History

• Freedom Trail - a 2.5-mile-long (4.0 km) path through downtown Boston that passes by 16 locations significant to the history of the United States, including museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers.
• Boston African American National Historic Site & Black Heritage Trail - Boston, MA: Located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, this site and trail commemorates buildings and sites used for the Underground Railroad and the fight for African American rights during the 1800s. Accessible by T (subway).
• Charlestown Navy Yard & USS Constitution - Charlestown, MA: Take a tour of “Old Ironsides”, the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy. Accessible by T or ride-hailing app.
• John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum - Columbia Point, Boston, MA: This museum honors the life and presidential legacy of John F. Kennedy. It's located on the Columbia Point waterfront and housed inside a I.M. Pei-designed building. Accessible by T and a museum-run shuttle.
• Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum - dedicated to telling the story of the Boston Tea Party. Highlights include throwing "tea" overboard from one of two fully-restored 18th century sailing vessels. Accessible by T (red line) and a short walk. Close to New England Aquarium.
• United State Naval Shipbuilding Museum & USS Salem - Quincy, MA: Explore the only preserved U.S. Naval Heavy Cruiser and accompanying shipbuilding museum. Accessible by car.

Museums

• Museum of Fine Arts - Boston's biggest art museum. About 25 min walk from conference venue (or take bus 47 or CT2). Free admission with Bank of America or Merrill Lynch debit or credit card and a valid photo ID, on first full weekend of each month (including post-conference weekend!).
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Immersive art museum with plants, textiles, architecture, and furniture. About 25 min walk from conference venue (or take bus 47 or CT2).
• Museum of Science - Accessible by T to green line stop "Science Park".
• MIT Museum - located on the same street as the Kresge Auditorium.
• Harvard Museum of Natural History - Most famous exhibit is a selection of photorealistic glass flower that were use as teaching tool before powerpoint was invented. Take red line to "Harvard Square".
• ICA - Institute of Contemporary Art, a modern art museum. Located directly on the harbor, this is a good spot for a hot day - Take red line to South Station.

Like a Local

• Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market - historic market complex in downtown Boston; includes a variety of food stalls and restaurants.
• Newbury Street Shopping - Boston’s most famous shopping avenue with shops for everyone. Easily accessible by T.
• Boston Public Garden - The first public botanical garden in the U.S., which is still maintained in a Victorian style and offers the iconic swan boat rides around the lagoon. Easily accessible by T.
• Escape the Room Boston - Small groups solve a series of small puzzles in 60min to gain freedom and “escape the room” (book ahead). Easily accessible by T.
• WalkBoston - Self-Guided Tours of Boston’s Unique Neighborhoods. Various locations.
• Longfellow’s Café/ Lamplighter Brewing Co. - Cambridge, MA: Café/Brewery located in the heart of Cambridge. Accessible by ride-hailing app or T.
• Brooklyn Boulders - Somerville, MA: Climbing gym located just next door to Aeronaut Brewing Co. Accessible by ride-hailing app.
• The Lawn on D (check for event closures) - An interactive outdoor space with art exhibitions, lawn games, and free wifi located in South Boston. Accessible by ride-hailing app.
• High Tea at the Boston Public Library - have tea, scones and finger sandwiches at the beautiful Boston Public Library. Wednesday - Sunday. Reservations may be necessary; $39 - 45 for adults (less for kids).

Like a Tourist

• Skywalk Observatory at Prudential Center - Boston's only sky-high vantage point for sweeping 360 degree views of Greater Boston and beyond. Audio guides available for self-guided tour.

Family-friendly

• New England Aquarium - Highlights include lots of penguins and touch tank with manta rays. Accessible by T (red line) and a short walk. Close to Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
• Legoland - In Somervile, accessible by T.
• Boston Children's Museum - 2 minute walk from the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
• SkyZone Indoor Trampoline Park - Indoor trampoline park! What could possibly go wrong?
• Free municipal events throughout Boston- performing arts, participatory arts, summer fitness series. Various locations.

Outdoor Concerts

• MFA Concerts in the Courtyard - July 3 to August 28. Tickets are $30 for non-members.
• Boston Public Library Concerts in the Courtyard - Free, one-hour concerts with music that ranges from jazz to classical and from world to folk. Fridays at lunchtime and Wednesday evenings. accessible by T.
• Landmarks Orchestra Classical Concerts - Free concerts at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade. Wednesday evenings.
• Boston Harbor Hotel's Summer in the City Concerts - Free. Most weeknights until August 30.
• Berklee's Summer in the City Concerts - Many free concerts throughout the city, organized by the world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
• Harbourwalk Sounds (Tristan Simone) - Free. Every Thursday evening, near the Institute of Contemporary Art.

Farther Afield

• Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park - Ferries run daily to Georges Island and Spectacle Island (check ahead for tickets). Also, see our clambake excursion above. Long Wharf accessible by T.
• Arnold Arboretum - 281 acres of maintained public park and National Historic Park, which also acts as a Harvard-affiliated research institution. Located by Forest Hills (orange line).
• Minuteman Bike Rail Trail - Rail Trail bikeway from Alewife T Station (Cambridge) to Bedford, MA. Other nearby bikeways are detailed on their website. Accessible by T.
• “Fermentation District” - Everett, MA - Orange line to "Wellington" or use a ride-hailing app:
• Night Shift Brewing - Brewery with large taproom with plenty of boardgames, (Tours only on weekends.)
• Bone Up Brewing - Brewery with cozy taproom
• MetroRock Climbing Gym - Large climbing gym with top-roping and bouldering
• The Middlesex Fells Reservation - Hiking and Biking only ~7 miles from Boston. Accessible by ride-hailing app or car.
• Walden Pond State Reservation - Historic pond with walking trails and swimming. Accessible by car.
• Beaches - Many beaches are accessible by car north or south of Boston. This link lists just a few of them. Various locations.

Places of Worship

Boston is home to multiple venues of worship. For links to different faith, spiritual and religious spaces click here.