Boston may be a notoriously—and increasingly—expensive place to live, let alone raise a family, but not every activity in the Hub will cost you your firstborn. In fact, many perfectly fun, perfectly family-oriented activities are perfectly free. While Boston’s free fun activities almost certainly number in the hundreds, here are 20 to get you started—in no particular order.
1. Visit the Make Way for Ducklings statue
Where: Charles Street, Boston, MA
Children love the iconic statue depicting the 1941 Robert McCloskey ducks in Boston Common, which is always open and always free for their enjoyment. It definitely makes a sweet photo op of the kids, too!
When: The Common is open all day, 365 days a year.
2. Stargaze at BU
On “clear Wednesdays” in the evening, Boston University’s observatory opens its doors to those wishing to view the night sky through high-powered telescopes and binoculars. Check its Twitter account for the latest scheduling news and be sure to reserve your tickets beforehand.
When: Wednesdays at 7:30pm (winter) or 8:30pm (summer), weather permitting.
3. Enjoy music with a view
Free concerts abound in Boston, but add in a fantastic view, and it’s just magic. For amazing local tunes and arguably the best view of Boston’s skyline, head over to East Boston’s Piers Park on a Summer Sunday evening for the ZUMIX Summer Concert Series. Across the Harbor, enjoy free blues, soul, and Rat Pack tribute music at the Boston Harbor Hotel as part of Summer in the City entertainment series.
When: ZUMIX concerts are on Sundays in the summer; Summer in the City offers concerts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at sundown.
4. Walk the Freedom Trail
This is one of the city’s best free experiences because it takes you to so many historic places in so little time. Do as much or as little of the 2.5-mile trail, which takes you by 16 locations throughout Boston from the Common to Charlestown. (Some sights, like the Paul Revere House, do require a small admission for entry.)
When: Walk the Freedom Trail any day of the week, but if you’re set on visiting certain spots, you’ll have to check if they are open.
5. Stroll the Harborwalk
When completed, Boston’s Harborwalk will feature 47 miles of continuous public walking path, stretching from Dorchester to East Boston. The stretches of Harborwalk near the Seaport, Long Wharf, and the North End are complete and offer some of the best views and parks anywhere in the city. Read our picks along the Harborwalk here.
When: Harborwalk is open always. The Harbor Association hosts events on occasion, which you can find here.
6. Attend a playgroup
For kids not yet old enough to attend Boston Public Schools, there are fun and educational Play to Learn Playgroups in almost every neighborhood, where kids engage in supervised free play, circle time, snack time and are supported in their growing literacy and reading.
When: Playgroups happen Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm, depending on your neighborhood.
7. Tour a museum for free
Boston Public Library offers a limited number of free museum passes to BPL cardholders, saving you bundles on admission to spots like the Museum of Science, Harvard Museum of Natural History and the New England Aquarium. See the BPL website or your local branch to reserve your passes, and check out which museums have passes available.
When: Any day that the museums are open; you can reserve one pass per museum every 30 days and school vacation weeks may be more limited.
8. Catch a summer flick on the harbor
It doesn’t matter if you can’t afford to stay at the Boston Harbor Hotel during the summer! With the moonlit Harbor as a backdrop, the ritzy hotel projects classic films both old and new onto a huge screen for anyone and everyone to enjoy.
When: Friday nights at dusk as part of Summer in the City.
9. Peruse a festival
If the sun is shining in Boston, chances are there’s a family festival happening somewhere—from the religious feasts in the North End to the completely free (and family-friendly) Outside the Box music festival on the Common each summer. Other favorites include Kids Really Rock at the Lawn on D and Hubub Festival.
When: Check Mommy Nearest to know about the best festivals coming each month to Boston!
10. Visit the MFA on Hump Day
Where: 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
After 4pm on Wednesdays, and all day on many federal holidays, the Museum of Fine Arts flings wide its historic doors and invites the city in, free of charge. Many federal holidays (MLK Day, for example) MFA has organized tons of family-centric art activities and performances as well.
When: Wednesdays after 4pm, Martin Luther King Jr., Day, Lunar New Year Celebration, Memorial Day, Fall Open House.
11. Relax or play at The Lawn on D
Where: 420 D Street, Boston, MA
The Lawn on D, a pocket park in the Seaport District that both relaxes visitors and inspires creativity, is in its third experimental year of existence. Toss some cornhole, sit in the oversized decorative hanging chairs or bring your own fun to this creative and funky space.
When: Every day from 7am to 10pm.
12. Warm yourself with a beach campfire
The state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation plays host to periodic campfires on beaches in and around Boston, some of which feature a DJ, s’mores, and tidepool tours. Check the DCR event page for details.
When: Check events page for exact dates.
13. Go to Walden Pond
Every kid should learn about minimalist Henry David Thoreau, and where better to do so than in Concord, on and around the pond where he went to “live deliberately.” The nearby deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum is another one of our area favorites.
When: 5am until half an hour after sunset daily.
14. Do a grave rubbing
Stroll through the Granary Burying Ground—where Paul Revere is buried and where stones commemorate Samuel Adams and James Otis—and pay special attention to the iconography on the older headstones. Pack some tracing paper and a crayon and do a rubbing as a keepsake.
When: Open from 10am to 5pm daily.
15. Learn to sail
Youth living in Boston can go to sailing camp on Boston Harbor in the summertime—cost-freethrough programs at the gorgeous Piers Park Sailing Center on the East Boston waterfront.
When: Open for sailing from April 15 to November 15 (except July 4) from 10am to sunset.
16. Enjoy Shakespeare in the Park
Each summer since 1996, the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company has put on one of William’s plays on Boston Common, completely free of charge. Families from all over the city pack a picnic and enjoy a beautiful evening under the stars with the Bard.
When: Tuesday to Sunday in July and August.
17. Ice skate on the harbor
Well, not on the Harbor, but next to it. Last winter, Boston Harbor Hotel opened a small rink underneath its iconic arched dome and invited the city to come skate for free. (Note: skating has ended for the season but will resume in November; also, BHH charges for skate rentals, but if you bring your own, you’re golden!)
When: Winter on the Wharf opens late November through mid-March.
18. Explore Boston Public Library
Where: 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA
The nation’s first library system has a pretty impressive Central Branch in Copley Square, which features gorgeous art and architecture, rotating exhibits and events and a Boston maps display that everyone in the family will love. And don’t forget about the newly renovated Children’s Room!
When: 9am to 9pm Monday to Thursday; 9am to 5pm Friday to Sunday.
19. Watch Brady and Gronk
…practice at the Patriots’ Training Camp, which happens at Gillette Stadium each July. It’s completely free, which means it’s about $300 less than what you’d pay to watch a regular season game.
When: July and August; check the site for an updated schedule.
20. Tour the State House
Where: 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA
The epicenter of the Commonwealth’s democracy is a surprisingly fun (and free!) place to bring the family. Before you go, check out the trivia and other resources at the State House “Kids’ Zone” to maximize your experience.
When: Tours are given weekdays from 10am to 3:30pm year-round.
Photo credits: Fotolia/alfredo914, Fotolia/Shakzu, Lola Chun Zhou/Summer on the Waterfront, Patrick Rogers, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism/Feeney, Chuck Choi, Lawn on D, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (2), Timothy Neesam, New England Patriots/David Silverman, Natalia Bratslavsky
