Location: Boston
Top Things to do in Boston
Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Boston, Massachusetts (MA)
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. North End
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,134 reviews
This Italian neighborhood, Boston's oldest, is known for its wonderful restaurants and historic sights. Walk the cobblestone streets to take in the architecture and aromas of delicious food, and visit Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church while you're in the neighborhood.
Reviewed By loneriter - Boston, United States
This is a must-do while visiting Boston. Cobblestone streets, authentic Italian restaurants, gelaterias, quaint cafes serving divine espressos, and pastry shops selling that most mouth-watering of Italian desserts -- cannolis. Word of caution: if planning to dine in the North End, make sure you call ahead for a reservation.
2. Castle Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
The site of a fort erected in 1634, Castle Island is a great place to walk, jog or just unwind and enjoy the view.
Reviewed By Northern_Traveler00 - Boston, United States
12 months a year you can find us at Castle Island, enjoying the breezes (and winter winds) taking the approx 2 mile walk around Pleasure Bay and the old fort. Lunch (or breakfast) at Sullivan's is a great and inexpensive stop to enjoy a meal watching the planes and boats and people
3. Boston Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 975 reviews
Highlights of this interactive museum include the "Science Playground," featuring giant soap bubble-making tools and the "New Balance Climb," which teaches kids the laws of physics while navigating through a two-story-high maze.
Reviewed By 479pattid - Hudson, United States
Spent the day at the Boston Children’s museum. There is a lot of hands exhibits for kids to interact with. We went on a Monday holiday and the place was packed. Next time I would not go on a holiday. They have a nice gift shop, but felt like it was geared for younger children. Make sure to see if your library offers museum passes, it will save you some money.
4. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,261 reviews
At the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, you can be a part of the famous event that forever changed the course of American History! It’s more than a stroll through historic artifacts – it’s an adventure! Located on the Congress Street Bridge in Boston, Massachusetts, this floating museum is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Live actors, high-tech, interactive exhibits, authentically restored tea ships and the stirring, multi-sensory documentary “Let it Begin Here,” are just a taste of what you’ll see, hear and feel. Meet the colonists, explore the ships and dump tea overboard just as the Sons of Liberty did on that fateful night of December 16, 1773. Stop in at Abigail’s Tea Room for teatime and visit the Gift Shop for special souvenirs. It’s educational, entertaining and enlightening — an experience not to be missed by adults and children of all ages. Your tour of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum will last approximately one hour and will take you through a variety of displays that are interconnected. The tour is designed to give you the opportunity to participate, explore and learn about the people, events and consequences that led up to the American Revolution in the order in which they actually occurred more than 230 years ago.
Reviewed By GingerH0 - Boston, United States
The Boston Tea Party excursion is a wonderful, interactive journey through one of the most important times in our nation’s history. Talented actors/actresses recreate the important scenes leading up to the Boston Tea Party including the famous Town Hall Meeting where Samuel Adams leads the citizens to rally against England. Participants feel a part of the rebellion by voicing shouts of “here, here!” For raucous agreement and “hissssss” for disagreement! You can even have a speaking role if you wish! After the town hall meeting, participants are then led to the boats where they can participate in “throwing the tea overboard.” While the first half of the tour includes many fun and interesting tidbits about his rebellion, it ends with an short film about the Battle of Lexington and the importance of the Tea Party as a catalyst for our nation’s freedom! Fun for kids and adults!
5. Boston Public Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,829 reviews
This Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park, famous for its Swan Boats, has over 600 varieties of trees and an ever-changing array of flowers. It is America's first public garden.
Reviewed By M3730ZNsarab
No trip to Boston is complete without walking through these gardens! Located downtown and right beside Boston Commons, this is a beautiful spot to stroll through on a sunny day and stop and sit. You can see squirrels, ducks, beautiful flowers in season, ride the swan boats, see the duck statues, see the fountains, and enjoy the day!
6. Arnold Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 657 reviews
Part of Olmsted's famous Emerald Necklace, America's oldest public arboretum has 265 beautiful acres of trees, shrubs and vines.
Reviewed By patriciasS9225TJ
This is a lovely and picturesque part of Boston. If you enjoy nature and walking this a must. Enjoy the beautiful plants and trees while taking a leisurely walk. The aborreumn covers at least a two radius. It is beautiful any time of year.
7. Freedom Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,358 reviews
The red line on the sidewalk leads you on this 2.5-mile, self-guided tour of American Revolution sites. It starts at the Boston Common, America's oldest public park, and ends at the famed Bunker Hill Monument.
Reviewed By 434eileenb - Wheaton, United States
American history starts here- Bunker Hill Monument, USS Constitution (Old Ironsides), Paul Revere's House, Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, Boston Tea Party Site, the Granary Burial ground, King's Chapel, Old Corner Book Store are all must see sites. The "Red" trail takes you to all these places and more. Very easy walking short segments of the trail. Everyone friendly and wearing masks. We started at Boston Common. Visitor center didnot have any free maps -the one they had was $3.00 and it was the same as we got at our hotel..so pick one up at your hotel if possible. They also had bathrooms. Parking is free on Sundays on the streets so get there early in the day We stopped at Faneuil Hall for lunch and shopping. Visitor center was closed (not sure if is opened at all) We drove over to USS Constitution (Old Ironsides). We found parking on the street. We didnot see any parking lots. Visitor center/museum was $10 per adult and worth visiting. The ship is free but they only allow 25 people at a time so go early in the day. Be prepared to stand in sun as they have limited shade and they do security and virus checks.
8. Copley Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 823 reviews
Anchored by the modern John Hancock building and the stately Trinity Church, this area is known for its upscale restaurants and stores.
Reviewed By piotrh1982 - Lodz, Poland
Nice square just in the heart of the city. You can have a seat and rest a little. There are some nice buildings surrounding it
9. Boston Common
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,419 reviews
Whether it's a summer picnic in the grass or winter ice-skating on Frog Pond, Boston's oldest public park is the perfect escape from the bustle of the city.
Reviewed By JeanneJ739
Lovely green expanse in central Boston. In the past a spot to turn your cows out to graze, site of public hangings, protests, speeches (one by Gorbachev), concerts (a big one by Judy Garland), ice skating on the pond in winter, lots of sports facilities, and an annual Christmas tree from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in thanks for prompt and generous help from Boston after the 1917 Halifax explosion.
10. Old State House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,366 reviews
Relive the drama and excitement of the American Revolution with fun and engaging programs and tours, interactive exhibits, beautifully restored period rooms and unsurpassed 18th century treasures. Celebrating 300 years as America's oldest and most historic colonial building, the Old State House is now Boston's Revolutionary Museum. Visit us at the heart of the Freedom Trail and only steps away from Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market and the New England Aquarium.
Reviewed By TheAviator0765 - Ripon, United Kingdom
This really is a 'must-see' on the Trail. Not only is the building beautifully kept and steeped in history in its own right, the museum will guide you around the story of Boston and allow you to fully understand the part it and its people played in the War Of Independence. Access is via the Visitors' Centre desk in the gift shop. The fee is well worth it, for inside the exhibits and interpretation boards describe clearly and in chronological order what happened in the famous city. Now as a Brit, I was curious on what slant the events would be described, but rest assured the story is sold factually without a hint of partisanship. That said, I fully recognise George III was best described as an absent landlord who saw the Colonies as a cash-cow, while the British Army's idea of defence diplomacy of the era was to pour more fuel onto the nearest available spark! But the collection of exhibits in its own right amounts to a truly fascinating collection. There are also a number of tours throughout the day. Do try and catch one; the briefers are knowledgable and full of enthusiasm, and add immensely to the overall experience. There is a gift shop on the ground floor, well stocked with good quality and interesting products; all things to do with the Revolution. Plan to spend at least an hour here. It's not a 'poke head inside and tick off' kind of place. We spent nearly two hours here, but felt much the richer for it.
