23 best free things to do in Boston

America’s first botanical garden, the Victorian-era Public Garden garden attracts visitors from all over the world who want to see the famous Make Way for Ducklings statues and swan boats. (Spins around the pond will set you back about $5 per person.) Across Beacon Street is the slightly less manicured Boston Common, where, depending on the season, you can splash near or skate around on the Frog Pond, picnic in the park, toss a frisbee or simply lounge on a bench with a book.

The Big Dig did a lot for Boston, but this charming mile-long winding ribbon of grassy parks, outdoor spaces and public art is tops of the list. Free to stroll, relax and people watch, this verdant strip provides plenty of resting places, a perfect option for a cheap date. Keep an eye out for the periodic festivals, events and art displays located on or near the park.

One thing Boston has that Dallas doesn’t (besides 18 banners) is a deep, rich history. Walking the Freedom Trail is something you can’t do anywhere else in the world, and this is your reminder that it’s one of the most fun and unique activities in Boston. The 2.5-mile trail is easy to follow, allowing you to take a free, self-guided tour anytime you want. It’ll lead you from the Common all the way to Charlestown, letting you see all of the city’s most iconic sites—like the Paul Revere House, the USS Constitution and so much more—along the way.

Massachusetts was the first state to declare slavery illegal (in 1783) and you can learn a lot about the history of slavery and the African-American experience by taking this tour. You can pick up a free map at the Abiel Smith School, where the Museum of African American History is located. From there, you’re all set for a walking tour with the map as your guide, you’ll see 14 fascinating spots around charming Beacon Hill. 

There are plenty of ways to get into many Boston museums for free, but it just takes a little planning. On Thursdays from 5-9pm, the Institute of Contemporary Art is free, but a line forms quickly in warmer months. Everyone gets a free pass into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on their birthday, and anyone with the name Isabella gets in for free, now and forever (we love this). Museum of Fine Arts has free admission for all in-state residents on Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Indigenous People’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and they offer $5 admission on select dates.

We’ve got a way to get into Harvard and MIT without scoring straight A’s your entire school career. Harvard is the oldest, and probably most well-regarded, university in America. Hop on the Red Line to the school’s home in Cambridge and join a free tour. You can do an official tour, or self-guided historical tour by downloading the school’s Visit Harvard app. Also in Cambridge is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is a mass of buildings you can explore with a free map from the information office.

Boston University’s Department of Astronomy hosts public open nights most Wednesdays at the Coit Observatory. You’ll need to check the schedule and grab a ticket in advance, but you’ll be able to use telescopes and binoculars to gaze at the stars and planets. The program starts at 7:30pm in fall and winter, and 8:30pm in spring and summer.

Franklin Park, with 527 acres across Jamaica Plain, Roxbury and Dorchester, offers the perfect blend of rural scenery, woodland preserve and many spots to toss around a ball or a frisbee. There's a zoo inside, but you don't have to go there for something truly wild. For a real adventure, head to the Long Crouch Woods area of the park to see where the zoo’s bears were once housed, before being moved to an enclosure better suited for them. While the Old Bear Dens no longer house any animals, there are still beautiful stone carvings of bears to be found there, as well as a broad staircase leading up to a pavilion and the former pens.

There are several ways to visit the New England Aquarium for free. First, simply look right outside the main entrance and you’ll see the huge 42,000-gallon harbor seal exhibit, which is free to view and a favorite of kids and adults alike. Also, check the marine museum's offers page, which details how Boston Public School students and up to three adults can visit the Aquarium for free the first and second Sunday of every month, among other discounts. 

The galleries at the SoWa Art + Design District in the South End open their doors to the public from 5– 9pm, on the first Friday of every month. With more than 200 artists, galleries, shops and showrooms to see, there’s a wide variety of art to appreciate. Be sure to mind occupancy limits, as some of the artist spaces can be a tight fit.

Jamaica Pond, part of the Emerald Necklace, an impressive series of over 1,100 acres linked throughout the city, is a picturesque spot to feel far away from city life. The pond is actually a glacial kettle hole and the perfect place for an afternoon stroll. A 1.5-mile path completely encompasses the pond, offering reflecting views, a peek at the boathouse and, oftentimes, the opportunity to pet strangers’ dogs. Head to the Pinebank Promontory during the warmer months for the Summer Sundays in the Park series, which features free family-friendly evening concerts and movies.

Many branches of the Boston Public Library offer author talks, at locations all around the city. They’re normally free, and some take place in person, while others are on Zoom—if you’d prefer to enjoy at home. You can find the citywide schedule here.

In Charlestown stands a 221-foot granite obelisk commemorating the first major battle of the American Revolution, and visitors can climb up inside the monument at no cost. Make 294 steps to the top and take in a breathtaking view of Boston Harbor and city. During the summer, from Wednesday-Sunday, you can also hear a free historical “Decisive Day” talk from a park ranger to learn more about the battle of Bunker Hill. 

Step away from your screens—or finals—because we all need a little bit of nature from time to time, and there are fortunately plenty of quality hikes right near Boston. Explore Middlesex Fells Reservation’s more than 100 miles of trails or hike to the top of Blue Hills for some serious relaxation and a healthy dose of fresh air.

Cruise over to the Encore casino rom Long Wharf North to enjoy a fun ride and great views of the city before reveling. The free shuttle boat comes every half hour on weekday nights, and roughly every 15 minutes on weekends. Once you land in Everett, you’ll dock where you can stroll the formal grounds of the massive resort, and head inside to see the flower-covered ferris wheel in the lobby. Whether you spend money at the slots or not is entirely your call. Check out the summer schedule for the shuttle boat and note that weather can impact its route.

The Watershed, part of Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art, has truly transformed the East Boston waterfront into a stunning venue for the kind of large-scale art that you don’t normally get in a crowded city. And it’s free for all. (You can even take a free shuttle boat across the harbor between the two museums!) Each summer, the ICA invites one artist to create a site-specific work or installation for the space. You can also peruse the Watershed’s gallery highlighting the history of the shipyard. Note that timed tickets are required for entry. The Watershed is open seasonally from May through October, 11am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday.

Starting in Cambridge near the Alewife T station and stretching 11 miles up to Bedford, the Minuteman Bikeway is a great, zero-cost way to get out of the city and enjoy some of the prettiest towns in Massachusetts. You can bike, rollerblade, walk or run—you just can’t drive on it. Be sure to keep to the right and take a breather at Arlington’s Spy Pond.

Designed and planned in collaboration with renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the 281-acre Arboretum is a jewel in the heart of the city. Open to the public every day, the arboretum is more than a park; it’s a botanical research institute with thousands of trees, shrubs and other flora. Take a stroll on your own, or try a free guided tour. Just call or check the website for details.

Boston’s famous Hatch Shell hosts free outdoor events from early spring to late fall annually. Built around 1940, it is one of the city's prominent examples of Art Deco architecture. The annual lineup of shows includes live music (like classical or jazz), dance performances and family-friendly movies. This summer’s programming includes the Landmarks Orchestra performing an evening of summer music and more. Bring a picnic and a blanket, and enjoy the fresh air after a stroll through town to the Charles River Esplanade. Performances can get crowded, so best arrive early.

Every Sunday from May-October, the SoWa Open Market has a lot to look at and appreciate at no cost. Imagine a street festival-meets-farmers market, with roughly 200 vendors selling (and sampling) their crafts, snacks and more. Grab a bite from a food truck or sip a cold local brew at the beer hall after browsing. The market is kid- and pet-friendly, so brace yourself for crowds on nice days.

If you’re looking for free activities around Boston, you already crossed heading down the Cape off your list. But that’s OK, because the shores around Boston gorgeous beaches that are often less than an hour’s drive from the city (we can’t make promises during peak summer traffic). You can even take the T to get to some spots, such as Quincy’s Wollaston Beach, Southie’s Castle Island and Revere Beach. Some local beaches have a fee, especially if you’re driving in and need to park, but most are free.

What’s more civilized than a trip to see Shakespeare performed? Bring a blanket, a basket of cheese and maybe some well-concealed wine, and grab a spot on Boston Common for an evening with the Bard. The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company will be performing The Winter’s Tale this summer, from July 16-August 4 at the Parkman Bandstand. All performances are free, making for a perfect summertime date or relaxing group outing.

At trip to South Boston isn’t complete without a visit to Castle Island. Though it isn’t really an island (it’s a peninsula), there's plenty of room in the 22-acre park. Wander around Fort Independence, trawl the beaches or find a walking and running trail before settling into the picnic area for a summer meal. In the summer, for just a few bucks, you can get a hot dog at the iconic Sullivan’s snack bar.