Best Free Things to do in Boston

Whether you’re in town for just a weekend, or living in the city permanently, Boston has a wide variety of activities to enjoy for free. In fact, you don’t have to spend any money at all to see most of the area! 

Boston is a nationally significant city with historical origins that extend all the way back to the creation of America. But to me, it’s just a beautiful city filled with passionate townies and aggressively long Dunkins’ waiting lines. 

From museums to music, parks to performances, beaches to beers, the city is full of free things to see and do. Here’s a list of 15 free things to do in Boston!

For more ideas of things to do in Boston, read my post on the best sights to visit in the city. 

Visit a Museum:

Boston has a lot of world-class galleries and museums, with many offering free entry. Here are a few museums and galleries that offer free entry on certain days:

Institute of Contemporary Art – This contemporary art gallery is free on Thursdays from 5pm-9pm.

Commonwealth Museum – This museum explores the history of Massachusetts and is free every day.

Harvard Museum of Natural History – This natural history museum has exhibitions showcasing dinosaurs, animals, and minerals (including meteorites). It’s free to Massachusetts residents every Sunday morning from 9am-12pm (year-round), and Wednesdays from 3pm-5pm (September through May). Massachusetts teachers (K-12) can also visit free.

Harvard University Art Museums – Home to both modern and historical art exhibitions, these museums are free on Saturday from 10am-12pm.

Museum of Fine Arts – Home to over 450,000 pieces of fine art, this museum is free on Wednesdays after 4pm, as well as on certain holidays (Memorial Day, MLK Jr. Day).

Warren Anatomical Museum – A macabre museum with Civil War-era medical tools as well as some “medical mysteries” that is free every day.

Eat at Faneuil Hall

Whatever you’re in the mood for, the marketplace has it all. With over 36 international food vendors and 12 established restaurants, there’s a flavor for everyone who visits the market. Quincy Market is also the hub of many street artists, you will always hear someone performing a variety of unique talents.

Walk the Freedom Trail

Laid down in 1951, the brick pathed Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile historical walk around downtown Boston. The trail covers 16 significant sites that contribute United States history. This red bricked path will wind around downtown and lead you to a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burial grounds, one ship, and a few parks that teach you all you’ll need to know about Boston and the American Revolution. The whole trail takes around 90 minutes to walk straight through, but you’ll want to stop along the way to visit some of the sites! 

Boston Common & Boston Garden

The Common, known for its historical significance, is a 50-acre urban park created in 1634 filled with monuments – making it the oldest American public park. It connects to the Gardens, a more scenic public area with canopying trees and a beautiful pond. Both locations are great for a casual stroll with your dog or a picnic.

Walk the Harbor

The Harbor (not the Hah-bah) is infamous for the Boston Tea Party. If nothing else, you’ll remember learning about the tea party in High School. On December 16th, 1773, a bunch of men who called themselves Sons of Liberty said “no thanks” to Great Britain’s taxations on tea. In protest against fees on their midafternoon drink, the men threw crates of tea bags into the ocean. The rumor is that the ocean became brown with tea, but honestly have you ever tried to steep a tea bag in cold water? It’s not happening.   

The Arboretum 

The Arboretum in Jamaica Plain features 260 acres of walking, biking, and hiking trails throughout a large public garden. This park is much quieter than Boston Common or Boston Garden, and has more variety in greenery. There’s a large collection of Bonsai trees and floral beds from all over the world. 

Take a Tour of Harvard

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest educational establishment in the country. You can hop on to a free tour of the campus, where you’ll learn all about the university’s history, architecture, programs, and much more! Plus, you can bet on finding an intense ping-pong competition at any of the free tables scattered throughout campus. 

The Lawn on D

The Seaport community lawn that features art, sculpture, and the occasional cornhole. Well known for their glowing, circle swing chairs, this public backyard has become a big hit with adults and children alike. Catch a live show, play some bocce, and have a picnic in this free playground oasis. 

Holocaust Memorial

Across the street from Faneuil Hall is the Holocaust Memorial, a collection of 6 glass towers with a central path. Each tower is engraved with 2,280,960 non-unique seven-digit numbers representing the tattooed arms of 6 million concentration camp prisoners. Between each panel read chilling poems or Biblical quotes. The walkway through the towers passes over metal bars that emit steam, symbolizing gas chambers. 

The memorial was created by a survivor of the Holocaust, Stephan Ross (Szmulek Rozental), who wanted to create a memorial that honored his lost family, the lost lives of millions of people, and honor the American soldier’s that freed him. His memorial is a reminder of the evils of prejudice that still exist in our world today. 

If you’re just walking through, the whole memorial takes about 1 minute to walk. But spend some time here, because the significance of Ross’s memorial cannot quickly be forgotten.

Hit the Beach

If it’s a nice day, head over to Revere or Nahant to catch some sun. Located 5 miles north of Boston, Revere Beach was the first public beach established in the United States. Extremely popular in the summer, Revere is known for its boardwalk and carnivals that flood tourists to town. If you’re looking for a less crowded beach, Nahant is open year round to swimmers and surfers alike, and you can bring your dog after Labor Day. 

Go Stargazing

Every Wednesday night, the Coit Observatory offers free use of their binoculars and telescopes (weather permitting). This outside area offers an excellent view of the nighttime sky, so dress warm and cozy up with a loved one to potentially catch a glimpse of a shooting star!

Drink for Free at Night Shift &  Sam Adams Brewery

Who doesn’t love a free drink? Take a free tour of either Night Shift brewery or Sam Adams brewery and receive complimentary drinks at both places! Both places are permanent “pop-up” bars in the Boston area, one being a Boston staple drink, the other quickly gaining popularity in the area. 

Open Mic Nights & Live Music

There are hundreds of comedy performances or live music shows playing nightly in Boston. Catch a stand up comedy night for free at these bars:

Improv Boston | Wednesdays

Cityside Comedy Club | Mondays

The Bebop | Mondays

6B Lounge | Sundays

Herter Park Amphitheater | Thursdays

Or if live music is more your thing, walk around downtown on a Saturday night until you find a bar that’s playing your genre… they all have live cover bands! Check out the Berklee Performance Center for string instrument symphonies or jazz concerts. 

For more Boston activities, check out the Best Winter Activities to do in Boston, or the Top Sights to Visit in the city! If you have any follow up questions about Boston, please email me at hello@alostblonde.com

For more Boston related articles, subscribe to my blog!

♡ Abigail Reagan