Fun and Free Things to Do in Boston
From historic sites to beautiful public spaces, you’ll run out of time before your run out of fun and free things to do in Boston
There's a lot to do in Bean Town without taking a bite—or even a nibble—out of your vacation budget. Here are a few ideas to get you started on your Boston journey.
Get Artsy
Download a map of Boston’s public artwork and you’ll find plenty of opportunities for fun vacation pics, like the 12-foot FAO Schwartz Bear at the Tufts Medical Center and the giant bronze baby heads outside the Museum of Fine Arts State Street entrance. Want an even quirkier Boston attraction? Head for the Museum of Bad Art where you’ll find kitschy works—like a huge orange cat poised to devour a human— that’ll make you wonder where the artist’s inspiration came from.
Take a Tour
You don’t have to drop a load of cash to enjoy a narrated tour of many of Boston's attractions. Download one of several free apps that give you the inside scoop on historical points of interest, including the Boston Harborwalk, Boston National Historical Park and the city’s Public Garden. You’ll even find free tour apps for the Boston Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile pedestrian walkway that connects 16 of the city’s most historic sites.
Enjoy the View
While you’re looking for things to do in Boston, don’t forget to schedule time to stop and enjoy the scenery. One of the best places: the Bunker Hill Monument, where a 295-step climb rewards you with panoramic views of the city and its skyline. For a shorter hike, check out the outdoor stairwell at Tuft University’s Tisch Library. The rooftop garden is just one stop on the university’s free EcoTour, which is accessible through your smartphone’s QR code scanner.
Hike Back in Time
Boston’s history goes back long before the American Revolution. Take a hike through the Blue Hills Reservation where Native Americans lived, fished and hunted before the arrival of Europeans. You’ll see the locations of early colonial farmsteads and a weather observatory where the area’s first meteorologist used piano wire, balloons and strings to measure weather patterns. Bring your bathing suit and finish your visit with a dip in the spring-fed Houghton’s Pond.
See a Show
Ready for some music? Fun things to do in Boston include concerts and other entertainment. Head over to the Boston Central Library in Copely Square (the first free municipal library in the country) to enjoy free one-hour concerts under the picturesque arches of the McKim Courtyard. You can also take in a free concert or a movie at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade.
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