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

By Katie Sagal

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

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

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

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

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

🗓️ >> 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

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

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.

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Top 10 Things to Do in Boston for First Time Visitors - Must See & Do Attractions

As one of America’s oldest cities, Boston sure has a lot of history. There’s so much to see and do that both evokes the city’s heritage and hints at the promise of her future. A visit here is perfect for any number of travelers, whether you’re a fan of art and architecture, a history buff, or a sports fanatic. From tours to museums and beyond, you’ll find no end to the amazing attractions here in Beantown. If you and your family are looking for the top things to do in Boston during your trip, check out our list of some of the best attractions, including... Boston Duck Tour Boston Red Sox Game & Fenway Park Tour New England Aquarium Freedom Trail Walking Tour Museum of Fine Arts and more! Boston Duck Tour You’d be hard-pressed to find a better way to explore Boston than aboard one of their iconic Boston Duck Boat Tours. Your expert local guide will fill you in on all the best info about the landmarks you pass, and you’ll even be encouraged to “quack” at nearby locals and fellow duck boat passengers! Traverse land and water as you roam diverse neighborhoods, from the political Beacon Hill to the cultural North End to the commercial Newbury Street. You’ll even venture out into Cambridge, where you’ll find plenty of top attractions like Harvard, MIT, many museums, and more. Some of the sites and landmarks you’ll see on your Boston duck tour include: Trinity Church Hancock Tower Prudential Center Boston Common & Boston Public Garden Old North Church Zakim Bridge And more! Hop aboard a duck boat and have the most enjoyable tour you’ve ever experienced. Boston Red Sox Game & Fenway Park Tour Of course, sports fans may opt to go for something a bit more up their alley with a tour of Fenway Park. On this tour, you’ll go behind the scenes of one of Major League Baseball’s most historic stadiums and see all the iconic spots and artifacts throughout the park. Highlights of the tour include all the best things you remember from Red Sox history, from the Green Monster to Pesky’s Pole to the Lone Red Seat. If you’re a real fan, why not take the opportunity to snag a few tickets to a game while you’re in town? Choose from select home games and grab yourself a Boston Red Sox game ticket. Then, pick up a few Fenway Franks and settle in to enjoy the game! Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley Tour Another top option for exploring Boston is the flexible Hop-on Hop-off Boston Sightseeing Trolley. It circulates throughout the city, featuring major highlights at nine central stops, including: Faneuil Hall The North End North Station & TD Garden Boston Common Beacon Hill and more! With the freedom to disembark at any of these stops, you’ll be able to fully customize your day of sightseeing to fit your interests. Ride along as long as the narration captivates your attention, and hop off when you find something fascinating you just have to explore. Plus, your trolley ticket is good for two days, so you can really make the most of your pass when it comes to exploring attractions. We don’t, however, recommend that you make use of the trolley as a primary form of transportation due to traffic and frequent stops. New England Aquarium Among the most popular attractions for families and adults alike is the New England Aquarium. This fantastic aquatic destination includes many marvelous sights like a massive Caribbean coral reef, a Shark & Ray Touch Tank, a lively penguin colony, and so much more. Whether you love flashy tropical fish or playful seals, impressive sharks or lovable penguins, there’s a critter here to capture your heart. They’ve even got a 3-D IMAX screen showing breathtaking films about nature and marine life in particular, so consider picking up an IMAX ticket as well. As an added benefit, the cost of your admission goes to support marine conservation efforts being undertaken by the aquarium, so you’re doing a good deed with your visit. Museum of Science The whole family will love a visit to the Museum of Science. As an institution, Boston's Museum of Science embodies the power and promise of Boston’s greatest scientific minds, and captures the magic and wonder of discovery for visitors of all ages. Featuring over 700 (!) diverse exhibits, many of which are hands-on and totally interactive, the Museum of Science drives curiosity in all of its guests. A not-to-be-missed area of the museum is the comprehensive Hall of Human Life, which includes dozen of interactive exhibits that explore the biology of the human body. Other popular exhibits include the Theater of Electricity, Triceratops Cliff, and the Live Animal Center, where you can watch baby chicks hatch! You could also opt to upgrade to other fascinating areas of the museum like the planetarium or the butterfly garden, both of which amaze visitors year-round. Freedom Trail Walking Tour It wouldn’t be a trip to Boston without a tour along the Freedom Trail. This iconic pathway throughout Boston highlights the major landmarks and sites of significance in the Revolutionary War, and showcases just how much history Boston really has. Featuring 11 historic sites in just under one mile of walking, the Freedom Trail is also an effective way to see the big historical highlights of Beantown. Take the Freedom Trail Guided Walking Tour, where costumed guides narrate you with important information about Boston in the eighteenth century, and let you in on all the local legends and secrets. This red-lined path throughout the city is also free to walk on your own time, should you prefer to explore at your own pace without the commentary. Just follow the red brick road! Museum of Fine Arts Art lovers will not want to overlook this fantastic museum. Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is among the most prestigious and well-curated art museums around. This museum features impressive collections of art and artifacts that span the globe. Their collections have particular strengths in American art and craftwork, textiles and fashion, European art, and art and artifacts of the ancient world. The Art of the Americas wing, a relatively recent expansion, offers over 50 distinct galleries filled with items dating from the Pre-Columbian period through the second half of the twentieth century. Make time to stop in the gift shop, too - it's very well stocked with a diverse selection of gifts, books, toys, clothing, and more. You'll find the ideal artsy souvenir here! John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Be sure to pay a visit to the JFK Presidential Library of one of our country’s most influential and charismatic leaders, John F. Kennedy. This library and museum holds the largest collection Kennedy family materials in the world, including everything from televised interviews to rare family photographs. Follow the narrative of his presidency, and see the crises and successes that defined his time in office. Begin with a look at Kennedy on the campaign trail in 1960. You'll also see him as President in the briefing room and get to walk around a mock-up of the Oval Office the way it looked in Kennedy’s time. One of my favorite things is the opportunity you'll get to examine artifacts and objects from the Space Program that Kennedy so famously championed - a race and special chance! There’s also a particular emphasis on the connections between JFK, the Kennedy family, and the city of Boston. It’s a wonderful attraction for anyone who loves Boston history, presidential libraries, or American history in general. Let’s Recap There’s our selection for some of the most popular and top 10 things to do in Boston for first-time visitors. From cruises and tours to museums and historical sites, there’s something to appeal to every interest. Consider including some of these attractions on your next trip to Boston, and we know you’ll come to love this city. Many of these must see attractions are available on the Go Boston pass. Choose as you go from dozens of popular Boston attractions and save on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available Boston passes, attractions & prices. Whether you’re traveling with family, a partner, or friends, you’ll enjoy these amazing signature Boston attractions. Happy travels!

Katie Sagal

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