Free things to do · Boston · United States
8 free things to do in Boston
Boston without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Boston without paying an entry fee: Freedom Trail, Boston Common and Public Garden, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market and USS Constitution are all free. The Freedom Trail, Boston Common, the Public Garden, the Boston Public Library, Harvard Yard, the Arnold Arboretum and USS Constitution are all free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January
Free sights and experiences
Historic site · Downtown
1.Freedom Trail
Walk it north from Boston Common in the morning and break for lunch in the North End; most sites can be seen from outside for free, and a few charge entry.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
Garden · Beacon Hill
2.Boston Common and Public Garden
The Swan Boats run from spring to late summer; in winter, the Frog Pond on the Common becomes an ice rink.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Market · Downtown
3.Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
Quincy Market is fine for a quick cup of chowder, but the North End and the Boston Public Market nearby are better for a proper meal.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Food
- Shopping
Historic site · Charlestown
4.USS Constitution
Adults need photo ID for the security check at the ship; the MBTA ferry from Long Wharf to the Navy Yard doubles as a short, cheap harbour cruise.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Kids
Historic site · Cambridge
5.Harvard Yard
Take the Red Line to Harvard, walk the Yard, then browse the bookshops of Harvard Square.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Architecture · Back Bay
6.Boston Public Library, Central Library
Sit in the courtyard on a sunny day; it is one of the calmest spots in Back Bay.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- History
Neighbourhood · Beacon Hill
7.Beacon Hill and Acorn Street
Acorn Street is a private residential lane; come early, take photos quietly and move on.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
- Photo spot
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Garden · Jamaica Plain
8.Arnold Arboretum
Visit in May, when the lilacs bloom; take the Orange Line to Forest Hills and walk about 10 minutes to the gate.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market | 3–4 hours + 1 hour |
| Beacon Hill | Boston Common and Public Garden and Beacon Hill and Acorn Street | 1–2 hours + 1.5 hours |
| Charlestown | USS Constitution | 1.5 hours |
| Cambridge | Harvard Yard | 1–2 hours |
| Back Bay | Boston Public Library, Central Library | 1 hour |
| Jamaica Plain | Arnold Arboretum | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
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Religious site · North End
Old North Church and Paul Revere House
Visit the two back to back, then walk to Hanover Street for a cannoli.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
- Architecture
Religious site · Back Bay
Trinity Church
For the reflection shot, stand on the south side of Copley Square and look back at the church against the tower.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
- Art
Island · Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor Islands
Pack a picnic and note the return ferry times; services are infrequent and missing the last boat back is not an option.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Views
- Nature
Experience · Back Bay
Mapparium
Combine it with a walk around the long reflecting pool of Christian Science Plaza outside.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
More ways to save
- The Freedom Trail, Boston Common, the Public Garden, the Boston Public Library, Harvard Yard, the Arnold Arboretum and USS Constitution are all free.
- The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is free for anyone named Isabella and for everyone on their birthday.
- Hotel rates are lowest from January to March and highest during May graduations, September conferences and October foliage season.
- Staying in Cambridge, Brookline or near a T stop outside downtown can cut hotel costs.
- The MBTA ferry from Long Wharf to Charlestown costs a subway-level fare and gives harbour views.
- Lunch at the Boston Public Market or a North End pizza counter costs far less than seafood dinners on the waterfront.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Boston expensive to visit?
Boston is expensive for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Boston?
Freedom Trail: Walk it north from Boston Common in the morning and break for lunch in the North End; most sites can be seen from outside for free, and a few charge entry.