Things to do in Boston

Things to do in Boston

501 ranked activities5 in the 90+ Club

Boston is compact enough that a good walking guide beats any bus. Freedom Trail walks, harbour cruises, Fenway tours and whale-watch runs out to Stellwagen Bank are the core, plus Salem and Cape Cod as day trips. Outty Ranking weights guide storytelling and group size heavily, because on the Freedom Trail the narration is the entire product.

Quick answer

What are the best things to do in Boston?

Outty ranks 501 bookable experiences in Boston, United States. The highest scoring is The Full Revolutionary Story Epic Small-Group Boston Walking Tour at 97 out of 100, followed by Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour, Boston's Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking Tour, Freedom Trail Walking Tour with Bunker Hill and USS Constitution. Prices start at $8 per person and 5 experiences score 90 or above, putting them in the Outty 90+ Club. May to October. Whale watching runs roughly April through October only.

Ranked experiences
501
In the 90+ Club
5
From
$8 per person
Bookable today
120

2-minute city guide

Best Things to Do in Boston

Get oriented fast: the major attraction hubs, the best ways to experience them, and how the Outty Ranking compares every option.

  • Boston North End
  • Boston Common
  • Granary Burying Ground
  • Freedom Trail

Top attractions in Boston

Landmark by landmark: every ranked tour, ticket and guided visit in one place.

Top tour operators in Boston

The companies behind the experiences, ranked by how much of Boston they cover.

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Most Popular in Boston

The experiences travelers book most right now.

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Most Highly Reviewed in Boston

Highest traveler sentiment with enough reviews to trust it.

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Last Minute in Boston

Confirmed availability today or tomorrow.

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Family Friendly in Boston

Works with children in tow, by age policy and pacing.

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Food & Drink in Boston

Food tours, tastings, markets and dinner experiences.

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Culture & History in Boston

Museums, landmarks and stories behind the streets.

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Outdoors in Boston

Fresh air, water, trails and skyline views.

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Nightlife in Boston

After dark: bars, shows and evening cruises.

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People also ask

What are the top 15 things to do in Boston?

Our ranked guide lists the 15 best experiences in Boston with prices, time needed and quick picks for families, rainy days and last-minute plans. Read the answer

Boston Common or Boston North End: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

Boston North End or Granary Burying Ground: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

Boston North End or Faneuil Hall Marketplace: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

Boston North End or Boston Old State House: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

What is the best Boston North End tour?

We compare all 124 ranked ways to see Boston North End, best first. Read the answer

What is the best Boston Common tour?

We compare all 102 ranked ways to see Boston Common, best first. Read the answer

Planning questions about Boston

What are the best things to do in Boston?
The Full Revolutionary Story Epic Small-Group Boston Walking Tour is the highest ranked experience in Boston, scoring 97 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking from 3,007 traveler reviews. Boston: Freedom Trail History Small Group Walking Tour, Boston's Freedom Trail: A Revolutionary Walking Tour, Freedom Trail Walking Tour with Bunker Hill and USS Constitution, Boston's Food and History: North End, Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill round out the top five. Outty ranks 501 bookable experiences in Boston, United States, and 5 of them score 90 or above.
Which attractions should I visit in Boston?
The landmarks with the deepest choice of tours and tickets are Boston North End, Boston Common, Granary Burying Ground, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston Old State House, Massachusetts State House. Each has its own page on Outty listing every ranked way to visit, from timed entry tickets to guided and combination tours.
How much do activities in Boston cost?
The median price across everything we rank in Boston is $55 per person, and the cheapest starting price is $8 on Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour. Guided, small-group and skip-the-line versions sit above the median, and peak weekends price higher than midweek mornings.
Can I book something in Boston for today?
Yes. 120 of the top 120 experiences we rank in Boston currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book early in the day where you can.
Is Boston good for families?
Yes. 13 of the experiences we rank in Boston are family friendly, covering short, low-cost activities as well as full-day outings. Check the minimum age on each experience page before booking.
How many days do you need in Boston?
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting: one anchor experience each morning, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
When is the best time to visit Boston?
May to October. Whale watching runs roughly April through October only. Prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
Can I cancel a booking in Boston?
113 of the 120 experiences we rank in Boston offer free cancellation, usually up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact window is shown on each experience page before you book.
How does the Outty Ranking work?
Every experience in Boston gets a single 0 to 100 score built from traveler sentiment, the depth of review evidence, recent booking momentum, price fairness against comparable options in the same city, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Scores are benchmarked within Boston so a strong local option is not buried by global volume, and anything at 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.