100 Free Fun Things To Do in Boston - Local Sights

1. Minuteman National Park - Concord

Visit one of the most legendary spots in the history of the American Revolution.

 
Photo by Michael Blanchard for the USS Constitution Museum

2. The U.S.S. Constitution - Charlestown

Charlestown Navy Yard is home to a free museum and some super-cool boats, including the nation's oldest battleship.

3. Tour the State House - Boston

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts offers visitors free tours of its historical capitol building.

4. Rose Kennedy Greenway - Boston

The Rose Kennedy Greenway has so many cool touches, and a stroll down the greenway takes the family through some of Boston's best neighborhoods.

5. Harborwalk - Waterfront

Another great urban hike, the Harborwalk takes Boston families along the shore. The intersection of the land and sea, city and nature, makes for a free and fun family walk.

6. Explore the Freedom Trail - Boston

Boston's Freedom Trail is a self-guided walking tour of the city's Revolutionary War landmarks.

7. Stroll Quincy Market - Boston

Quincy Market in Boston is home to street performers, seasonal decorations, and some of the best sights in the city.

 
Kids love seeing the beloved ducklings from the children's classic. Duckling Day photo courtesy of Friends of the Public Garden

8. Make Way for Ducklings Sculpture - Boston

While it's located ion the Public Garden, the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture is a must-see attraction unto itself. The little ones love these little statues!

9. New England Holocaust Memorial - Faneuil Hall

Located near City Hall and Quincy Market, these striking glass structures pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust with a solemn beauty.

10. Saugus Iron Works - Saugus

The National Parks operate this restored 17th century site, where early European settlers brought ironworking to Greater Boston.

100 Free Fun Things To Do in Boston - Outdoor Fun

 
Lilac Sunday photo by Lauren Miller, courtesy of the Arnold Arboretum.

11. Arnold Arboretum - Boston

Explore nature at this beautiful spot, the oldest arboretum in North America, with over 200 acres of trees and wildlife.

12. Find a Family-Friendly Bike Trail around Boston

There are so many great spots in and around Boston for family bike rides with kids.

13. Lawn on D - Seaport

This playground for kids and adults—open to the public—has fun attractions and special events almost all year long, many for free!

14. Hit Boston's Best Playgrounds

Boston's playgrounds offer families some of the best free fun things to do with kids, with cool equipment and space to play!

15. Great Places To Hike Around Boston

Boston and the surrounding communities have great spots for a family hike.

16. Cool off at one of Boston's best splash pads

When stomping around in the summer, take a break at the city's splash pads.

17. Minuteman Bikeway - Cambridge

Cambridge's Minuteman Bikeway follows some of the most historic spots in the region.

18. Blue Hills Reservation - Milton

One of the top hikes around Boston, the Blue Hills Reservation has plenty of trails for all skill levels. There are some great views of the city too!

 
Greater Boston has some great sledding spots for free family fun! Sledding in Hampshire County photo by Lynn Graves, via Flickr

19. Visit a Great Sledding Hill Worth Driving to Around Boston

Get your sledding game on in New England's lovely winter weather.

20. Plan a Picnic in Boston

Boston has so many places where families can reserve a free "table" while exploring the city.

100 Free Fun Things To Do in Boston - Museums and More

 
See Boston's amazing museums for the low, low price of zero dollars. Photo courtesy of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

21. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Kids under 18, and anyone named "Isabella", get in for free. The first Friday each month also brings free admission to this extraordinary museum.

22. Boston Public Library - Back Bay/Multiple Locations

The main branch in Copley Square showcases some cool exhibits and artwork. All branches offer loads of free activities and events.

23. Visit the ICA - Seaport

Every Thursday, the ICA is free for all visitors to enjoy their fun and engaging works of art.

24. Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company Museum - Downtown

This small museum packs it space with some amazing memorabilia. And admission is always free!

25. JFK Library - Dorchester

The JFK Presidential Library and Museum is always free for kids 12 and under, as well as military personnel and other guests. Consult the website for details.

26. MIT Museum - Central Square

The museum is free for kids 5 and under, as well as active military personnel, members of the Mass Teachers Association, and Cambridge residents (enrolled in the Cambridge Resident Members Program).

27. Commonwealth Museum - Dorchester

Learn about the history of Massachusetts at this state-run museum in Dorchester.

28. deCordova Museum and Sculpture Garden - Lincoln

Kids under 12 are always free at this Lincoiln museum with a cool outdoor sculpture garden.

29. Boston Public Garden - Boston

From watching the Swan Boats to walking the manicured paths, the Public Garden is a lovely oasis in the heart of the city.

30. Museum of Fine Arts - Boston

Boston's Museum of Fine Arts is free for everyone on select dates. The museum's website lists a number of free and discounted tickets. The MFA is always free for kids 6 and under.

31. Longyear Museum - Chestnut Hill

This free museum features exhibits detailing the life of Mary Baker Eddy.

32. Boston Children's Museum - Seaport

Okay, technically these are $1 each, but the TJX Sunday tickets to Boston's Children's Museum are practically free!

33. Museum of African American History - Boston

The museum, exploring the unique lives and rich experiences of the African-American community, is always free for kids under 13.

34. Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East - Harvard Square

Explore the mysteries of the ancient Near East at this Harvard museun, where admission is always free.

35. Peabody Essex Museum - Salem

Salem's Peabody Essex Museum has free admission for kids 16 and under. The Peabody Essex also offers complimentary admission to a variety of guests.

36. Boston Fire Museum - South Boston

Learn about the history of fire-fighting at this Boston museum that is always free!

37. Metropolitan Waterworks Museum - Chestnut Hill

The Waterworks Museum is always free. There is almost always a fun event, activity, or new exhibit at this Chestnut Hill museum!

38. Fuller Craft Museum - Brockton

These aren't your everyday crafts! The Fuller Museum houses works of art, which Boston families can see for free!

39. Great Falls Discovery Center - Turner

This State Park offers all kinds of free fun and interactive exhibits.

40. Massachusetts Historical Society - Back Bay

Learn all about the history of Boston, Massachusetts, and more at the country's oldest historical society.

100 Free Fun Things To Do in Boston - Places to Explore

 
Head to Revere Beach for summer festivals and free family fun! Photo courtesy of Revere Beach

41. Revere Beach

The Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival (every summer) is just one of the free fun things to do at this beach just north of Boston.

42. North End - Boston

Boston's Little Italy is fun for a stroll. The window-shopping, sights, and sounds are all free. Stroll past Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church in this adorable neighborhood.

43. Harvard Square - Cambridge

Harvard Square is full of shops, restaurants, college students, public art, and historical sites.

44. Bunker Hill - Charlestown

The Bunker Hill Monument commemorates Boston's history with an unmistakable landmark. The spring also heralds a free Bunker Hill Day parade!

45. Visit Salem, Massachusetts 

This city just north of Boston has plenty to offer for free, like the Halloween Parade. There are self-guided tours, wonderful parks, and historical sites all over Salem, MA.

46. Explore Chinatown - Boston

With free events, such as the August Moon Festival and the Chinatown Main Street Summer Festival, this charming neighborhood is worth the visit.

47. Soak in the sun at the Best Beaches near Boston

Many of Boston's beaches are free, like Carson Beach in Southie and Constitution Beach in East Boston.

48. Copley Square - Back Bay

The plaza at Copley Square, bordered by Trinity Church, the BPL, and the Hancock Tower, is always a vibrant spot.

49. Church of Christ Scientist - Back Bay

This architectual wonder has an expansive plaza (complete with splash pad). The stunning Mapparium here is free for anyone 17 and under.

50. City Hall Plaza - Boston

From the climbing steps and stairs to the many free festivals, there's always something to do at City Hall Plaza.

51. Beacon Hill - Boston

The cobblestone streets, little shops, and quaint spaces of Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood are fun for little adventurers!

52. Haymarket - Boston

Boston's oldest outdoor market is full of cool activity on weekends!

53. Castle Island - South Boston

Southie's Castle Island combines history and surfside fun.

100 Free Fun Things To Do in Boston - Parks & Play Spaces

 
Head to the BPL's play spaces for some free fun! Children's storytime photo courtesy of the Boston Public Library 

54. Play Spaces at Boston Public Libraries - Multiple Locations

There are some really fun play spaces at Boston's extensive chain of public libraries.

55. Franklin Park - Boston

More than just the home of the zoo, Franklin Park has great spaces and a calendar full of free events and concerts.

56. Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park - Boston

This park is perfect for a pit stop while exploring the city and a photo-op under the ivy (or when the Christmas lights are twinkling).

57. Forest Hills Cemetery - Jamaica Plain

This 275-acre space is not just a cemetary, it's an arboretum and sculpture park.

58. Larz Anderson Park - Brookline

Brookline's Larz Anderson Park has trails, polayground equipment, and even a skating rink in the winter!

59. Mount Auburn Cemetery - Cambridge

Not just a cemetery, this park in Cambridge has some of the most beautiful landscaping in Greater Boston.

60. Emerald Necklace - Boston

Designed by famed Frank Law Olmstead, the "Emerald Necklace" is a string of Boston's interconnected greenspaces.

61. Martin's Park - Seaport

This playground (next to the Children's Museum) is a little kids dream, with some of the most imaginative equipment around.

62. Boston Common - Boston

This park, with playgrounds, ballfields, stages, and ice skating is a great spot for an afternoon of free fun!

63. James P. Kelleher Rose Garden - Fenway

This Boston rose garden is free for families to visit. While you're strolling, don't forget to stop and smell the roses.

64. Esplanade - Boston

The green spaces along the Charles provide families with hours of activities.

65. Indoor Play Spaces on Cold and Rainy Days - Multiple Locations

Find plenty of free indoor fun at these Boston venues.

100 Free Fun Things To Do in Boston - Festivals and Events

 
take to the streets with these free things to do from our calendar! Artbeat photo courtesy of the Somerville Arts Council

66. Artbeat Festival - Somerville

Somerville's Davis Square hosts music, dance, arts, and crafts at this free annual summer festival.

67. Boston Marathon - Boston/Various Locations

This annual event is world famous as one of the oldest (and most challenging) marathons on Earth. And attending the Boston Marathon is free!

68. Head of the Charles - Boston/Cambridge

Every spring, some of the finest crew teams in the U.S. take to the Charles River for a day of boat-racing.

69. Summer in the City Concert Series - Boston

Every Summer, the City of Boston entertains families with free concerts in several neighborhoods.

70. Harborfest - Boston

Harborfest sets the stage for Boston's 4th of July festivities with activities (many free) all around the city.

71. Boston Pops and 4th of July Fireworks - Esplanade

Perhaps America's most beloved fireworks shows, the 4th of July in Boston is one of our favorite free fun things to do with kids.

72. Fourth of July Celebrations around Boston

There are free 4th of July celebrations, with fireworks displays, live music, and more at places in and around the city of Boston.

 
Photo courtesy of the South Boston Saint Patrick's Day Parade

73. Saint Patrick's Day Parade - South Boston

Every March, the streets of South Boston run green with Irish pride at the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade!

74. Saint Anthony's Feast - North End

Every August, Boston's Italian-American community fills the air with music, fireworks, and the aroma of amazing food!

75. Free Days at Boston's Zoos

Boston's Zoos have regular free admission days when families can enjoy seeing the exotic animals at the right price!

76. South Boston Street Festival - South Boston

Head to this cool and free neighborhood festival in the early Fall for the best of South Boston.

77. Take in a Cherry Blossom Festival

See Boston (and local communities) in full bloom with these flower fests!

78. St. Patrick's Day Celebrations Beyond Boston

Greater Boston is packed with free Saint Patrick's day festivities and parades.

79. Cambridge Jazz Festival - Cambridge

Hit the streets of Cambridge for a weekend of free music.

80. Free Ferry Day - Harbor Islands

The Harbor Islands have special events where families can enjoy a trip into Boston Harbor for free!

81. Lowell Folk Festival - Lowell

One of the largest folk festivals in the nation, the free Lowell Folk Festival gathers musicians, dancers, artists, and artisans from all over the globe.

82. Yankee Homecoming - Newburyport

This week-long free festival is packed with fun family activities.

83. Shakespeare in the Park - Boston

Every summer, performances of Shakespeare's classics take the stage in Boston Common.

84. Boston Book Festival - Copley Square

Every fall, Boston hosts a book festival. And book-lovers rejoice!

85. Riverfest - Somerville

Somerville's Asssembly Square Neighborhood hosts Riverfest, a free festival with live entertainment and more family fun.

86. Neighborhood Christmas Lights

Find the most striking displays in and around the city.

87. Cambridge Carnival International - Cambridge

This free festival with African roots shares music, food, and crafts from all over the world.

88. Gloucester Schooner Festival - Gloucester

Head up to Gloucester for free boat races and waterfront celebrations!

89. HONK! - Somerville

This festival brings brass bands and musicians to the streets of Somerville for three days of free live music.

90. First Night - Boston

For almost fifty years, the City of Boston has rung in the New Year with a free festival designed for families.

100 Free Fun Things To Do in Boston - Family Fun

91. Free Walking Tour - Boston

A walking tour of the city is a great way to find cool spots as a family.

92. Coit Observatory - Alston

The Coit Observatory at Boston University offers free stargazing to the public on select Wednesdays

93. Free National Park Days - Multiple Locations

Get out to one of the local National Parks for free on these select days.

94. Black Heritage Trail - Boston

Learn about the African-American experience in Boston and beyond through this walking tour of historic sites.

95. Memorial Drive on Sundays - Cambridge

Head out for a stroll, for a a bike ride, or whatever you like as the city of Cambridge closes Memorial Drive to automobile traffic.

96. Cape Cod Baseball - Various Locations

See tomorrow's baseball superstars in free games down on the Cape.

97. Irish Heritage Trail - Boston

Boston's free self-guided tour of Irish-Americana is available all year.

98. Summer Outdoor Movies - Multiple Locations

The best-priced ticket in town! Pull up a patch of lawn for a movie with the family.

 
Explore the Fenway neighborhood on game days for a festival atmosphere. Fenway photo by JJ Bers, via Flickr

99. Fenway Park - Kenmore Square/Fenway

While tours and games might get pricey (especially if the Yankees are in town), the spectacle of a game day is a fun atmosphere to explore with a family. And some days offer added freebies with admission, such as kids running the bases for free after the game.

100. Free Swimming Pools - Various Locations

Kids rarely say no to a trip to the pool!

Originally published 2024. Updated 2025