Places to visit in Boston

95 people recommend, 9 warn against itvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Many visitors recommend the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and a good number call it a personal favorite in Boston. Some single out the interior courtyard, one admires the Spanish Cloister tiles, and one likes that the collection is displayed like a private home. A few say a short visit can cover it, while some suggest pairing it with the MFA next door. Caveats: one visitor notes the garden can only be walked around, not entered, one finds it weaker for art with some poorly lit areas, and several doubt it will hold younger children's interest. Several advise booking ahead because tickets can sell out.

84 people recommend, 9 warn against itvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Visitors praise the electricity show and the planetarium and Omni Theater shows, and many say they still enjoy the museum as adults. Many say it suits young children well, but some find the exhibits unchanged or thinner than they remember. Some note the shows and evening programs lean toward adults, and a couple say the area feels isolated. Overall the verdict leans positive.

79 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Many visitors recommend the Museum of Fine Arts, and several say it is big enough to fill a full day. One visitor calls the Japan galleries the top Japanese art collection outside Japan, and others single out the Monet and Impressionist galleries, the Sappho statue and a Van Gogh exhibition. Many suggest pairing it with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, since they are neighbors. Caveats: two visitors describe it as crowded, one of them blaming poor management.

76 people recommend, 12 warn against itvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Many visitors recommend walking Boston Common, especially in snow. Several recommend sitting on its open grass, and many pair the Common with the Public Garden next door. Caveats: several visitors report unpleasant encounters with other people there, one suggests choosing the Public Garden instead, and another calls late-night walks a judgment call since the Common can be dim and quiet.

58 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/massachusetts, r/boston

Overall, visitors lean toward recommending the Freedom Trail, and many suggest walking it for its history, with Old North Church, USS Constitution and Paul Revere House often named alongside it. Some say it is a useful introduction to the city, and one says it covers the main highlights even if the walk is tiring; another says it is hard to skip but the full route is not required. One says a guided walk adds more than the route alone. A few describe heavy crowds, one notes summer is the busy season, and one finds it somewhat lackluster.

51 people recommend, 6 warn against itvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Most visitors recommend the Public Garden, with many favoring a walk through it and several calling it beautiful. One visitor says a swan boat ride with kids is a must. Some warn that standing or sitting on the grass is restricted in places, while one cautions to be careful around the squirrels and another finds them friendly.

47 people recommendvia r/CambridgeMA, r/boston, r/massachusetts

Many visitors recommend the glass flowers exhibit as worth seeing, and a couple say the taxidermy and dinosaur displays work well for kids. One visitor found the museum nearly empty on their last visit, and another points to a newly opened sea monsters display.

47 people recommend, 9 warn against itvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Many visitors recommend the guided ballpark tour, and a couple call Fenway a one-of-a-kind experience; a couple say the tour may suit first-timers best. One suggests a non-game day because game-day tours are more limited, and others suggest the tour when the team is away. One visitor took the train to Fenway concerts and found it easier, while another prefers parking a bit away and skipping the trains. Caveats: several warn that some seats have obstructed or angled views, and one warns that holiday weeks bring heavy crowds and harder parking. One says the area around the park is enjoyable for kids who like baseball.

41 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Most visitors recommend the main library on Copley Square, with many calling the building beautiful and several highlighting its murals. Many visitors also recommend the library's art and architecture tour. Caveats: one visitor says the regular readings may seem dull, and another says the building seemed dowdy before its redesign, though they admired the addition's scale.

33 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/boston, r/CambridgeMA, r/massachusetts

Visitors recommend the Esplanade overall, with many suggesting walking or biking along the river and a couple describing the riverside as beautiful or gorgeous. A couple suggest kayaking on the Charles, and a few suggest going when the weather is good. Several stress keeping dogs on a leash, one warns it gets busy in warm months, and one prefers the Public Garden for looks and people-watching.

30 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/boston, r/CambridgeMA, r/massachusetts

Many visitors recommend Mount Auburn Cemetery as a place to walk, and many praise its paths and scenery. Several say the climb up Washington Tower rewards them with views over Cambridge and Boston, and a few say autumn is especially lovely. One visitor warns the tower's steps are hard to climb, and another notes there is no parking, though buses stop close by.

29 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts, r/CambridgeMA

Many visitors recommend the USS Constitution, and several pair it with a Freedom Trail walk. One suggests a ferry, another a water taxi and another a bike ride to reach it, and one suggests going at sunset for the cannon salute. One visitor says people often skip it but shouldn't, and another came to Boston mainly to see it. Its museum nearby is also recommended.

29 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/boston, r/CambridgeMA, r/massachusetts

Overall, visitors lean toward recommending the Institute of Contemporary Art in the Seaport, and many suggest it as a stop among Boston's museums. Many point to the seasonal Watershed installation across the harbor, reached by ferry, and a couple praise the architecture and harbor setting. Some suggest it for families or teens. Caveats: a few call it small or rank it below the larger museums, and one says contemporary art does not appeal to them.

28 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/massachusetts, r/CambridgeMA, r/boston

Many visitors recommend the MIT Museum, and a few find it more distinctive than a typical museum, while one says its objects come with surprising backstories. Some suggest it for science and tech fans, a few think it could suit a teen. Caveats: one visitor calls it the only worthwhile tourist stop in Kendall, a couple found it somewhat underwhelming, and another preferred the older version of the museum.

28 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Many visitors recommend the Boston Children's Museum for toddlers and young kids. Visitors point to the PlaySpace, a play area made for the youngest kids, and one adds that a park outside is handy. Caveats: one visitor thinks a two-year-old is too young because its recommended age is older; one says booking ahead is better since walk-ins sometimes miss out; one says it is usually busier than another children's museum they prefer; and one notes there is little parking.

27 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts, r/CambridgeMA

Visitors recommend the Harvard Art Museums, and some praise the collection, a couple calling it excellent or fantastic. One visitor says it can easily keep you busy for hours, and another says it sits close enough to other Harvard museums to combine in one day. On the other hand, a couple rank it below the MFA and Gardner, and one would save it for a different day.

22 people recommend, 11 warn against itvia r/massachusetts, r/boston

Several visitors suggest stopping by the outdoor seals and sea lions, and some say the aquarium works for children, though others say it fails to engage toddlers. One says it is the better choice over the zoo when the weather is poor. Opinions are split overall: some call it underwhelming or overrated, one saying only with children along, and some say other aquariums are stronger.

18 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Many visitors recommend the Boston Harbor Islands, and several mention the ferry or boat ride out as part of the fun. A couple suggest going when the weather is good, and a few point out the islands have good views of the city. Some call them underused or say few locals go out there, and one notes that reaching them takes some planning.

18 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/massachusetts, r/boston, r/CambridgeMA

Visitors generally recommend Faneuil Hall as a stop, and many include it on walking routes through downtown and the North End. A few point to the street performers, and one admires the architecture of the hall and Quincy Market. Several visitors call it a tourist trap, one finds it chain-heavy, and two feel it has declined from its earlier days.

17 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Many visitors suggest walking through Beacon Hill's streets, whether as part of a day plan, a detour from the Freedom Trail or on the way to the North End. A couple call it beautiful or gorgeous, and one suggests enjoying it while there are fewer tourists around.

16 people recommendvia r/boston

Most visitors recommend the Arnold Arboretum, and a few describe its grounds as beautiful with gorgeous botany. A couple say it looks and smells lovely, and another likes it for birdwatching in nice weather. One visitor says it can get busy on nice weekends, and a different visitor finds it hard to search for specific plants because there is no easy-to-find plant list.

13 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts, r/CambridgeMA

Several visitors suggest walking the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and several pair it with the North End or nearby stops. Some suggest sitting or hanging out there, and some say to go on nice days. One says the area has playgrounds worth hopping between, and one suggests walking the whole greenway rather than only the North End stretch.

13 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Many visitors suggest the monument as a Freedom Trail stop, and several recommend climbing to the top. One describes the climb as a do-it-yourself city view, another says the view makes the battle easier to picture, and one calls the climb an impressive finish to the walk. The climb is by stairs, so one notes it suits those who are fine with stairs, and one suggests it as a place to let kids run around.

11 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Visitors recommend the Paul Revere House as a stop in the North End or on a Boston walk. One visitor calls it a neat spot with a small attached museum that was not crowded during their visit, and another points to its very early colonial architecture. One recommends it as a very old site.

11 people recommendvia r/boston

Visitors recommend Georges Island, where several mention the fort, which one describes as Civil War-era, and a few call it fun or the standout of the Harbor Islands. A couple prefer it to Spectacle Island, and one says it suits hot days. One visitor found the ferry trip memorable for what they learned about Boston, and one notes the boat ride is longer than to some other islands.

9 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Visitors recommend the Frog Pond on Boston Common for ice skating, and one suggests going only when the weather allows. One calls it nice but too small for skating. Another enjoys lunch and people-watching there, and overall the spot is well liked.

8 people recommendvia r/boston

Many visitors recommend Trinity Church, and several praise its architecture, while one visitor calls the interior awe-inspiring. It sits on Copley Square near the Boston Public Library, and a commenter suggests a guided tour of the church. Another visitor describes it as a low-church Episcopal church with a lot of music.

8 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Visitors recommend the Boston Athenaeum, which one calls an amazing old private library and museum, notable for its George Washington book collection. Another suggests joining a guided tour, and one suggests seeing it after the big museums. Most mentions come within lists of other stops.

8 people recommendvia r/boston, r/CambridgeMA

Several visitors name the Brattle Theatre as a draw in Harvard Square. A couple of visitors point to its film programming, and one visitor says a returning event there would be reason enough to go. Another visitor agrees with the pick, though they have not been in a long time.

8 people recommendvia r/boston

Many visitors recommend walking the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, a pleasant stroll after the Public Garden. Two visitors praise the holiday lights, and a couple of visitors say it looks lovely in snow. One visitor advises bundling up for the cold if visiting in winter.

7 people recommendvia r/boston

Several visitors recommend the Cop Slide as a stop on a Boston trip. One calls it a must-do, and another says they almost forgot it. One visitor enjoys watching the daytime crowds, mainly tourists and first-timers, having fun on it. Another suggests riding it near Government Center as part of a day that includes lunch in Chinatown, and one visitor recommends stopping by the Cop Slide playground.

7 people recommendvia r/boston

Visitors recommend walking the North End, and several pair it with Beacon Hill or a wider downtown walk, while some mention food and coffee stops along the way. One suggests including it in a fast walking loop that covers much of the city, and another says a short trip can take in Quincy Market and the North End, though getting a real feel for Boston takes longer. A lifelong resident brings guests there for dinner and a walk through the streets.

7 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Several visitors recommend the Old State House, and two put it on downtown walks, with one such route also taking in Old North Church and Paul Revere's house. Another suggests it as a historic landmark worth seeing, and one visitor points to it as a more distinctive Boston building. A couple of replies simply name it.

6 people recommendvia r/boston

Several visitors recommend Forest Hills Cemetery. One singles out the Millmore statue and the small lake as worth seeing, another recommends the sculpture walk, and one calls walking the grounds beautiful but notes it may be an offbeat choice.

6 people recommendvia r/boston

Visitors recommend the Ether Dome inside Mass General, and a couple call it cool. One finds its history interesting and says they were the only person inside whenever they went, another describes a tiny museum with a full skeleton, and one toured it during hospital orientation and found it very cool.

6 people recommendvia r/boston

Several visitors recommend Symphony Hall, a couple pointing to its concerts, and one who attended a Boston University performance there found it exceptional. One visitor suggests the hall's tours and says they show backstage areas and the building's history. A further visitor calls the hall a standout venue worth visiting.

6 people recommendvia r/boston

Several visitors recommend Piers Park in East Boston, and some say its city views and skyline are the draw. One visitor calls it magical at sunrise, and another describes the scenery as beautiful.

5 people recommendvia r/boston

Visitors recommend Gibson House Museum, a historic house museum, and several name it within lists of other places. One visitor says it is among their favorite Boston sites and points to its Victorian style, another suggests it for fans of historic buildings, and one commenter places it in Back Bay. The comments say little about the visit itself, so details on what to expect are limited.

5 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Several visitors recommend Old North Church, and some place it on the Freedom Trail alongside other Revolutionary-era sites. The comments are mostly short lists of nearby sights, so they say little about what the visit itself is like.

5 people recommendvia r/boston

Several visitors recommend seeing the Madonna statue, and one describes it as giant. A couple point to the views, and one calls them excellent. Another visitor finds the shrine an oddball religious building worth seeing.

5 people recommendvia r/boston, r/massachusetts

Several visitors recommend the duckling statues. A few connect them with children, and one calls them adorable and suggests taking photos there with kids. Another recalls sitting in the grass beside them as a child while parents read aloud, which they call a core memory.