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 Uber/Lyft.
• 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. 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.
• Plymouth Rock - Plymouth, MA: See where the Pilgrims landed from the Mayflower, and go to the beach. Free admission, car required.

Museums

• Museum of Fine Arts - Boston's biggest art museum. About 35 min walk from conference venue (or take bus 47, CT2, or Red to Green Line E). Free admission with Bank of America debit or credit card and a valid photo ID, on first full weekend of each month (including post-conference weekend!). Discounts available for K-12 teachers and university students.
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - Immersive art museum with plants, textiles, architecture, and furniture. About 35 min walk from conference venue (or take bus 47 or CT2, or Red to Green Line E).
• Museum of Science - Accessible via the EZRide shuttle (free!), or a 30 minute walk from Kresge.
• MIT Museum - located in Kendall Square, about a 10 minute walk from the Kresge Auditorium.
• Harvard Museum of Natural History - Check out the photorealistic glass flowers! Take the Red Line to "Harvard Square" (2 stops from Kendall), or a 35 min walk.
• 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, then Silver Line to Courthouse.

Like a Local

• Boston Public Market Local vendors selling everything from donuts to candles and cheese. Accessible via T (Orange Line to "Haymarket").
• WalkBoston - Self-Guided Tours of Boston’s Unique Neighborhoods. Various locations.
• Pepita Cafe/ Lamplighter Brewing Co. - Cambridge, MA: Café/Brewery located in the heart of Cambridge. 15 min walk from MIT.
• The Lawn on D - An interactive outdoor space with art exhibitions, lawn games, and free wifi located in South Boston. Accessible by Silver Line to "World Trade Center".
• High Tea at the Boston Public Library - have tea, scones and finger sandwiches at the beautiful Boston Public Library. Tuesday - Sunday. Reservations necessary; $72 per person.

Like a Tourist

• Boston Public Garden - The first public botanical garden in the U.S., still maintained in a Victorian style with famous swan boat rides. Easily accessible by T.
• Newbury Street Shopping - Boston’s most famous shopping avenue with shops for everyone. Easily accessible by T, or a 20-30 minute walk from MIT.
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market - historic market complex in downtown Boston; includes a variety of food stalls and restaurants.
• View Boston at Prudential Center - Boston's only sky-high vantage point for sweeping 360 degree views of Greater Boston and beyond. Have a meal or a drink with a view at the restaurant or bar. ~30 min walk from MIT.

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 Discovery Center - In Somervile, accessible by T.
• Boston Children's Museum - 2 minute walk from the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Accessible via T (Red Line to "South Station")
• Beaches - Many beaches are accessible by car or T north or south of Boston.

Physical Activities - Walk, Hike, Bike, Climb

• Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park - Ferries run daily to Georges Island and Spectacle Island (check ahead for tickets). Long Wharf, accessible by T (Blue Line to "Aquarium").
• 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 T stop, end of the line).
• Minuteman Bike Rail Trail - Rail Trail bikeway from Alewife T Station (Cambridge) to Bedford, MA. Accessible by T.
• Bone Up Brewing - Brewery with cozy taproom
• MetroRock Climbing Gym - Large climbing gym with top-roping and bouldering
• Central Rock Gym - Climbing gym with multiple locations. Fenway and Harvard Square (~30 min walk from venue) have bouldering, Watertown and Arsenal Yards have rope climbing. Take the 70 bus to get to these two gyms.
• Boston Bouldering Project - Large climbing gym, 30-40 min walk from MIT with bouldering, top rope, and lead.
• The Middlesex Fells Reservation - Hiking and Biking only ~7 miles from Boston. Accessible by car, Uber/Lyft, or ~10 min walk from Orange Line T stop "Oak Grove" (end of the line).
• Walden Pond State Reservation - Historic pond with walking trails and swimming. Accessible by car.

Places of Worship

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