Top Boston Arts & Design in 2026

Step into the captivating realm of illusions, where reality is never exactly as it appears. Museum of Illusions is a one-of-a-kind, visual, sensory, and educational experience designed to engage your sense of wonder and challenge perceptions through the science behind optical illusions. We offer over 50 immersive, hands-on exhibits to explore. The illusion rooms, installations and holograms let you defy gravity, grow and shrink your body, walk into a life-size kaleidoscope, and play tricks on your senses at every turn. It’s a mind-bending journey that deceives the senses and reveals how the brain interprets reality.

Discover a whole new side of baseball history with the help of a guide on this tour of Fenway Park, one of baseball’s most beloved stadiums. Revisit the careers of Red Sox greats like Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, and Carl Yastrzemski, celebrate the club’s numerous World Series titles, and tour famous stadium locales like the ‘Green Monster,’ ‘Pesky’s Pole,’ and the Fenway Park Living Museum. It’s ideal for baseball fans, be they locals or tourists.

See some of the top attractions in Boston from the waterfront on this narrated sightseeing cruise. Explore the world-famous Boston Harbor and see the city’s historic sites while listening to live commentary on board, from tales of the Revolutionary War to local legends. While you cruise, enjoy views of the city skyline as well as the Boston Harbor Islands, USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), and the Bunker Hill Monument.

The Museum of Ice Cream is a self-guided interactive ice cream museum in Boston’s Seaport District and a must-see attraction for families, couples, and friends. The experience invites visitors to play, explore, and dive into the world-famous Sprinkle Pool. If you’re searching for an immersive experience that’s equal parts playful and unforgettable, you’ve found the perfect place – a vibrant oasis of creativity and sweetness.

Experience the best of New England’s marine wildlife on this guided whale-watching cruise around the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Hop on a high-speed boat in Boston that gets to and from the whales in the least amount of time possible. Look out for humpback and fin whales, plus Atlantic white-sided dolphins, with the help of a naturalist guide. The on-board galley offers food and beverages for purchase during the trip.

Hop into a duck boat—s renovated World War II amphibious vehicle—for a comprehensive city sightseeing tour of Boston. Pass Boston Common, Quincy Market, the Celtics' home turf at TD Garden, and much more. Then splashdown into the Charles River for a view of the city by boat. Learn all about Boston's history and landmarks as you go.

Not many tours combine an exploration of art and architecture with chocolate tastings. On this small-group tour, head to Back Bay to explore the district’s diverse 19th and 20th-century architecture. Stop at several different chocolate vendors and bakeries, interspersed with visits to two different art galleries across the neighborhood, including one featuring 56 artists with ceramics, paintings, and mobiles.

As the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence in 1776, five Boston landmarks have joined to create the BOSTON 250 PASS, providing access to five iconic museums and historic churches on a single ticket! This special offer grants discounted adult admission (ages 18+) to five must-see historic sites: Paul Revere House (1680), home of the famed silversmith; Old State House (1713), colonial capital of Massachusetts Bay; Old North Church (1723), Boston's oldest surviving church building; Old South Meeting House (1729), origin site of the Boston Tea Party; and King's Chapel (1754), home of Boston's first Anglican congregation. Museums are independently operated; visitor hours vary, so please confirm in advance! Pass valid for one week (7 days) following date selected. DO NOT PURCHASE if listed (discounts available): Children (0-17); U.S. Military; Groups of 10+ (reservation req'd); MA Teachers; MBTA Employees; WGBH, NEMA, AAM, ICOM Members; WIC & EBT Cardholders

Discover some of Boston’s deepest, darkest secrets that lots of tourists miss out on by joining this “frightseeing” tour aboard the Trolley of the Doomed, which roams around the haunted streets and burial grounds of Boston. Your costumed host provides illuminating insights into the history of the city's spookiest sights, such as Copp’s Hill Burying Ground.

- Explore 300 years of history through an award-winning exhibit and immersive audio guide. - Enjoy kid-friendly options like a fun family scavenger hunt. - Discover the secrets of the crypt, where 1,100 people were buried. - Find out the true story behind Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride and “two if by sea.” - See a newly revealed mural that had been hidden under layers of white paint since 1912. - Learn about the church’s Black and Indigenous history.

Explore Boston’s top 3 attractions on a small-group walking tour in just two hours. A longtime local guide shares insightful historical commentary of the famous sites along the way as well as fun photo tips to help you capture memorable photos of your tour experience. Discover the history behind Back Bay’s diverse architectural landmarks in Copley Square. Enjoy a scenic stroll through the Boston Public Garden to see colorful flowerbeds and the famous Swan Boats. For the grand finale, we'll visit Beacon Hill’s Acorn Street, known as known the most photographed street in Boston. Designed for history buffs, urban explorers, smartphone users, and casual photographers, this guided walking tour blends engaging historical commentary with photo tips. It is not a technical photography class.

Explore the best of Boston at your own pace on a hop-on hop-off trolley tour of the city. Choose from a 1- or 2-day pass and see Boston’s top attractions, including the USS Constitution, the original bar from TV show “Cheers,” and the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, to name a few. The pass includes discounted admission to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, to enjoy during or after the tour.

See more of Boston for one low price by purchasing the Boston Explorer Pass by Go City. Enjoy great savings off regular prices as you get admission to your choice of two, three, four, or five Boston attractions, picking among top city highlights like a Boston sightseeing cruise, a hop-on hop-off trolley tour, and much more. An included digital guide helps design the perfect itinerary.

Discover Boston beyond the revolution. WEM showcases the history of a neighborhood with a rich and storied past that was destroyed by urban renewal efforts between 1958 and 1962. Experience how our the West End evolved from one of the country's earliest settlements of free Black people, to a diverse immigrant community, became a debris field, and transformed into the neighborhood you see today. Deepen your understanding of Boston's urban history and cultural heritage at the only urban planning museum in the United States. **LAST ADMISSION 30 MINS BEFORE CLOSE**

Explore all four Lexington History Museums—including Buckman Tavern, Hancock-Clarke House, Munroe Tavern, and the Lexington Depot—for an experience no other tour can offer. Step inside the actual buildings where history happened. Stand in the tavern where Lexington's militia gathered before the Battle of Lexington, visit the home where Patriot leaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams received Paul Revere's warning, and explore the tavern later occupied by British troops in the aftermath of the battle. With admission to all three historic houses included, you'll enjoy an immersive journey through the places where the American Revolution began. Your pass also includes admission to the Lexington Depot Museum, a beautifully restored 19th-century train station that traces Lexington's story from the Revolutionary era to the present day through engaging exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays.

Thanks to its storied revolutionary past, Boston is home to some of the most significant historic buildings in the US. Learn facts about the nation’s history that most guidebooks miss, like details about the 1770 Boston Massacre, with this access pass for the Old State House, Old South Meeting House, and the new immersive Ruckus! show starting July 2.

Travel back in time to colonial New England on a historic walking tour. Your costumed and in-character guide gives you an immersive understanding of life during America’s infancy. Hear exclusive stories about the country’s Founding Fathers and discover iconic historical sites on this tour that covers approximately 1.2 miles (two kilometers).

Discover Boston’s rich past and vibrant present on this small-group (or private) walking tour—a relaxed and informative way to get your bearings if visiting the city for the first time. Gain valuable insight from local guide as you explore spots such as Boston Harbor, Faneuil Hall, Beacon Hill, and the Public Garden. As you wander, learn about the city’s Revolutionary roots, architectural gems, and cultural evolution—and get an understanding of what life is like for modern-day residents.

Enjoy a more personalized way to explore Boston’s Beacon Hill—and benefit from plenty of in-depth commentary along the way—on this small-group walking tour of the popular neighborhood. Be sure to bring your smartphone or camera along: Your guide leads you straight to many of the neighborhood's most photogenic sights, including Acorn Street: the most photographed street in Boston.

Explore Boston’s Mafia past and learn the story behind North End’s immigrants with this interactive outdoor exploration game. Taking the role of an investigative reporter, solve a series of challenges on your phone that will lead you around the neighborhood, including to Rose Kennedy Rose Garden, North Street Park, North Square, and hidden gems.

The Sports Museum consists exhibits located throughout TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics. Our Museum Assistants will guide you through The Sports Museum, primarily located on the Premium Levels 5 & 6 of TD Garden. These spaces showcase the rich heritage of Boston sports and the influence athletics have had on the city’s social history and evolution. During this 60-minute guided tour, guests can expect to enjoy: - Exhibits highlighting the Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots, and more - Sculptures of Larry Bird, Ted Williams, Bobby Orr, Carl Yastrzemski, and Harry Agganis - An exclusive championship ring display, sponsored by Jostens - Views into TD Garden, bringing guests up close to the championship banners of the Bruins and Celtics* *Views into the arena are subject to restrictions based on venue activity. Photo restrictions may apply.

Explore Boston’s must-see attractions in one tour. Walk along the picturesque streets of Beacon Hill, home to Acorn Street, the most photographed street in Boston. Discover the most scenic locations in the Boston Public Garden and Back Bay’s beautiful 19th-century residential neighborhood.

Explore Boston’s musical history while guided by a local musician on this small-group tour, discovering facts about the city’s past and present music scene that most guidebooks miss. Visit several of Boston’s most influential venues and hear about the legendary artists who have played some of their largest gigs in the city.