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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beacon hill boston
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Things to do in Beacon Hill, Boston

Looking to spend your vacation in Boston, but not sure where to set up your home base? Why not try Beacon Hill? This affluent area of the city has plenty of things to see and do, as well as places to eat and drink. Take our word for it and read on, as we've done all the research for you! So sit back, relax and read on as we talk about the best things to do in Beacon Hill, Boston! Including: Parks Freedom Trail Walking Tour Massachusetts State House Weird gifts Dinner ideas and more! Common People Sometimes, even on vacation, you just want to relax in the great outdoors, breathing in the fresh air as birdsong fills your ears. Well, you're in Boston, so it's not like there are rolling hills of green or grandiose canyons to look upon. Instead, you'll need to go to one of Boston's great green spaces to get your fill of mother nature. Thankfully, Beacon Hill has some fantastic parks to prowl. Don't actually prowl them. You're not a cat. Firstly, why not stop by the country's oldest public park? Since the 1630s, Boston Common has been a popular destination for tourists and locals. Its 50 acres touch five of the city's main streets, two of which are in Beacon Hill. So it counts. Be sure to check out Brewer Fountain Plaza for some sweet social snaps. Or, if you like your plants more exotic and fancy stretching your legs a little bit more, Boston Public Garden is a stone's throw from the Common. The country's original botanical gardens, it's become rather famous for it swan-like boats, which many romantic comedies have used throughout the years. Besides all the amazing flora and the big swan boats, there's plenty of history to discover too, so feel free to take a guided tour if that's your thing. Or just sit down, relax, and drink it all in. Up to you. On the trail of freedom Boston's famous Freedom Trail also snakes its way into Beacon Hill. So, if you're feeling historical, curious about the nation's history, or just want to experience talking to someone in funny old-timey clothing, why not take a tour? This 90-minute, one-mile historic city tour follows Boston's world-famous red brick path. Participants will hear over 250 years of history come to life as they pass by Boston's historical sites, such as Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, the Boston Massacre Site, and King's Chapel. Famous historical faces like Josiah Quincy, Henry Knox, and Phillis Wheatley will tell you their own stories and share lively anecdotes about the places, events, and drama of the American Revolution and beyond. Well, not really them. It's actors. Those guys are all long gone. If you even have just a fraction of interest in the country's independence or history, the Freedom Trail Tour is easily one of the best things to do in Beacon Hill when you visit Boston! The State of play If all the tasty history wasn't enough, why not make room for another course? Our dessert menu only has one historical item on it, a braised Massachusetts State House that's simply dripping with historical intrigue and information. The large, golden dome is visible from many parts of the city. As such, it's a beacon you should not miss. And how can you miss a beacon when you're in Beacon Hill? They offer free tours to all visitors, so why not go and learn some things? Oddities We've all been there. You're on vacation, and the expectation from your congregation is to bring them back gifts that will cause elation. But what gift do you get? Do you even know what they like? Don't worry about any of that. Go with your gut and head down to Black Ink. Inside, you'll find a world of curious oddities, from shot glasses to dinosaurs, weird baby toys to cat-themed chopstick rests. If it sounds strange and disparate, that's because it is. But it wears that randomness on its sleeve. Some of it is Boston-themed, and some of it is not. Well, it's better than a cheap postcard with a tacky tagline, isn't it? Winner winner get some dinner Let's move swiftly onto food, now. Beacon Hill has some banging restaurants to sate your well-earned hunger. These are our favs. Start your day off with a bang at Beacon Hill Bistro. Yes, it's a restaurant in a hotel, but after you've tasted their winning delights, you'll wish you had booked a room. Their crispy chicken hash with eggs is sublime, and a great way to pack your body with protein to power the day ahead. Looking for a nice lunch spot? Hit up Grotto for some classic Italian dishes with a twist. The Gnocchi with short ribs, mushrooms, and gorgonzola in a red wine sauce is something else. But they do steak too, if you're not feeling like a little Italy. For a classy dinner, fork out for No.9 Park. Diners are welcomed by a pricey tasting menu and wine pairing, as well as a dress code. No jeans and tank tops here. However, the food is as delightful as the elegant decor, with its nouveau-cuisine spin on Italian classics. Liquid Bold After all the dining and exploring, end the day with a couple of drinks. These are our picks for Beacon Hill's best boozers. For an unassuming pint or three, the Seven Ale House has you covered. Bringing some of that Boston dock attitude to this gentrified area, you can settle in for a drink and overhear the locals talking about the ball game or something. Or, enjoy the speakeasy vibe of Carrie Nation Cocktail Club. Cocktails are the name of the game here, mostly created with craft vodkas, gins, and whiskeys. Grab a couple, play a game of pool, and forget about all your troubles, if only for a few hours. And those are our picks for the best things to do in Beacon Hill, Boston! Want some more East coast goodness? Check out Boston's best museums.
Dom Bewley
Children on an Easter Egg Hunt
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Boston Memorial Day Weekend - 10+ Fun Things to Do in May

Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect opportunity to get away and log some family time in a brand new city. To celebrate this year, pay a visit to one of the most historic cities in America - Boston! Packed with activities and events, Boston is perfect for a family-friendly weekend away. If you’re looking for Boston Memorial Day Weekend ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things do in Boston in May, including... Walk the Freedom Trail Visit iconic Fenway Park Picnic in the Boston Common Take a Trolley Tour around town and more... Save on Attraction Admission Regular admission to a number of these attractions are included on the Go Boston pass. Choose as you go from dozens of Boston attractions & activities and save up to 55% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes and Boston attractions – learn more. Please note, some of these special May and Memorial Day weekend events may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go Boston pass. The Freedom Trail & Other Historical Attractions Check out the Art Scene Tour the City on a Trolley Tour Iconic Fenway Park Get Out on the Water Soak up some sun this Memorial Day and discover Boston's most beloved landmarks on the Charles Riverboat Cruise -- after all, you’re in the Bay State! A scenic sail along this popular Boston waterway will escort you past top sites, as well as local sailboats, rowers, and paddleboaters. Another fun option is the USS Constitution Cruise, a delightful cruise that showcases the famed 'Old Ironsides'. This 45-minute cruise also includes informative narration of the inner harbor and a survey of popular historical and contemporary landmarks visible from the water. If you'd rather enjoy the waterfront from land, there are tons of places to catch awesome views of the ocean. Rowe's Wharf is a great place to take in the salty air and is centrally located near downtown. Embark on a Whale Watch Stroll the Boston Common Take a Bike Ride Take a Brewery Tour There are few things that say the start of summer more than a good cold beer. Tour some of the area's best local breweries for a chance to sample the new seasonal brews. Some of our favorites include Sam Adams, Harpoon, Trillium and Night Shift. If you're more into cider, you'll be pleased to find out that Downeast Cider is opening an outdoor bar in Dewey Square, near South Station. The bar opens in late May through October and will be serving up cider, beer and wine every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and of course at the weekend. Insider Tip: If you want a free glass with your brewery tour at Sam Adams, use your Go Boston pass! Please note that the tour itself is free. Getting In: Sam Adams Brewery glassware is included with the Go Boston pass. Shop the Sales Don't forget about the shopping! Memorial Day is a time for some of the best sales of the year and Boston has no shortage of great places to shop. Head to Newbury Street, the Prudential Center, or Cambridgeside Galleria for the best shopping in town. Don't forget about all of the small businesses across the city, either! Memorial Day Parade The Somerville Veterans Memorial Parade is usually on Memorial day in May. The parade begins at Somerville City Hall and continues down Highland Ave. through Davis Sq. with the conclusion at the intersection of Holland and Broadway in Teele Sq. Getting In: This Memorial Day Parade is free and open to the public. Boston Calling Music Festival One of the most popular local music festivals falls on Memorial Day - Boston Calling. Some of the most acclaimed artists in contemporary music will come to the Harvard Athletic Complex (in Cambridge) to play to the adoring masses. It's a favorite event with locals, so tickets can sometimes go fast. For more information about line-ups and to purchase tickets, visit the event website. Getting In: Boston Calling is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go Boston pass. Remember to Save on Attraction Admission There you go - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in Boston in May to help you plan your Memorial Day weekend itinerary. Remember, many of these great ideas are included on the Go Boston pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. We really hope you consider adding a few of these popular options to your upcoming plans. Enjoy!
Katie Sagal

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