10+ Things to Do in Boston with Teens During Your Trip

By Katie Sagal
fenway park

Let’s face it – teens don’t always want to be a part of the big family vacation. The stuff they used to love as little kids just isn’t 'cool' anymore, and they're likely not as into adult attractions like art films or galleries. So... what to do?

If you’re looking for things to do in Boston with teens, check out our list of the top attractions and activities, including...

  • Boston Red Sox Game & Fenway Park Tour
  • New England Aquarium
  • Franklin Park Zoo
  • Boston Museum of Science
  • Boston Duck Tour
  • Boston Trolley Tour
  • and more...

Catch a Game at Fenway Park

Fenway Park

Boston is a town with some major sports love going on. Take the teens out to a Boston Red Sox baseball game at Fenway Park, one of Major League Baseball’s most beloved and historic stadiums.

You can also opt to tour the park, which is great fun for the whole family. You'll see all the major landmarks of this iconic ballpark, including Pesky's Pole, the Lone Red Seat, the Green Monster, and much more. Not around Boston during baseball season? Snag tickets to see the Celtics or the Bruins, both of which are a delight to watch at the TD Garden.

Learn something new at the Museum of Science

Museum of Science

There's nothing that says vacations have to be pure, mindless relaxation. Why not have your teens exercise their brains in a really fun way with a visit to the Boston Museum of Science? This Boston institution is a favorite school trip destination, and it's got tons of exhibits to appeal to kids and teens of all ages.

With more than 700 different interactive exhibits to explore including the Theater of Electricity, there's bound to be something (or several somethings) of interest. Check out the beloved Hall of Human Life for an in-depth, fascinating look at the human body and all its many wonders.

Embark on a bike ride

Boston bike ride

There are few cities in America as bike-friendly as Boston, so it’s actually a great idea for the whole family to explore the city aboard a comfortable touring bike. Whether you want to leisurely pedal around the Common (which does involve some serious hills) or along the Charles River, or feel up to braving the streets of Boston for some serious local cred, a bike ride is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

A Boston Bike Rental is a great way to give your teens some freedom - let them pedal around using the bike map included with your rental and explore on their own.

Enjoy Thrill Rides

Rollercoaster

Another good way to occupy restless teens is with a trip to an awesome theme park – Six Flags New England. It's a bit of a day trip from Boston, but it's worth the hours of fun and excitement they'll have.

Filled with rides, slides, and tons of fun, this family-favorite theme park is sure to delight. Six Flags New England has rides geared at guests of all ages, so families with both adrenaline-junkie teens and little ones who will delight in gentler rides will find something to suit everyone.

Tour the city in a unique way

CV Trolley Tour

🗓️ >> Check out our weekend in Boston itinerary

Everyone loves the chance to explore new cities, and the combination of history and modern technology that Boston has to offer makes for some really attractive scenery.

While teens may cringe at the notion of following an umbrella around on foot, there's something fun and unique about offbeat tours like a Boston Duck Tour, which is a great photo op and silly fun, or a Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour, which provides easy flexibility for tailoring your explorations. Make special memories and take the whole family on one of these unique sightseeing tours during your next Boston trip.

Get immersed in history

Freedom Trail walking tour

While some of the historic homes and museums may seem a little too sedate for your teens, they'll feel history come alive in a more engaging way on the Freedom Trail Walking Tour. Hosted by tour guides in full 18th-century costume, the tour winds through historic Boston, meandering past highlights like the Boston Common, Old South Meeting House, and Faneuil Hall. Your guided Freedom Trail walking tour will provide insight and local insider information about each attraction.

You could also opt to follow the trail on your own. Try making a scavenger hunt out of it!

Leave a little time to shop till you drop

 

Shopping in Boston

Everyone wants a great souvenir from their trip, and some teens may want more than a keychain to satisfy their Boston shopping desires. Fortunately for you (and perhaps unfortunately for their wallets), Boston is an amazing shopping town, offering everything and anything you could want.

From the high-end boutique stores of Newbury Street to the chain offerings at Cambridgeside Galleria, there’s a shop to suit every budget. Don’t forget to check out smaller indie stories in places like Cambridge and Somerville!

Save on admission to top Boston attractions with Go City®

With an All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, you can visit Boston attractions for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you could save up to 50% on all your Boston must-sees. Or pick an Explorer Pass, if you've chosen your fave and have a specific bucket list you're dreaming of ticking off.

☀️ Compare Boston passes ☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️

 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Celebrating the Boston Tea Party

Boston’s historic pedigree is practically unparalleled in the United States. Boston is a great city to visit to explore the country’s past. It's home to some of the earliest European settlements and birthplace of the American Revolution. This is a unique opportunity to explore areas that date to the eighteenth century (and earlier). Additionally, you'll have the rare chance to explore museums, graveyards, and historic buildings that tell the story of America’s earliest years. One way that Boston likes to celebrate its Revolutionary heritage each year is by marking the date of the Boston Tea Party. This is the day when American colonists threw British tea into the Boston Harbor. They were protesting heavy taxation on imported goods, including tea. The anniversary of the Boston Tea Party falls on December 16 each year, and the whole city gets in on the celebration. Want to join in the celebration and honor the legacy of those early American patriots? Check out this guide to celebrating the Boston Tea Party.  Top Things to Do to Celebrate the Boston Tea Party The top things to do to celebrate the Boston Tea Party include... Watching the Boston Tea Party Reenactment Visiting the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museums Visiting the Old South Meeting House and more! Admission to many Boston attractions is included with the Go Boston pass. You could save up to 55% on admission vs gate price. Watch the Boston Tea Party Reenactment This annual evening-long reenactment honors the people whose dedication to American freedoms ultimately contributed to fomenting the American Revolution. Join people who’ve come in costume from across New England and protest all over again. You’ll start with a high-energy theatrical meeting at the Old South Meeting House. Then, you'll march to the Boston Harbor where Griffin’s Wharf once stood. You'll watch the Sons of Liberty reenactors destroy real chests of East India Company tea. This event sells out quickly, so buy tickets in advance! Visit the Old South Meeting House The place where the protests all began, the Old South Meeting House hosted the angry citizens of Boston as they argued, debated, and finally decided to protest that unfair British tax on tea. You can tour this building and explore the exhibits focused on the Boston Tea Party, Revolutionary-era America, and free speech today. It’s the oldest surviving building in Boston. Plus its downtown location makes for a perfect complement to a larger historically-focused itinerary. Walk the Freedom Trail Finally, here is one of the best ways to celebrate the legacy of the Boston Tea Party. Honor the Revolutionary spirit that Boston has long been famous for. Walk in the shoes of those colonial Americans who joined in the Tea Party protests, and who lived through the ensuing Revolutionary War. The Freedom Trail showcases many of the most important sites from this historic period, including the Boston Common, the site of the Boston Massacre, and Faneuil Hall. Several sites date from a few years after the war as well, like the Old State House. Save on Boston Tea Party Attractions Visit many of these historic Boston attractions with a Go Boston pass and save big. You’ll save up to 55% on admission versus buying your tickets individually. You can explore historic places like those listed above plus the Paul Revere House and more. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCityPass in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!
Katie Sagal
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Visiting Boston's Museum of Science - Admission, Tips & More

Spending some time in Boston? Looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon that is great for both children and adults? A trip to the Museum of Science should definitely be part of your Boston itinerary. The Museum of Science experience is an immersive plunge into the way things work at a biological level, an environmental level, a physical level, and many others. Check out our helpful guide for visiting Boston's Museum of Science. It's packed full of tips for visiting, ways to save on admission, other nearby attractions, and much more. How to get Boston Museum of Science discount tickets? We’ve got you covered – Museum of Science admission is available with the below money saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that’s right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to dozens of attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 5 attractions. 3. Build Your Own Pass – Select the attractions you want to visit prior to visiting. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. What should I bring to the Museum of Science? Bottled water, if you prefer not to drink from the museum's fountains. Comfortable walking shoes. It's a sizable museum and you'll need some stamina. A camera or phone to catch all the memories at distinctive museum attractions. Take a selfie next to the huge T-rex or inside a space module. What is there to see and do at the Museum of Science? Frequently showcasing new temporary exhibits and activities, the museum is sure to be a great experience even if you have been there before. The Museum is full of permanent exhibits that will dazzle you and your family. Here are a few of our favorites we suggest you check out during your visit... NEW FOR 2019: BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz4lGjfpOUi/ BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life is the latest temporary exhibit to open at the Museum of Boston. It is open now until January 2020, and you should definitely try to see it before it closes. The exhibit features more than one hundred specimens, and examines what it means to be human. Please note: this exhibition is not included with general admission provided by the Go Boston pass. Tickets must be purchased separately. Hall of Human Life The Hall of Human Life is arguably the most informative and interactive room at the Museum of Science. The left side of the room breaks down human life into its most basic, yet compelling building blocks. These activities help structure kids’ developing perceptions in scientific fact. Plus, it's a fun way to be reminded as an adult of these biological essentials. The stations builds a biological understanding of humans from our social nature, to how DNA, cancer, diseases, and antibiotics all work inside the body. The right side is even more interactive, featuring a series of tests to collect your own personal attributes and health. But before you get caught up in the fascinating topics and experiments, make sure you visit the free-to-use Link Stations. Here, you'll receive a wristband to “link up” with the stations' interactions via barcode. This feature will track your scores at each station, like the height of your foot arch at the aptly named “How High are Your Arches” Station, or the stations where you can see how efficient your walking motion is, or how warm or cold you feel relatively. Afterwards you can access your scores from the Museum of Science website in order to help measure and manage your health. Dinosaur Room The "Modeling the Mesozoic" and the "Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff" exhibits will delight the dinosaur lovers. You'll be treated to fascinating facts and information about all your favorite, and soon-to-be-favorite dinosaurs. The life-size T-rex, and the reconstructed bones of a triceratops bring the seemingly larger-than-life, ancient creatures to life like you've never seen before. The "Modeling the Mesozoic" exhibit delves into the methods of science behind hypothesizing where and how these animals lived, giving texture to the archeological remains we have today. You can also explore fossil clues as you roam through these models. Examine bones, footprints, and even dinosaur dung to look for information. Then, review the bones of a dinosaur, an iguana, and a bird to see how some dinosaurs are closely related to birds! Take a Closer Look We especially recommend the Take a Closer Look exhibit for both kids and adults. There is relativity of hot and cold, the SEM camera, and the visual “sound” waves all contribute to suspending our static, commonplace view of stimuli, while at the same time drawing connections between seemingly disparate sensations that demonstrate the unification of reality. Special Experiences There are a number of additional experiences that visitors love, available for an additional upgrade fee (paid directly to the attraction). Charles Hayden Planetarium: This hi-tech digital planetarium hosts both typical planetarium shows and musical shows on the weekends. Mugar Omni Theater: Featuring top IMAX films with subjects like Pandas, Volcanoes, and the Great Barrier Reef. 4-D Theater: Shows here combined 3-D visual technology with additional special effects like air movement, temperature changes, water, and more. Butterfly Garden: A favorite with visitors from all over, this delightful exhibit is a respite from city living. What attractions are near the Museum of Science? If you're interested in a unique tour of the city, the Boston Duck Tour is the perfect option and conveniently picks up right at the Museum of Science. Cambridgeside Galleria is a comprehensive mall located just a few blocks away, and is a local go-to shopping destination. A short hop across the river brings you to a number of other attractions, including TD Garden (home of the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics), the Otis House Museum, and the Museum of African American History. Important Information Hours: Saturday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Location: 1 Science Park Boston, MA 02114 Public Transportation: Take the T: Green Line, Lechmere train, to Science Park stop. Note: Science Park stop is not wheelchair accessible; call the MBTA at 617-222-5000 for assistance. Save on Tickets with a Go Boston pass Remember, the Go Boston® pass is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes Museum of Science tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price. For other fun ideas to add to your Boston itinerary, check out our ultimate Boston guide.
Lindsay Eagan

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