10+ Best Things to Do in Boston for First-Time Visitors | Local’s Guide

Traveling to Boston and looking for the best things to do? I got you! Boston has been my American home since 2017, when I moved there for university, and my favorite American city since I moved to the States. As someone who’s favorite hobby is going on long walks, I’ve seen every corner imaginable of Boston and have so much to share.

This list will not be your typical one. Having lived, studied, and worked in Boston, I will share the best things to do in Boston, going well beyond the main attractions. I want you – whether you’re a first time visitor, repeat, or local – to discover the places that make Boston so special and help you decide which experiences are worth prioritizing on your trip.

In the spirit of being as helpful as possible, I’m a bit of an over-sharer – so get ready for all of my local insights, tips, and honest recommendations. This guide includes everything from the Fenway Park and the Freedom Trail, to my favorite museums, neighborhood walks, and places I keep returning to as a Boston local.

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13 Best Things to Do in Boston: Iconic Attractions & Local Favorites

Fenway Park

Whether you’re a baseball fan or know nothing about the sport (like me), the Fenway Park is a place you simply must say “hi” to, or even tour, at minimum. This is the home of the Red Sox, Boston’s iconic baseball team.

I’ve been to plenty of Red Sox games in Fenway Park, and I’ve often felt like this sport is more of a “hang out” sport. You don’t necessarily pay attention at all times to the game itself – you talk with your friends, go grab an over-priced beer or hot dog, and scream Sweet Caroline at the top of your lungs (my favorite part of any game).

As a cool fact, Fenway Park, which opened in 1912, is the oldest active baseball stadium in Major League Baseball!

Something I love about this stadium is how often movies will feature, or reference, a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. For example, in one of my favorite movies, Good Will Hunting, and Robin Williams’ character shares how he missed one of the most important games because he “had to see about a girl”.🥹

So, whether you plan to attend a game, tour the stadium, or just walk past it – Fenway Park is a must! Now… if you’re trying to figure out which of the options to do, here are my two cents.

• Attend a game if you want to experience a baseball game and want to surround yourself with Boston locals and fans. Even if it’s just to sing Sweet Caroline!
• Tour the stadium if you are passionate about the sport and want to learn more about the stadium’s history, architecture, and the behind-the-scenes to the MLB’s oldest active stadium.
• Walk past it if you don’t care for a sport event, but still want to say “hello” to one of Boston’s icons.

Freedom Trail

This might be one of the most popular “attractions” of Boston, what I like to call the “Red Brick Road”. This is particularly the perfect “thing to do” in Boston if you are a history geek, or someone who at the very least appreciates visiting historically-important landmarks.

Walking the Freedom Trail is free and I don’t call it a “Red Brick Road” for no reason – it quite literally is a 2.5-mile route marked with red bricks (almost like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz), leading you to 16 of Boston’s historic monuments.

The trail begins at Boston Common and brings you past landmarks like the Massachusetts State House, the Old State House, and the Paul Revere House.

If you want a more interactive experience, there are guided walking tours led by people dressed in the 18th-century clothing. This is a great option if you’d rather follow someone who has fun facts and historical insights to share, beyond what you’ll find on the informational plaques.

Personally, I’m not a big history buff and I’m someone who loves to have her feet take the lead. Because of that, I’ve only truly followed the Freedom Trail during a middle-school trip. I will say though, I do really appreciate that whenever I walk by these landmarks I always have the option to stop and learn more about them.

If you’re someone who loves history and historic sites, or simply wants to learn more about Boston’s history, then this is an activity you won’t want to miss out on! You can easily walk it on your own, but a guided tour can offer more historical context.

Boston Duck Tour

Oh, the beloved Boston Duck Tour!!🦆 This tour brings you all around Boston, both by land and water. It’s basically a boat on wheels, with a guide who shares Boston history and stories as you explore the city on land and eventually by water, when you enter the Charles River.

When my family and I first moved to Maine, we’d always bring our friends and family who visited us to Boston – and the Boston Duck Tour was a must every time.

Personally, as someone who LOVES (in an Elizabeth Bennet type of way) her walks, I would choose walking over a Boston Duck Tour any time – especially if I only have one day in Boston. With that said, not everyone enjoys walking and not everyone can.

If you are with young children, or someone who isn’t able to walk or do so for longer periods of time, then the Duck Tour is a great option. This 80-90 minute tour allows you to be immersed in the city and to also experience it from a different perspective, the water.

Boston Duck Tours depart from the Prudential Center, Museum of Science, and New England Aquarium. I do recommend booking ahead, especially during weekends and the summer months, when tours can sell out.

These “car-boats” can also offer some protection from the rain, making the tour a nice alternative to walking around Boston in bad weather (and potentially fighting for your umbrella’s life in a wind tunnel).

Museum of Fine Arts

If you’re an art lover, the MFA is one of Boston’s most important museums, and nothing short of a must visit.

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) was founded in 1870 and opened to the public in 1876, moving to the current location, Huntington Avenue in 1909. Today, the MFA’s collection includes more than 500,000 global works of art that span over 5,000 years of human history.🤯

Some of the museum’s most famous works of art include the Little Dancer by Degas, various important works by Monet and Van Gogh, including La Japonaise and Postman Joseph Roulin.

Between attending Emmanuel College (free entry) and my parents recently getting an annual membership, I must say: 10+ years hasn’t been enough! It is so immense that I still feel as if I haven’t explored it in it’s entirety – which honestly I like because I could never get tired of it.

They always have some really cool exhibitions, and my personal favorite to date is their annual floral event, Art in Bloom.

During Art in Bloom, floral designers create arrangements inspired by artworks throughout the museum. Because the arrangements are made with real flowers, Art in Bloom is a short annual event rather than a longer exhibition. If you’re visiting Boston in the spring, I highly recommend checking whether it coincides with your trip!💐

If you have at least two days in Boston, I recommend giving the MFA a minimum of two hours. But if you love art or find yourself in Boston on a rainy day, you could easily spend half a day here.The museum has several cafes and a restaurant, so you can always take a coffee or lunch break should you need to.

I will say though, if you’re visiting Boston for only one day, I strongly encourage you to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum instead, because of how unique it is to Boston.

These two famous landmarks are different, but they’re almost always mentioned together because they sit right next to each other and are part of Boston’s historic marketplace area.

The Faneuil Hall, built in 1742, is one Boston’s most important historic landmarks and played a role in the events that lead up to the American Revolution. Today, you’ll find shops on the ground floor and the historic Great Hall upstairs.

The Quincy Market, on the other hand, is Boston’s famous historic food hall. Opened in 1826 to accommodate the city’s growing marketplace, today it’s filled with food vendors serving everything from New England classics to international dishes.

Around Quincy Market, you’ll also find shops, restaurants, bars, and often street performers, creating a lively atmosphere. One great spot to eat in here is the Boston Chowda stall – where they offer gluten free chowder!

New England Aquarium

This might sound exaggerated, but welcome to my little “safe haven” of Boston!

Being underwater is my favorite place to be, and it’s been since I was a toddler. Because of that, aquariums bring me a sense of peace and happiness that few other places bring. Not trying to make this about me (lol), but I share this because I’ve visited the New England Aquarium… A LOT! Especially when I was a college student.

One of the aquarium’s most iconic features is the four-story, 200,000-gallon, Giant Ocean Tank! This tank recreates a Caribbean coral reef, and in here you’ll find two large sea turtles, rays, and hundreds of colorful fish – all of which you can observe from the top or from the side as you make your way down (or up) the spiral.

If you’re someone who loves aquariums or are traveling with someone who does, then this is a great place to visit – especially on a not-so-nice-weather kind of day. If you’re limited with your time in Boston, I would prioritize outdoor activities (unless you’re an aquarium fanatic like me).🤪

Something else I love about the New England Aquarium is its commitment to marine conservation and research. For example, the aquarium operates a Sea Turtle Hospital, where injured and cold-stunned sea turtles are rehabilitated, with the goal of eventually releasing them back into the ocean.

If you’re planning to visit, I recommend booking your New England Aquarium tickets in advance, especially during weekends and holidays.

Visit the Prudential Center & View Boston

The Prudential is one of the most iconic, modern buildings of Boston. It’s a multi-purpose building, but for how I experience it – it’s a beautiful mall with natural lighting, fun shops, some nice restaurants, and the BEST views over Boston.

I actually call Prudential my second home because during college I was there more than I was in my own dorm – or at least that’s what it felt like.😂 I worked there, both at Eataly and Nespresso, and also loved retail therapy.

In 2023, View Boston opened at the top of the Prudential Tower, bringing back an observation experience with panoramic views of Boston. The View spans three floors, including The View, the Cloud Terrace, and an interactive exhibit on the 50th floor. From the highest two floors you get to enjoy 360-degree views over Boston, and I honestly wish I could move here.

I’ve gotten quite emotional here before, because I could see and recognize every single place from up above. Where I went to school, my favorite parks, Fenway Park, Charles River, and beyond.🥹

PS. I highly recommend visiting on a weekday morning! On my visits at this time, there have been few other people, making it one of the most peaceful and enjoyable experiences.

If you want to experience these views for yourself, you can book your View Boston tickets here.

Visit Boston’s Various Neighborhoods

One of my favorite things about Boston (and something I mention at least once when talking about this city), is how, after just 20-minutes of walking, you can find yourself in a completely different neighborhood.

For example, Fenway feels completely different from Back Bay, and Back Bay is a world away from Beacon Hill and the North End. This is exactly why I can never get bored of walking around Boston!

Two of Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods are Beacon Hill and the North End, also known as Boston’s Little Italy. Another favorite of mine is Newbury Street, located in the beautiful Back Bay neighborhood.

While these are all must-visits for their own reasons, I do find it obligatory to share that nothing beats Beacon Hill in October, especially around Halloween time. Forget about only visiting the famous Acorn Street, and head for the insane Halloween decorations in Boston’s most beautiful (and expensive) neighborhood!😍

A friendly reminder: Acorn Street is a residential street, so if you visit, please be mindful of the people who live there. Keep noise down, respect their privacy, and avoid blocking doorways or entrances.🫶

Boston Public Garden and Boston Common

Welcome to one of my favorite places ever, the Boston Public Garden! Established in 1837, the Boston Public Garden was the first public botanical garden in the United States.

It’s where you go for wholesome people watching, look at the silly squirrels and Canadian geese, and enjoy the most lovely stroll. During the warmer months, the Swan Boats, which date back to 1877, bring an extra romantic vibe to the garden.

The Boston Commons sit right in front of the Public Park, and people often talk about both under one name. For the longest time, my friends and I would just call the whole thing “the Commons”.

As a fun fact: Boston Common dates back to 1634 and is considered the oldest public park in the U.S.!

In the Boston Commons, you’ll find dog owners bringing their dogs out for playdates, street musicians and sometimes my friend, and icon of Boston, Nick Shea! He’s been doing $1 portraits (with his signature design) of people who stroll in the Boston Commons. He’s a great artist and even more, a great person who’s wonderful to talk with.

Something I always enjoy doing is being on the look out for Nick Shea’s “face” drawing – you’ll find it drawn on random places throughout Boston, from traffic lights to cardboard boxes, street signs, and so forth.

Boston Public Library

Ready to feel like you’ve been transported to a beautiful European library? You will LOVE the Boston Public Library!

It’s free to visit and has free wifi, making it a great spot if you need to work or simply want to sit down and read something. Beyond being a great place to read or work, this library is worth exploring for its architecture alone!😍

The most iconic part of the BPL is certainly the Bates Hall, with its beautiful arches, wooden desks, and green lamps. Two other beautiful spots are the marble stairs that lead up to Bates Hall and the courtyard.

Isabella Stewart Gardner (One of My Favorites)

Welcome to my favorite museum in Boston, and the site of the world’s largest art heist!

To locals, the Isabella Stewart Gardner is not a hidden gem, but it can certainly be to tourists and first-time visitors. Personally, if you only have a few days in Boston, even just one day in Boston, I strongly recommend prioritizing this museum over the MFA, because it is SO unique to Boston.

The ISG is an Italian-inspired mansion and art museum, built and curated by Isabella Stewart Gardner. As a long-story-short, after losing her son to pneumonia, Isabella started to travel extensively to help with her grief. Over her many visits to Italy, Isabella fell in love with Italian art and architecture.

Over the years, she built an extraordinary art collection and eventually brought her vision of creating a museum to life. In 1903, the museum opened its doors to the public.

In 1990, the ISG museum suffered the world’s greatest heist, with 13 works of art stolen – amounting to over $500 million! To this day, the case remains unsolved and the museum has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the recovery of the stolen works.

My college friends and I would joke about looking for the missing artworks and claiming the reward.😂

I do recommend booking these tickets a few days in advance!

This museum sits (pretty much) side by side with my Alma mater, and one of my student benefits was free entry. This place is SO beautiful – I’ve visited so many times, and I never get tired of its beauty.

The Esplanade (One of my Favorites)

One of the most beautiful and peaceful places to walk on is the Esplanade, a path that sits along the banks of the Charles River. Here it’s all nature, views of the Charles River, docks to sit on, and wholesome people watching.

This is where locals come to enjoy a nice stroll, if not a run or bicycle ride, as well as the views and calming atmosphere. It’s particularly breathtaking in the afternoon, when the sail boats come out.

When it’s warm, people will come to the Esplanade for picnics and fun hangout sessions – to the point that people bring their own hammocks, chairs, and slack lines to walk across.

Best Things to Do in Boston FAQ

How many days in Boston is enough?

Boston is a city that is worth spending a week in, but you should spend at least two full days.

The best way I can describe Boston is that it’s a “small-big” city. It feels big, but it’s small enough that you can basically walk the entire city in a day. With 2 full days in Boston, you have enough time to see the main attractions while walking at a more relaxed pace. You’d even have time to fit in a local gem, or two.

If you can spend a week in Boston, I highly recommend it because Boston is a city to be experienced – or slowly savored one could say. Think long walks around the city, the Esplanade, taking some time to work or read in the Public Library, try different restaurants. With a week, you can also consider taking a day trip or two – whether to Salem or simply across the river to Cambridge.

What should I do in Boston for one day?

Whether you’re a first-time or repeat visitor, you are in the right hands! With years of living in Boston and walking on the daily, I’ve found the recipe for the perfect one day in Boston.

You choose whether to start in the Fenway area or the North End, but essentially, this is what you should do if you only have one day:

• Fenway Park
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• View Boston
• Newbury Street
• Boston Public Garden
• Beacon Hill
• North End

Read my One Day in Boston itinerary (coming soon) or watch the vlog to discover the itinerary in its entirety, including all of my local insights and tips, restaurants, and smaller gems shared throughout.

Is Boston a walkable city?

Boston is the most walkable city I’ve been in, in the United States. If you didn’t know already, Boston is nicknamed the “most European city of the United States”, and I personally attribute the walkability aspect as a big reason behind this nickname.

As someone who loves her very long walks, I’ve walked all of Boston hundreds of times, and it’s a walk I can never get tired of.

📌 Pin this for your future Boston trip!

Have a question about your future trip to Boston? Let me know in the comments – I’d love to help!

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