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.

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.

Discover Quincy

Adams National Historical Park Visitor Center - 1250 Hancock Street 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.

Dining with a Great View - Taj Boston Hotel - Boston, MA

The Newbury Boston

1 Newbury 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.

Franklin Park Zoo

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

Learning, having fun co-equal partners at this engaging park zoo

There is nothing passive about a day spent at the Franklin Park Zoo! Fun and engaging experiences include feeding budgies from seed sticks in the Aussie Aviary to making butterfly masks at Butterfly Hollow to looking at African lions up close through the glass at a ranger station. Play next to red pandas at the Children’s Zoo, feed the goats at the Franklin Farm petting zoo or slip down the giraffe-like tube slide at the 10,000-square-foot playground. Go on a behind-the-scenes tour, or stroll through the organic garden and hear about the role bees play in the ecosystem. Adults can chat with a zookeeper, kids can stretch their legs and imaginations at nature play stations with discovery tables.

Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Kids in Tow for a Walk in the Snow

Gore Place, the historic estate in Waltham, welcomes kids and parents to come and snowshoe around the 45-acre grounds. Visitors may rent snowshoes. The property also has a Story Trail in which each page of the children’s book is posted at different locations. Visitors can read the entire book while spending time outdoors. Return every couple months to read a new story.

Cross-Country Skiing at the Threshold of the City

Located at the Martin Golf Course on Route 27 in Weston, the Weston Ski Track is a cross-country ski and snowshoeing center that is a really easy drive from the Boston area. Snowmaking and nighttime lighting on this two-kilometer lighted loop provide consistent snow conditions and reliable night skiing. Beginner lessons, rentals, and a warm cafe make this an ideal short hop from Boston for a day or afternoon of skiing. Phone: 781-891-6575.

Beautiful Marsh Welcomes Walkers

Cutler Park on Kendrick Street in Needham, at the Newton border, is the largest fresh water marsh on the Charles River. The marshland and small lake attract more than 100 species of birds. A trail goes around Kendrick Pond (also called Cutler Pond). A new trail extends from the pond trail and goes to Powell's Island canoe landing, doubles back and goes under the MBTA commuter rail and out to the Great Plain. A right turn leads to a boardwalk through a cattail marsh and ends up on Needham Street in Dedham. A left turn leads down the wide path alongside the elevated railroad line all the way to the Charles River. In summer, hiking, canoeing, and fishing are welcome. Phone: 617-698-1802

Boston from the Sidewalk

Boston calls itself the birthplace of the American Revolution, and you are likely to agree after taking an information-packed stroll with Boston CityWalks, which offers several walking tours that show off the old and contemporary beauties of this world-class city. The various walks may touch on the Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, the Public Garden, Back Bay, and Copley Square. Walkers may choose to have lunch at an outdoor café on Newbury Street, shop in Copley Place and Prudential center, or visit one of Boston’s fine museums. Walks are held daily, year-round. See website for schedule and tickets. Call to confirm. Phone: 866-939-2557.

Hug a Tree

In the Jamaica Plain section of Boston lies an oasis of meadows, forest, ponds, and wildlife. No, it’s not an urban mirage, it’s the Arnold Arboretum, where you can find thousands of different varieties of plants, hiking and biking trails, and world-renowned horticultural collections surrounded by 15,000 gorgeous trees. Arnold is the oldest public arboretum in North America. The extensive Bonsai collection, a cultivated Herbarium, majestic snow-covered cedars and pines in the winter, and nearly 200 different varieties of blooming lilacs in May are just a few of the reasons to spend a day here every day of the year. The arboretum hosts free walks guided by expert docents on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Phone: 617-524-1718‎.

History of Boston on Display Along This Walk to the Sea

Boston is now home to a great, free activity that is ideal for families and people who love history, urban architecture, and the outdoors. The new Walk to the Sea is a self-guided trail that encompasses four centuries of Boston history. Beginning at the State House on Beacon Hill, overlooking Boston's ancient Common, the Walk passes among historic landmarks and skyscrapers. The walk from summit to sea, spanning one mile and descending a hundred feet, brings Boston history to life. Large panels are situated along the walking trail to guide and educate walkers.

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.!

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.

Nosh and Learn

The KITCHEN at The Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover Street in Boston is a community gathering place that promotes seasonal cooking to anyone who is interested, be they expert cooks or curious beginners. The KITCHEN hosts events, hands-on classes, workshops, demos and tastings. The emphasis is on local, seasonal ingredients combined with health and wellness programs to help guests become informed cooks and consumers. A small sampling of classes in 2020, for instance, includes Caribbean flavors, French crepes, savory pastries, gnocchi, spirits-infused truffles, and handmade pasta. Private classes, too, can be arranged. Email: kitcheninfo@thetrustees.org

Come Aboard Old Ironsides

Visit Old Ironsides and the USS Constitution Museum at Building 22 in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Charlestown for for a deep dive into the fascinating history of the USS Constitution. Exhibits at the museum include "Old Ironsides in War and Peace," "All Hands on Deck: A Sailor’s Life in 1812," and "Today's Crew." The museum is open year-round. Phone: 617-426-1812. The ship itself is owned by the U.S. Navy, which hosts tours Wednesdays through Sundays. Tours include the spar deck, gun deck and berth deck.

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