Greater Boston & Cambridge have a huge variety of great things to do & see

Massachusetts > Boston > Things to Do and See > 90 Great Things to Do in Massachusetts

Great Things to Do in Boston and Cambridge MA with VisitNewEngland.com

Boston and neighboring Cambridge, facing each other across from the bridge-sprinkled Charles River, has been called the Athens of America for its wealth of universities and museums. A trip here is a great vacation for couples of families; among the highlights are the grand food, music, and heritage-related festivals, from Fourth of July on the Esplanade to the Christmas lights of Faneuil Hall.

Find a quaint, urban boutique hotel or a hotel with a lavish spa and delve into Revolutionary history, performing arts, and luxury.

Taj Boston

15 Arlington Street Boston, MA, 02116 Phone: 617-536-5700

Rooftop Sunday Brunch with spectacular views of the Public Garden and Boston

Enjoy traditional breakfast preparations, contemporary New England cuisine, and Indian specialties, alongside a bounty of dessert items made in-house by our talented pastry team.
Every Sunday, April-November, with seatings from 10:30am - 2pm. Reservations suggested.

Discover Quincy

Quincy Chamber of Commerce - 1400 Hancock Street, Suite 1A Quincy, MA, 02169 Phone: 617-471-1700

Variety is the spice of everyday life in this welcoming coastal city

From history to hiking, there’s tons to do in Quincy. Visit the birthplaces of two presidents at Adams National Historical Park, take in a symphony performance, learn about granite quarries or shipbuilding at user-friendly museums, dine at a clam shack or an upscale waterfront restaurant. If you want to enjoy the great outdoors, the Blue Hills Reservations boasts 7,000 acres featuring paved and unpaved hiking and biking trails as well as spectacular panoramic views. Throughout the city there are places where you can go golfing, play tennis, charter a fishing boat or just cast your line off a pier. Fancy a beach? There are several to choose from, on the ocean, ponds and river, many with playgrounds.

Franklin Park Zoo

One Franklin Park Road Boston, MA, 02121 Phone: 617-541-5466

Meet the animal kingdom in Boston’s largest park

There is not a drop in the excitement at this magnificent Zoo no matter your age. Part of Boston’s famed Emerald Necklace, this 72 acre natural setting is Boston’s largest park and home to wildlife from around the world. Three exhibit areas including the Tropical Forest, the Kalahari Kingdom and the Giraffe Savannah offer lions, zebras, giraffes, lowland gorillas, lemurs, pygmy hippos and other fine beasts. The Aussie Aviary, open seasonally, features a free-flight, interactive bird adventure. You’ll find programs and classes for families and school groups and facilities for birthday parties and corporate events. The southwestern-themed Giddy-Up Grill and Kalahari Kitchen serves great food and snacks. Franklin Park Zoo is open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Spirit of Boston

200 Seaport Boulevard - Commonwealth Pier Boston, MA, 02210 Phone: 617-748-1450 Toll-Free: 866-310-2469

Harbor cruise lets you see Boston from a unique – and fun – vantage point

Why not see scenic Boston from the sea? Take a Spirit of Boston cruise and check out all the sights, from the Boston Tea Party site to the Old North Church, the Bunker Hill Monument and Old Ironsides. Two-hour lunch and three-hour dinner cruises feature fresh, buffet-style offerings served in a comfortable, climate-controlled inner deck. You can even reserve a window table to savor the city – and a cocktail. The view from the huge observation deck is breathtaking, whether it’s a mid-day look at the spectacular Zakim Memorial Bridge or a sunset panorama of a sparkling cityscape. Onboard activities include games like tabletop shuffleboard and giant Jenga. There’s also a dance floor and DJ-provided music. Look for special holiday cruises and deals.

Follow that Petticoat to Learn about Boston’s Past

Freedom Trail guides are easy to spot: they look like they just stepped out of the 1700s. The guides are out every day leading fun and educational tours. For example, Massachusetts State House Tours teach about the history and architecture of the building. King's Chapel's Bells and Bones Tours visit the crypts below the Chapel and the 1816 Paul Revere bell. The Old North Church offers Behind the Scenes Tours and Bones and Burials Tours. The USS Constitution crew members offer presentations about the ship's storied past. The pleasure of a visit is amplified when you know more about the history around you.

Theatre In and About the Cemetery

With 175 acres of landscaped gardens, ponds, an outdoor museum of art and architecture, Mount Auburn Cemetery at 580 Mount Auburn Street in Cambridge is considered one of the most beautiful garden cemeteries anywhere. In 2019, the cemetery will be the location of 10 new short plays by Patrick Babridge. “ The Nature Plays ” open June 1-9, 2019, highlighting the rich natural environment of Mount Auburn, and “The America Plays” open September 14-22, 2019, bringing to life a few of the historic personalities buried here. All plays will be fully staged with professional actors on the Cemetery grounds. Plays will include walking from about a mile on the cemetery grounds. Don’t miss a chance to see this glorious garden or nature and history. 617-607-1980

butterflies at harvard museum of natural history

Astonishing Nature Lessons

There is always something interesting to see and learn at the Harvard Museum of Natural History on Oxford Street in Cambridge. Classes and lectures and videos for kids and adults on many fascinating subjects – from the source for our food to nature drawing -- are ongoing. Permanent exhibits include the Great Mammal Hall, Evolution, Arthropods: Creatures that Rule, The Glass Flowers, The Zoological Galleries, the Mineralogical and Geological Gallery. One the museum’s most notable and popular collections is the Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, also called the “glass flowers." Four thousand models, representing more than 830 plant species, were built by glass artisans Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, Czech glass artists. 617-495-3045

A Little Walk; a Little Chocolate; and Repeat

Off The Beaten Path Food Tours are a fun outing where you and friends can poke along at a walking pace through a historical neighborhood and taste local culinary treats, all under the care of a knowledgeable guides. One favorite, the Harvard Square Chocolate Tour, with stops at a variety of local eateries for chocolate tastings along the way. It’s about a mile of urban walking with five to six stops in about 90 minutes. A fee of $35 includes all the food and sights. Fine of all ages. Meet at Harvard Square.

SoWa Open Market Celebrates of Food, Art, Urban Culture

Now in its 16th season, SoWa Open Market is Boston's warm-season celebration of art, food and music in a formerly industrial, art-driven neighborhood cenetered around 460 Harrison Street. Every Sunday, over 175 makers of foods and goods converge in SoWa, surrounded by artist studios, galleries, boutiques and vintage shops. You are invited to shop, browse, relax at the outdoor Beer Garden, enjoy live music, favorite food trucks, and lawn games. Each Sunday a different local brewer will take over the taps Every Sunday, May-October, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10 cash parking.

Chuckles at McGreevy’s

Every Monday and Tuesday evening, McGreevy's , the famous pub at 911 Boylston Street in Boston, hosts a free standup comedy show. There’s a new lineup at each show. Performers of the past have included comedians who have appeared on “Saturday Night Live,” Comedy Central, HBO, and more. Sam Adams Brewery & Deep Eddy Vodka sponsor the show, making it an incredible experience every night. Hosted by Brian Higginbottom. Doors open 7:30 p.m.; show at 8 p.m.!

fountains of rose kennedy greenway boston

Fun Fountains of Boston

The glorious Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston has seven water features and fountains to refresh your eyes and ears and mind – and in some cases, your skin – during the toasty summer months. The fountains run all day and up to 11 p.m. all summer. One of the most popular is Rings Fountain at Milk Street in the Wharf District of the Greenway. It is a flat surface with rising jets of water, and people can jump in splash all they wish. Great for cooling off and wearing down the kids. Other water features include the canal fountains that run along the North and South lawns of the North End Parks ; the Labyrinth Fountain at the Armenian Heritage Park ; and a banboo-lined rocky stream at Chinatown Park.

Colonial Characters Come to Life on This Boston History Tour

Few people would pay good money to hear histrionics from anybody. But Boston’s Histrionic Academy is a big help on a visit to this historic city. Histrionic Academy is a group of actors who bring history to life through theater. It offers a number of different historical walking tours led by costumed interpreters, including a Tour of the Freedom Trail. The day includes lively stories of the fire-breathing days of the American Revolution. Captain David Hawkins, Corporal Jonathan Hoyt, Freelove Bliss, and others are waiting to show you Boston's Historic Trail like you've never seen it before. Offered daily. 978-741-1170

Lyman Greenhouses Bring the Outdoors Indoors

Here’s a fast treatment for the blahs: a visit to the Lyman Estate Greenhouses on Lyman Street in Waltham. The complex consists of an 1804 grape house, 1820 camellia house, 1840 orchid house, and a 1930 sales greenhouse. Rare orchids bloom throughout the year. The horticultural staff offers assistance. The gift shop sells gardening books, sundials, sachets, , pottery, rustic twig furniture, and more. Open year-round; days vary by season. Guided tours\. 781-891-1985.

Paddling the Charles

The Charles River west of Boston is a welcoming place for kayakers and canoeists. Several nature preserves are run by the Trustees of Reservations along this 20-mile paddling route. Put in at Cedariver, a former farm, in Millis, which has a state-run boat launch.
Downstream is Shattuck Reservation, which is old pasture land, with nice views and trails. Next, watch for Bridge Island Meadows, accessible only when the water is flowing in Bogastow Brook.
Take out can be at Charles River Peninsula in Needham, with access to a state-run boat launch. 508-785-0339.

Hayden Planetarium Thrills Star Gazers at Boston Museum of Science

The Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Boston Museum of Science is a bustling place for star gazers. A featured presentation is “Undiscovered Worlds: The Search Beyond Our Sun,” an astronomy show that explores planets outside our solar system. On weekend evenings, Music Under the Done immerses visitors in unusual musical offerings, Friday evening activities may include stargazing in the Museum's Gilliland Observatory on clear nights. 617-723-2500.

Tea Party Ships & Museum, at Congress Street Bridge in Boston.

Watch a Tea Party With Muscle and Determination

We’ve all been hearing a lot about tea parties recently. Now, you can get close to the original at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, at Congress Street Bridge in Boston. The museum features interactive exhibits, reenactment with actors in period clothing, a Tea Party Ship shop, and a Tea & Tavern Room. There are two ship replicas, the Eleanor & the Beaver, with the Dartmouth. A new Visitor Information Center is a few feet away on the Boston HarborWalk. Phone: 617-592-0422.

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