USS Constitution in Boston
You’ve done the typical free things in Boston — people-watching at Faneuil Hall, strolling the Freedom Trail, and feeding the ducks at Boston Common. But what now? Here’s a handful of free things every traveler should see in Beantown:
Art & Culture: Take a Free Museum Tour
Like most metropolitan cities in the U.S., Boston is home to dozens of world class museums. For budget travelers, knowing when to go is key as certain museums offer free – or deeply discounted – admission on specific days of the week and times of year. The Institute of Contemporary Art is a great crash course in contemporary art history and culture. Every Thursday throughout the year, the museum offers free admission from 5pm to 9pm.
The city’s Museum of Fine Arts is among the largest of its kind in the country, with more than 450,000 artifacts on display. Admission is free on a number of annual Free Community days (check the website schedule) and every Wednesday after 4pm (though a $10 donation is suggested).
Historical Attractions: Understand Boston’s Colonial Past
The USS Constitution, a.k.a. “Old Ironsides”, is officially the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat. While that’s technically true, its primary use is as one of the country’s most interesting educational centers for military history. Free tours begin every half hour from 10am to 3:50pm Tuesday through Sunday throughout the year.
Touring a library isn’t likely tops on any traveler’s bucket list. But Boston’s Public Library was the United States’ first free municipal library – a concept that inspired the country’s modern library system. Free daily tours are available from October through May.
Food & Drink: Eat and Imbibe Your Way Around Beantown
A large part of Boston’s history is firmly rooted in food and drink. The city is home to some of the best farmer’s markets in the country. The Boston Public Market at Haymarket is now a permanent feature of the city with fresh produce from around the state.
Sam Adams may be at the top of the heap for Boston craft breweries, but it’s no longer the only game in town. Harpoon Brewery offers free tours of their waterfront facility. A short drive from downtown, Wachusett Brewing and Night Shift Brewing offer tours of their Westminster and Everett facilities respectively. The latter is located in a glorified warehouse which will keep true hopheads happy with its no-nonsense, under-the-radar atmosphere. If you can’t decide, or you’d rather leave the planning to someone else, check out a full guided tour of Boston’s Breweries.
Outdoors: Explore the Water in Downtown Boston
The Esplanade may well be one of the most beautiful waterfront parks in the country. The three-mile long public park stretches from the Boston University Bridge to the Museum of Science. Rain, shine, or snow, it’s constantly bustling with joggers, hikers, dog walkers, and families out for a stroll. For a few dollars, it’s worth noting that the best way to experience the Charles River is to actually get out on the water via kayak, canoe, or paddleboard.
See all that Boston has to offer with these tours!
- Contributed by Mike Richard