Beyond the Science Museum: Boston’s Must-See Spots

Museum of Science done? Step outside and discover Boston’s best views, eats, and hidden gems.

Published: March 26, 2026
Children at Boston's Museum of Science

You’ve just finished exploring the wonders of the Museum of Science—your mind is buzzing, your camera roll is full, and you’re itching for more Boston excitement. Great news: The adventure doesn’t stop when you walk out those doors! The Museum of Science is perfectly placed between the Charles River, vibrant neighborhoods, lush parks, and some of Boston’s most beloved attractions. Whether you’re hungry for hands-on activities, craving artistic inspiration, or want to stroll along scenic riverbanks, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your day. Here's our guide to the best things to do near the Museum of Science, so you can keep your Boston trip on a roll. 

Our favorite things to do near the Museum of Science include: 

  • View Boston 
  • The Harvard Tour 
  • LEGO Discovery Center 
  • Bike Rental by Urban AdvenTours 
  • Beacon Hill True Crime Tour by Top Dog Tours 
  • Museum of Fine Arts 
  • Charles River Esplanade 
  • Boston Public Market 

View Boston: Soak Up the Best Skyline Views 

Just a quick ride from the Museum of Science, View Boston puts the city at your feet—literally. Located at the top of the Prudential Tower, this three-level observation experience is the place to go for panoramic vistas that sparkle both day and night. So why should this be on your post-museum list? Because seeing the Science Museum and the Charles River from 700 feet up truly puts Boston’s patchwork of neighborhoods, historic sites, and leafy parks into jaw-dropping perspective. 

View Boston is energetic and modern, with interactive touchscreens that help you spot every landmark on the horizon. Step out onto The Cloud Terrace for cocktails and snacks with unbeatable views—try a Boston Spritz for a perfectly on-theme refreshment. Whether you’re visiting with a family of explorers or chasing a peaceful sunset, View Boston blends jaw-dropping sights with Boston personality in one unforgettable, sky-high stop. 

The Harvard Tour: Walk Where History and Genius Collide 

Just across the river, Cambridge and its storied Harvard University are practically neighbors to the Museum of Science. The Harvard Tour is way more than a spin around campus buildings; it’s a lively, story-packed stroll led by charming student guides. Their wit, anecdotes, and a few well-timed secrets transform Harvard Yard and its brick-lined walkways into an insider experience you won’t get from just wandering around solo. 

Why add this to your day? The energy is contagious—one minute you’re learning about Nobel Prize-winning professors, the next you’re hearing about quirky pranks or time-honored traditions. You’ll swing by the Widener Library, Science Center, John Harvard Statue (rub his toe for good luck!), and plenty of serene courtyards. It’s as inspiring as it is photogenic. Plus, the wealth of cool, indie coffee shops and bakeries nearby means campus exploring fuels even more tasty discoveries. 

LEGO Discovery Center: The Ultimate Family Pit Stop Nearby

Family at LEGO Discovery Center

If you’re traveling with young scientists and creative minds, the LEGO Discovery Center—located just over the river in Somerville—is a must-do. Kids go wild for the hands-on brick pits, elaborate LEGO cities, and interactive rides, where every corner invites imagination and experimentation. Adults aren’t left out, either: wander through miniature recreations of Boston landmarks, snap photos of incredible LEGO architecture, or relax in the on-site café while the kids dive into workshops. 

What makes the LEGO Discovery Center so special is how it blends learning, play, and creativity seamlessly. The space is bright, lively, and full of energy—you’ll hear laughter, spot towering brick creations, and watch kids light up with every new discovery. Whether it’s their first time stacking bricks or their hundredth, this hands-on world of imagination keeps the whole family engaged, curious, and thoroughly entertained for hours. 

Bike Rental by Urban AdvenTours: Cycle Boston Like a Local 

Step out of the Museum of Science and you’re right on Boston’s bike-friendly trails. With a rental from Urban AdvenTours, you’ve got two wheels and unlimited freedom—cruise the Charles River Esplanade or navigate the city’s bustling streets at your own pace. 

Scenic stops pop up everywhere: playgrounds for the kids, colorful public art, and hidden picnic spots framed by wildflowers and willow trees. Families can grab kid-sized bikes and trailers, while experienced riders can request road bikes for a more challenging spin. For a route that hits it all, follow the Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path and enjoy river views, skyline sights, and city energy—all in one ride. 

Beacon Hill True Crime Tour by Top Dog Tours: History with a Hint of Mystery 

For a side of Boston you can’t see inside a museum, set out on the Beacon Hill True Crime Tour by Top Dog Tours. This one’s perfect if you’re ready for something offbeat after your science fix. Beacon Hill's gas-lit streets aren’t just postcard-pretty—they’re steeped in stories of intrigue, unsolved mysteries, and fascinating local legends. 

Your guide sets the mood with just the right touch of drama and humor. As you wander past stunning Victorian rowhouses and secret alleyways, you’ll learn about notorious historic crimes and scandals that shaped the neighborhood—from hidden speakeasies to heists that rocked old Boston. And even if you’re not a true crime superfan, the tour’s blend of history, architecture, and witty banter offers a fresh and fun way to connect with real Boston stories. 

Museum of Fine Arts: World-Class Art (and Air-Conditioning!) 

Art lovers, rejoice—the Museum of Fine Arts is a must. It’s close enough for a quick ride from the Museum of Science, and with a collection ranging from Egyptian mummies to Monet’s water lilies, there’s an exhibit or gallery for every taste and age. Walk into the grand marble atrium and soak up the creative energy buzzing between centuries-old treasures and cutting-edge contemporary installations. 

What do we love about it? You can tailor your visit to your mood: check out luminous Impressionist works, marvel at ancient Greek vases, or lose yourself in a splashy modern sculpture garden. Special exhibitions mean there’s always something new in the mix, and younger visitors get in on the fun with activity sheets or hands-on galleries. Even if you’ve only got an hour, the MFA guarantees a dose of inspiration and a cool, welcoming place to recharge. 

Charles River Esplanade: Open Air Bliss and City Views

Couple on Bench by Charles River

You can’t get closer to the Museum of Science than the Charles River Esplanade—it practically hugs the museum’s back door. This leafy park stretches for miles along the river’s edge, offering a gentle escape from urban bustle right in the middle of the city. 

There’s something for everyone: miles of scenic paths perfect for strolling, running, or skating; playgrounds that draw squeals of joy from kids; and riverfront benches perfectly positioned for people-watching or a peaceful lunch picnic. The breezy docks lure kayakers and rowers, while patches of lawn fill with locals reading, sunbathing, or tossing frisbees. Whether you need a breather or want to burn off energy, the Esplanade brings you the true flavor of Boston outdoors—locals mingling, students biking, ducks paddling on the river, and that unbeatable view of both city and sky. 

Boston Public Market: Nibble, Shop, and Soak Up Local Flavor 

Hungry after all that walking and exploring? Make your way to Boston Public Market, a short hop from the Museum of Science by foot or transit. Here, shimmering stalls are stacked with local produce, fresh seafood, and a rotating stream of New England treats that celebrate the region’s flavors and spirit. 

You’ll find plenty to sample: try the lobster roll at Red’s Best, rich clam chowder, or one of Union Square Donuts’ fluffy maple bacon creations. Grab a fresh cider from Boston Harvest, or head to Mother Juice for a cold-pressed health boost. Whether you're in the mood for a casual lunch, a quick snack, or want to shop for artisan gifts to take back home, Boston Public Market delivers both flavor and local charm in every corner. 

 

With the Museum of Science as your starting point, you’ve unlocked the best of Boston—skyline views, riverside adventures, creative eats, storied neighborhoods, and beyond. So, whether you’re chasing the sunset, strolling leafy parks, or digging into history, there’s something close by to fuel every curiosity and craving. Happy exploring! 

Enjoyed this? Check out Things to Do Near View Boston or Best Art Tours in Boston 

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Celebrating the Boston Tea Party

Boston’s historic pedigree is practically unparalleled in the United States. Boston is a great city to visit to explore the country’s past. It's home to some of the earliest European settlements and birthplace of the American Revolution. This is a unique opportunity to explore areas that date to the eighteenth century (and earlier). Additionally, you'll have the rare chance to explore museums, graveyards, and historic buildings that tell the story of America’s earliest years. One way that Boston likes to celebrate its Revolutionary heritage each year is by marking the date of the Boston Tea Party. This is the day when American colonists threw British tea into the Boston Harbor. They were protesting heavy taxation on imported goods, including tea. The anniversary of the Boston Tea Party falls on December 16 each year, and the whole city gets in on the celebration. Want to join in the celebration and honor the legacy of those early American patriots? Check out this guide to celebrating the Boston Tea Party.  Top Things to Do to Celebrate the Boston Tea Party The top things to do to celebrate the Boston Tea Party include... Watching the Boston Tea Party Reenactment Visiting the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museums Visiting the Old South Meeting House and more! Admission to many Boston attractions is included with the Go Boston pass. You could save up to 55% on admission vs gate price. Watch the Boston Tea Party Reenactment This annual evening-long reenactment honors the people whose dedication to American freedoms ultimately contributed to fomenting the American Revolution. Join people who’ve come in costume from across New England and protest all over again. You’ll start with a high-energy theatrical meeting at the Old South Meeting House. Then, you'll march to the Boston Harbor where Griffin’s Wharf once stood. You'll watch the Sons of Liberty reenactors destroy real chests of East India Company tea. This event sells out quickly, so buy tickets in advance! Visit the Old South Meeting House The place where the protests all began, the Old South Meeting House hosted the angry citizens of Boston as they argued, debated, and finally decided to protest that unfair British tax on tea. You can tour this building and explore the exhibits focused on the Boston Tea Party, Revolutionary-era America, and free speech today. It’s the oldest surviving building in Boston. Plus its downtown location makes for a perfect complement to a larger historically-focused itinerary. Walk the Freedom Trail Finally, here is one of the best ways to celebrate the legacy of the Boston Tea Party. Honor the Revolutionary spirit that Boston has long been famous for. Walk in the shoes of those colonial Americans who joined in the Tea Party protests, and who lived through the ensuing Revolutionary War. The Freedom Trail showcases many of the most important sites from this historic period, including the Boston Common, the site of the Boston Massacre, and Faneuil Hall. Several sites date from a few years after the war as well, like the Old State House. Save on Boston Tea Party Attractions Visit many of these historic Boston attractions with a Go Boston pass and save big. You’ll save up to 55% on admission versus buying your tickets individually. You can explore historic places like those listed above plus the Paul Revere House and more. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCityPass in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!
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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!
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