19 best free things to do in Boston

What is it? Boston is a city of firsts and its greenspaces are no different. The Victorian-era Public Garden is America’s first botanical garden and the Boston Common is America’s first public park.

Why go? The Public Garden attracts visitors from all over the world who want to see the famous Make Way for Ducklings statues and elegant swan boats (although a spins around the pond will set you back about $5 per person). Across Beacon Street is the slightly less manicured where, depending on the season, you can splash near or skate around on the Frog Pond, picnic in the park, toss a frisbee or simply lounge on a bench with a book.

Don’t Miss: Keep an eye out for outdoor concerts and plays in the outdoor spaces, and there are always talented musicians to listen to on the quaint bridge.

What is it? The Big Dig did a lot for Boston (like hiding the unsightly highway underground), but this charming mile-long winding ribbon of grassy parks, outdoor spaces and public art tops the list.

Why go? Free to stroll, relax and people watch, this verdant strip provides plenty of resting places, a perfect option for a cheap date. The Greenway features seven water attractions throughout the park. Fun, refreshing, and relaxing, the fountains are a hit with kids and adults alike.

Don’t Miss: Keep an eye out for the periodic festivals, events and art displays located on or near the park. The Public Art vision brings contemporary art to the Greenway for temporary exhibitions. The Greenway Conservancy is proud to sponsor over 400 free events per year, including fitness classes, festivals, markets, family-friendly programming,

What is it? One thing Boston has is a deep, rich history. Walking the Freedom Trail is something you can’t do anywhere else in the world, and this is your reminder that it’s one of the most fun and unique activities in Boston.

Why go? The 2.5-mile trail is easy to follow, allowing you to take a free, self-guided tour anytime you want. It’ll lead you from the Common all the way to Charlestown, letting you see all of the city’s most iconic sites—like the Paul Revere House, the USS Constitution and so much more—along the way.

Don’t Miss: You don’t have to go it alone. The website has a ton of info that you can print out, so you have everything at your fingertips before you start your in-person history lesson.

What is it? Massachusetts was the first state to declare slavery illegal (in 1783) and you can learn a lot about the history of slavery and the African-American experience by taking this tour.

Why go? You can pick up a free map at the Abiel Smith School, where the Museum of African American History is located. From there, you’re all set for a walking tour with the map as your guide, you’ll see 14 fascinating spots around charming Beacon Hill. 

Don’t Miss: The 1.5 mile long trail links sites that explore the trials of the free black community which inhabited the North Slope of Beacon Hill from the late 1700s through the 1800s. You’ll learn about the Underground Railroad, the abolition movement, and the early struggles for civil rights.  

What is it? There are plenty of ways to get into many Boston museums for free, but it just takes a little planning.

Why go? On Thursdays from 5-9pm, the Institute of Contemporary Art is free, but a line forms quickly in warmer months. Everyone gets a free pass into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on their birthday, and anyone with the name Isabella gets in for free, now and forever (we love this). Museum of Fine Arts has free admission for all in-state residents on Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Indigenous People’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Don’t Miss: If you want to wait and get the most out of the museum experience, check their schedules to see when they are hosting special exhibits. Most of the time these are within the free admission, so you'll get more bang for your (zero) bucks. 

What is it? We’ve got a way to get into Harvard and MIT without scoring straight As your entire school career. Harvard is the oldest, and probably most well-regarded, university in America. Hop on the Red Line to the school’s home in Cambridge and join a free tour.

Why go? You can do an official tour, or self-guided historical tour by downloading the school’s Visit Harvard app. Also in Cambridge is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is a mass of buildings you can explore with a free map from the information office.

Don’t Miss: At times throughout the summer, there are free student-led tours. Be sure to tip the hard-working young people if you think they've really "schooled" you on the inner workings some of the local institutions of learning. 

What is it? Boston University’s Department of Astronomy hosts public open nights most Wednesdays at the Coit Observatory.

Why go? You’ll be able to use telescopes and binoculars to gaze at the stars and planets. The program starts at 7:30pm in fall and winter, and 8:30pm in spring and summer.

Don’t Miss: You’ll need to check the schedule and grab a ticket in advance. Reservations for admission are managed through the BU Open Night Eventbrite site and are limited to five per person. They’re available on Thursday mornings at around 11am, so set your alarm because they go fast.

What is it? Franklin Park, with 527 acres across Jamaica Plain, Roxbury and Dorchester, offers the perfect blend of rural scenery, woodland preserve and many spots to toss around a ball or a frisbee. There's a zoo inside, but you don't have to go there for something truly wild.

Why go? For a real adventure, head to the Long Crouch Woods area of the park to see where the zoo’s bears were once housed, before being moved to an enclosure better suited for them. While the Old Bear Dens no longer house any animals, there are still beautiful stone carvings of bears to be found there, as well as a broad staircase leading up to a pavilion and the former pens.

Don’t Miss: The site was one of the first Zoo exhibits when it opened in 1912. The frieze has the city seal and the 1912 Boston skyline with the Custom House, the tallest building in Boston at the time.

What is it? There are several ways to visit the New England Aquarium for free. First, simply look right outside the main entrance and you’ll see the huge 42,000-gallon harbor seal exhibit, which is free to view and a favorite of kids and adults alike.

Why go? Also, check the marine museum's offers page, which details how Boston Public School students and up to three adults can visit the Aquarium for free the first and second Sunday of every month, among other discounts. 

Don’t Miss: The Harbor behind the aquarium is a great place to sit and people-watch or just gaze out into the wide open waters, wondering what else is out there within its waves. 

What is it? Home to the huge artist community in Boston, the galleries at the SoWa Art + Design District in the South End open their doors to the public from 5–9pm, on the first Friday of every month.

Why go? SoWa hosts two large artist studio buildings, the largest and most well-known of which is 450 Harrison Ave. With three floors of artist studios and nearly 100 spaces ranging in size from 400 to 1400 square feet, the building offers a density of working artists. 46 Waltham St. is a more private building just a few blocks north at the edge of SoWa, where a few dozen artist studios are nestled around a brick courtyard. Both buildings participate in Open Studios and Art Walk each year.

Don’t Miss: With more than 200 artists, galleries, shops and showrooms to see, there’s a wide variety of art to appreciate. Be sure to mind occupancy limits, as some of the artist spaces can be a tight fit.

What is it? Jamaica Pond, part of the Emerald Necklace, an impressive series of over 1,100 acres linked throughout the city, is a picturesque spot to feel far away from city life.

Why go? The pond is actually a glacial kettle hole and the perfect place for an afternoon stroll. A 1.5-mile path completely encompasses the pond, offering reflecting views, a peek at the boathouse and, oftentimes, the opportunity to pet strangers’ dogs.

Don’t Miss: Head to the Pinebank Promontory during the warmer months for the Summer Sundays in the Park series, which features free family-friendly evening concerts and movies. In October, the annual Lantern Festival brings thousands of people, some in full Halloween costume, for a walk around Jamaica Pond with their lanterns creating once again Olmsted’s “flickering half-lights.”

What is it? Many branches of the Boston Public Library offer author talks, at locations all around the city.

Why go? They’re normally free, and some take place in person, while others are on Zoom—if you’d prefer to enjoy at home.

Don’t Miss: You can find the citywide schedule of programing. The 2026 Concerts in the Courtyard series will again include performances in the McKim Building Courtyard, and be aligned with our "Revolutionary Ideas" theme.

What is it? In Charlestown stands a 221-foot granite obelisk commemorating the first major battle of the American Revolution, and visitors can climb up inside the monument at no cost. 

Why go? A trek up the 294 steps to the top affords you breathtaking views of Boston Harbor and city.

Don’t Miss: During the summer, from Wednesday-Sunday, you can also hear a free historical “Decisive Day” talk from a park ranger to learn more about the battle of Bunker Hill. 

What is it? The Watershed, part of Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art, has truly transformed the East Boston waterfront into a stunning venue for the kind of large-scale art that you don’t normally get in a crowded city. And it’s free for all. (You can even take a free shuttle boat across the harbor between the two museums!)

Why go? Each summer, the ICA invites one artist to create a site-specific work or installation for the space. You can also peruse the Watershed’s gallery highlighting the history of the shipyard.

Don’t Miss: Note that timed tickets are required for entry. The Watershed is open seasonally from May through October, 11am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday.

What is it? Designed and planned in collaboration with renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the 281-acre Arboretum is a jewel in the heart of the city. Established in 1872, it is the oldest public arboretum in North America.

Why go? Open to the public every day, the arboretum is more than a park; it’s a botanical research institute with thousands of trees, shrubs and other flora. They offer bird watching strolls, guided tours through the property’s greenery, and more.

Don’t Miss: Take a stroll on your own, or try a free guided tour. Just call or check the website for details.

What is it? Boston’s famous Hatch Shell hosts free outdoor events from early spring to late fall annually. Built around 1940, it is one of the city's prominent examples of Art Deco architecture.

Why go? The annual lineup of shows includes live music (like classical or jazz), dance performances and family-friendly movies. Bring a picnic and a blanket, and enjoy the fresh air after a stroll through town to the Charles River Esplanade.

Don’t Miss: This summer’s programming includes the Landmarks Orchestra performing an evening of summer music and more. Performances can get crowded, so best arrive early.

What is it? If you’re looking for free activities around Boston, look no further than setting up a beach chair and blanket on the shores of the city's gorgeous beaches.

Why go? Because no one wants to sit in summer traffic down to the Cape.

Don’t Miss: You can take the T to get to some spots, such as Quincy’s Wollaston Beach, Southie’s Castle Island and Revere Beach. Some local beaches have a small fee, especially if you’re driving in and need to park.

What is it? Commonwealth Shakespeare Company presents professional productions of Shakespeare to Boston audiences during the summer when local theatre companies tend to be on hiatus from their regular seasons, Each summer CSC welcomes approximately upwards of 50,000 people to our shows on the Boston Common,

Why go? What’s more civilized than a trip to see Shakespeare performed? Bring a blanket, a basket of cheese and maybe some well-concealed wine, and grab a spot on Boston Common for an evening with the Bard.

Don’t Miss: The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company will be performing Midsummer Night’s Dream this summer, from July 22-August 9 at the Parkman Bandstand. All performances are free, making for a perfect summertime date or relaxing group outing.

What is it? At trip to South Boston isn’t complete without a visit to Castle Island. Though it isn’t really an island (it’s a peninsula), there's plenty of room in the 22-acre park.

Why go? Wander around Fort Independence, trawl the beaches or find a walking and running trail before settling into the picnic area for a summer meal. 

Don’t Miss: In the summer, for just a few bucks, you can get a hot dog at the iconic Sullivan’s snack bar – a seafood shack that’s was Boston's only James Beard Award winner in 2025.