Boston Things To Do - Visiting Boston: Things to Do

Planning a trip to Boston? The things to do below are some of most highly recommended places to visit by both tourists and local residents.

Take a Walk To The Sea

The Norman B. Leventhal Walk to the Sea Walk brings Boston’s history to life as it passes among some of Boston’s most historic landmarks and modern skyscrapers, including Beacon Hill, King’s Chapel, Old City Hall, the Old State House, Merchant’s Row, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Long Wharf (home to the New England Aquarium, cruises to the Boston Harbor Islands and around Boston Harbor, and shopping and dining). The one mile walk descends a hundred feet and crosses ground that, during Boston’s early history, was underwater. For more information or to download a map of the walk, click here.

Tour the USS Constitution

First launched in 1797, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. The ship’s shining moment came during the War of 1812 when she defeated four British frigates. It was at this time that she earned her nickname “Old Ironsides,” because cannon balls practically bounced off her thick hull. For more information, call (617) 242-5601 or visit the USS Constitution online.

Get an Insider’s View of Fenway Park

Fenway Park is known as America’s Most Beloved Ballpark. It first opened on April 20, 1912, and has seen such greats as Babe Ruth (when he was still a pitcher!), Ted Williams, and Carl Yastrzemski. Sit atop the Green Monster, visit the press box, sit in the oldest seats in any baseball park in the nation, and visit the Red Sox Hall of Fame. This is a great destination for any baseball fan, but even non-baseball enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance this park holds in American culture. For more information, call (617) 226-6666 or visit the Red Sox online.

Experience American History

Few American cities can rival Boston for the number of historic sites which hold such significance to the birth of our nation. Walk the Freedom Trail to see sixteen of them, or select from a few of the following American treasures and spend a little more time exploring them.

Old North Church

Officially named “Christ Church of the City of Boston”, this is the oldest church in Boston and is still home to an active Episcopal congregation. The church’s 191-foot steeple (the tallest in Boston) played an important role in the American Revolution as it was here that on April 18, 1775, Robert Newman displayed two lanterns, sending Paul Revere on his historic midnight ride and warning fellow patriots across the river in Charlestown of the approach of the British “by sea”. For more information on visiting, call (617) 523-6676 or visit Old North Church online.

Paul Revere’s House

Built in 1680, this is downtown Boston’s oldest existing building. Paul Revere lived here with his family from 1770 to 1800. In the 19th century, the building housed hundreds of immigrants to the United States. The building was restored to its original condition in the 20th century and today houses a museum commemorating the life of Paul Revere and the birth of our nation. For more information, call (617) 523-2338.

Faneuil Hall

Often called the “Cradle of Liberty”, it was in the second floor meeting room at Faneuil Hall that American colonists first protested against the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act, establishing the political doctrine that would come to be known as “no taxation without representation”. Faneuil Hall was built by a wealthy merchant named Peter Faneuil in 1742 as a commerce center and still houses successful shops today. To this day, Faneuil Hall is a stage for town meetings and important political debates. Faneuil Hall is adjacent to Hall Marketplace, a bustling center for shopping and dining, as well as special events such as concerts, car shows, a holiday tree lighting, cultural events, and more. The marketplace houses over 100 shops and specialty carts and 14 restaurants and pubs (including the famed “Cheers”). For more information on visiting Faneuil Hall, call (617) 242-5642.