Being the capital of Massachusetts and root of the American Revolution, there is no dearth of places to visit in Boston. For the history buffs, there is the Boston Tea Party Museum, Museum of Fine Arts and more. For those looking for other tourist attractions in Boston, there are plenty of shopping, art, sports and dining opportunities to experience. You can jet off on a cruise from Boston Harbour, try out the diverse restaurants in North End or visit the aquarium and children’s museum. Top ten places to visit in Boston offer avenues for entertainment for people of all ages.
Top 10 Places To Visit In Boston
The best tourist places in Boston promise visitors an exciting time and unforgettable memories. Here’s a list of top ten places to visit in Boston.
1. Fenway Park
Photo: Own work / Wikimedia Commons
If you are a fan of baseball, you cannot miss a game at Fenway Park. The residence of the Boston Red Sox, this sports stadium has seen several home runs, grounders and stolen bases since 1912. Irrespective of whether you are a Red Sox fan or not, it is worth it to catch a game at this iconic stadium. Must-see features of this stadium are its iconic architecture, Pesky’s Pole (the foul pole named after Johnny Pesky), and the 37-foot “Green Monster” wall on the left field.
Location: 4 Jersey St, Boston MA 02215
Fees: Free to look around, Ticket and tour prices vary with the game
Timings: Tours from 9 AM – 5 PM (non-game days), 9 AM to 3 hours before the start of a game (game days).
2. Freedom Trail
Photo: MamaGeek at en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Extending for around 2.5 miles, the Freedom Trail is the historic path that gives you a tour of 16 iconic locations and one of the best places to visit in Boston. There are brick markers beginning from downtown Boston, continuing across the North End and concluding at the Bunker Hill Monument at Charlestown. You will encounter well-known monuments like Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution Frigate and the Paul Revere House on the way. While you can embark on the Freedom Trail on your own, you may also avail of guided tours. The trail has many restaurants and cafes on the way to help to energise. While you need half a day to cover all the stops, you can choose specific points of interest as well.
Location: From downtown Boston to Charlestown
Fees: Free (but attractions may charge admission fees)
Timings: 10 AM – 3 PM
3. Museum Of Fine Arts
Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons
The Museum of Fine Arts is one of Boston’s oldest and most prominent art institutions. This venue houses a comprehensive art collection, including works from Asia and Egypt. Early American art is honoured with the displays in the “Art of America” wing. In this gallery, you can witness iconic and indigenous works depicting cultures of South, North and Central America by modern artists such as Edward Cooper. Apart from the impressive Asian art collection, you can also find works by Renoir, Monet, Rembrandt, and Manet on display. Certain temporary exhibits also showcase works from renowned Black artists such as Picasso and Brackens.
Location: 465, Huntington Ave Avenue of the Arts, Boston MA 02115
Fees: $27 – ₹2,287.59 for Adults and $10.00 – ₹847.23 ( from 7 to 17 years)
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Wednesday to Monday)
4. Boston Tea Party Ships
Photo: Bob Linsdell / Wikiemedia Commons
You can become a part of history through Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, which is rated among the top places to visit in Boston. You can relive the entire event, beginning with the American Revolution,18th-century, through interactive exhibits, historical narrators and full-size replicas of 18th century boats. The museum has the authentic Robinson Tea Chest, 3D holograms and talking portraits. Be part of a town meeting and discuss with period characters about colonial times. Indulge in the tradition of tossing out tea(fake) into the same water body where the event occurred hundreds of years ago. Later, relish some afternoon tea at Abigail’s Tea Room and check out the gift shop for souvenirs.
Location: 306 Congress Street Boston, MA 02210
Fees: $35.00 – ₹2,965.46
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM (Monday to Sunday)
5. Boston Public Library
Photo: Lëa-Kim Châteauneuf / Wikimedia Commons
The primary branch of the Boston Public Library is in Copley Square, which opened in 1895. Unlike a regular library, this one boasts of immaculate architecture and gives visitors a renaissance feeling like visiting a museum. Two sculpted stone lions stand guard outside at Dartmouth Street. The library’s main reading room, the Bates Hall, is 218 feet long with an arch-like ceiling that is 50 feet high. Visitors can learn more about the library, its architecture, precious artworks and wall murals by prominent artists by taking a free tour. This library owns over 20 million items and has made it to the National Register of Historic Places. The library also has a tea lounge where you can relax with a cup of tea.
Location: 700 Boylston St, Boston, Massachusetts
Fees: Free
Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM (Monday – Thursday), 9 AM – 5 PM (Saturday), 11 AM – 5 PM (Sunday)
6. North End
Photo: jacob Licht / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
North End is an iconic Boston neighbourhood popular for its authentic food joints, Italian cuisine, and pastry shops. The narrow streets and landmarks can remind one of a European city. Stroll around this American Italian terrain to explore its winding alleys and historic streets such as Hanover Street. You can either embark on a walking food tour to get the best culinary experience here or go on a guided history tour to learn more about significant structures, such as the Old North Church or the Paul Revere house. Some of the Italian delicacies you can find here are the classic pizzas, seafood, meatballs, pasta, fresh bread and Tiramisu cake.
Location: Boston, MA 02109
7. Boston Public Garden
Photo: TanRo / Wikimedia Commons
The Boston Public Garden, near Boston Common, established in 1837, is the first public botanical garden in America. The trees and flowers are aesthetically arranged and maintained throughout the year in this garden. Swan boats are popular here, and you can see colourful plants and exotic trees as you ride along the water of the 6-acre pond. The park also has two prominent statues-George Washington statue and one of the Duck & ducklings. This is a good place to relax after sightseeing while spotting plenty of geese and ducks waddling in the lagoon.
Location: Boston MA 02116
Fees: Free
Timings: 24 hours
8. JFK Presidential Museum And Library
Photo: Bohao Zhao / Wikimedia Commons
Revisit the Kennedy period in this interesting blend of library and museum attraction called the John F Kennedy Presidential Museum and Library. You can begin your visit with a short presentation and then discover some engrossing exhibits about the Cuban Missile Crisis, the studio of the Kennedy-Nixon debate, the 1960s campaign, the US space program, and trivia about JF Kennedy and his family members. There is also a model of his desk at the Oval Office and many other artifacts based on JFK’s life and tenure. The man behind the uniquely designed building that overlooks the Boston skyline is architect I.M. Pei.
Location: 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston MA 02125
Fees: $18 – ₹1,525.06 for Adults, $12 – ₹1,016.79 for Seniors, $10-₹847.38 (for ages between 13 to 17)
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
9. Boston Common
Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons
Boston Common is a historic green enclave with calm walking paths, serene ponds and historical structures. Once a British camp, the park was then used for rallies and speeches. Now, locals use it for a picnic, a leisurely stroll or as a playground for kids. This park is famous for ice skating in the Frog Pond in winter, which turns into a spray pool in summer. One of the oldest parks in America, it hosts several events and activities, such as fitness classes and musical/theatre performances around the year. This park is the starting point for the Freedom Trail.
Location: 139 Tremont St, Boston MA 02111
Fees: Free
Timings: 6:30 AM – 11 PM
10. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Photo: Sintakso / Wikimedia Commons
Experience Venetian architecture right in the heart of Boston city. Once Isabella Gardner’s home, the palace was later converted into a museum exhibiting her artwork. You can see an extensive collection of American, Asian, and European paintings, photos, sculptures, furniture, apparel and ceramics. Visitors can either take a walk to explore the place or relax in the beautiful courtyard amidst greenery. The new wing of the museum, created by Renzo Piano, comprises greenhouses, a glass atrium and garden landscapes. Do not miss this unique attraction, which is among the best places to visit in Boston.
Location: 25 Evans Way Boston MA 02115
Fees: $22 – ₹1,864.12(Adults), $20 – ₹1,694.61(Seniors), Free (Children 17 and under)
Timings: 11 AM – 5 PM (Monday to Friday), 10 AM – 5 PM (Saturday & Sunday)
Boston, Massachusetts has always been a favourite among tourists due to its rich history, eclectic food and iconic monuments. From the many options, you can pick the best places to visit in Boston that can offer you an unforgettable experience. Now that you know the best places for a Boston trip, connect with TripXL to plan your next unforgettable winter or summer vacation to this historic city.
Cover Photo: todd kent / Unsplash