The 50 best things to do in Boston

What is it? Seeing a game at Fenway Park has been a rite of passage among most locals since it opened in 1912.

Why go? As the oldest ballpark in the majors, it’s one the smallest, with a capacity of around 38,000, meaning tickets can be hard to come by for big games. Fortunately, public tours are offered year-round, wowing even non-baseball types by detailing the park's colorful history and intricate details. 

Don’t miss: If you get the chance, take a seat atop the stadium’s most distinctive feature, the 37-foot-high left-field wall known as the Green Monster. Before or after the game, check out all the great restaurants, bars, and other things to do in the Fenway neighborhood.

What is it? The BPL (1852) contains approximately 19 million volumes and electronic resources, making it the second-largest public library in the US behind only the Library of Congress.

Why go? At nearly 1 million square feet, the BPL impresses like few libraries can. The original structure, designed by Charles McKim and completed in 1895, is now the research library, while an extension (opened in 1972) functions as the general library. Talks, performances, and tours delight culture vultures, and recent renovations have introduced interactive elements to the complex.

Don’t miss: At the center of the library is a cloistered courtyard, one of the city’s most beautiful, tranquil places to read a book.

What is it? Founded in 1870, the Museum of Fine Arts—whose globe-spanning collection encompasses more than 500,000 objects—continues to grow and innovate.  

Why go? Of particular note is the collection of American art, including Paul Revere’s Liberty Bowl and paintings by John Singleton Copley; the Egyptian collection, much of which was acquired through excavations in conjunction with Harvard University; the Japanese collection (the first in America, and one of the finest in the country); and the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist sections, including one of the largest collections of Monet's work outside Paris. 

Don’t miss: The museum offers one of the city’s best freebies on Wednesdays after 4pm, when admission is by voluntary contribution. 

What is it? New England’s largest aquarium, and one of Boston’s most popular attractions.

Why go? More than 80 African, rockhopper and little blue penguins live in the New England Aquarium’s first-floor display, which surrounds the Giant Ocean Tank, a gigantic coral reef exhibit that's home to myriad marine creatures—including sharks and loggerhead sea turtles. The building is designed in such a way that the penguins can be seen from multiple vantage points. 

Don’t miss: Be sure to say hi to the harbor seals at their enclosure out front (free and open to the public), even if you’re not visiting the aquarium.

What is it? Located inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library, The Mapparium is essentially a three-story model of the globe built to scale. 

Why go? Calling all geography nerds: The Mapparium, the world’s largest walk-in globe, is among the city’s quirkiest landmarks. The perfect sphere runs 30 feet in diameter and can be crossed by means of a glass bridge that bisects its interior. Inside, sound bounces off the globe room’s non-porous glass walls, amplifying it ten-fold—which means that whispered sweet nothings from your partner across the room register directly in your ear.

Don’t miss: The 608 stained-glass panels recreate the world as it was in the mid-1930s, when the project was completed. (Keen eyes will note the outdated borders.)

What is it? Head west to suburban Lincoln to visit the former estate of Massachusetts merchant Julian de Cordova. 

Why go? Even during the peak of winter or dog days of summer, the deCordova Museum & Sculpture Park lures art lovers to its a 35-acre spread in leafy Lincoln. Open year-round, the region’s premier outdoor sculpture park is the perfect place to get some fresh air while checking out world-class art. The ever-changing indoor exhibits provide shelter from the sometimes-fickle elements.

Don’t miss: Check the museum’s calendar to learn about special outdoor events and the like.

What is it? South Boston lays claim to one of the city’s most appealing shoreline parks: the 22-acre Castle Island.

Why go? Among the oldest fortified military sites in North America, the centerpiece of Castle Island is Fort Independence, a pentagonal granite structure that was finished in the 1850s. Prior to its construction, seven other forts had been built and destroyed in the area, occupied by American and British troops in turn. Today, the island’s green space provides an exceptionally picturesque spot for an all-day picnic.

Don’t miss:  Leave room for lobster rolls and fried clams at Sullivan’s, a Castle Island institution open from the end of February until the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

What is it? Harvard’s history and status help to explain how it has one of the country’s best university art collections. 

Why go? Following a lengthy expansion project, Harvard’s three art institutions—the Fogg Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum—were united under one Renzo Piano–designed glass roof. Visitors are able to peruse highlights from the university’s collection of roughly 250,000 pieces, from Neolithic sculpture to 21st-century conceptual installations. 

Don’t miss: Harvard’s Museum of Natural History, home to one of the university’s most famous treasures, the acclaimed Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants.

What is it? There are a number of awesome beaches not far from the city.

Why go? Some of the best can be found north of the city in Essex County. Crane Beach, which can be reached by a shuttle bus that departs from the Ipswich commuter rail station throughout the summer, boasts some of the best wildlife-attracting salt marshes around. Another pair of relaxing destinations—Singing Beach and Good Harbor Beach—are also accessible by the commuter rail. 

Don’t miss: If you’re not content with merely relaxing by the waves, hop on the train to Plum Island, where you can also explore the seaside town of Newburyport.

What is it? Ask locals for a special occasion recommendation and they’ll likely tell you to get out on the water by taking one of the city’s best cruises.

Why go? Nautical types will argue how the best way to truly see the city in all of its glory is through an entertaining, informative cruise. A longtime local favorite, Odyssey Cruises offers a variety of cruises; most feature food, drink, live music, and dancing. 

Don’t miss: If time on the water has you fiending for fish, seek out one of Boston’s best seafood restaurants.

What is it? The city’s zoo won’t make any national best-of lists, but its compact size and kid-friendly approach make it a local favorite.

Why go? As fascinating as lions and tigers are on the TV screen, they’re far more impressive in the flesh. The zoo—whose mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain endangered species—has them all, as well as zebras, gorillas, giraffes and a host of other exotic animals that wouldn’t normally be seen in the wilds of New England. 

Don’t miss: Little visitors are well-served at the children’s zoo, which features everything from a prairie dog neighborhood to a grass maze.

Going out and doing things satisfies our need to explore, to learn and to grow (and then to brag about it on social media). Our hope is that the DO List becomes not just your bucket list, but your inspiration to experience and appreciate the corners of magic in the world.