Boston Attractions
No matter your reasons for visiting Boston, you’ll find plenty to see and do. Here, we’ve assembled a number of our favorite Boston attractions; you can use this guide to help plan your trip or feel free to just venture out on your own and see what you can uncover.
Fenway Park
Home to the Boston Red Sox since 1912, Fenway is the oldest ballpark in the Major League Baseball franchise. It’s thus far hosted the World Series 11 times, and in 2012 was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Copp's Hill
Named after the shoemaker William Copp, Copp’s Hill is the highest point in Boston’s North End and offers views of numerous local landmarks, including the Old North Church, the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, and TD Garden.
New England Patriots
Widely considered the greatest football team ever, the New England Patriots are based out of Gillette Stadium, in nearby Foxborough. The team holds numerous records, including most wins in a 10-year period.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
There is perhaps no other higher learning institution so committed to cutting edge research than the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which even houses its very own nuclear reactor.
Encore Boston Harbor
A luxury resort and casino located five miles from Boston in Everett, Encore Boston Harbor opened in June 2019. It boasts 671 rooms, indoor gardens, wedding and conference space, and, of course, plenty of opportunities to try your luck.
Freedom Trail
With 16 significant historical sites along its 2.5-mile length, Boston’s Freedom Trail is the perfect way to immerse yourself in our nation’s history. Bonus: you’ll get plenty of fresh air and exercise, too!
Little Italy
With narrow, cobblestone streets and dozens of authentic Italian restaurants and patisseries, Boston’s Little Italy adds diversity and depth to this international city. And cannoli, too!
New England Aquarium
Home to sharks, sea turtles, snakes, birds, and so much more, the New England Aquarium is one of the world’s premier aquariums, as well as a global leader in marine conservation and exploration.
Financial District
With its stately banks, towering high-rise office buildings, luxurious condos, and lively nightlife, Boston’s financial district is where the city’s history meets the modern world of finance.
Museum of Fine Arts
Housing more than 450,000 works of art, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts offers one of the most comprehensive and diverse collections in the world.
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s most picturesque neighborhoods, with steep, gaslit streets, Federal-style rowhouses, and brick sidewalks. It’s also home to the gold-domed Massachusetts Statehouse.
Museum of Science
With a science museum, indoor zoo, and the only domed IMAX screen in New England. The Museum of Science has something for every science and animal lover in your family.
Back Bay
A shopping and dining destination for locals and tourists alike, Back Bay is one of Boston’s most affluent neighborhoods and includes the city’s tallest skyscraper, the John Hancock Tower.
Institute of Contemporary Art
Situated directly on the water of the Seaport neighbourhood, the Institute of Contemporary Art is renowned for its cutting edge visual art exhibitions and frequent performances.
Newbury Street
Shopping, dining, sipping, socializing, and sight-seeing: The vibrant and eclectic Newbury Street is a mile-long feast for the senses and offers something for every taste and budget.
Harvard University
Established in 1636, Harvard University is arguably still the most prestigious of all the Ivy League colleges. Its alumni include eight presidents, more than 30 heads of foreign states, and nearly 200 living billionaires.
South End
Featuring the largest intact Victorian row house district in the country, Boston’s South End is a diverse and vibrant neighborhood, with eleven parks, numerous bistros and pubs, art galleries and thriving farmer’s markets.
Northeastern University
A private research university located in the heart of Boston. Northeastern features a cooperative education program that integrates classroom study with professional experience at over 3,100 partners across the globe.
South Boston
Known to locals as “Southie,” South Boston is a densely populated, working-class neighborhood that invites visitors to experience the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country, with an estimated 10,000 - 20,000 attending annually.
Boston University
Another of Boston’s highly regarded research universities, Boston University is equally famous for its numerous distinguished alumni, including the controversial radio personality Howard Stern.
Chinatown
As the only surviving historic ethnic Chinese enclave in New England, Boston’s Chinatown is the place to visit for authentic Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine, as well as Asian markets and culture.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Established in 1903, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is famous for an unsolved 1990 theft valued at $500 million. Fortunately, plenty of historically significant works remain, and the $10 million reward has yet to be claimed… maybe you can solve the crime!
Boston Common
Dating from 1634, Boston Common is the oldest city park in the United States. It includes a popular softball field and Frog Pond, which is transformed into an ice skating rink and learn-to-skate school each winter.
Boston Public Garden
Established in 1837, the 24-acres Boston Public Garden was the first public botanical garden in the United States. It is planted with hundreds of species of trees, flowers, bushes, and flowering shrubs, and is home to several statues, including one of George Washington astride his horse.
Boston Harbor Islands
Comprised of 34 islands and peninsulas that are accessible by road, public ferry, or private boat, the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area boasts hiking trails, beautiful beaches, and the oldest lighthouse in the United States.
TD Garden
Known colloquially as “the Garden,” TD Garden is a multi-purpose arena that hosts sporting events as well as major international musical acts.