Boston school trips

Best Boston Area School Field Trips

Plan the best school trip your students will love with our guide to Boston's best

Choosing a great trip to consolidate your students' learning can be tricky, but we're here to help. Read on to find out our top recommendations for field trips in Boston.

School trips can be some of the most exciting parts of a child's education, and the best ones are remembered forever. So, it's important to choose a great destination! Teachers will often plan Boston school field trips around a theme or concept; historical, cultural, environmental, et al. It all depends on what the students are focused on and the learning that will be consolidated.

The Greater Boston area certainly has plenty to offer for field trips in that respect – some of the top Boston attractions are perfect to meet teacher and student requirements. If you're looking into planning a field trip in Boston, check out our top school trip ideas, including:

  • New England Aquarium
  • Freedom Trail Walking Tour
  • Franklin Park Zoo
  • Museum of Science
  • Old Sturbridge Village

Save on Boston field trip attractions

For those of you responsible for planning the field trip, you've almost certainly got a smaller budget than you'd like. That's where Go City® passes come in to save you up to 50% on combined admission prices vs. paying at the gate. You may also be able to get a group discount, to save even more funds. 

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

Freedom Trail Walking Tour

marker-on-boston-freedom-trail-connects

This is a smart choice for field trips with a history focus. The attraction itself is a guided walking tour that escorts your group along the iconic Freedom Trail, a red-brick-paved line that winds throughout historic Boston.

Your accurately-costumed tour guide will provide informative narration as you pass by major historic attractions like Faneuil Hall, Old South Meeting House, Old South Meeting House, Park Street Church, and more.

Please note that due to the intimate nature of these tours, school groups will likely need to be broken into multiple parties to take different tours. If any of these historic sites you see along the route are of interest to your group, keep in mind that Go City® passes also include admission to many of these attractions.

Getting In: Freedom Trail Walking Tour tickets are included on all Boston passes.

Franklin Park Zoo

tiger-franklin-park-zoo

This 72-acre zoo is nestled in Boston's beautiful Franklin Park, located just south of the city center. Schools love to take their students here because of the diversity of exciting animals that call this zoo home, including lions, tigers, giraffes, and several types of monkeys.

Those of you with elementary students can explore exhibits that are suitable for younger children, too, like "Franklin Farm" and "Children's Zoo." They also offer some daily zookeeper chats which can be ideal for school groups. 

Getting In: Franklin Park Zoo tickets are included on all Go City® Boston passes.

New England Aquarium

New England Aquarium

Aquariums are popular field trip destinations for a reason. They offer the excitement of meeting new and exotic marine life alongside educational benefits. Some of their top exhibit highlights include a four-story Caribbean coral reef and a Shark and Ray Touch Tank exhibit (beloved by school groups). Visitors should also be sure to pay a visit to the lively penguin colony that calls the New England Aquarium home. These playful penguins are the darlings of Boston. 

Getting In: New England Aquarium is separately ticketed.

Museum of Science

Museum of Science

Among the most popular cultural institutions in the entire state, the Museum of Science has a lot to offer curious school groups. With dozens of interactive exhibits and themed areas including Triceratops Cliff, Theater of Electricity, and the newer Hall of Human Life, this attraction has enough activities to keep an entire school busy for days!

The museum also offers a wide variety of dynamic, hands-on activities and informative presentations, many of which are ideal for school groups. 

Getting In: Museum of Science tickets are included on all Go City® Boston passes.

 

Old Sturbridge Village

summer-old-sturbridge-village

This recreated village from early nineteenth-century New England is a delightful option for school groups looking to explore American history in a hands-on way. They boast a working blacksmith's shop, lush heirloom gardens, and impressive heritage-breed livestock, in addition to buildings and common spaces designed to look just as they would have nearly 200 years ago.

Students will especially love the opportunity to try out historic crafts and recipes. They'll learn all about these preserved traditions from passionate costumed re-enactors who are excited to share all they know about this astonishing period in New England history. 

Getting In: Old Sturbridge Village tickets are included with the Go Boston Card.

A smart choice for smart schools

While this is just a starting point for your Boston-area field trip ideas, we hope that it provides some inspiration. Don't forget that you can save up to 50% on combined admission prices with Go City® - it's a smart choice for smart schools.

If your group is larger than 10, be sure to check out the group discounts option, so be sure to call and see if we can help you save even more on your next school trip.

Discover our full line-up of Boston attractions including the USS Constitution Museum, Salem Witch Museum, Paul Revere House, and more. 

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.   

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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10+ Things to Do in Salem Massachusetts for Halloween

October is one of the best times to visit Salem, Massachusetts, the “witch town” known for its sinister past and spooky aura. For the entire month of October, haunted happenings take over Salem to celebrate Halloween and fall in the area. Haunted Happenings features a calendar full of events, special programs, and live shows. These distinctive seasonal events complement the attractions, museums, and tours that Salem offers year-round. If you’re looking for things to do in Salem on Halloween and October and nearby Boston, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including: Salem Witch Museum House of Seven Gables Peabody Essex Museum Halloween Cruises Bewitched After Dark Salem Walking Tours The People vs Bridget Bishop Gallows Hill Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour Guided Tour of Salem & Marblehead Boston Attractions When is the best time to visit Salem, MA? Salem is busiest on weekends when it fills up with tourists, but it's arguably at its most festive when thronged with people. However, if you're in search of a less hectic experience, you can head to Salem any weekday in October or during one of the first weekends in the month. You’ll still find plenty of seasonal things to do. Dedicate at least one full day to seeing the sights in Salem and consider an overnight stay to join in on some of the spooky night-time walking tours and ghost tours offered. Some of the top hotels in the area recommended by Haunted Happenings include the Clipper Ship Inn (budget-friendly), Hawthorne Hotel (a historic hotel), and Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites (award-winning lodging). Do remember that October dates will book up fast, so make your reservations in advance. The closer to Halloween it is, the more difficult it will be to get to Salem in heavy traffic and find reasonably priced parking. If you're coming from the Boston area, we recommend you take either the commuter rail (Newburyport/Rockport Line) or a bus to avoid the hassle of parking. That said, there’s nothing quite like spending Halloween weekend in Salem as it is always jam-packed with fun and spooky things to do. Salem Witch Museum Do you believe in witchcraft? At the Salem Witch Museum, get an insight into the complex and evolving perception of witches 'from midwives and healers to witch hunts and Wiccans.' Salem’s most visited museum presents the witch hysteria of 1692 in a way that is educational, thought-provoking, and a bit spooky. You'll learn all about the infamous witch trials, the events leading up to them, and what life was like in Salem at the time. They also offer a fun and eclectic gift shop that sells everything from artisan wares to the most inspired Halloween costumes you'll ever see. It's a nice place to pick a unique fall souvenir. House of the Seven Gables The House of Seven Gables is New England’s oldest wooden mansion. Built in 1668, it was made famous through the fiction of Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter. A must-visit attraction for book lovers and American Literature fans. In October, add to the experience with their program of specialized audio tours. Experience a more personal history of Salem from the perspectives of the people who didn't make it into the history books with the Passages of the Past Audio Tour, or try out their Immersive 360 Tour where you'll join senior historical interpreter David Moffat for a unique and online venture through over 350 years of history. Peabody Essex Museum Home to a collection of one million artifacts and natural treasures dating back to 1799, when sea captains would bring home treasures from their travels overseas, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) offers Salem visitors a unique examination of world history. See fascinating exhibitions of African, American, Asian, Native American, Oceanic, and Indian art, including photographs from 1840 (the year photography was invented!). The PEM regularly features exhibitions on The Salem Witch Trials, where visitors can learn more about factors that fueled the much-storied crisis, including individuals who rose to defend those accused. Halloween cruises A cruise around the storied waters of Salem is a fun and different way to get in some prime leaf-peeping during peak season and take in the history of the area. The 2-hour narrated Lighthouse & Foliage tour goes on a 14-mile loop of the scenic Salem Sound. The Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruise features a 90-minute entertainment cruise. It's complete with face painting, fortune telling, spooky photo ops, scary stories, and more. A full bar and grill are available on every cruise. They also offer a Halloween Boo!s Cruise, which is ideal for adults and groups of friends. These offerings from Mahi Cruises are seasonal and are available during the fall or the month of October, depending upon the selected cruise. Salem Haunted Happenings There's no shortage of things to do in Salem Massachusetts. Just check out the Haunted Happenings events calendar for the complete lineup of activities and fun things to do in Salem during this popular time of year. There's everything from face painting and farmers' markets to cruises and hayrides to haunted houses and witch hunts. Some of our popular picks include: Salem Psychic Fair and Witches Market Salem Common Family Movie Night Salem Haunted Magic Show Presents: Hysteria! Hollowed Harvest: Wicked Labyrinth and much, much more! Bewitched After Dark Salem walking tours These engaging tours are led by local historians who can't wait to share Salem's eerie history with you. They warn, however, that "history is more frightening than fiction," something easily spooked visitors would do well to remember! Look out for the Salem Witch House, one of the few structures directly linked to the witch trials of 1692.  Cry Innocent: The People Versus Bridget Bishop Head back to 1692 when Bridget Bishop was accused of witchcraft and is up for trial. At Cry Innocent, you'll be immersed in the experience by serving on the Puritan jury. You’ll hear her testimony, cross-examine the witnesses, and decide the verdict in this critically acclaimed interactive theatrical performance. We promise you won't leave the theater without thinking differently about the infamous Salem witch trials! Gallows Hill This multifaceted attraction has it all - a haunted museum filled with lost objects and abandoned exhibits, an exhilarating, 4-D experience show, and a fascinating Ghosts & Legends Trolley Tour. Gallows Hill is one of the most popular attractions in all of Salem and is great for Halloween explorations. Keep in mind that some attractions might not be suitable for small children. Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour The Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour is one of Salem's most haunting attractions. Experience Salem's longest-running ghostly tour with the city's 'spirited' tour leader! The knowledgeable ghostly guides combine captivating storytelling, macabre humor, and stellar presentation to convey Salem's authentic haunted history. Delve into the Witch City's intriguing and often sordid past on their highly recommended 90-minute nightly strolls. Costumed narrators recount by lantern light true tales of documented paranormal activity, chilling cemeteries, Colonial witchcraft, Victorian murder, and more! This tour is leisurely paced; the tour distance covered is approximately a half mile. Guided tour of Salem and Marblehead Join a full-day guided tour of historic Salem and Marblehead. It's an especially perfect tour to take during October, as they highlight many of the Haunted Happenings events. This tour covers lots of North Shore highlights, including Marblehead, Abbott Hall, Salem Harbor, and more. Keep in mind the tour lasts about seven hours altogether, so this will be your main attraction for the entire day. Add Boston to Your Itinerary Fall is one of the best times to visit the Boston area; the air is crisp and cool, while the vibrant orange and yellow leaves provide the perfect backdrop. Want some more fun? Skip almost 100 years in time from the era of witch hysteria to the era of the American Revolution. Explore historic attractions such as: the Paul Revere House the Freedom Trail the USS Constitution Museum and more! Then, stop by the Samuel Adams Brewery to sneak a sample of their special Oktoberfest beers. Looking for more info on Boston? Be sure to check out our guides for things to do in Boston for Halloween or things to do in Boston in fall.  Enjoy your seasonal activities this year, and Happy Halloween! And while you're at it, go grab a Boston attraction pass and see all the city's best bits - spooky or otherwise! Planning to visit lots of Boston attractions? Discover our full line-up of Boston attractions including USS Constitution attractions and the Salem Witch Museum. With Go City® you won't miss a thing, plus with a pass, you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do - winning! ☀️Compare Boston passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️
Casey Makovich
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Little Women Filming Locations in Boston

Little Women is a classic American novel written by Boston author Louisa May Alcott. It tells the story of four sisters as they come of age during the American Civil War in Boston. There are already TV, film, and theater versions of the novel, but another adaptation will hit the big screen in 2019. Greta Gerwig’s remake of Little Women could be one of the most authentic retellings, as they filmed in Boston and the surrounding areas. Check out the Little Women filming locations in Boston below, including... Harvard Town Hall Louisa May Alcott’s House, Fairmont Copley Plaza Arnold Arboretum And more Save on admission Admission to many popular Boston attractions that appear in Little Women is included in the Go Boston pass. You could save up to 55% on admission vs gate price.  Who wrote Little Women ? The original Little Women novel was written by author Louisa May Alcott. Alcott published the novel in 1968 in two volumes. It was very popular, so as a result, Alcott wrote two sequels to Little Women called Little Men and Jo’s Boys. Who’s in Little Women (2019)? Little Women (2019) is directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Saoirse Ronan as Jo, Emma Watson as Meg, Florence Pugh as Amy, and Eliza Scanlen as Beth. Timothée Chalamet plays Laurie, Meryl Streep plays Aunt March, and Laura Dern plays Mary March. Where was Little Women filmed? Little Women (2019) was filmed in Boston and the surrounding area. Gerwig wanted the film to be authentic, so she shot on location in Massachusetts. Take a look at the Little Women filming locations below... Harvard Fairmont Copley Plaza in Back Bay   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston (@fairmontcopley) on Jul 25, 2019 at 1:38pm PDT You can see the beautiful ballroom of the Fairmont Copley Plaza in the Little Women trailer. Plus, additional filming took place in the surrounding Back Bay area. Coincidentally, if you’re visiting the Plaza or the Back Bay, you’re near the start of the Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour. See where famous films like Ally McBeal, Ted, Good Will Hunting, and The Departed were filmed. We’re sure Little Women will soon be added to this list. This is a must for movie fans visiting Boston. Arnold Arboretum Louisa May Alcott House View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amber (@amberjanice79) on Sep 4, 2019 at 9:27am PDT Little Women fans can’t visit Boston and not visit the Louisa May Alcott House in Concord. Explore Alcott’s home, complete with artifacts like her writing desk. See the house that inspired the setting of Little Women, and where the novel was written. An expert guide will take you from room to room, telling you everything you ever wanted to know about the famous author and her family. Areas outside of Boston Many scenes were filmed just outside of Boston, in towns such as Concord, Lawrence, Stoughton, Ipswich, and Lancaster. All of these towns are an hour or less by driving away from Boston, so are great day trip destinations. Visit these towns to see more of Massachusettes and for a wider understanding of Little Women’s setting. Additionally, they could be ideal spots of some fall-time leaf-peeping! In summary Little Women was filmed in key sites across Boston and the surrounding area. More importantly, many of these locations are public, so you can see them for yourself. Anyone whose favorite book is Little Women has to visit these filming spots on their next Boston vacation. Save on admission The Go Boston pass includes admission to many popular Boston attractions and Little Women filming locations. You could save up to 55% on admission vs gate price. Share your trip with us Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your Little Women adventure with us. Tag us at @GoCity and use #GoCityPass on your travel photos to keep us up to date with your vacation!
Seren Morris

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