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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
