Things to Do in Boston When It's Hot Out

It’s no surprise that the Harbor serves as a sort of sanctuary in the summer; the cool breeze comes off the water, you can enjoy watching the activity on the water, or get out and enjoy it for yourself aboard one of Boston's wonderful cruises. There, you'll find a ton of options for getting out on the water - the perfect hot day in Boston activity. A few of our favorites are:
 

• The MBTA ferry out to any of the eleven Boston Harbor Islands, each with distinct geographical and historical features.
• A Historic Sightseeing Cruise around the harbor is a great option if you want to be in the know. An hour round trip with a knowledgeable guide will tell you all about how Boston's vibrant harbor and port came to be what it is today.
• A whale-watching cruise is a great way to get out on the water and learn about some of the local sea life. Be on the lookout for humpback whales, finback whales, minke whales, white-sided dolphins, and numerous other marine creatures that live in the Atlantic.
• The Boston Duck Tour is an iconic Boston attraction in itself. Hop onboard near the aquarium and enjoy a part-on-land, part-in-the-water guided tour of Boston - a fun and unique introduction to the city's history and culture!

Located right near the departure point for the cruises mentioned above, the New England Aquarium is another favorite thing to do in Boston on a hot day. It's right by the waterfront and offers a temperature-controlled respite from the heat.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy the touch tank feature right when you walk in. Pet stingrays as they glide by the edges of the tank and watch them swim around their habitat. Next, make your way into the main exhibit to see penguins waddling and diving into the waters. You might even catch them during meal time, which is always great fun.

Make your way up the massive coral tank in the middle of the aquarium where you'll see large fish, sea turtles, and more swimming around. Be sure to peel off from the main path and check out the many exhibits on the way up, including octopi, piranhas, amphibians, and more.

The Museum of Fine Arts is a large museum that houses nearly half a million works of art from around the world spanning several centuries. You could easily get lost in this museum and spend hours exploring the many exhibit halls: American, European, and Asian Art, Art of Africa and Oceania, The Ancient World, Contemporary Art, Photography, Prints and Drawings, Musical Instruments, Textiles, Fashion Arts, and Jewelry.

However, if you only have an hour or two to spare, make sure you head to the Art of the Americas wing, featuring 53 galleries of American art from pre-Columbian times through the twentieth century.

If you’re more interested in art and culture, head to the Institute of Contemporary Art, which provides an interactive environment where studio art, performing arts, film, music, and just about every type of media intersect. As part of the permanent collection, innovative and influential artists such as Frank Shepard Fairey have full galleries on display.

As an added bonus, the Institute’s award-winning architecture features a huge outdoor space that overlooks the waterfront and offers some of the best views of the Boston Harbor and skyline.

Learn a little about Boston's history and then take in sky-high views of its changing skyline from the 50th floor of the Prudential Center.

You'll get to explore hands-on exhibits and walk around to see 360-degree views of the city. Conveniently located among lots of popular shops, it's a fun activity to add to your Boston itinerary when it's hot outside. You can meander around famous Newbury Street before heading in for some skyline views, a little souvenir shopping, and an Italian-style lunch at Eataly.

The Harvard Museum of Natural History is the perfect place to keep you out of the heat of the day.

Home to dinosaurs, insects, meteorites, minerals, and much more, you'll easily while away the hours at this fascinating museum. Located at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, you'll find over 12,000 species of plants and animals at this mind-blowing museum.

Be sure to check out which exhibits are on display during your visit. There's sure to be something new and exciting for you to explore!