You don’t need major funds to have major fun in Boston; just look at these free activities.
We promise these free things to do are more than just an aimless walk in the park. Instead, we’re making sure you get well-researched, unique suggestions worth the trip.
Arts
Massachusetts Historical Society | Did you know Boston was kind of a big deal for early America? Yeah, you probably did. But did you know one of the top historical societies in the country is free and open to the public in Beantown?
Disasterpiece Theater | Good art is subjective, but we’re pretty sure these movies are straight up bad. That’s probably why they are free, and also why there’s a crowd of jokers roasting it the entire screening.
MIT List Visual Arts Center | Some of the world’s next best minds are at MIT, so it makes sense this contemporary art museum encourages experimentation. There is one consistent variable here: Free admission.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston | Explore paintings, sculptures, and more from some of history’s most renowned artists, and do so for free on Wednesday evenings.
Edu
The Central Library’s reading room should be on every new Bostonian’s bucket list.
Photo by @ma_nushi
Boston Public Library | Not only can you rent nearly any title you can think of, you’ll also be able to check out movies or shows, download free audiobooks, gain access to several streaming services, and view physical media like newspapers and magazines. And don’t get us started on all the discounts it offers to local museums...
The Brookline Public Library | Similarly to the Boston Public Library, getting your card here goes much further than just checking out books. Plus, we’re giving an extra call out to kid-friendly clubs hosted here, ages ranging from children to tween to teen.
New England Aquarium | There are a few different ways to get free entry into the aquarium (hint: library card), but we’re calling out Family Days. These take place every first and second Saturday + Sunday of the month where school-aged kids and their parents get in free.
USS Constitution | While admission to the museum is ticketed, tours of the massive naval warship are free and first-come, first-serve. The ship was created in 1797, named by President George Washington, and used in the War of 1812.
Outdoors
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard | You don’t need to be a star student to take a tour of Harvard’s campus. This plant-based museum is always free and open to the public with the goal of teaching the world about trees and plants.
The Lawn On D | How often can you find a place that offers fun for kids, entertainment for adults, and no admission fee? That’s a win-win-win in our book, and we take those everytime.
Boston Common | When an outdoor space has been around since 1634, we think it’s worth checking out, especially when it’s free.
Boston Public Garden | Look — we aren’t sending you to just any old garden. This is the first-ever public botanical garden in American history. It dates back to 1839 and has since been filled with native and foreign trees, most notably, the weeping willow.
