Location: Downtown
Top Things to do in Downtown
What to do and see in Downtown, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Sights & Landmarks
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. Shrine of Saint Anthony
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By FionaC276 - Stanmore, United Kingdom
Staying in Boston and we wanted to go to Mass, what a beautiful experience, the band at the Sunday Mass, so beautiful.
2. New England Holocaust Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,507 reviews
The six glass towers of this striking memorial serve to represent the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust, six main Nazi death camps and the candles on a menorah.
Reviewed By Gonen2014 - Haifa, Israel
This is a monument in memory of the Jews murdered in the Holocaust. The monument includes six square glass towers that symbolize the six nillion Jews who perished in the Holocaust, and the six largest concentration camps. Under each glass tower there is a niche that symbolizes an extermination camp from which smoke is rising. On the boards around you can read about the history of the Holocaust along with things that Holocaust survivors said. A very emotional monument that brings teatrs to your eyes as you walk along it. This is a must visit for everyone!
3. Emerson College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Granary Burying Ground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,602 reviews
The burial ground for famous American patriots like Paul Revere, John Hancock and Sam Adams, is also the final resting place for Mother Goose.
Reviewed By MRayTraveler - Orange County, United States
Granary Burying Ground is one stop on the Freedom Trail, and features the final resting places of Paul Revere, John Hancock, Sam Adams, the victims of the Boston Massacre, Ben Franklin's parents and many more. So much history in such a small space. Stop by for 20 or 30 minutes and enjoy the opportunity to experience a small bit of our nation's history.
7. King's Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 492 reviews
Built in 1754, this was the first Anglican church in America; it later became the country's first Unitarian house of worship.
Reviewed By 693chrisv - Cedar Rapids, United States
The inside of the church was broken into small compartments, with separate doors for each compartment. In the olden days, you could purchase a compartment. Beautiful old church, and really enjoyed the prayers at alter that were on beautiful display.
8. Peddocks Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Close to the mainland, Peddocks Island is one of the largest and most diverse islands in the harbor—featuring historic structures, hiking trails, unique geologic features, and even solar energy installations. One area is also still home to active cottages that serve as private residences. Hike around an island that has been home to American Indians, militiamen, prisoners of war, farmers, summer vacationers, and others. Explore an island that was home to Fort Andrews from the early 1900s through World War II.
9. Waterfront
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,825 reviews
Reviewed By Southiebob - Boston, United States
Lived here all my life and seen the waterfront change with the years. My kids had a great time on the waterfront along with friends and family. Start at South Station food court (TEENS HEAVEN) and walk the Rose Kennedy Greenway ( food trucks) the teens will love it... all kinds of weird things on the way. Fog fountains, water fountains squirting everyone, merry go round, National Park Island boat rides, aquarium with I Max theatre,more food for you know who, oldest part of Boston at Haymarket Square area, Continue on the Greenway skirting the North End and pizza heaven at every turn. You can go into the North End and visit historic Paul Revere house, Old North Church ( “ one if by land.. two if by sea”), Cobbs Hill burying ground, ARE U BORED YET?? I’m beat... try going to Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution (oldest active warship in the Navy) and if all else fails and the teens are bored I guess you will just have to come back!!! Have fun go see a Bruins game or take a train to Salem the Witch City. Oh yea I almost forgot... my kids are still in Reginas Pizza and maybe a stop in Dolce Vita restaurant on Hanover Street.
10. The Printing Office of Edes & Gill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 368 reviews
The Printing Office of Edes & Gill, Boston’s only colonial era printing experience, We are open daily and located along the Freedom Trail at Faneuil Hall. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage living historians working their printers trade in pre-revolutionary Boston. We offer unique personal encounters with history and colonial printing. As Boston’s only colonial trade experience and only colonial living history interpretive experience, our historic equipment, live demonstrations, interpreters and historic settings enable new levels of understanding how colonial printing affected communities and sparked a revolution in America. We seek to recreate this experience for visitors and school groups to Boston’s Freedom Trail and to rekindle the spirit of Samuel Adams who urged fellow citizens to join this “animating contest of Liberty!”
Reviewed By MNDoubleB - Saint Paul, United States
The man that runs the printing press is about the nicest person I have ever met. I was part of a veterans tour and we were treated like VIPs. If you want to step back in time, and actually learn about America's history this is the place to go. You can actually print your own copy of the Declaration of Independence!
