Boston is the capital and most populous city of the Massachusetts Commonwealth in the United States and the country’s 24th most populated metropolis. Its vibrant streets, red-brick buildings, historical neighborhoods, bustling harbor, and picturesque shoreline are just a few of the many features that make the city one of Massachusetts’ most important economic and cultural hubs.
Unlike any other, it is an American city, offering people under 21 to relive history, immerse themselves in the arts, cheer on native sports teams, explore museums and parks, find the “secrets” of harbor islands, and indulge at local shops and restaurants.
If you are under 21 and looking for exciting activities, consider visiting Boston, and this list will help you plan your trip at any time of the year.
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1. Fenway Park
Fenway Park, baseball’s oldest and most recognizable stadium, is located outside downtown Boston. It has been the home of generations of Red Sox supporters for nearly a century. Despite its age, this renowned stadium, which dates back to 1912, has many of the same attributes it had when it first opened.
Outside of Fenway Park before games, there is an enthralling and exhilarating environment. Before each contest, the streets around the stadium are blocked to allow fans to socialize and enjoy live music, delicious cuisine, and the camaraderie of other Red Sox fans.
Treat yourself to a Fenway Frank, snuggled in a New England–style hot dog bun, for a traditional stadium eating experience.
What is it about the Fenway Frank that makes it so unique? Unlike other stadium hot dogs, Fenway Franks are boiled and then gently cooked, typically steamed or grilled. It retains all of the juiciness of a boiled dog while maintaining the “just-grilled” snap.
2. Museum of Fine Arts
With about half a million pieces of art in its collection, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is the seventh biggest museum in the United States. It ranked among the top 50 most visited museums in 2016.
The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most comprehensive collections in the Americas, with 8,161 paintings and over 450,000 artworks. In terms of public gallery space, it is the world’s 20th largest art museum.
Don’t miss the enormous French Impressionist and Classical art exhibitions from Pompeii’s Villa of the Contrado Bottaro, which contains a breathtaking array of French Impressionist paintings.
3. Freedom Trail
One of Boston’s finest experiences is walking the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail has a 2.5-mile path that leads to 16 significant places during the Revolutionary War. It begins in Boston Common and concludes (or begins) at the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill, depending on how you choose. You’ll pass through old churches, meeting halls, cemeteries, and battlegrounds.
Learn about Paul Revere’s midnight ride, historic meetinghouses and churches, and conflicts and events that led to the Revolutionary War’s commencement on this tour.
Among the 16 sites, don’t miss the Massachusetts State House. It is a state capitol building constructed in 1798 and serves as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s seat of government. It is free to visit, and you can arrange a building tour.
4. North End
The North End, often known as Little Italy in Boston, is a labyrinth of small streets lined with some of the city’s most historic structures.
The North End is filled with the essence of its strong Italian heritage, with hundreds of cafés selling handmade pasta, fresh-baked loaves of bread, cannoli, and espresso. In the summer, the North End comes alive with festivals and processions.
Paul Revere’s residence, the Old North Church, and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground are just a few historic landmarks scattered across Boston’s oldest residential area.
Visitors to the North End mostly come to eat. There are approximately 100 restaurants and bakeries to pick from. The majority of food is Italian. Diners can select between a giant and boisterous restaurant with wandering singers and a peaceful nook of a bit café with just a handful of tables.
If you’re in the mood for pizza, pay a visit to the legendary Regina Pizzeria, which has been selling slices of pizza since 1926. Also, don’t forget to get a delectable dessert from Mike’s Pastry or Modern Pastry on Hanover Street.
5. Boston Common
Boston Common is a public park at the heart of downtown Boston. It is the oldest municipal park in the United States, established in 1634. The 50-acre park is ringed by a pentagon of five of Boston’s most famous streets: Beacon, Boylston, Charles, Park, and Tremont Streets.
Wandering about the park, taking in the beautiful scenery, and attending one of the numerous events throughout the year are some of the things to do at Boston Common.
If you live in the town or travel with your dog, the Boston Common’s off-leash canine program, the Common Canine, is for you. It’s been operating since 2013, and it’s the first certified off-leash area in a non-fenced public park, allowing dogs to get some exercise.
When you’re here, don’t forget the Frog Pond. It is the Boston Common’s most famous landmark, which attracts people year-round for various activities. The pond serves as an ice skating rink with a skating school during the winters.
Also, if you’re a yoga enthusiast, take advantage of the free courses available throughout the warm weather months. It is another excellent site for a park picnic, so don’t forget to bring a blanket!
6. USS Constitution Museum
The USS Constitution, launched in 1797, is considered the world’s oldest commissioned warship. This three-masted frigate cruised the Caribbean in pursuit of pirates, crisscrossing the globe.
The renowned ship, docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard, serves as a floating museum available to the public. Additionally, it serves as a station for the Freedom Trail and the Old Town Trolley.
Every day, you with your family can learn about the War of 1812 at the USS Constitution Museum. Their memories will inspire you with actual stories of people who fought for the country in 1812.
The USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) is the focal point in this combat. Don’t miss swinging in a hammock and furl a sail as sailors did two centuries ago to get a memorable experience.
7. Boston Harbor Islands
Consider riding a ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands if you want to go outside in the greater Boston region. There are several fun things to do and see on this collection of 34 islands in Massachusetts Bay, including historic sites, hiking trails, beaches, animals, and more.
Hiking on Spectacle Island, which covers 114 acres, is terrific. There are 5 miles of paths here, including one that goes to the harbor’s highest peak, which provides spectacular views of Boston’s cityscape.
Lovells Island is where to go if you want to dip your toes into the sand. At low tide, 71 acres are added to the island’s landmass, and you’ll discover isolated shorelines and tidepools.
In the meanwhile, history enthusiasts will enjoy a trip to Georges Island. Fort Warren is located on Georges Island, and the United States government used it to monitor and train Union soldiers and Confederate house captives during the Civil War.
Don’t miss visiting Peddocks Island, the Boston Harbor Islands’ biggest, which has something for everyone. This island is a popular camping destination, with attractive hiking routes that meander through coastal woods, headlands linked by tombolos, and the island’s largest beach.
8. Faneuil Hall Marketplace
The Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a prominent and historic market plaza in Boston that attracts thousands of tourists each year to see the scene of debates, demonstrations, gatherings, and marketplaces over the previous 275 years.
There are 30 food stalls with international cuisine and a good serving of local favorites here.
The Quincy Food Market, created after the community’s demands exceeded the old Faneuil Hall building, is one of Faneuil Hall’s most popular restaurants.
If you’re seeking new clothes, souvenirs or want to window shop, Faneuil Hall Marketplace is the place to go. It offers garments, jewelry, shoes, souvenirs, and unique items at its stores.
Also, don’t forget to watch street performers, musicians, singers, and buskers in the plaza where they often perform. Faneuil Hall can sometimes hire school groups, church choirs, and other events to keep visitors entertained.
You never know who will be performing; hence it’s a terrific way for the entire family to enjoy some free entertainment!
9. Newbury Street
Newbury Street’s elegant 19th-century brownstones are home to hundreds of business outlets and cafes, making it a popular shopping, eating, and entertainment zone. It is known as the most expensive sidewalk globally due to its many luxury boutiques and businesses.
The renowned Newbury Street shopping district in Boston’s posh Back Bay neighborhood is home to internationally famous designers like Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, trendy Rag & Bone, Betsy Janney, and L’Elite.
Let’s say Newbury Street doesn’t have what you want. In that case, nearby Boylston Street, Prudential Center, and Copley Place offer a diverse selection of international boutiques such as Gucci and Saint Laurent. It also has national brands such as Neiman Marcus, unique local shops, mid-range to big-box retailers, and department stores – in short, everything you could want is available here.
While you’re here, don’t forget to visit Nike Boston! With an entire floor devoted to running gear and premium running shoes, this unique brand shop, a two-story sanctuary of everything Nike, showcases the city’s enthusiasm for running.
10. New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium, located on the picturesque Central Wharf, has over a dozen exhibits with hundreds of different species from all over the globe. The Boston Waterfront attraction, which draws 1.3 million people each year, recreates natural ecosystems such as reefs, tidal pools, and rocky shorelines.
The Great Ocean Tank (GOT), a colossal 200,000-gallon structure, is the New England Aquarium’s highlight. At the top of the cylindrical GOT is the Yawkey Coral Reef Center, a remarkably constructed reef surrounded by heated Boston Harbor saltwater.
It is home to approximately 100 fish, sharks, sea turtles, eels, barracudas, and tropical fish. A spiral stairway equipped with 52 viewing windows provides a range of perspectives on the reef. As staff members dive into the tank to clean it and engage with the creatures, you can even observe it.
Once you’re here, it is an excellent opportunity to watch or participate in educational and entertaining live animal shows throughout the day. The Great Ocean Tank Talks will inform you about the organisms that inhabit the massive exhibit and the care provided by the aquarium personnel.
Also, the crew will educate you about the aquarium’s three penguin species. Additionally, you can join harbor seal and fur seal training classes to learn how the team keeps these creatures healthy and active.
11. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
You can be a part of the legendary event that permanently altered the direction of the history of America at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum! This floating museum, located on the Congress Street Bridge in Boston, Massachusetts, is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. It’s more than just a walk through history — it’s an experience!
Live performers, high-tech interactive displays, authentically reconstructed tea ships, and the moving multi-sensory documentary “Let it Begin Here” are some of the sights, sounds, and sensations you’ll encounter.
Your Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum tour will last around an hour and take you through many interconnecting exhibits. The tour allows you to engage in, explore, and learn about the people, events, and effects that led up to the American Revolution (which happened over 230 years ago) in chronological order.
If you are under 21, don’t miss meeting the colonists, examining the ships, and spilling tea overboard, precisely as the Sons of Liberty did on December 16, 1773. Also, visit Abigail’s Tea Room for a cup of tea and the Gift Shop for unique items.
This list can help you plan your trip. Those are a few excellent ones to get you started!
We hope this post sparked your desire to visit these beautiful spots in Boston. Were you inspired to add any new places after reading this article? Let us know your thoughts below.