Boston Attractions

Each year, over 20 million visitors come to Boston to experience it’s rich history, arts, culture, education, sports, shopping, and natural beauty. Home to more than 35 colleges and universities and 150,000 students, Boston is a vibrant city. Just outside the city, neighborhood like Harvard Square in Cambridge and Coolidge Corner in Brookline are fun to explore and accessible via public transportation. Inside the city, you can visit over 20 neighborhoods that each bring their own unique flavor to the city. Even though many of attractions and sites are much closer to you than you think, Boston’s public transit system is available to transport you through the city.
Free and fun!
In Boston like many other big cities there is no lack of sites to see and places to explore. However, separating Boston from those other location is the volume of things that you can do for free! Boston offers a tremendous amount of free or low-cost events and venues that can fit any budget. You can visit the Sam Adams Brewery in Jamaica Plain, tour the State Capitol building on Beacon Hill, or climb the Bunker Hill memorial in Charlestown at no cost.
Concerts, Movies, and Public Art: When the weather is nice there are free public concerts, movies, and outdoor art installations at various locations around the city.
- Festivals and Events: The City of Boston offers many free festivals and events throughout the year.
- Boston Harborwalk: You can walk along the Boston Harborwalk and take in historical landmarks, contemporary buildings, and street performers at Faneuil Hall, in the North End, and in Christopher Columbus Park.
- Parks & Recreation: To relax and unwind after a log day, or simply to enjoy the landscape of Boston, visit the many parks and green spaces throughout Boston including the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Pond, Esplanade, and Boston Public Garden in different neighborhoods of Boston.
- History & Walking Tours: The City of Boston offers many free walking tours to learn more about the history of the city and the country. Walking the freedom trail and visiting the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Memorial are also available for no charge.
- Museums, Aquarium, Zoos, and Galleries Boston offers a host of museums and galleries with historic artists and up-and-coming talents. The Boston Public Library offers free or discounted passes to attractions such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Isabelle Stuart Gardener Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art, Harvard Museum of National History, Harvard Art Museum the New England Aquarium, and Zoo New England.
Take some time to explore these sights and take a virtual tour of the city:
- City of Boston
- Visiting Boston
- Boston.com
- Visit Boston
- Newbury Street
- Boston USA
- Greater Boston/Mass Vacations
Museums and the Arts
- The Boston Symphony
- The Museum of Fine Arts
- Isabella Stewart Garner Museum
- Institute of Contemporary Arts
- New England Aquarium
- Boston Museum of Science
- John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
- Boston Tea Party Museum
Boston Highlights
Historical Attractions
- Freedom Trail
- Sites on the Freedom Trail
- Trinity Church
- Boston Common
- Massachusetts State House
- Granary Burying Ground
- Old South Meeting House
- Old State House
- Faneuil Hall
- Paul Revere’s House
- Old North Church
- Bell in Hand Tavern
- Bunker Hill Monument
- USS Constitution
- Boston African American National Historic Site
- Museum of African American History