Things to Do in Boston in August 2018

Boston is a historic city and the summer weather makes walking the perfect way to get around. There are so many things to do in one of America's most walk-able cities. If you’re looking for things to do in Boston in August 2018, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including...

• New Summer IMAX films at New England Aquarium
• New England Aquarium Whale Watch
• Fenway Park Tour
• Butterfly Garden at the Museum of Science
• and more...

Save on Attraction Admission

Regular admission to a number of these popular Boston attractions are included on the Go Boston® Card. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Please note, the seasonal events taking place at these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go Boston Card. If you want a bigger list of seasonal events, then check out our suggested things to do in Boston in the summer.

Summer IMAX films at the New England Aquarium

If you or you kids simply love animals of all stripes, then a trip to the New England Aquarium is a must. This summer, they've got some new special IMAX films debuting, including: "Oceans 3D: Our Blue Planet," "Galapagos 3D: Nature's Wonderland," and the very special "Pandas 3D." These films are sure to delight any fans of the natural world, and are a nice complement to exploring the aquarium's primary exhibits. Now with your Go Boston Card you can save $1.00 on each IMAX ticket you buy! Getting In: New England Aquarium tickets are included on the Go Boston Card; IMAX tickets incur a small additional cost.

New England Aquarium Whale Watch

The excursion is led by experts from the Whale Center of New England. Your journey will take you out to Stellwagen Bay Sanctuary, which is a rich feeding ground for all types of marine life, including whales. Enjoy a ride on high-speed catamarans, featuring 3 decks to help you get the bet view. Get on a whale watch before the season ends! Getting In: New England Aquarium Whale Watch tickets are included as an option on 3, 5, and 7-Day Go Boston Cards.

Tour Fenway Park

Take a tour of the oldest MLB stadium in the country, the iconic Fenway Park. This is an amazing idea for a fun thing to do in Boston in August! Home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park has been the setting for historic moments in sports since 1912. Boston is passionate about sports, so it's only right to visit Fenway Park on your visit to the city. If you're a big Sox fan, or love to get in a good baseball game, you could also opt to check out a game as the season winds down. Getting In: Fenway Park Tour tickets are included on the Go Boston Card; Boston Red Sox tickets to select games are available with the 3-, 5- and 7-Day Go Boston Cards.

Swan Boats of Boston

The Boston Swan Boats are an iconic thing to do in in Beantown during the summer months. The Boston tradition of the Swan Boats dates back to the 1870s, when Robert Paget was granted a boat for hire. He capitalized on the technology of the newly popular bicycle and with the help of others, developed a catamaran that housed a foot-propelled paddle wheel arrangement. To cover the mechanism, Paget suggested a swan, such as the one that guided the knight to Princess Elsa in the opera Lohengrin. The rest is history! The Swan Boats of Boston are typically open until late September each year. Getting In: Swan Boats of Boston tickets are included on the Go Boston Card.

Butterfly Garden at The Museum of Science

Take a walk around this conservatory while visiting the Museum of Science. In addition to the striking butterflies, it's also filled with exotic plants. Plus, the conservatory overlooks the Charles River for an exciting view. Learn about the life cycle of butterflies and the different species of butterflies. Getting In: Museum of Science tickets are included on the Go Boston Card; this special exhibit is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Boston Card.

Special Exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts

There are plenty of exciting special exhibits at the MFA this summer that are sure to inspire your artistic side. For modern art lovers, "Mark Rothko: Reflection" is a must-see exhibit that ends September 3, 2018, so August is basically your last chance to see the exhibition before it moves on. If you prefer something a little less abstract, a gorgeous collection of French artwork just opened this summer, called "French Pastels: Treasures from the Vault." Contemporary artist Maia Lynch also has an exhibit entitled "Maia Lynch: In Between," which closes September 16, 2018. There are many more exhibits, too, so be sure to check them out during your visit. Getting In: Boston Museum of Fine Arts tickets are included on the Go Boston Card; special exhibits may incur an additional cost not included with the pass.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

There you go - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in Boston in August. Remember, many of these great attraction options are included on the Go Boston Card, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the seasonal events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go Boston Card. Consider adding a few of these fun options to your August vacation itinerary.