10+ Things to Do in Boston When it Rains (Popular Indoor Activities)

Boston is known for its changeable weather, so it's always helpful to have some activities up your (rain jacket) sleeve for surprise showers.

By Casey Makovich
Published: July 18, 2024
Harvard Museum of Natural History

Any true Bostonian will tell you that ‘weather’ is an unacceptable excuse to not do something. Especially when some of the best places to visit in Boston are indoors. So grab your umbrella, zip up your rain jacket, and make the most of your visit. Here are our favorite things to do in Boston when it rains, including...

  • New England Aquarium - must visit!
  • Museum of Fine Art
  • Harvard Museum of Natural History
  • LEGOLAND® Discovery Center
  • and many more!

New England Aquarium

african-penguin-swimming-new-england-aquarium

Get a dose of the outdoors, indoors at the New England Aquarium to learn all about marine life and get up close to all your favorite marine animals. Featured exhibits include Science of Sharks, Amazon Rainforest, Gulf of Maine, and Seadragon Exhibit.  Some of the most popular areas showcase their playful penguins and fascinating jellies. You'll also get the chance to get up close and personal with some of the sea life at the Aquarium's Shark and Ray Touch Tank exhibit.

Getting in: New England Aquarium tickets and a discount on the nearby IMAX are included on all Boston passes.

Rainy day museum-hopping

There’s no better time to go museum-hopping in Boston than when it rains. Get caught up on new exhibits at your favorite museums or finally get around to visiting ones you’ve been meaning to, but haven’t. Museums get you indoors and out of the rain and no matter your interests, there’s a Boston museum to keep you entertained for the day.

Museum of Fine Arts

boston-museum-fine-arts-465-huntington

Swing by the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) and take a stroll through galleries featuring works of art ranging from ancient Egyptian to contemporary with a strong emphasis on Art of the Americas. You’ll see lots of famous works by artists like John Singer Sargent, Degas, Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, and more.

Getting in: Museum of Fine Arts tickets are included on the Go Boston pass.

Harvard Museum of Natural History

Glass flowers Boston

Visit three museums in one: a Comparative Zoology Museum, a Herbaria Museum, and a Mineralogical and Geological Museum at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. You’ll get to see various natural phenomena from around the world, including large whale skeletons, to a 1,642-pound amethyst geode. You can even touch meteorites from outer space.

A favorite feature of this museum is the "Glass Flowers," a collection of exquisitely crafted glass models of individual flora from around the globe. They're incredibly realistic and truly beautiful.

Getting in: Harvard Museum of Natural History tickets are included on all Boston passes.

Museum of Science

Kids and adults alike will enjoy a day at the Museum of Science. It's one of the world’s largest science centers and Boston’s most visited cultural institution. There are more than 70 hands-on exhibits that explore fascinating topics, such as electricity, physics, biology, astronomy, and more. Their Hall of Human Life is a big hit with visitors and features exhibitions that explore the wonder of the human body.

Getting in: Boston Museum of Science tickets are included on all Boston passes.

Boston Children’s Museum

Boston Children's Museum

Exploring Boston with kids and looking for some family-friendly indoor activities? Visit the Boston Children’s Museum, which has heaps of exhibits geared toward engaging kids and getting them interested in a range of science, culture, environmental awareness, health, and fitness topics.

Getting in: Boston Children’s Museum tickets are included on all Boston passes.

Institute of Contemporary Art

ying-yang-bostons-institute-contemporary-art

Explore what’s new and exciting on the art scene at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), right on the water in the Seaport District. Featuring installations from the hottest contemporary artists, the ICA is at the heart of a flourishing arts scene in Boston. You’ll get to see art in a range of mediums that go beyond typical visual art exhibitions, including music, film, performance, and more.

Getting in: Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) tickets are included on all Boston passes.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

boston-massachusetts-usa-isabella-sewart-garden

Visit the site of the infamous Boston art heist — a crime that remains unsolved — and the home of hundreds of important works of art, ranging from European to Asian and American art. Designed in the style of a 15th-century Venetian palace, the museum itself is considered a work of art worth visiting. You'll also enjoy peering through the windows at their charming gardens (some of which are covered!) to get the full experience.

Getting in: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum tickets are included on all Boston passes.

Peabody Essex Museum

Boston's maritime history is brought to life at the fantastic Peabody Essex Museum, where you'll get the chance to peruse a selection of curiosites collected from foreign lands and brought to America in grand wooden sailing ships.

There are one million works to discover, including manuscripts, shipboard logs, books, and artwork from all over the world, as well as temporary exhibitions and the museum's most famous permanent fixture: an 18th-century Chinese merchant's house transported from China and reassembled in the US.

Founded in 1799, this is America's oldest continuously operating museum and a must-see whether it's rain or shine over Boston.

Getting in: Peabody Essex Museum tickets are included on all Boston passes.

JFK Presidential Library and Museum

presidential-library-boston-sailboat-nearby

Immerse yourself in all aspects of JFK’s presidency. One of America's most iconic leaders, JFK, and his legacy attracts visitors from all over the world. See everything from rare family photos to then-Senator Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign, clips of press interviews, historic artifacts, and more. 

Getting in: JFK Presidential Library and Museum is included on all passes.

Old State House

Old State House

This Boston icon offers visitors an interactive way to explore and experience Boston’s Revolutionary history. With tours and performances occurring every half hour and multi-sensory exhibits in historic period rooms, there’s lots to discover at the Old State House.

Getting in: Old State House tickets are included on all Boston passes.

Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

Get an inside look at the daily operations of the U.S. Senate at this engaging, state-of-the-art exhibition where you can explore topics like how a bill becomes a law, U.S. Senate history, and more. Your visit will leave you with a renewed appreciation and a better understanding of the U.S. political system.

Getting in: Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is separately ticketed.

Mary Baker Eddy Library & Mapparium

Take a walk through the globe and see a rare 1611 edition of the King James Bible at the Mapparium, a unique, three-story, painted-glass globe and museum. It's an especially nice place for families with children, as it focuses on engaging the active mind and encouraging learning.

Getting in: Mary Baker Eddy Library & Mapparium tickets are included on all Boston passes.

More Indoor Activities in Boston LEGOLAND® Discovery Center

A must-see for LEGO® fans aged 3-10, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center features lots of entertaining indoor fun for a rainy day in Boston. Choose from entertaining LEGO®-themed amusements, like the center’s two interactive LEGO® rides, featured films in the 4D cinema, the LEGO® Fire Academy Soft Play Area, and more.

Getting in: LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Boston tickets are included on all Boston passes.

Sam Adams Brewery Tour

portrait-bearded-man-working-brewery-checking

If you love craft beer, Boston is the town for you. Learn about the entire brewing process and see it in action, from start to finish at the Sam Adams Brewery. Visitors over 21 can sample beer after the tour and can receive a complimentary piece of glassware – the perfect souvenir for your trip to Boston.

Another hot spot is the Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall, which is right by the ICA. If you're willing to drive, Night Shift (in Everett) is immensely popular, too.

Getting in: Sam Adams Brewery Tours are free to the public.

Shop at CambridgeSide Galleria

Located in Cambridge, near the Museum of Science, the CambridgeSide Galleria offers over 120 shops ranging from top name-brands to boutiques. A rainy day in Boston is one of the best reasons to spend a little time poking around the shops. There are plenty of dining options in the mall, too, so it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat during a busy day of sightseeing.

The Shops at Prudential Center

Prudential Center

Located right in Back Bay, The Shops at Prudential Center is one of Boston’s top shopping destinations. You’ll find over 75 shops and restaurants, including Lord & Taylor, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more.

Visit Cheers the Bar

Visiting Cheers, the bar featured in the American TV classic Cheers is a Boston must. The Cheers Beacon Hill location has the famous façade of the bar featured in the show while the Cheers Faneuil Hall location is home to an authentic replica of the TV set’s bar interior.

There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing

The city’s history, colonial architecture, and world-famous attractions all make Boston famous. You are sure to find fun and interesting attractions in Boston that are perfect for a rainy day. 

Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City®

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. 

So grab whichever Boston attraction pass suits you best, and get out there and explore the city's best bits!

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Bunker Hill Monument
Blog

Explore Charlestown: Boston’s Coolest Waterfront Neighborhood Awaits

Planning a Boston trip? Here’s why Charlestown should top your must-see list.
best museums in boston
Blog

Best Museums in Boston

Heading to Boston on vacation, or a resident looking for some sweet, unadulterated culture? You've come to the right place. We're all about culture here, and we've plucked the finest of the city's museums out of the ether. So sit back, tune your eyes to reading mode, and prepare for an information overload. These are our picks for the best museums in Boston! Including: Museum of Science USS Constitution Museum Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Harvard Museum of Natural History Salem Witch Museum and more! Museum of Science Science. The ongoing answer to life's many questions. For millennia, it's helped us uncover more and more about our world and the many worlds around us. So, why not get hands-on with over 700 fascinating interactive exhibits at Boston's Museum of Science? Have your brain tickled by humankind's many mind-blowing discoveries, and ponder the things we're still only glimpsing. Walk among the many awesome exhibitions, like the Hall of Human Life, where you'll journey into the human body itself, find out how we work from the inside out, and learn more about how our choices make us who we are. Or, spark your imagination at the Theater of Electricity, a shrine to the wondrous energy found in nature and how we've learned to harness it. Learn all about electricity, magnetism, and the mechanisms we use it for, such as conductors and insulators. All of that, and the world's largest Van de Graaff generator await you! USS Constitution Museum Want to learn more about the country's seafaring history? Do yourself a favor and immediately head to the USS Constitution Museum. This famous ship, completed in 1797, even served in the War of 1812 against those evil Brits. We showed them, didn't we! Inside, you'll find two historic American vessels to explore, interactive exhibits that give you a hands-on with history, and learn about how these vessels worked. How exactly do you unfurl a 200-year-old sail? How did they fire their cannons? What everyday issues did sailors face back then? Find out the answers to all these questions and much more at the USS Constitution Museum, easily one of the best museums in Boston for the nautically curious! Museum of Fine Arts, Boston We all appreciate the finer things in life, whether it's extravagant furniture, meticulously-designed clothing, or a cheeseburger adorned with lashings of bacon. So, why not go look at some fine things at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston? One of the world's most impressive and comprehensive art museums, a whopping 500,000 works are held within. Good luck seeing half a million artworks in one visit! This mammoth collection is housed within more than 100 galleries that include paintings, sculptures, and myriad artifacts from throughout human history, as far back as ancient civilizations and all the way through to 19th-century painters like van Gogh. And, when you've explored as much art as you can physically manage in one day, rest your weary legs at the New American Cafe, where you can pick up small bites, a drink, or a fully-fledged meal. Nice. Harvard Museum of Natural History Boston is known for many things; baseball, basketball, its unique accent. But one of the jewels in the state's crown is undoubtedly Harvard University. One of the world's most renowned centers of higher education, it's no wonder they expanded into the museum business. At the Harvard Museum of Natural History, you'll find more than 12,000 natural artifacts, from dinosaur fossils to huge geodes. Given Harvard's renown as an education facility, it's no surprise you'll find so many amazing fossils and artifacts within. Explore the museum's many halls and exhibitions to learn all about Earth's natural history, from primordial ooze all the way to modern man. For inquisitive minds, this is easily one of the best museums in Boston! Salem Witch Museum Salem has become notorious in fiction for being a paranormal place where myths and monsters lurk around every corner. Really, all of this absolute make-believe stemmed from the sadly very real Salem Witch Trials. For those who don't know, here's a quick history lesson. Back in 1692, some bright sparks decided to accuse women of witchcraft, generally out of spite or petty disagreements. This idiocy soon snowballed into the trials themselves, where over 150 women were accused of being witches, resulting in 20 being put to death. It was a dark time in the nation's history, but an interesting one nonetheless. How did it happen? How could it happen? You'll find the answer to those questions and more at the Salem Witch Museum. Explore 13 life-sized sets that recreate the trials, learn about how the hysteria spread, and how perfectly normal people could be driven to such violent ends. Then, discover the fallout of the trials, the communities torn apart by them, and how colonists were left to pick up the pieces. One of the most fascinating and unique museums in Boston; it's best to see it yourself. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum How about seeing some inspiring art in an inspiring building? Look no further than the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Step inside this striking 19th-century building, and you'll immediately notice its Venetian influence. Within these historic galleries, you'll find works from world-renowned artists like Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. The museum contains over 2,500 such works, so you'll be plenty occupied seeing them all! Then, when you're all art-ed out, make sure you wander the fantastic grounds around the museum. Maybe you'll find some inspiration to dig out the watercolors. Boston Children's Museum It's often said that the children are our future. And that was as true in the past as it is today, because the Boston Children's Museum has been delighting and teaching kids for over one hundred years. Inside, kids will get the chance to wall-climb, escape a giant maze, and create their own artistic 'masterpieces,' all while being stealth taught. The perfect way to get them educated is when they don't even realize they're learning. With a focus on science, the environment, art, and health, it's a great platform for your kids to ensure they're the best they can be. And, best of all, it's good fun too. They even have special events going on throughout the year, so be sure to check ahead before you travel and see what's available. For those of you with little ones, it's one of the best museums in Boston. And that's our list of the best museums in Boston!
Dom Bewley
downtown boston
Blog

Things to do in Downtown, Boston

Downtown. Things will be great when you're Downtown. No song has ever been truer than Petula Clark's classic. Boston's Downtown area is one of the city's best, with plenty to do, see, and experience. It's dripping with history that dates all the way back to the War of Independence, so why not go and discover its greatness for yourself? There's no need to take our word for it; we'll show you why. Right now. Read on, and discover the wonders of Boston's Downtown district. Here are our recommendations for the best things to do on your vacation! Including: New England Aquarium Chinatown Freedom Trail Fenway Park Museum of Fine Arts See life Let's start our tour of Downtown under the sea. See sea life like never before at the New England Aquarium! Perfect for kids and big kids alike, this fantastic aquarium is one of Boston's crown jewels. Go nose-to-nose with seals, waddle to the penguin enclosure, be mesmerized by the giant Pacific octopus, and much more! There are a number of exhibits worth checking out at the moment, such as the Amazon Rainforest, where you'll discover piranhas, anacondas, and poison dart frogs! Or, stop by the Indo-Pacific Coral Reef. Here, you'll go on a journey through the waters of the Pacific, seeing coral catsharks, unicorn tangs, blue-striped cleaner fish, and all the beauty these natural habitats exude! Easily one of the best things to do in Downtown, this is one Boston attraction that you cannot pass up on! Eastern Promise Switching gears to something on dry land. Boston is one of many American cities that is fortunate enough to have its own Chinatown - the third biggest of its kind in the country! For those that don't know, the US we know and love today wouldn't have been possible without Chinese immigrants. So go give them some love, and indulge in some of the finer things while you're at it. Step over the threshold of the remarkable Chinatown Gate, and you'll be transported to a world of great food, great people, and plenty of knickknacks, clothes, and jewelry to purchase. And if your vacation happens to land on Chinese New Year, you're in for a sumptuous treat of performance, lights, and fireworks! Freedom is free Want to explore the nation's history, and walk in our forefathers' footsteps along many historical monuments to American Independence? Then take a historical tour of the Freedom Trail. Beside your fancy guide, replete with authentic accent, language, and costume, you'll explore Boston's famous red brick path and learn about over 250 years of American history. You'll see many historic sites, including Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, the Boston Massacre Site, and King's Chapel. And, you'll hear from patriots like Josiah Quincy and Phillis Wheatley as they tell you their own stories and share lively anecdotes about the places, events, and drama of the American Revolution and beyond. Easily one of the best things to do in Downtown if you're taking a vacation in Boston. If you miss out, maybe you're a red coat after all. Homerun fun Are you a sports person? Does the thought of people getting together and competing against one another excite you? Do you like balls? Well then, you must be a fan of the old baseball. Right? Boston is home to one of the most recognizable teams on the planet, the Boston Red Sox. Their socks? Red. Their arena? Fenway Park. So why not take a tour of this historic stadium and learn more about the stadium's history, the players that stepped into the diamond, and the team's highs and lows throughout the years. For a whole hour, you'll go behind the scenes at Fenway Park, exploring the ground, it's history, and the story of arguably the greatest baller of all time, Babe Routh, who called Fenway Park home. Keep your eyes peeled for Pesky's Pole, named after contact hitter Johnny Pesky, and the Red Seat, where the longest home run ever hit landed at Fenway Park. Given it's the longest-running ballpark on the planet, you best go while the getting's good! Get arty Boston is one of the country's oldest cities, with its own rich history and culture. But it's not the only culture you'll find there. In fact, one of the biggest Art Museums on the planet calls the city home. We're talking, of course, about the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Inside, you'll find over half a million works of art. Yes, really. 500,000 art pieces lie within its myriad galleries and buildings. Spanning millennia, you'll find works from ancient civilizations as well as more modern marvels from the likes of Monet and van Gogh. One unmissable exhibit currently showing is The Art of the Americas. Spanning two continents and encompassing 3000 years of culture, it takes a deep dive into works from ancient American civilizations like the Mesoamericans, all the way to prominent New York artists. The exhibit is a work of art itself, taking years to compile and curate. It really has to be seen to be believed, and is easily one of the best things to do in Boston's Downtown. But after all that wandering and wondering, you might be feeling famished. Never mind that, because the museum's got some great onsite solutions to your hunger problems! If the weather outside's fine, head to the Calderwood Courtyard and sample the delights at The Garden Cafeteria, where you can pick up small bites like pizza slices, subs, burgers, and even desserts. Or, if something small won't cut it, then the New American Cafe will sort you out. Their curated menu of filling dishes will hit the spot. And that's our list of the best things to do in Downtown, Boston! Looking for anything else Boston-related? If you're visiting from out of state or across the sea, check out our picks for the best places to stay. Looking for more of Boston's amazing culture? Check out our museum guide. Just want to learn more about the city? Check out some fun facts!
Dom Bewley

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.