

In 1990, 13 works of art were stolen from this museum in a heist that sounds like something out of a movie: two thieves posed as Boston Police Officers, outwitted the guards, locked them in the basement, and made off with their bounty. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a beautiful place that is home to remarkable art… and an interesting story. Tours of Harvard are surprisingly inexpensive–if you want a guide, this is a great place to have one!Ĭool Museums to Visit in Boston Wander through the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
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Whether you choose a student-led tour or you download Harvard’s free walking tour from their website to add to your list of things to do in Boston, don’t miss a chance to walk around one of the most famous educational institutions in the world! While you’re over there, make the time to spend the day in Cambridge–even off-campus, Cambridge has plenty to offer! Whatever view you pick, make sure you add a skyline view to your list of the best things to do in Boston! There is no shortage of opportunities to get great views of Boston’s skyline! Most popular is the top of the Prudential Center (or “the Pru”).Īlso making the list are the 14th floor of the Atlantic Wharf Building (it’s free, but be sure to bring ID!), the view from the Longfellow Bridge, and the view from the top of the Bunker Hill Monument, which is where the below photo was taken from. Massachusetts’ beautiful gold-domed State House is free to tour on weekdays from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, though you will need to make reservations in advance! If you’re interested in the history of the building, be sure to put this on your list of things to do in Boston. Underneath the famous Old North Church lie 37 tombs that were built between 17, and the crypt that houses them is open for visitors.Ĭlimb down the cramped staircases to learn about how and why this crypt was used–definitely a different atmosphere than walking into the Old North Church sanctuary above it! Visit the crypt under the Old North Church.

If you’d like to check out the view from the water, the swan paddle boats are an amazing deal in the heart of Boston: $3.00/ride.īoston Common is impossible to miss on a list of things to do in Boston, if only because of what surrounds it: Beacon Hill, the Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, and the Boston Public Garden are all visible from it, and Downtown Crossing, the Theater District, Back Bay, and more are all just a short walk away.Įven better, Boston Common is a destination in its own right: the green lawns are perfect for flopping, the food stalls sell (admittedly overpriced) snacks, and you can almost always find a performance going on during the weekends, whether it’s as elaborate as Shakespeare in the Park or as simple as one person with an instrument.īe sure to check out the Frog Pond! This shallow (less than a foot deep) pool is a splash pool for children in the summer, but in the winter, it turns into an ice skating rink–that will be our first stop if we ever return to Boston in the winter! Be sure to check out the Make Way for Ducklings statue, put in place for the famous children’s book. The Boston Public Garden is one of our favorite spots in the city: it’s gorgeous, it’s peaceful, and it’s the perfect place for either a walk or a picnic.
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You can easily walk the Freedom Trail independently, but a guided tour is relatively inexpensive and can add lots of context to the sights–especially if you’re not from the USA or haven’t cracked open a US History book since high school. Sure, the idea of being led around by a tour guide in 18th-century garb is a bit cheesy, but it’s also lots of fun (and an easy way to learn tons of American history). Some of the sites require a small entrance fee, but outside of that, the Freedom Trail is completely free, though you can book an affordable tour of the trail if you’d like more historical context behind the sights. There’s a reason this is at the top of everyone’s lists of things to do in Boston! Check out Paul Revere’s House, stand at the site of the Boston Massacre, climb aboard the USS Constitution, and visit the Old North Church–just to start. Iconic Things to Do in Boston Walk the Freedom Trail.įirst things first: Boston’s 2.5 mile long Freedom Trail covers 16 incredible historical sites, primarily centering around the American Revolution.
