11 Free Things to do in Boston

Anyone visiting Boston on a budget will be relieved to know that there a host of excursions which won’t hurt your wallet at all. Whether you’re interested in nature, history, artwork, or even astronomy, Boston has free options just for you!
1 – The Freedom Trail
Want to experience a lot of Boston in a short amount of time and a small budget? Boston’s Freedom Trail provides a scenic walking path between many historical sites in the city, including a few which are on this list, like the Massachusetts State House and Bunker Hill Memorial, as well as over a dozen others! No event (free or pricy) can bring you closer to the city in a single day than a self-guided tour through this trail. Travelers can start at any site, but one popular choice is the beautiful Boston Common.
2 – Critical Mass Bike Ride
Have a bike? Willing to have an exciting experience in a new city? Critical Mass bike rides are a party of hundreds of cyclists who ride through the streets on the last Friday of every month. These take place in hundreds of cities worldwide, and, luckily, Boston is one of them! Anyone can take part in these fun events; bike rides begin at Copley Square at 5:30, on the last Friday of the month.
3 – Museum of Fine Arts
Boston is home to one of the largest and most popular art museums in the country: the Museum of Fine Arts. Exhibits cover a broad range of styles from around the world, including The Secrets of Tomb: Egypt 2000 BC (pictured above), China/Tibet Confluences, and Harry Callahan: American Photographer. Wednesday nights after 4 require no admission cost, though the suggested voluntary donation is $20. Also check out free Community Days on April 26, May 31, and October 11 of 2010. The museum is located at 465 Huntington Avenue.
4 – Coit Observatory, Boston University
If you’re interested in astronomy, or even casual star-gazing, Boston University is the place for you! The University’s Coit Observatory, located at 725 Commonwealth Ave, has Public Open Nights on Wednesday throughout the year. These one hour events begin at 7:30 in the fall and winter and 8:30 in the spring and summer. Coit Observatory depends on good weather, so check the forecast before making any plans.
5 – Summer Concerts at Hatch Memorial Shell
If you’re planning on a summer visit, check out the concerts at the Hatch Memorial Shell! Notable performers are the Boston Pops, which plays every 4th of July, and the popular band Dispatch. The venue is located at 10 Storrow Dr. and typically hosts free concerts on weekends, and some weekdays, throughout the summer.
6 – Bunker Hill Monument
You probably know that the Battle of Bunker Hill was a seminal moment of the American Revolution. But did you know that the fighting actually took place on nearby Breeds Hill? That is also the site of the Bunker Hill Monument. Visitors can climb the Monument to experience a panoramic view of Boston, or visit the nearby Bunker Hill Museum. The museum is located at 43 Monument Square, Charlestown, and is open for free visitation from 9AM-5PM.
7 – The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Interested in botany, or just want to appreciate some beautiful plant life? The Arnold Arboretum offers spectacular biodiversity which can’t be viewed anywhere else in the city. The grounds are open, sunup to sundown every day of the year. The grounds’ Hunnewell Building is also features art shows throughout the fall. The Arboretum is located at 125 Arborway, the Southern-most stop on the MBTA’s Orange Line.
8 – Tours of the Massachusetts State House
Interested in the government, politics, or history of the state of Massachusetts? This building, located at 122 Bowdoin Street, has been the capitol of the Bay State for over 200 years, and visiting is a must for anyone getting to know the city of Boston. Free 30-45 minute tours are offered on weekdays, 10AM-4:00PM. Advanced reservations are requested.
9 – The African-American History Museum
The Museum, located on 46 Joy Street, is home to several fascinating sites pertaining to African-American history. These include the Abiel School, the oldest public school for African-Americans in the country, and the African Meeting House, the oldest church founded by free blacks in the country. Also check out the Black Heritage Trail, a 1.6 mile walking trail through the city that stops at historical African-American sites. Suggested donation to the museum is $5.
10 – The Boston Harborwalk MP3 Tour
This free MP3 download will guide you down Boston’s exciting waterfront, along Atlantic Avenue. The tour begins at the Christopher Columbus’ statue and ends at the Moakley courthouse, passing such stops as the New England Aquarium.
11 – Massachusetts Historical Society
The Massachusetts Historical Society is a library and manuscript repository, as well as the oldest historical society in the United States. If you’re interested in Massachusetts or New England history, the Society houses the Adams family papers, the Philadelphia copy of the Declaration of Independence, and a host of colonial-era artwork. The museum is open on weekdays from 9AM-4:45PM.
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