The farmers market is an age-old tradition that's thriving at Boston's bustling Haymarket. Vendors have been peddling farm-fresh products here since the 1830s, and, nearly 200 years later, it's still a shopping hub for Bostonians. Though not the typical tourist spot, this is a great place to chill with locals and embrace the culture.
Crowning Boston’s Beacon Hill, the Massachusetts State House is the seat of Massachusetts’ government and one of many sites on the city’s Freedom Trail—a red-brick route connecting its American Revolution-related landmarks. Opened in 1798, the gold-domed building has an impressive interior filled with art and historical artifacts.
One of Boston’s leading art institutions, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum occupies an early 20th-century mansion that’s modeled on a medieval Venetian palazzo. The 7,500-strong collection—which belonged to the city’s leading fin de siècle arts patron Isabella Stewart Gardner—includes highlights such as Titian’s Europa and works by John Singer Sargent, Botticelli, and Rembrandt. Empty frames in the galleries serve as reminders of an infamous art theft, which has remained unsolved since 1990.
Back Bay borders the south bank of Charles River, southwest of Downtown Boston. Balancing commercial streets with residential avenues, the area is characterized by handsome Victorian brownstones, modern high-rises, grand 19th-century public buildings, and high-end restaurants, shops, and bars.
At the Salem Witch Museum, learn more about the tragic Salem witch trials of 1692 through a series of life-size stage sets and two distinct presentations. See and hear how neighbors turned against neighbors, and learn more about everyone involved. You’ll also get an overview of the evolving perception of witches throughout history, and learn how the term “witch-hunt” originated.
Known as the “birthplace of American liberty,” Lexington, Massachusetts, is where the first shot of the American Revolutionary War was fired on April 19, 1775. Nowadays, you can retrace history at sites around town, and enjoy a rich artistic, cultural, and culinary scene.
Built in 1713, Boston's Old State House is the city’s oldest public building and considered pivotal to prerevolutionary US history. Dwarfed by Boston’s skyscrapers and a fixture on its revolution-tracing Freedom Trail, the onetime government building is now a museum to the city’s revolutionary era and the events that kindled the American Revolution.
Located in the city’s North End and built around 1680, the Paul Revere House is the oldest residence in downtown Boston. It’s famous for being the house that industrialist and military officer Revere left from in 1775 on the night of his famous “midnight ride” to warn his compatriots that the British were coming to arrest them. The building now serves as a house museum alongside the adjacent Pierce-Hichborn House.
Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) houses one of the world’s most comprehensive art collections, with nearly 500,000 works ranging from ancient Egyptian sculptures to contemporary masterpieces. A true Boston highlight and must-see attraction for art lovers and first-time city travelers, the galleries house works from around the globe, including 35 paintings by Monet—one of the largest collections outside of France—as well as the tallest classical sculpture in North America and a four-floor wing showcasing American art.
Science and awe-inspiring nature bring families to the Museum of Science, where exhibits ranging from playful illusions to towering displays of fossilized dinosaur bones deliver plenty of opportunities for interactive fun. More than 50 species of animals can be spotted in the Live Animal Care Center, while outdoor spaces include a touchable rock garden with petrified wood and stones from around the world.
This bronze statue, which stands at the center of Harvard Yard, is frequently visited by both travelers and prospective students, and it’s also been the target of dozens of pranks since its unveiling. Whether it’s covered in tar, paint, or some other substance, the John Harvard statue remains at the heart of the school named for him … even though the statue isn’t actually of him.
The Granary Burying Ground was founded in 1660 and the cemetery is a key stop on the Freedom Trail. This colonial sight is perhaps best known for its esteemed residents, and the gravestones are a who's-who of 17th- and 18th-century New England notables. Important Bostonians interred here include Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, among others.
The Charles River meanders 80 miles (129 kilometers) through eastern Massachusetts, including Boston and Cambridge, before emptying into the Atlantic. The Charles, as it’s often called, plays a role in the daily lives of many Bostonians, especially walkers, joggers, cyclists, kayakers, and those who love to quietly relax by the water.
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Longfellow House is the former home of poet Henry W. Longfellow and served as headquarters to General George Washington during the Siege of Boston from 1775 to 1776. Visitors can wander the decorated halls of this Georgian mansion and learn about the dynamic Longfellow family.
Located in Franklin Park in south Boston, Franklin Park Zoo is one of the city’s top family-friendly attractions. Extending across 29 hectares (72 acres), the zoo houses a diverse array of animals that ranges from gorillas and bison to exotic birds and African lions.
The expansive collection of the Harvard Museum of Natural History, located on the grounds of Harvard University, comes from the school’s major research museums. Visitors will find fabulous displays of fossils and dinosaurs, taxidermied animals from around the world, exquisite glass models of plants, and more at this family-friendly museum.
Detailing the long history of glassmaking in Sandwich, Massachusetts, the Sandwich Glass Museum allows visitors to explore locally made glass on display and see artisans blowing glass by hand in the workshop. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in glassmaking or the town’s history.
Considered one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Boston, Louisburg Square in Beacon Hill consists of multi-million-dollar, 19th-century townhouses and a private park. The area was first settled back in the 1600s when Rev. William Blaxton moved to this part of Beacon Hill from Charlestown, where the Puritans had settled, to enjoy more peace.
Part of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the Custom House is one of Salem’s top architectural and historic landmarks. Literature buffs are drawn here for its connection to the author Nathaniel Hawthorne—the building contains an exhibit of the office where he wrote the 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter. Operated by the National Park Service, this Salem landmark offers several exhibitions, but has limited hours; call ahead for the most up to date information.
Cambridge Common is a popular green space near Harvard Square where local recreational sports teams play, picnickers gather, and energetic kids run around. On the site where George Washington gathered troops during the Revolutionary War, the park contains historic cannons and plaques that commemorate some of the revolution’s major events.
The Mayflower II is a full-scale reproduction of the original Pilgrim ship, the Mayflower, that made the transatlantic crossing in the 1600s and changed the course of history. Built in England, the replica's first voyage was from Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1957—making the Mayflower II a historic ship in its own right. It's both a working vessel and a floating museum, with costumed docents on board, creating an immersive experience for every visitor.
Separate the myths from the facts while learning all about the history of witchcraft through the ages, with a visit to the Salem Witch Village. Tours are led by practicing witches. The village also features an indoor maze and eclectic gift shop.
For an experience that combines history and economics, science and seafaring, head over to the New Bedford Whaling Museum and get an up-close look at the Massachusetts whaling industry. Check out the whale skeletons and the robust scrimshaw collection, featuring objects carved from whalebone—then hop aboard a large model ship.
Founded in 1971, the MIT Museum is home to a wide array of exhibits showcasing the intersection of science, technology, and art, from artificial intelligence and holography to robotics. The museum offers rotating exhibitions on STEAM-based topics, demonstrations by faculty and students, workshops, and hands-on activities.
The cornerstone of Concord’s historic attractions, The Old Manse was the town’s political and social center throughout the 19th century, in addition to serving as a home for literary greats. Preserved as a National Historic Landmark, the structure was originally built in 1770 for Rev. William Emerson, and stands adjacent to Concord’s Old North Bridge, where the American Revolutionary War started in 1775.
Centuries-old Burial Hill in Plymouth dates back to the 1620s, when it was part of the original village erected here by the Pilgrims. Visitors can stroll tree-lined pathways to admire some of the oldest gravestones in the United States, see resting places of statesmen and Mayflower passengers, and enjoy hilltop views of Plymouth Harbor.
Located in Boston’s Fort Point district, Boston Children’s Museum is one of the premier destinations in the city for the education of children. It’s the second oldest museum of its kind in the country, and features a wide variety of interactive activities, exhibits, and programs that encourage children’s growth and development.
Perched on the top floors of Prudential Tower, View Boston is the premier observation deck in the city, offering 360-degree, panoramic views of the surrounding skyline. Visitors can take in the sights from indoor and outdoor areas and marvel at the immersive screen that displays street-level perspectives of neighborhoods and behind-the-scenes shots of popular attractions. An open-air deck also serves up cocktails and small bites.
The Gibson House Museum, located in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, is home to four floors of furniture, artifacts, and decor that date back to the 1800s. Explore this popular attraction on guided tours that detail the life and times of the elite Gibson family to learn how early aristocratic Americans lived.
As a city perhaps best known for its 1692 witch trials, Salem has a dark history that dates back centuries. Visitors can unpack stories of this colonial era at the Salem Wax Museum. Encounter wax figures from Salem's past in this quaint museum, and check out a small exhibit on the history of Salem, its witch hunt, and maritime industry.
