9 Best Outdoor Activities In Boston, Massachusetts - Updated 2024

Anne
Anne 
Updated
| 4 min read

Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and a historic and interesting city to visit. Well known from the sitcom, Cheers, among Boston’s many attractions are Fenway Park, the Boston Common, the Freedom Trail, with its historic sites and museums, and the historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace, an indoor and outdoor shopping center. The city is known for its culture, including the Museum of Fine Arts with its Egyptian treasures and impressionist art, and the Museum of Science. Families enjoy the New England Aquarium in town, with its more than 2,000 marine animals on display, or relaxing in the fresh air in the 19th-century Boston Public Garden. Along the way, visit Boston Harbor with its iconic lighthouse and sailing trips. When visiting in the warmer months, take advantage of these outdoor activities in Boston, Massachusetts.

1. Exciting two-hour sail from Boston Harbor (from USD 35.0)

Climb on board at Boston Harbor and don your life jacket for an enjoyable sail on a sailboat. Enjoy the fresh breeze as you explore historic Boston Harbor on the water. While onboard, take the helm while learning how to steer the boat, or just relax and enjoy the city views. Landmarks in view include the Zakim Bridge, The Tobin Bridge, Boston TD Garden, East Boston and the North End. The sailboat fits up to four adults or two adults and two children. Make sure you dress for the weather, in case it gets chilly while out on the water or it starts to rain.

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2-Hour Sail on Boston Harbor

Duration: 2 hours

387 reviews

2. Enjoy a thrilling run through historic Boston (from USD 29.0)

Keep up your exercise regimen in a fun way, while enjoying a run through historic Boston. Start off in the Boston Public Garden, then run through Boston Common and into the Beacon Hill neighborhood. Then head out along the Charles River Esplanade into Back Bay. Along the way, learn about the hidden secrets of Boston and its history, along with insights into Boston’s well-known running scene. Pass the Boston Marathon finish line before ending the run in charming South End where you will relax and enjoy a coffee.

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Run through historic Boston

Duration: 1 hour

72 reviews

3. Take a fun hike in the Boston Harbor Islands (from USD 65.0)

Meet up at Long Wharf in downtown Boston and take a ferry ride out to Spectacle Island to explore the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. During the 30-minute ferry ride, learn about the history of the islands. When arriving on Spectacle Island, take a hike to the highest point on the island to take in the fabulous views of the harbor and downtown Boston. Snacks are supplied and after the tour, take the ferry back to Long Wharf. The tour includes roundtrip ferry tickets.

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Hike the Boston Harbor Islands

Duration: 3.5 hours

11 reviews

4. Experience a classic New England hike with spectacular views (from USD 40.0)

Meet up across from Ashmont/Peabody Square T station on the Red Line of the subway and then take a stroll through Blue Hills Reservation, south of the city, to view the dense forest and stunning views over the Boston skyline. The hike takes you through quiet wooded areas and will head to two different viewpoints over the city. While it may feel like you are out in the countryside, you will be just 20 minutes from downtown Boston. For those who enjoy the fall foliage, the best time to capture the colors on this hike is between September and November.

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Classic New England Hike With Views

Duration: 3 hours

56 reviews

Boston Tour Guide

Naim Benmayor

Naim Benmayor

As a Boston tour guide, I have the added experience of being a world traveler. For many years, I frequently visited Europe, Asia, and Latin America on business. During this time, I also organized tours of the USA, Europe and Asia for my business clients. I now bring this passion, excitement and expertise to the Boston area.By exploring the globe, I was exposed to various cultures, and this uniq... Read more

5. Have fun on a bike ride through Boston's neighborhoods (from USD 68.0)

One of the best ways to experience Boston’s neighborhoods is on a bike ride. You will head through the city using paths and bike lanes while stopping off at various attractions along the way. Learn about Boston’s unique history, passing places like Fenway Park, North End, The Charles River Esplanade, Boston University Campus, Kenmore Square, Copley Square and the finish line of the Boston Marathon, Boston Common, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the Long Wharf and past the beautiful brownstones of Back Bay and South End.

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Explore the Neighborhoods by Bike

Duration: 3 hours

108 reviews

6. Learn about the game of rugby in the park (from USD 25.0)

learn about the game of rugby in the park
Source: www.airbnb.com

Suitable for groups of up to 10 people, this experience will allow you to learn about the rules, teams and history of the iconic game of rugby. You will have a quick, 20-minute training session before playing a game of touch, some passing games and generally having lots of fun. This session is a fun way to meet new people and gain your host’s expertise on the game of rugby.

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Rugby in the Park

Duration: 2.5 hours

7. Participate in a fun scavenger hunt in Boston Civic Center (from USD 37.0)

A fun way to explore downtown Boston is a tourist scavenger hunt that will take participants from Old City Hall through to the New England Aquarium via the Boston Commons, Faneuil Hall and Massachusetts State House. Along the way, you will solve challenges in every step of the hunt to find out your next location. You will learn history along the way, including interesting tidbits about your surroundings.

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Boston Heritage Scavenger Hunt

Duration: 3 hours

1 review

8. Learn how to scuba dive (from USD 512.0)

For those who have always wanted to scuba dive, these diving lessons are the perfect way to have a wonderful adventure underneath the waves in Boston. After your PADI Open Water Diver course, you will get your scuba diving certification. This is one of the most popular scuba courses in the world. Join the millions of other people who have attended the course and you will then be able to dive anywhere in the world, experiencing the best of the aquatic world and its marine inhabitants. The minimum age for the course is 10 years and it takes three days with a maximum depth of 60 ft (18 m). The use of scuba and snorkeling equipment is included in your open water diving course.

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Roatan PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Course

Duration: 3 days

57 reviews

9. Go whale watching aboard a high-speed catamaran (from USD 79.0)

Take a trip on a high-speed catamaran, around the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Boston, to see the best of the marine wildlife. You are likely to see humpback, right and fin whales along with Atlantic white-sided dolphins on your trip. The whale-watching cruise is narrated by a New England Aquarium Naturalist. Enjoy food and beverages from the on-board galley while enjoying the incredible view.

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Boston Whale Watching Cruise on a High-Speed Catamaran

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

2448 reviews

Outdoor fun in Boston

Whether your preference is for a hike, a biking experience, or a fun sail on the open sea, Boston has plenty to offer. You can also learn how to play rugby, practice for the Boston Marathon, experience the thrills of whale watching, or try your hand at an exciting scavenger hunt. These are just a few of the best outdoor activities in Boston, Massachusetts.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Anne Sewell was born in England, but has spent most of her life in Africa - Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa - and now resides on the beautiful Costa del Sol in southern Spain. She loves writing...Read more

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