Walk the Freedom Trail
One of Americas’ first historic walking tours, the Freedom Trail is the perfect introduction to Colonial and Revolutionary Boston. The walking tour takes visitors to 16 historical sites, covering two and a half centuries of America’s most significant past.
Visit the Famous Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Faneuil Hall MarketplaceExternal Link is a collection of boutiques, eateries and pushcart vendors housed in converted 18th century warehouses. Enjoy the street entertainers that frequently perform outside.
Take a Ride on the Swan Boats
The Swan Boats External Link in the Public Garden are a Boston tradition. Enjoy a peaceful 15 minute ride as a Swan Boats driver paddles you around the Public Garden Lagoon.
Visit Paul Revere’s House
Built around 1680, Paul Revere’s House External Link is the oldest building in downtown Boston, and served as the home of Paul Revere and his family from 1770 to 1800. Revere left here for his famous “midnight ride.”
Visit the Harbor Islands
Just a short ferry ride from the city, you can visit the Boston Harbor IslandsExternal Link, the country’s newest National Park, composed of 34 islands. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, island tours, hiking, fishing and bird watching.
Visit the Parks of the Emerald Necklace
Boston’s Emerald Necklace consists of an 1,100-acre chain of nine parks linked by parkways and waterways.
Take a walk through Boston Common and the Public Garden, the oldest public park and botanical garden in the country. In the summer, the Boston Common’s Frog Pond features a spray pool for children and in the winter a skating rink.
Go to a Show or Concert
In the theatre district, you’ll find the Opera House, Colonial TheatreExternal Link, Wilbur Theatre, Shubert TheatreExternal Link and the Wang Center for the Performing ArtsExternal Link. Outside of the theatre district, you’ll also find The HuntingtonExternal Link, The American Repertory TheatreExternal Link, The Lyric StageExternal Link, The Calderwood PavilionExternal Link and the Emerson Majestic TheatreExternal Link.
Dance performances remain a cultural strong point in Boston and the Boston BalletExternal Link, known for its classical and modern works, is one of the best in the world.
The world renowned Boston Symphony OrchestraExternal Link and the Boston PopsExternal Link, which plays lighter, more popular classis and show tunes perform at Symphony HallExternal Link.
Go to a Sporting Event
In Boston, enthusiasm for sports is vital to the city’s character. Fans are especially fond of Fenway Park, home of the 2004 World Champion Boston Red SoxExternal Link. From November to January, the National Football League’s three time Champion New England PatriotsExternal Link draw sell-out crowds to Gillette StadiumExternal Link just outside of Boston. Another draw to Gillette is the New England RevolutionExternal Link, the region’s Major League Soccer Team.
Boston fans are also passionate about the Boston CelticsExternal Link, who once ruled basketball as no team ever dominated a sport by winning 16 world championships. Competing for pennant space on the rafters of the TD Banknorth GardenExternal Link are the BruinsExternal Link, winners of five Stanley Cup Championships, and the first team to be awarded a franchise in the National Hockey League in 1924. The city also has a Major League Lacrosse Team, The Boston CannonsExternal Link, who play their home games at Boston University’s Nickerson Field. The Boston LobstersExternal Link, a member of the World Team Tennis League, is Boston’s newest sporting team and plays all home games at Harvard University’s Bright Arena.
Collegiate sports in Boston have been shining brightly in recent years as well, gaining national recognition and respect in hockey, basketball and football.
The Boston MarathonExternal Link, held each April on Patriots’ Day, remains one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. Each October, rowers have come from far and near to take part in the Head of the CharlesExternal Link, the world’s largest regatta.
Museums
Experience art from Ancient Egyptian to Contemporary at The Museum of Fine ArtsExternal Link or The Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumExternal Link.
Kids will enjoy exhibits focused on arts, culture and science at The Children’s MuseumExternal Link. And the Museum of ScienceExternal Link offers hands-on exhibits, laser shows and IMAX films that are fun for all ages.
Shopping & Dining
In the Back Bay, visitors can walk the length of Newbury StreetExternal Link for some of Boston’s most chic, fashionable stores. The parallel boulevard, Boylston Street, has a number of fine department stores leading to the Shops at the Prudential CenterExternal Link that also connects by a walkway to Copley PlaceExternal Link, a marble and brass enclosed mall full of upscale stores and restaurants.
