Boston is incredible. That’s no secret. But it’s also no secret that it’s incredibly expensive! Luckily, there are plenty of cool free things to do in Boston to help you stick to your budget whilst exploring Beantown.
The majority of the attractions in Boston are historical, so it’s only logical that most of the best free things to do in Boston are also historical. With that said, there are still plenty of free outdoorsy, cultural, and arty things to do to break up all that history.
So, whether you’re spending a weekend in Boston or an entire week, you won’t want to miss these top free activities!
Got only a day? Here’s how to spend one day in Boston!
Hop Aboard the USS Constitution
When it comes to free things to do in Boston that are absolutely fascinating, you can’t go wrong with visiting the USS Constitution. This historic ship played an essential role in the 1812 War of Independence, and it’s open to visitors! If you’re visiting Boston on a budget, be sure to add the USS Constitution to your itinerary.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that you’d need to pay to visit the USS Constitution. After all, it has so much historical value! Fortunately, though, it’s free. It’s also one of the best free things to do in Boston with kids, thanks to its family-friendly reenactments and character actors onboard.
The ship has been lovingly restored and maintains its original look and feel. Once on board, you’re free to explore the decks and get a sense of what life was like for sailors at the time.
Even if you’re not a history buff, the USS Constitution is well worth visiting. The ship is simply beautiful and offers stunning views of Boston Harbor. Plus, it’s one of the most unique experiences in the city!
Wander Boston Common
A must-visit spot in Boston, regardless of whether you’re visiting on a shoestring or if money is no object, is Boston Common. This 50-acre green is the oldest public park in the USA, and you’ll find it right at the heart of the city.
As soon as you step foot in Boston Common, you’ll be leaving the chaos of the city far behind you. You’ll soon be surrounded by green trees, long lush lawns, and fascinating historical attractions. The most famous of all is undoubtedly the Boston Swan Boats, which have been delighting park visitors since 1877, and are iconic symbols of Boston.
Wandering in Boston Common is totally free, and if you’re visiting Boston in summer, it’s something you could spend all day doing!
Take a Day Trip
Whilst not technically free, since you’ll need to buy a public transport ticket to get there, it’s worth mentioning that exploring one of the many of Boston’s wonderful surroundings is totally free.
It’d be incredibly easy to spend one day in Salem for free. This Halloween town is just a 30-minute train ride from central Boston, and it’s free to wander around checking out the top attractions (including the iconic black Witch House). You can even enter and explore the historic Ropes Mansion for free!
Another wonderful day trip destination is Cambridge, which is just a 10-minute subway ride away from the Boston city center. Once here, it’s totally free to wander around Harvard University and check out its many iconic sights.
Follow the Freedom Trail
Did you even visit Boston if you didn’t follow the Freedom Trail?! This is especially a must-visit in Boston in October!
This 2.5-mile historic walking trail is a must-do in Boston, taking you to many of the city’s famous revolutionary landmarks. Of course, a few stops on the Freedom Trail cost money to go inside, but you can follow the trail and check out the outside of these attractions for free.
The trail starts at Boston Common and winds its way through the city, passing 16 historic landmarks along the way. You’ll see everything from the Massachusetts State House to the Paul Revere House, all while learning about the city’s history and complicated past.
One of the free highlights of the Freedom Trail is the chance to visit the USS Constitution, which we mentioned earlier in this post. The trail starts at Boston Common and finishes there, so it does encompass quite a few interesting free places to visit in Boston.
Explore Quincy Market
No foodie visit to Boston is complete without a trip to Quincy Market, home to some of Boston’s best street food!
This market has been around for over 200 years, serving hungry Bostoners mouth-watering lobster rolls and hot, fresh Bostonian pizza for generations. Today, you’ll find over 50 different food vendors and shops inside Quincy Market. It can feel a bit overwhelming when everything looks so delicious!
For the most delicious lobster roll of your life, order a hot buttered lobster roll from Boston & Maine Fish Company, and follow it up with a huge slice of pizza from Regina Pizza. You won’t regret it – that’s for sure.
Discover Charlestown
If you love to wander aimlessly to explore a city, there’s no better neighborhood to do this in than Charlestown. This historic district is one of the oldest in Boston, with plenty of free things to do and see, such as the Bunker Hill Monument.
We’ll get onto that in a little while, though. For now, we’re just talking about Charlestown itself.
There’s far more to Charlestown than just the famous monument. Wandering the charming cobbled streets of this area, you’ll feel yourself transported back to the 18th century. With so many beautifully-preserved 18th century houses in the area, you won’t be able to stop taking photos!
During your Charlestown walking tour, don’t miss passing by the famous Warren Tavern, a cozy pub that’s been around since the 1870s. It was a favorite amongst revolutionary figures like Paul Revere and George Washington, and it’s still running today!
Climb The Bunker Hill Monument
Moving on to the main reason people visit Charlestown, it’s time to visit the Bunker Hill Monument. Not everybody knows that you can actually climb to the top of the monument, and even fewer people know that it’s actually free to do so.
The monument was built at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the first major battles of the Revolutionary War. There are 294 steps to the top, and from the top, you’ll get incredible views over Boston’s skyline and the Charles River.
Opening hours are a bit random, so double-check them before you head over here.
Take a Tour of the Massachusetts State House
If you’re into history and politics, then taking a free tour of the Massachusetts State House should definitely be on your shortlist of free things to do in Boston. This gorgeous gold-domed building has been the official seat of the state government since 1798, and it’s free to take a guided tour around it.
On the tour, you’ll learn all about the day-to-day activities of the Massachusetts state government. You’ll also get to check out the most iconic and interesting rooms, like the Hall of Flags and the Grand Staircase.
The most impressive room by far, though, is the House Chamber, where the Massachusetts House of Representatives meets. You won’t want to miss it! Free tours run on weekdays from 10 am-3:30 pm and last around 45 minutes.
Walk along the Charles River
Rain or shine, the Charles River is one of the most beautiful places in Boston. Walking along Boston’s ionic river is so relaxing and totally free, so lace up your trainers and head to the Charles River Esplanade to enjoy!
The Esplanade runs along a 3-mile stretch of the river, and along the way, you’ll find plenty of grass, benches to take a break on, and lovely views of Boston. It’s a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and it’s surprisingly easy to forget that you’re actually in a major metropolitan area.
Explore the North End
For a true taste of authentic Boston, get yourself down to the North End to explore one of the coolest areas of the city! Boston’s North End is world-famous for its out-of-this-world Italian food, and you’ll be surrounded by the scents of pizza, cannoli, coffee, and everything else here!
This part of town also has a lot of history, being the oldest residential neighborhood in Boston. You can explore sites like Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, where some of Boston’s earliest settlers are buried, or the Old North Church which was used as a signal for Paul Revere before his famous ride in 1775.
In fact, despite being known as Boston’s “Little Italy,” Italians only began to settle in large numbers here in the early 19th century.
This neighborhood is a treasure trove of cute cobblestone streets, authentic restaurants, and awesome historical attractions, and exploring it on foot is totally free!
Browse Books at Brattle Book Shop
Boston has no shortage of incredible bookshops, and the Brattle Book Shop is a must-visit for any bibliophile. Established in 1825, this bookstore has been around for almost two centuries, and it’s still going strong. It’s one of the oldest bookstores in the United States and one of the best. With over 250,000 items to choose from, it’s no wonder why.
Rows and rows of books line narrow passageways inside the store, and you could easily get lost here for hours browsing the titles.
Of course, it costs a few dollars to purchase a used book (though still cheap), but browsing is free. If you’re into books, you’ll know just how enjoyable even browsing a bookstore is.
Take a Free Tour of the Boston Public Library
The Boston Public Library is a must-see for any visitor to Boston, and it’s free to explore on guided tours! Located in Copley Square, this is the third-largest public library in the United States, and it’s home to one of the world’s largest collections of books and manuscripts.
Free “art and architecture” guided tours run on Mondays at 2 pm, Thursdays at 6 pm, and Fridays at 11 am. It’s the best way to learn about the library’s fascinating collection and check out its jaw-dropping interiors.
You’ll also learn about the rare items in the library’s collection, like William Shakespeare’s first folio, scientific textbooks from Isaac Newton, and even letters from George Washington.
