9 Things To Do In Boston To Make Your Trip Memorable

No matter where your interests lie, you can always find fun in the Hub. The best things to do in Boston run the gamut—from seriously entertaining to awesomely educational. Looking for culture? Spend a day exploring Boston's museums. Hungry? You've come to the right place because there are tons of amazing restaurants in Boston that highlight the city's rich and diverse culinary landscape. We've searched all across the city to assemble this list of the best things to do in Boston. Follow it and never get bored here again.

# Wander around Boston Common and the Public Garden

The dual jewels of the Emerald Necklace perfectly reflect the vision of the venerated landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Depending on the season, you can ice-skate on Frog Pond, play softball or tennis, or simply lounge with a book on the 50-acre Boston Common. Across Charles Street, the smaller Public Garden shines in its own right. It’s the perfect park, with pathways designed for promenading, formal flower beds and a petite lagoon fringed with weeping willows.

# Stroll the Greenway

The expansive park covers 15 acres connecting the Chinatown Gate with the iconic Zakim Bridge. During the day, people stroll, bike and lounge along its length, which is dotted with fountains and serviced by food trucks, making the area the perfect warm-weather hangout.

# Sunbathe on the Esplanade

With a refreshing breeze continuously coming off the water, the Esplanade attracts runners, cyclists or anyone looking to take a stroll. If you’re lucky, you can snag one of the highly coveted benches that are peppered throughout this pedestrian paradise. Otherwise, you can seek shade under one of its many trees and haul out some packed picnic supplies.

# Head out on the Charles

Boston loves that dirty water, especially now that it’s not that dirty anymore. On warm days, the Charles is flowing with activity, with everyone from the Harvard Crew Team to casual kayakers putting their watercrafts into the river. If you want a piece of the aquatic action and don’t own a boat, rentals are available from organizations like Community Boating Boston.

# Go hard on a Southie Sunday

In more recent years, South Boston has become known for its high concentration of young professionals who are always down for a good time. Sundays are no exception, and nearby restaurants cater to the crowds with creative brunch specials, buckets of bubbles and lots of beer. Kick off your Sunday Funday festivities at popular brunch spots like Lincoln, The Broadway and Loco. True troopers continue their day drinking at bars like Stats and Lucky’s Lounge.

# Listen to live music outside on Rowes Wharf

Held on the beautiful Rowes Wharf each summer, this seasonal series allows city dwellers to enjoy evenings of local live music and harbor views. Attendees typically amplify their alfresco experience by grabbing a refreshing cocktail or plate of fresh seafood on the patio of Rowes Wharf Grille or Harborwalk Terrace. However, these events, which run every Tuesday through Thursday at 6-10pm are totally open to the public, so all are welcome to come and watch.

# Try one or all of the city’s freshest lobster rolls

The best lobster dishes in Boston feature this beloved crustacean in a variety of ways, but a fresh lobster roll is a solid option any time of the year. Sourced from cold waters along the New England coast, chunks of sweet lobster meat are removed from the shell, allowing diners to enjoy all of the flavor with none of the mess. Classic versions, like the famed roll at Neptune Oyster, are served hot or cold on a humble toasted bun, while more modern versions—see Eventide Fenway's brown butter lobster roll on a Chinese-style bun—are a bit more upscale.

# Explore the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

As per Gardner’s explicit instructions, the museum stands “for the education and enrichment of the public forever.” The ISG’s most famous treasures remain exactly where Gardner had arranged them, including the empty frames that once held priceless works of art stolen during the infamous 1990 theft. The museum also boasts a flower-filled courtyard that blooms all year long.

# Take a hike

Whether it’s climbing scenic wooded preserves or exploring waterfront trails, these Boston hikes are perfect for walking off the chaos of downtown. Just a few minutes outside of Boston proper is the 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation with 125 miles of pristine hiking trails. Climb to the top of Great Blue Hill and enjoy an unmatched view of the Hub's skyline.