Visitors to Boston can enjoy dining on Boston’s creamy clam chowder, lobster rolls, Boston cream pie, and finishing it off with a mug of Sam Adams while checking out one of America’s oldest cities, which had a major role in its founding. Walks along the Freedom Trail are educational and provide entertainment in the form of costumed storyteller guides recounting historical events and the impact the American Revolutionary war had on its citizens prior, during, and afterward. Other major sites include Boston’s numerous galleries, museums, New England Aquarium, Castle Island, State House, and the beautiful and vast Public Garden which are all free to the public. While creating your itineraries, make sure to check out the following list of the best things to do for free in Boston, Massachusetts.
1. Visit The Embrace in Boston Common - contributed by Tour Guide, Naim Benmayor
Pay a visit to The Embrace, an imposing bronze sculpture weighing around 400,000 pounds (181,436.9 kilograms). Crafted by Hank Willis Thomas, this magnificent piece was unveiled at Boston Common in December 2022. It captures a profound embrace between Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
2. Attend incredible music experiences at Hatch Shell
Get ready for some exciting entertainment experiences at Hatch Shell on the Charles River. During the spring to autumn months, visitors have the opportunity to get their lawn chairs or blankets prepped for an evening of live musical experiences featuring the Boston classic orchestra’s Fourth of July Tribute fireworks and all to performances by Jazz, Country, and Rock and Roll musicians. Just take the metro or walk over, pick up a lobster roll and fries, and sit down on the lawn and get ready for a memorable evening. To note, Hatch Shell also offers a Water Lantern Festival in July and movies on the park’s lawn during the summer months.
Hatch Shell
Address: 47 David G Mugar Way
Website: Hatch Shell
Opening hours: Seasonal
Price: Free
3. Tour Boston's capitol building
Climb the steps and enter through the golden dome of the Boston State House where you can receive a complimentary 45-minute guided tour from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm daily. Walk through the marble hallways and admire artwork depicting Boston’s role in the American Revolution which led to liberty from colonialism and the creation of the United States. Before departing, take the opportunity to create your own piece of legislation.
State House
Address: 24 Beacon Street
Website: State House
Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm (closed Saturday & Sunday)
Price: Free
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4. Walk through 250 years of history on the Freedom Trail
Book one of several-hour-long tours offered 362 days a year from Boston’s tourism center. Choose a self-guided tour or a guided tour to experience the chance to walk in the same footsteps of America’s founding fathers from 250 years ago. Explore historical sites with guides in 18th-century apparel, including Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, and Boston Massacre site. On other tours, meet some of the influential freedom fighters of equal rights and listen to their experiences during the American Revolution.
Freedom Trail
Address: 139 Tremont Street
Website: Freedom Trail
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Price: 0 - 14 USD
Boston Tour Guide
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 unique perspective has taught me what appeals to people when visiting a new part of the country or a new part of the world. My fluency in English and Turkish, and my advanced skills in Spanish and intermediate skills in French, also help me to service a wider range of tourists and business people.I moved to Boston, Massachusetts several years ago, and I now reside in Brookline. I have three children, so I develop my tours to accommodate families with kids, couples, and individuals who want to visit and learn about the rich history and culture of Boston. As a parent, I know that Boston is a great place for higher education, and I have knowledge of the colleges and universities in the area.I customize tours to suit the needs and preferences of my customers. Whether you want a walking tour, a riding tour, or a little of both, I can create an itinerary that showcases the best of what Boston has to offer.My one day tours are educational and entertaining, and include the history, culture, personalities, architecture and, even the shopping areas of this renowned city. At the end of the tour you will be happy and satisfied when you realize you've seen so much in just a short time.I am here to share my knowledge of Boston, Cambridge and all of New England with you, and help you to enjoy your visit so you can explore the must-see parts of this great city. I look forward to meeting you and guiding you around the city, so please send me a message if you have any questions.Thank you for reading.
5. Ascend the 294 steps of Bunker Hill Monument
Visitors to Bunker Hill monument are required to obtain a climbing pass from the Bunker Hill Museum located at the base of the hill prior to making the 294-step ascent. This is due to the popularity of the attraction which attracts many visitors daily, and for safety requirements. Passes are free and are offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Afterward, guests are welcome to check out this historical monument which was erected to commemorate the first victory of the American Revolutionary War, which was fought between British and Patriot armies on Bunker Hill in June 1775.
Bunker Hill Monument
Address: 43 Monument Square
Website: Bunker Hill Monument
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Price: Free
6. Experience street performances at Faneuil Hall
Head down to Faneuil Hall to experience street performers in the main square. After exploring the shops and historical markets, sit down at one of the umbrella-shaded tables with an ice cream sundae and watch some of the performances on display in Faneuil Hall’s square. Visitors can enjoy free live entertainment all year round by local musicians and performers every day of the week, in the historical red brick square.
Faneuil Hall
Address: 4 South Market Street
Website: Faneuil Hall
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm; Sunday: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Price: Free
7. Stargazing at Coit Observatory
Boston University’s Astronomy department hosts hour-long sessions on Wednesday evenings throughout the year, for the public. Experience an astronomy lesson and a chance to look through powerful telescopes to stargaze, or check out stunning celestial phenomenon in the evening sky. Be aware that cancellations can occur due to weather-related uncertainty as with any activity relying on the unpredictability of nature.
Coit Observatory
Address: 725 Commonwealth Avenue
Website: Coit Observatory
Opening hours: Wednesday: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm (fall & winter); Wednesday: 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm (spring & summer)
Price: Free
8. Enjoy a picnic at the Public Garden
A visit to Boston wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its beautiful Victorian-designed gardens. After enjoying a picnic in such a romantic setting of weeping willow trees, oak trees, various colorful tulip blooms, seasonal cherry blossoms, and exotic flora, step on a swan boat and enjoy a cruise around the lagoon. After your boat ride, enjoy a peaceful stroll through the garden admiring the fountains, monuments, and natural beauty, set against a backdrop of Boston’s skyline. Please remember just to observe the Canadian geese, swans, and ducks allowing them to enjoy the park in peace as well.
Public Garden
Address: 4 Charles Street
Website: Public Garden
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Price: Free
9. Take courses at Boston Public Library
Visitors to Boston can drop by the library to enjoy free courses in Yoga, Fashion & Design, drama, and various other subjects. In the Creative Drama class, children aged 7-12, will be able to enjoy storytelling theatre and acting out scenes from their favorite books, with plenty of imagination. The fashion and design classes are geared towards teenagers and they welcome those with limited sewing ability to participate. These classes offer visitors the opportunity to expand their horizons and try something new during their vacation.
Boston Public Library
Address: 700 Boylston Street
Website: Boston Public Library
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm; Friday & Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Price: Free
10. Meet up for a free walking tour of Boston
Sign up for a self-guided tour with a GPS audio guide or a two-hour-long guided walking tour of Boston. Visitors can enjoy the popular Freedom Trail tour with visits to historical American Revolution sites on their walk, leading them through 250 years of history. Another tour offers a visit to famed Cambridge and Harvard universities. Take a tour through Irish neighborhoods with commentary on the struggles of new settlers displaced and despised, including tales of America’s favorite family, the Kennedys. To complete your visit to Boston, why not take a food tour or a walk through Little Italy?
Free walking tour
Address: 42 Robinwood Avenue #2
Website: Walking Tour
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Price: Free
11. Make time for culture at an art gallery or museum
Immerse yourself in one of the many curated exhibitions at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. The museum houses the most masterpieces created by Claude Monet outside of France in a gallery dedicated solely to his works. Experience exhibits highlighting worldwide civilizations past and present through fashion, textiles, architecture, and objects from daily life. Impressionism lovers will be delighted to check out galleries filled with creations by Degas, Manet, Cezanne, and Monet.
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Address: 465 Huntington Avenue
Website: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Opening hours: Saturday - Tuesday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Wednesday: Friday 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Price: 0 - 25 USD
Explore Boston for free
Visitors to Boston can experience what very few in other American cities have the opportunity to do, which is to walk back in time 250 years to a newly colonized region which later had a great impact on what would become an independent nation and later world power. Enjoy walking the Freedom Trail and its historical sights and splurge to have your own Boston Tea party on a boat tour in the harbor, where they re-enact the throwing of the British tea chests into the water, which was a significant event of the American Revolution. From there, head to enjoy Castle Island to explore Fort Independence and watch sailboats passing by, then picnic in beautiful Public Garden and finish the day off at Hatch Shell with a concert. Hoping you’ve had a really nice sojourn to New England’s capital.
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