Boston has a wide range of attractions to offer you. It would be ideal if you could visit them all, but you usually can’t, so we have decided to help you by drawing a list of attractions. And if you wish to save money, you might consider buying the Boston City Pass.
Freedom Trail
We invite you to celebrate Boston’s famous history with us at the Freedom Trail. We shall lead you through 16 important historic sites, real treasures of the United States. You will be guided along the red brick 3-mile long line by our costumed historic characters and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into the past. The drama of the American Revolution, combined with lively anecdotes will help you know better the place where American patriotism was firstborn.
Although these historic sites have been there for a long time, the idea of creating the Freedom Trail appeared only in 1958, when William Schofield said that all these places could be more accessible to residents and tourists if they were somehow connected. And so, from the Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument, a red brick line connected the 16 sites. And the idea proved to be a success.
The Tea Party Ship
It was a cold December evening in 1773, when a group of Americans disguised as Mohawk Indians, destroyed the cargo of three ships loaded with tea, in Griffin’s Wharf. The ships were the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver. This event led to the American Revolution. The museum’s mission is now to interpret and preserve this legacy.
Despite its modern design, the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum has a long history behind. It was opened in 1973, and ever since then, millions of people have visited the museum. The American history comes back to live at the commemoration of the Tea Party event, every year on December 16.
Boston Irish Famine Memorial
50 Braintree Hill Office Park
Braintree, MA 02184
617-696-9880
Over one million Irish people died during the Irish Famine, which lasted for 4 years, between 1845 and 1849. At that time, more than 100,000 Irish came to Boston. To commemorate those victims and all the people in the world suffering from famine, the Boston Irish Famine Memorial was created in June 1998, along the Freedom Trail.
Walks Through Freedom
617-227-8800
We invite you to step back in time and join us in rediscovering the history of the American Revolution. People dressed up as in the 18th century tell stories about the past and walk along the Freedom Trail. We suggest you to make a reservation.
Black Heritage Trail
46 Joy Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-739-1200
The Black Heritage Trail invites you to explore the history of the African American Community in Boston. Every day, the National Park Service offers guided walking tours as well as self-guided tours both to residents and tourists. Boston was founded in 1630 and the Africans were brought to the city as slaves in 1638. But in 1790, all the African Americans were already free people, as the state of Massachusetts was the first one that declared slavery illegal.
The Black Heritage Trail is made up of 15 buildings. Visit the African Meeting House and the Abiel Smith School, and step back into the past.
Book Lover’s Dream Tour
38 Burroughs St.
Boston, MA 02130
617-574-5963
If you love books, then you were convinced you’ll have a great time. We invite you to go for a walk through Boston’s, Cambridge’s and Concord’s bookstores and then relax at a literary discussion and a warm tea. You need to call for reservations.
Women’s Heritage Trail
Boston, MA
617-522-2872
You should probably start by reading the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail, 80 pages illustrated the book, and you’ll begin to understand Women’s Heritage Trail. We invite you to take 5 guided walks, starting at the Boston Common Visitor Information. The Downtown Walk illustrates the women’s fight for equal rights. The Beacon Hill Walk is about women artists. The South Cove or the Chinatown Walk highlights women’s role in the economy. The Back Bay Walk celebrates women educators and reformers. The North End Walk explores different cultures through the eyes of women.
Beacon Hill Walking Tours
As everywhere in the past, in Boston the difference between poor and rich people was significant. Just compare the opulent houses in Beacon Hill and especially the Otis House to the modest buildings on the North Slope.
Boston Duck Tours
The Duck Tours invite you to see the most beautiful views of land and sea and Boston’s greatest attractions on board of a World War II vehicle. And then you’ll have a wonderful time on a Charles River harbor cruise. Enjoy your stay in Boston!
Boston Trolley Tours
The Trolley Tours are now ready to take you on a guided trip through Boston and show you all the city’s landmarks. You may always step off the small bus-like trams and then catch the next trolley.
Boston Common
We invite you to visit a place full of charm and history, a park you will always remember. One of the oldest public parks in the United States, the Boston Common is one of the city’s pieces of jewelry and dates back to 1634.
Park Street Church
617 523-3383
Located at the Brimstone Corner, a place where gunpowder was stored during the 1812 war, the Park Street Church is famous for being the place where William Lloyd Garrison held his first anti-slavery speech. You may visit the Park Street Church on our free, seasonal tours.
Granary Burying Ground
The Granary Burying Ground is the place where John Hancock, Paul Revere and Samuel Adams were buried.
King’s Chapel and Burying Ground
(617) 227-2155
King’s Chapel, known for its architectural beauty, was the First Unitarian Church in the United States after the Revolution. We accept donations.
Ben Franklin Statue
You should definitely see the Ben Franklin Statue at the Boston Latin School, the first public school built in 1635.
Old Corner Bookstore
If you love literature, we invite you to step back in time and enter the Old Corner Bookstore, which used to be Boston’s literary center. In this brick building, Thoreau, Longfellow, Hawthorne, and Emerson used to gather.
Old South Meeting House
617 482-6439
The Old South Meeting House is the place where many of the events that led to the Boston Tea Party took place. The Old South staff offers several lectures and programs on American history that we invite you to attend.
Boston Massacre Site
Five American colonists were killed in 1770 by the British soldiers at the Boston Massacre site. The place is now marked by a circle of cobblestones. This event let to the American Revolution. You may visit the Boston Massacre Site for free.
Old North Church
617 523-6676
Located at the Italian North End, the Old North Church is the oldest church in Boston. During the American Revolution, the church acted as a signal when the British troops moved. Donations are accepted.
Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
Thousands of artisans, merchants, and free black people were buried in Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. On the South Bank of the Charles River, this is the last Freedom Trail monument.
Bunker Hill Monument
617 242-5641
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place in 1775 on Breed’s Hill. The tall granite obelisk Bunker Hill Monument has 294 steps you have to climb. Pretty difficult, but when you get up there you’ll enjoy a splendid view of Boston. And in summer, we offer battle talks and free musket firing demonstrations for free.
New England Aquarium
Central Wharf, Boston, 02110
(617) 973 5200
Perfect for a family outing, the New England Aquarium invites you to discover a world of mysteries. Live a great underwater experience that you will always remember.
The aquarium was opened on June 20, 1969. At that time, the Giant Ocean Tank, simulating a Caribbean coral reef, was the largest circular salt-water tank in the world. Since then, the aquarium has largely developed. The tank now houses reef-living fish, sharks, turtles, and many other amazing creatures. The penguin exhibit presents several penguin colonies living in artificial rock islands at the bottom of the tank. But that’s not all. We also invite you to a typical New England freshwater environment, rheotaxis, an electric eel, sea dragons, bioluminescent fish, an octopus, small tropical fish and nautiluses. A harbor seal exhibit will welcome you in front of the aquarium and three northern fur seals will see you out on the harborside terrace, behind the aquarium.
The USS Constitution
Charlestown Navy Yard
55 Constitution Rd, Charlestown, Boston, 02129
617- 426 –1812
Never defeated in battle, the oldest commissioned ship in the world was built in 1797, 209 years ago. Located in Charlestown Navy Yard, the USS Constitution is also called the Old Ironsides. You may visit it daily, for free, from 10 am to 5 pm November through April and from 9 am to 6 pm May through October. This is the last stop on the Freedom Trail.
Boston Public Library
666 Boylston Street, Copley Square, Boston
617 536 5400
The Boston Public Library was built in 1848, reminiscence of an Italian Renaissance palace, and it was opened in 1852. It was the first free publicly supported municipal library in the United States. It also was the first library in the United States having a children’s room and lending books. We invite you to visit it for free.
Museum of Afro-American History
46 Joy Street
Boston, MA 02114
617 725-0022
If you are interested in Afro-American history, we invite you to visit the oldest African-American church in the United States built in 1806, the African Meeting House. You should also visit the Abiel Smith School and the changing exhibits in the museum’s galleries.
The Museum of Afro-American History is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm Memorial day through Labor Day and Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm the rest of the year. It is closed on January 1, Thanksgiving Day and December 25. Admission is charged.
Museum of National Center of Afro-American Artists
300 Walnut Street
Roxbury Boston, MA 02119
617-442-8614
The Museum of National Center of Afro-American Artists collects, preserves and exhibits valuable works of art created by Black artists worldwide.
Bull and Finch Pub – Home of Cheers
84 Beacon Street, Boston
617 227 9605
Enter the amazing world of Cheers, the famous TV show, at 84 Beacon Street. Opposite the Public Garden, Bull and Finch Pub is made up of several rooms full of Cheers memorabilia. The Bull and Finch Pub is open daily.
Franklin Park Zoo
1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, 02121
617 541-5466
If you are on a family vacation, then the Franklin Park Zoo is definitely a must-see. The zoo was opened in 1911 and covers over 72 acres. Leopards, hippopotami, and gorillas will be waiting for you.
John Hancock Tower
200 Clarendon Street
St. James Avenue and Trinity Place, Boston
The John Hancock Tower was designed by the architect I. M. Pei and is the tallest building in New England. Covered by the glass, the Tower reflects Boston’s historic buildings. The 60th-floor observatory was closed after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Old State House
206 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02109 USA
617 720-1713
The oldest public building in Boston, the Old State House was built in 1713, where the 1657 Town House used to be. The Declaration of Independence was read to Bostonians from its balcony.
The Old State House is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. It is closed on January 1, Thanksgiving and December 25. Admission is charged.
Charles River Dam Visitor Information Center
250 Warren Avenue
617 727 5114
If you are interested in knowing more about the Charles River, we invite you to an interesting presentation at the Charles River Dam Visitor Information Center.
Paul Revere House
19 North Square
Boston, MA 02113 USA
617 523-2338
Built in around 1680, the colonial Paul Revere House was first owned by Robert Howard. Paul Revere became the owner of the house in 1770 and lived in it until 1800. After having been modified throughout the years, the house has been restored to resemble its 1700 appearance. John P. Reynolds Jr., Paul Revere’s great-grandson bought the house so that it wouldn’t be demolished. The Paul Revere House became a museum in April 1908 and is now operated by the Paul Revere Memorial Association, which also operates the Pierce-Hichborn House.
The Paul Revere House is located at 19 North Square. It is open daily, from 9:30 am to 5:15 pm, April 15 through October 31 and from 9:30 am to 4:15 pm, November 1 through April 14. The house is closed on Mondays January through March, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. A visit usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes. At the Paul Revere House, there are no public restrooms of telephones.
Admission is charged. For more information, please call 617 523-2338.
Faneuil Hall
4 S. Market Street
Boston, MA 02109
617 242-5675
The Faneuil Hall Marketplace includes the Faneuil Hall, the North Market, the South Market, and the Quincy Market. Donated by Peter Faneuil, the Faneuil Hall burned in 1761 and was rebuilt 2 years later. The Quincy Market offers residents and visitors over 125 restaurants and shops.
Admission is free.
New State House
Beacon Street and Park Street
Boston, MA 02133 USA
617 727-3676
Built in 1795 and designed by Charles Bulfinch, the New State House represents Boston’s political center. The New State House is open Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free.
Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston
617-267-9300
One of the largest and most beautiful museums in the United States, the Museum of Fine Arts was founded in 1870. Yet, it wasn’t opened until 1876, when it displayed a large number of works of art taken from the Boston Athenaeum Art Gallery. The museum has been located on Huntington Avenue ever since 1909. The building is a real masterpiece created by Guy Lowell in 2 years. The Museum of Fine Arts is now undergoing an important renovation project. When it will be over, there’ll be a new wing called Art of the Americas.
The museum’s main mission is to collect and preserve valuable works of art for future generations. Through several exhibits, researches, and publications, the Museum of Fine Arts tries to make us all more aware of the art treasures created by our predecessors and make us appreciate art and the visual world at its real value. The works exhibited here belong to different cultures and different periods of time, representing an aesthetic challenge and stimulating a sense of pride.
Although the admission is usually charged, on Wednesdays between 4 pm and 9:45 pm you may visit the museum for free.
First Church of Christ Scientist
175 Huntington Avenue
617 450-2000
Also known as the Christian Science Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879, in Boston. When her doctors had given up hope, reading the Bible healed her. Mary Baker Eddy, also known as Mary Glover, considered her healing a miracle in scientific accord with the divine. For the next three years, she searched for the divine law in the Bible and then published her conclusions in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The Bible and Mary’s book represents now the church’s “dual impersonal pastor” and its doctrine.
Today, the Church of Christ, Scientist has about 2000 local branches in 70 countries. The Church publishes several newspapers in several countries, among which the most important is the daily Christian Science Monitor. They state that you may find healing both through prayer and through modern medicine.
Boston Stock Exchange
100 Franklin Street
Boston, MA
617-723-9500
We invite you to take a free self-guided tour of Boston’s Stock Exchange and especially of our amazing exhibits.
Boston Center for the Arts
539 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02125
617-426-5000
The Boston Center for the Arts is located in the South End, close to the Back Bay, the Beacon Hill, the Theater District, and Chinatown. If you love art, we invite you to visit the Mills Gallery and the Cyclorama.