interactive exhibits and costumed historians. You’ll even get to dump tea in the harbor!

6. Old North Church

• Website: mos.org
• Address: 193 Salem St, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Tuesday to Saturday / 10.00 am – 11.00 am & 11.30 am – 5.00 pm Sunday

North End is a lively Italian neighborhood that is home to Old North Church. The church is where lanterns were hung in April 1775 to inform activist leader Paul Revere that British troops were heading to arrest patriot leaders. Visitors can climb to the top of the church to enjoy North End views.

7. Boston’s Museums

Boston is home to an impressive number of world-class museums. Here are a few of the best to add to your itinerary.

Museum of Science

• Website: mos.org
• Address: Museum Of Science Driveway, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm daily

More than 700 interactive exhibits encompass scientific areas including physics, biology, chemistry, and astronomy. Don’t miss the 65-million-year-old fossil that was discovered in the Dakota Badlands, the butterfly garden with free-flying butterflies, and Computer Place where you can operate a robot.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

• Website: gardnermuseum.org/home
• Address: 25 Evans Way, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 11.00 am – 5.00 pm Wednesday to Monday

This museum is set in a striking building modeled on a 15th-century Venetian palace. Inside, you’ll find a collection of 2,500 artworks, tapestries, manuscripts, and pieces of furniture. Finish your visit by wandering among flowering plants and fountains in the charming central courtyard.

Museum of Fine Arts

• Website: mfa.org
• Address: 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Saturday to Monday & Wednesday / 10.00 am – 10.00 pm Thursday & Friday

The Museum of Fine Art is a leading art museum in the USA and boasts an incredible collection of works from ancient times to the modern day. The American Wing is home to an outstanding exhibit of pieces dating as far back as the pre-Columbian era.

Boston Children’s Museum

• Website: bostonchildrensmuseum.org
• Address: 308 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210
• Opening hours: 9.00 am – 4.00 pm daily

If you’re visiting Boston with kids in tow, you won’t want to miss the city’s Children’s Museum. Exhibits here appeal to children of all ages — the huge sculpture where kids can safely climb up multiple floors is a popular feature.

8. Boston Duck Tour

• Website: bostonducktours.com
• Address: Boston Duck Tours has three departure locations: the Museum of Science, Prudential Center, and New England Aquarium
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – an hour before sunset

For a sightseeing tour with a difference, sign up for the Boston Duck Tour. This guided tour explores Boston by land and by the Charles River in amphibious vehicles known as Ducks. These boats were originally used in World War II and now offer an alternative way to view Boston. Tours last around 90 minutes and take in landmarks including Copley Square and Boston Common.

9. Newbury Street

• Website: www.newburystboston.com
• Address: Newbury Street, Boston, MA 0211

The Back Bay neighborhood was the heart of 19th-century Boston. Head to trendy Newbury Street to soak up the atmosphere, shop in boutiques, and drink coffee in quaint cafes.

Tip: The Charles River Esplanade is to the north of Back Bay and is worth visiting while you’re in the area.

10. Boston Public Library

• Website: bpl.org
• Address: 700 Boylston St, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 9.00 am – 8.00 pm Monday to Thursday / 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Friday & Saturday / 11.00 am – 5.00 pm Sunday

Boston Public Library was founded in 1848 as the first lending library of its kind. The Central Library location in Copley Square is the most impressive branch — go inside to see stunning Renaissance Revival architecture and three impressive sets of bronze doors.

While you’re in the area, swing by the Prudential Center for panoramic city views on its 50th-floor observation deck.

11. Cambridge’s Universities

Hop over to the beautiful city of Cambridge to see these world-famous attractions:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

• Website: mit.edu
• Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm daily

Architecture fans shouldn’t miss the 150-acre modern and post-modern campus. This living museum is the work of a collective of noted architects and is home to hundreds of contemporary art and installations. The best way to enjoy this attraction is via a self-guided walking tour.

Harvard Art Museums

• Website: harvardartmuseums.org
• Address: Cambridge, MA
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Tuesday to Sunday

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest higher learning institute in the United States. The university’s art museum is where visitors can appreciate works spanning various periods from the early Renaissance to modern Northern European expressionist art.

12. The Paul Revere House

• Website: paulreverehouse.org
• Address: 19 North Square, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.15 pm daily

This is the original colonial home of American patriot Paul Revere and is where he lived during the Revolutionary War. Built in the late 17th century, this is also the oldest house in Boston, and a visit to the well-preserved interior is like taking a step back in time.

13. Fenway Park

• Website: mlb.com/redsox/ballpark
• Address: 4 Jersey Street, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: Various; see the website for details

America’s most beloved ballpark is home to the Boston Red Sox. It dates back to 1912, and the stadium is largely unchanged. If no games are scheduled during your time in Boston, join a guided tour to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the stadium instead.

14. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway

• Website: rosekennedygreenway.org
• Address: 185 Kneeland Street, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 7.00 am – 11.00 pm daily

The Greenway is one of the newest parks in downtown Boston and connects several neighborhoods including Chinatown and North End. There’s always lots going on here including farmers’ markets and public art exhibitions.

15. USS Constitution Museum

• Website: ussconstitutionmuseum.org
• Address: Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA
• Opening hours: 9.30 am – 5.00 pm daily

USS Constitution is nicknamed Old Ironsides and is the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy. Visit the museum in Charlestown Navy Yard to learn about this iconic vessel then pay a visit to the ship itself to experience an important part of the country’s naval history.

16. New England Aquarium

• Website: neaq.org
• Address: 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA
• Opening hours: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm daily

The New England Aquarium perches on the Boston waterfront and is home to more than 20,000 fish and aquatic animals. For a full day of aquatic experiences, pay a visit to the adjacent IMAX theater that shows short nature films, or book a spot on the whale-watching tours that depart from Boston Harbor.

17. Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is an interesting neighborhood displaying two distinct sides to this eclectic city. The south side is known for being home to Boston’s old money while the north side has historically been home to the city’s immigrant population.

National Park Service Rangers offer free guided tours of the Black Heritage Trail in the area from April to November or you can do it as a self-guided tour any other time of the year.

Explore Historical Sites and Impressive Attractions in Boston

Whether you’re a culture vulture, a history buff, or a lover of green spaces, you’re certain to enjoy your time here in this fantastic American city. Now that you have this countdown of the 17 best Boston attractions to hand, you’re ready to enjoy a magical vacation in Massachusetts.