Top Massachusetts 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.

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.

Give yourself the best chance of seeing whales in the wild on this half-day boat tour from Gloucester to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Hop on a high-speed catamaran that gets to and from the whales in the least amount of time possible. Once there, look out for humpback and fin whales, plus Atlantic white-sided dolphins and harbor porpoises with the help of a naturalist guide. The on-board galley offers hot meals, snacks and beverages for purchase during the trip.

Visit Martha's Vineyard highlights on this half-day, small-group tour from Oak Bluffs. Make the most of your time on the island as you check out Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, and the Aquinnah Cliffs, learning stories about island history and cultures along the way. This Martha’s Vineyard tour is limited to 14 people for personal service from the local guide, and it includes a 15-minute break to explore the Aquinnah Cliffs.

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.

Relive one of the most important events leading up to the American Revolution and learn about a side of the story most tourists miss on this guided tour of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. Explore authentically restored tea ships with the help of a guide as you get their insights into this pivotal event, and throw some of your own tea into Boston Harbor. It's an ideal experience for American history buffs, tourists, and locals alike.

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.

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 Boston’s role in American history with one pass granting discounted adult admission to five landmark museums and historic churches. Visit the Paul Revere House, Old State House, Old North Church, Old South Meeting House, and King’s Chapel—each offering a different perspective on the city’s colonial past and the events surrounding American independence. The pass is valid for seven days from your selected date, giving you flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Step into the magic of Hocus Pocus with our enchanting movie location tour in Salem — the very town where the Sanderson sisters ran amok! We’ll meet at 7 Church Street, right in front of the popular vegan restaurant, where your evening of spells, stories, and Salem history begins. Your licensed professional local tour guide will share behind-the-scenes secrets, filming facts, and plenty of fun movie trivia along the way. Our first stop is beautiful Salem Common, where Max and Allison share their charming flirtation scene. You’ll stand where the iconic moment took place. We see Old Town Hall, the unforgettable setting of the Halloween party. Your guide will share trivia about how it became one of the film’s most memorable scenes. Finally, we make our way to the stunning Ropes Mansion, famously known as Allison’s House. Guests will enjoy interactive trivia from Hocus Pocus, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of opportunities to relive their favorite moments from the film.

Learn about Salem’s mysterious past on this guided walking tour of the city. Follow your historian guide through Salem, listening to 400 years of history, and admire the old architecture that dates back to the early colonial period. Find out the truth about the 1692 Salem Witch Trial hysteria, which has influenced literature and pop culture. For a spookier experience, select the nighttime tour led by lantern light.

Discover pirate history in Salem, Massachusetts with a ticket to an interactive exhibition. Learn about the real-life stories of pirates as you explore the exhibit at your own pace. Listen to an audio guide as you see pirate treasure including coins and jewelry, retrieved from a shipwreck. Check out the discovery lab and immerse yourself in the history of pirates off the coast of Cape Cod.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Boston’s architectural history is spread across several neighborhoods—this small-group walking tour links Back Bay, the Public Garden, and Beacon Hill with commentary from a Boston guide with 20+ years of experience. See landmarks including Copley Square, the Swan Boats, and Acorn Street, while practical smartphone photo tips help you capture the city without taking a technical photography class.

Discover the highlights of Cambridge’s Harvard Yard—without having to spend hours doing research—thanks to this fun and interactive self-guided exploration game. Smartphone access via an app means there’s no need to waste time picking up equipment, so you can play whenever suits your schedule. Places that feature on the route include Widener Library, Johnston Gate, Holden Chapel, and the Harvard Lampoon Building.

Make this holiday season one to remember with this cocoa and carols holiday cruise on Boston Harbor. With dates offered throughout December, you can add a magical touch to your holiday, and easily find a date that works for you. Plus, you’ll cruise the harbor aboard a classic yacht with live music as you take in beautiful views of Boston.

Experience the best of Nantucket with this 2-in-1 bundle — two complete self-guided tours available together at a discounted price. Begin your adventure with a walking tour through the heart of downtown Nantucket, learning about the whaling trade, and discovering landmarks like the Atheneum and Hadwen House. Next, embark on the Nantucket Coast to Coast drive or bike tour, stretching from Madaket to Sconset. Follow a scenic route past windswept beaches, historic lighthouses, and classic shingle cottages that reveal the island’s more tranquil side. Each tour is available separately, but when purchased together, they offer a flexible and memorable way to explore the entire island at a discounted rate. - Two complete self-guided tours at a discounted bundle price - Walking tour through downtown Nantucket’s historic sites - Scenic drive or bike tour from Madaket to Sconset - GPS-triggered audio works offline - Discover hidden gems and learn about the island’s maritime heritage

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.

Travel back in time, to the early years of the United States of America, during this guided walking tour of Boston’s Freedom Trail and beyond. Relive the events of the American Revolution as you pass Faneuil Hall, see the Old and New State Houses, and visit the setting of the infamous Boston Massacre. Then head downtown past Boston Common and the modern John Hancock Tower, finishing in Copley Square.