Tourist Attractions in Boston

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Boston

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Boston

A symbol of freedom, a forge of professionals and an important tourist centre of the USA – all this is about Boston. It was here that the flames of the American Revolution erupted, resulting in one of the strongest and most prosperous countries in the world. Out of the walls of the famous Harvard University came outstanding people who turned the world of technology upside down. Therefore, Boston really has a lot to be proud of.

In addition to the glorious past, the city can offer tourists no less valuable and interesting present. Boston is constantly becoming a venue for music festivals and grand sporting events on a national scale. Even a simple walk among the greenery of the Public Garden or Arnold Arboretum will leave travellers with pleasant memories.

Top-25 Tourist Attractions in Boston

Freedom Trail

A hiking trail that begins at Boston Common Park and ends at Charleston Harbor, where the ship Constitution stands. The trail leads through the city centre and the main attractions associated with the history of Boston’s independence from the British metropolis. The length of the trail is about 4 kilometres. All memorable places are provided with signs and plaques for the convenience of travellers.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

 4.6/5

6614 reviews

A museum dedicated to the famous protest by American colonists against the British Empire in 1773. This event sparked the American Revolution, which led to the country’s independence and the eventual formation of the United States. The museum is located on a ship. In it, visitors can not only look at the exhibits, but also take part in improvised performances about the events of those years.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

USS Constitution Museum

 4.7/5

6948 reviews

A late 18th century sailing ship that is still in the service of the United States Navy and is listed as part of its battle force. It participated in several battles. During the Anglo-American War of 1812-14, British cannonballs flew off the sides of the USS Constitution, earning the ship the nickname “Ironclad Old Man”. The ship was last refurbished in 1995. Today, tours are conducted on it.

Open time

Berkeley Community Garden

 4.6/5

28 reviews

The park was established in 1837 as the first botanical garden in the United States. Over time, it has become a public place where people come to relax, take a walk, go boating on the lake and commune with nature. The public garden is adjacent to Boston Common, forming a single space with the latter. There are sculptures and monuments scattered everywhere, and a statue of J. Washington on horseback at the entrance.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Boston Common

 4.7/5

33407 reviews

Boston Central Park, which dates back to the first half of the 17th century. It occupies an area of 20 hectares. At first this area belonged to the first European settler W. Blackston, then it was taken over by the colonial authorities and used as a pasture, later – as a military camp and a place for executions. A full-fledged park appeared here only in the early 19th century.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

 4.8/5

3923 reviews

The Arboretum is located in the suburbs of Boston. It was created by architect and landscape designer F.L. Olmsted. The place was named in honour of the merchant and whaler James Arnold, who donated a considerable part of his fortune and land for its creation. Today, the arboretum is not only a picturesque park, but also a research site of Harvard University.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

The New England Holocaust Memorial

 4.8/5

865 reviews

The composition of six glass towers was erected in 1995 to honour the memory of the Jews who perished during the Second World War. Each tower symbolises a concentration death camp: Auschwitz, Belzec, Treblinka, Chelmno, Majdanek and Sobibor. Inside the towers, the walls are engraved with the words of people who survived imprisonment in these horrific places.

Open time

Old North Church

 4.6/5

1211 reviews

The temple was founded in 1772. It is one of the oldest in Boston. The building is built in the Gregorian style, very popular in the British Empire in the XVIII century. The architect W. Price worked on the project. Until 1810 the North Church was the tallest building in the city. The church spire was put on the roof three times. The first two structures failed in the hurricanes of 1804 and 1954.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 12:30 – 5:00 PM

Trinity Church

 4.6/5

1312 reviews

The structure was erected in 1877 on Copley Square. There used to be marshes here, but gradually they were filled with gravel and the construction of a residential neighbourhood began. Trinity Church was built in the neo-Romanesque manner according to the project of G. Richardson. The architect emphasised local materials – sandstone and granite from Massachusetts quarries. The church entered the US National Register of Historic Places in 1907.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

 4.8/5

15824 reviews

The Boston Gallery is considered one of the largest art museums in the United States. Its collection is second only to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The exposition is located in a picturesque neoclassical building designed by G. Lowell. Due to the huge number of exhibits, in the 2000s it was decided to build a separate wing, which was fully dedicated to American art.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

 4.7/5

7987 reviews

A private gallery founded by I. С. Gardner in the early 20th century. This woman was a great lover of art and a philanthropist. Isabella wished that after her death, her outstanding collection of more than 2,500 exhibits be made available to the public. Among the works on display in the gallery are paintings by Titian, Raphael and other European masters, as well as paintings by D. Sargent and D. Whistler.

Open time

Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Museum of Science

 4.7/5

19517 reviews

The Science Museum is a whole complex that includes not only exhibition halls, but also a planetarium and one of the largest IMAX cinema in the United States. It opened in 1830. Initially, its exposition consisted of trophies of travellers who visited Africa and Asia. In the 1950s, the museum became a full-fledged science park. At that time, a large complex on the banks of the Charles River was built for it.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Harvard University, Boston Campus

 4.7/5

33 reviews

One of the most famous and prestigious educational institutions in the world. The university is located in Cambridge, which in turn is part of the Boston metropolitan area. Harvard was founded in 1636. To date, its structure includes 7 faculties, 12 schools and one institute. Many famous people graduated from the university. Among them are eight US presidents, as well as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

Open time

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

 4.7/5

3791 reviews

Another famous educational institution in Cambridge, which is included in the lists of the best universities in the world. The institute specialises in training specialists in the technical field (which is obvious from the name). It also provides training in management, linguistics, economics, philosophy and political science. MIT has a strong research base, which allows it to train competent and in-demand specialists.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Boston Public Library - Central Library

 4.8/5

2334 reviews

The book collection is housed in a magnificent neo-Renaissance building. The library is known for being one of the first to lend out books and materials. It also has the third largest book collection in the United States. It holds several million copies of valuable books and manuscripts, including early editions of sixteenth- and eighteenth-century writers, as well as medieval maps and engravings.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

 4.7/5

746 reviews

Most of the museum’s exposition is dedicated to the life and activities of the 35th American President J.F. Kennedy. The building for the collection was built in the 1960s on charitable donations. It should be mentioned that more than 36 million people donated money for the museum, so popular was Kennedy’s personality among the American people. The opening ceremony took place in the presence of President D. Carter.

Open time

Massachusetts State House

 4.4/5

402 reviews

A building in which the state legislature meets and the governor’s office is located. The structure was erected on Beacon Hill to the design of Ch. Balfinch. The building is constructed of red brick. The main facade is decorated with a portico and Corinthian columns, which is characteristic of the classical style. In the early 20th century, the east and west wings were added to the building.

Open time

Old State House

 4.6/5

1770 reviews

The Old Capitol is located in the central part of Boston. It was built in 1713 on the site of the old City Hall. Before the construction of the New Capitol, the state government met here on Beacon Hill. The architecture of the building is an example of Gregorian style. The Old Capitol is sometimes referred to as “the city’s most historic building,” as it turned 300 years old in 2013.

Open time

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

 4.5/5

42454 reviews

The Fanel Hall shopping centre graced the streets of Boston in 1722 thanks to the efforts of French merchant P. Feinuil. The ground floor of the building is occupied by shops, on the second floor there is a hall where public debates on various issues are held. In the XIX century in Fanel Hall spoke S. Adams – one of the leaders of the American Revolution. Other famous political figures also spoke here.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

New England Aquarium

 4.4/5

22321 reviews

The aquarium is located on the Boston waterfront. It is home to several hundred species of marine life (over 20,000 individuals). Visitors will see the fauna of the Arctic zone and the Pacific basin: penguins, sea lions, turtles, sharks, exotic fish, jellyfish and many others. On a huge IMAX screen guests are shown exciting films about underwater depths. After the tour you can have a snack in the café located here.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Quincy Market

 4.5/5

9568 reviews

A covered pavilion in downtown Boston that was erected in 1826 and named after Mayor D. Quincy (he was the mastermind behind the construction). Quincy Market eventually became a tourist destination for shopping, good food, fellowship and atmosphere. The pavilion houses shops, market stalls, eateries and souvenir stalls. Street performers and musicians are often seen here.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM

Fenway Park

 4.8/5

37447 reviews

Baseball stadium built in 1912, the home arena for the Boston Red Sox. It is the oldest venue where Major League Baseball games are played in North America. After the 2008 renovation, Fenway Park began to hold up to 40,000 spectators. Along with baseball games, it has previously hosted classic and American football competitions.

Open time

TD Garden

 4.6/5

19323 reviews

Sports complex in the city centre, built in the 1990s. The stadium is home to several teams in different sports: Boston Bruins (hockey), Boston Celtics (basketball) and Boston Blazers (lacrosse). TD Garden is a multi-purpose arena that allows for different types of competition. In 2008, it hosted the NBA Finals.

Open time

Granary Burying Ground

 4.6/5

382 reviews

Old City Cemetery, which was founded in 1660. Here are the burials of famous figures of the American Revolution, including the graves of S. Adams, J. Hancock, and R. T. Paine. The necropolis is part of the attractions of the Freedom Trail hiking route. The tombstones at Granary are characterised by modesty and simplicity. Here you will not find opulent crypts and fanciful figures, which are characteristic of European cemeteries.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Boston Light

 4.9/5

32 reviews

A lighthouse dating from 1783, erected on Little Brewster Island. It is 28 metres high. Since its appearance, it has not worked only during the Second World War, all the rest of the time it properly illuminated the way to Boston Bay. Boston Light is the oldest lighthouse in the United States. Since 1964, it has been a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Open time