Location: Downtown
Top Things to do in Downtown
Things to do in Boston, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Concerts & Shows
Walk the Freedom Trail the first time you visit Boston and you'll quickly get a sense of this coastal city's revolutionary spirit and history. But make sure you also explore some of Boston's fine museums (try the Isabella Stewart Gardner, featuring masterpieces displayed in their collector's mansion) and old neighborhoods (like the North End, Boston's Little Italy). You can't claim to have experienced real Boston culture, though, until you've watched a Red Sox game from the bleachers.
Restaurants in Boston
1. The Cooking Show at Rustic Kitchen
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
The Studio Kitchen is a unique culinary & live entertainment destination. Home to "The Cooking Show" - a one-of-a-kind dining experience as well as signature classes and special events. Join Chef Liz Bramwell each week as she prepares a featured entree complete with appetizers and a perfect wine pairing. Winner of a 2013 New England Emmy Award and 11 Nominations in the past 2 years.
2. Mind Reading Confidential
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
In Mind Reading Confidential, Jon Stetson shares fun and intimate thoughts from the minds of his audience. He reveals stories that are outrageously funny, or even beautifully heart warming, and every demonstration is amazing. Stetson was the inspiration for the CBS hit television series “The Mentalist”. He blends the art of Mystery with the study of Psychology, the predictability of human nature and the power of intuition, with a disarming sense of humor. The result is slack jawed amazement, where the most skeptical of audience members begin to feel a renewed sense of wonder as impossibilities become realities. Mind Reading Confidential takes place in Boston's historic Omni Parker House hotel, the longest continuously operating hotel in the United States.
Reviewed By scorpiongal9 - Boston, United States
It was a fun-filled event in an intimate setting on a cold evening. The show was way more interactive and enjoyable than I had anticipated. Jon Stetson has a great sense of humor and knows how to keep his audience captivated.
3. Miracles & Other Deceptions: The Close Up Magic of Paul Gertner
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 139 reviews
See the ONLY magician to appear on Penn & Teller: Fool Us THREE Times. Paul Gertner brings his show Miracles & Other Deceptions to Boston at the classic downtown Omni Parker House on Friday nights beginning spring 2018. Miracles & Other Deceptions is a 75-minute program of innovative theatrical sleight-of-hand magic. The show is performed for a small exclusive audience where the magic happens close-up, right before your eyes. The magic you will see is original material created and performed by world champion sleight-of-hand expert Paul Gertner. At each show premium VIP “At the Table” Seats will give 10 lucky people an interactive opportunity to become part of the show. Paul Gertner is recognized by his peers as one of the finest sleight-of-hand magicians in the world today and he holds multiple first place awards in international competitions. Three Magician of the Year Awards from the Magic Castle in Hollywood... Three Tonight Show Appearances... and Three Fool Us Performances.
Reviewed By adirag5252
I simply cannot imagine enjoying a magic show more than I did Paul Gertner's. Before the show, I had watched all of Paul's appearances on Penn & Teller Fool Us on YouTube, and so I came in with pretty high expectations for the live show. Seeing Paul live blew my mind way more than I ever could have expected! He is an extremely nice person and readily involves audience members in breathtaking tricks, which is easily facilitated by the intimate (<20 people) setting. Getting to see Paul's extraordinary sleight of hand up close is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Book your tickets now!!
4. Wang Theater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
The Boch Center is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit performing arts institutions and a guardian of the historic Wang and Shubert Theatres. As New England’s largest cultural venue, the Boch Center is home to theater, classical and popular music, dance, comedy, opera, Broadway musicals, family entertainment, and more. Located in Boston’s historic Theater District, the Boch Center also offers a diverse mix of educational and community outreach initiatives, including the City Spotlights Leadership Program and ArtWeek Boston; collaborates with artists and local nonprofit arts organizations; preserves historic venues; and acts as a champion for Greater Boston’s arts and cultural community
Reviewed By avakathleen21
If you like very large, spacious theaters and like seeing a lot of plays/ performances, this theatre is the place to be! A few years ago I came here to see the Riverdance and it was AMAZING! An automatic 5 out of 5! There are many seating options and no matter where you are you can see a great view of the stage! You can also buy snacks and drinks from the different snack shack‘s as well. So overall Wang Theatre in Boston is excellent!
5. Boston Opera House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 372 reviews
Reviewed By E563IHstephaniep
From the outside, this Opera House is very deceiving. It's tiny facade opens up to a lovely historic theater with an ornate marble lobby, gold ornamentation and lovely ceiling frescoes. I've seen Hamilton, The Lion King, Wicked, the Nutcracker and more here, and it's always a pleasure to visit this grand old Concert Hall.The staff is always extremely pleasant.
6. Boston Ballet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By linchandarareaksmey - Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Went to see The Nutcracker, the building is gorgeous (great photo opportunities if that’s your thing) and small enough that there really isn’t a bad view (I was in dress circle Center Right and loved it). The performance itself was flawless, the orchestra was wonderful and the set was beautiful (loved the sparkling snow). Stand outs for the ballet performances were the Sugar Plum Fairy (so delicately beautiful - she seemed to be floating), the Arabian dance (so powerful, passionate and precise), the bear and rats were great and added humor and of course all the children were adorable (the black sheep and little girl who did the back flip stood out the most). Amazing production and I’ll definitely make a trip to the ballet a more frequent outing.
7. Shear Madness
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
Discover for youself why over 9 million people around the world have seen Shear Madness, the uproarious whodunit where the audience gets to solve the crime. A mixture of improvisation and up-to-the-minute humor, the play is delightfully different every time you see it.
Reviewed By GraceS5353 - Boston, United States
I went to see Shear Madness with my husband and 16 year old daughter. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. The actors were fantastic, and even seemed to surprised each other with how hilarous the ad libbing was. It’s a small theater, but it makes the stage very easy to see. The audience interaction was fun, and it ranged from jokes about audience members to audience members making fun of characters (nothing with malicious intent). Although it is targeted to adult audiences, my daughter was laughing a lot and said she enjoyed the show. There were kids as young as about 12 in our showing; kids younger than 12 probably wouldn’t understand/have fun. The only shame was how empty our showing was. The actors deserved a full theater. Overall, I recommend it if you have spare time in Boston!
8. Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College
9. Mystery Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 437 reviews
WILDLY ENTERTAINING EXPERIENCES for FRIENDS, FAMILY and CORPORATE EVENTS It all started when we created America's very first murder mystery dinner theater 29 years ago. It was a major hit (and still is). Ever since Mystery Café has been dreaming up incredible experiences for groups of all shapes and sizes. You can take part in a hilarious game show. Become characters in one of our live-actor mystery scavenger events. Try to puzzle your way out of our latest escape room. It's almost more fun than adults should be allowed to have. Almost. Check out our upcoming events in Boston this summer including Clue Live, a murder mystery scavenger hunt in Boston every Saturday and Search the Mansion, solve the crime in Dedham at the MIT Endicott House., or let us bring the excitement to your next corporate gathering. Either way, you're in for an experience you'll never forget.
Reviewed By angeldrummer4 - Tewksbury, United States
The Mystery café was fun with good acting a good food. The performers were really into their roles. good audience participation. Fun for all ages.
10. Boston Lyric Opera
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Both locally and beyond, Boston Lyric Opera leads the way in celebrating the art of the voice through innovative programming and community engagement initiatives that redefine the opera-going experience. Now in its 44th Season, BLO is the largest and longest-lived opera company in New England. Since its founding in 1976, the company has staged world premieres, U.S. premieres, co-productions and co-commissions of note with organizations such as The Royal Opera, Covent Garden, Scottish Opera and San Francisco Opera and continues to be a destination for some of the leading artists, conductors, directors and designers from around the world.
