Published: August 15, 2023
Boston won’t top any lists when it comes to low-cost destinations, as residents and visitors alike can attest to. Still, as high-dollar as the city can be, Boston is also where you can find any number of free, or affordable, attractions and activities. Here are some of AAA’s picks for low-cost things to do on your next visit.
The Boston Common’s 48 acres of green space offer an outdoor escape. In warm months, pedal a swan boat, frolic on the playground, take a spin on the carousel or just spread a blanket on the lawn and take a nap. Cross Charles Street to pose for a selfie with the beloved “Make Way for Ducklings” statues at the Public Garden, a AAA GEM® attraction. When the weather cools off, put on some skates and practice your spins on Frog Pond. Admission is free; there’s a fee for skate rental.
Visitors to Boston’s no-cost Public Library can expect to see some significant artwork, including two supersized lion sculptures and rooms covered in breathtaking murals by Daniel Chester French and John Singer Sargent. A lovely courtyard in the style of a 16th-century Roman palace separates the library’s twin buildings.
The Bunker Hill Monument, a AAA GEM® attraction, is a 221-foot-tall granite obelisk that pays homage to one of the most important conflicts of the American Revolution. Challenge yourself to climb up the 294-step spiral staircase to reach the observation deck—it’s worth it for the sweeping city views. Cross the street and check out the Battle of Bunker Hill Museum, where you can see a 360-degree cyclorama painting that portrays the battle in great detail.
A must-see for history buffs, this museum houses a small but noteworthy collection of rare documents, including one of 14 original copies of the Declaration of Independence, signed by John Hancock and one of 14 original copies of the Bill of Rights, signed by John Adams. The 1629 Massachusetts Bay Colony Charter, the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution and a copper-plate etching of the Boston Massacre by Paul Revere also are on display.
Shoppers from the world over unite at this gathering place that swarms with tourists no matter the time of year. Foodies will delight in the abundance of budget-priced eateries that line both sides of Quincy Market. Watch buskers, entertainers and artists perform in the marketplace’s pedestrian malls.
The true standout of the Mary Baker Eddy Library, the Mapparium is a room that puts you in the middle of the world as you step inside (via a bisecting bridge) a dazzling three-story globe made of multicolored stained glass. The room’s acoustics account for cool sound effects; for example, if you stand at one end of the room and whisper, someone at the other end will hear you. Adult admission is just $6.
If you need a refresher course on Colonial history, especially when it comes to the events leading up to the American Revolution, this AAA GEM® attraction should be a stop on your trip. An enthusiastic tour guide will fill you in on how the major players and lesser-known but equally important men and women figured into the founding of the United States. Admission is $10 per adult.
Easily one of the best things to come out of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project (better known as the Big Dig), the Rose Kennedy Greenway fills the void where once sprawled I-93 as it made its way through the city's center. You’ll find festivals, art exhibits and other free-to-attend events along the Greenway throughout the year, as well as the Greenway Open Market and the Greenway Artisan Market.
Originally housed in a small space on Newbury Street in the Back Bay area, the ICA shifted to Boylston Street and finally, in 2006, to a dedicated, 65,000 square-foot building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro on Fan Pier. Admission is free on Thursdays from 5 pm to 9 pm, but remember to book in advance, as free tickets are limited.
Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest university in the country and the alma mater of eight U.S. presidents and many of America’s most renowned literary, artistic and scientific figures. M.I.T. is no less impressive, counting Buzz Aldrin, Kofi Annan and many others. Both offer free guided tours or you can tour them at your own pace using the Visit Harvard or MIT Mobile apps.
Franklin Park is Boston’s largest, covering 527 acres across the Jamaica Plain, Roxbury and Dorchester neighborhoods in the city’s southern expanse. The secluded woodland along the park's north end is known as Long Crouch Woods, where there used to be a public zoo featuring the Old Bear Dens. Once home to grizzly, black and polar bears, the dens were emptied in 1954 and abandoned in 1971, but you can still visit the iron cages and view the magnificent stone bear sculptures for a glimpse into Boston’s past.
Situated on D Street in the historically working-class Irish American South Boston neighborhood, this free-to-enter park is typically described as an “outdoor event space” with a rotating lineup of free live musical performances, art exhibitions, lawn games and more. Don’t miss the highly Instagrammable LED swings.
Opened in 2018, the ICA Watershed has been celebrated as a revitalizing institution for the city’s waterfront. Located in a formerly condemned 15,000-square-foot sheet metal facility, it’s the museum’s venue for large-scale artworks and exhibitions. If you want to visit both locations and have a little money to spare, the ICA offers ferry tickets for $5 linking the main building to the waterfront annex.
If you’re planning to visit Harvard, don’t miss the Arnold Arboretum, the university’s free, 260-acre outdoor tree and plant museum. Trails, gardens, lawns and wooded areas fill the space, with over 16,000 unique plant and flower species from across the world on display and an extensive bonsai tree collection.
Winding through the heart of Beacon Hill, the Black Heritage Trail guides visitors through a series of sites that played pivotal roles in the abolitionist movement and the fight for civil rights. Notable landmarks include the African Meeting House, the oldest Black church building in the United States and the Abiel Smith School, where you can find free trail maps.
Boston University’s Judson B. Coit Observatory offers free stargazing every Wednesday evening. Dress for outdoor weather and book in advance, since limited tickets are available.
When you feel the need to explore Boston’s natural scenery, head to the Blue Hills, a 7,000-acre park due south of the city. Aside from over 100 miles of trails, visitors can take in panoramic views of the area or take part in activities like rock climbing, boating and fishing.
The North End’s 44 Hull Street, better known as the Skinny House, is the original spite house. Local legend says that the structure was built by Joseph Euestus, who came home after serving in the Civil War to discover that his brother had taken over more than half of the land left to them by their father. It’s a private residence, so you can’t go inside, but the photos you can take more than makeup for that.
This 11-mile-long trail, starting at Alewife station, is a great, free way to exercise and get out of the city to see some of the charming towns in the surrounding area. Despite the name, you can travel along the bikeway on foot. Make sure you stop at Arlington’s Spy Pond for a taste of local history and a break along the way.
Open Market is open every Sunday from May to October. Visitors can see what’s on offer from over 200 vendors and artists, including jewelry, vintage clothing, delicious food and much more. SoWa Market is kid- and pet-friendly, making this a great budget-friendly day out for families.
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