Whether you are visiting this city for the first time, the tenth time or if you are a local resident, there is always something to do.
A couple of factors to first consider are the time of year you are visiting, the weather, and the age of other travelers with you. Most activities listed are open year round. However, some of the activities that involve water may be closed for part of the winter, and if open may be a bit chilly for some.
Here are arguably the top 10 tourist attractions in Boston.

1. Duck Tour
This tour takes you around the city in a land and water vehicle. You will learn interesting facts about the city as your guide drives you around town. Then, you see Boston from an entirely different perspective as your vehicle floats into the Charles River.

2. New England Aquarium
Visit marine life in many forms at this great aquarium. There is lots to see and do for all ages here.

3. Whale Watching
There a few companies that offer whale watches (one is through the aquarium). Most all companies guarantee that you will see whales or they will give you a free ticket to come back for another try.

4. Walk the Freedom Trail
Take a step back in time and learn about the people and places that made Boston famous in the American Revolution. You can take a self guided tour with a Freedom Trail map or you can find many different, knowledgeable guides who will take you on a guided tour.

5. Visit Faneuil Hall
This old, historic marketplace was a gathering place for many politicians and colonists back in the day. Now, you can visit the marketplace and stroll around the surrounding stores. You will find many local street performers in and around the area. You will also find great food, fun and souvenirs here.

6. Eat in the North End
This area is one of Boston’s biggest Italian neighborhoods. The restaurants and atmosphere are wonderful.

7. Ride The Swan Boats
These boats are found in Boston Common and grace the waters of the area. Anyone who has read Trumpet of the Swan will be familiar with these boats.

8. The Museum of Science
This museum has some incredible exhibits. Visitors of any age will enjoy learning something new about planets, gravity or electricity- to name a few- at this hands on museum. The museum also has an IMAX theater.

9. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
This museum boasts the art collection of Ms. Gardner. She was one of Boston’s well to do residents in the 1800s and was friendly with John Singer Sargent, the painter. You will find some of his work as well as that of famous European artists there. The Italian architecture of both the courtyard and museum are beautiful

10. Visit Newbury Street
This area has some of the best Boston shopping. You can stroll throughout this street and some of the surrounding streets for great fashion, accessories and home accents.

Certainly, with the many things to do in this city, there is a Boston attraction or Boston event for everyone.

It is in Boston that many of the historic events that shaped the history of our country transpired and where the founding fathers of the United States first came up with the ideals that framed our Constitution, and this is the biggest reason that Boston is a hot tourist attraction. There are many historic sites in Boston proper, including Boston Harbor – which is famous for its role in the American Revolution, and has become famous today for its great restaurants that sit on the harbor. Cheap flights to Boston will take some pinch out of the pocket.

Boston is such a compact city that walking around from sight to sight is no big deal. Shopping is a big draw in Boston – specifically Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, decorated to look like historical landmarks. Freedom Trail takes the traveler back three hundred years in two miles. There is a red brick path that will take the followers on the path back to the beginnings of the Revolutionary War. The USS Constitution is the oldest war ship that is still afloat and tours are offered daily. Haymarket is Boston’s own farmers market located in downtown Boston; this open air market has a great selection of seafood and other fresh foods. Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods with quaint shops, cobblestone roads, gas light lamps and great parks. Checking out Harvard is a must while in Boston; the museums that are on campus are world class and full of interesting artifacts. Harvard Square is loaded with over three hundred street performers. There are quite a few museums in Boston – the MIT museum is different than any other museum around and it displays all manner of robot and other new technology, which is truly fascinating for the technology buff. The North End of Boston is an Italian American community that host great bakeries and restaurants. Samuel Adams Brewery should also make the list of must-sees in Boston. You might also want to take a peek at Fenway Park where some of the most devoted diehard fans in the world cheer their Red Socks on.

Boston is saturated in history and old world charm. The Bostonians are a gracious bunch and make tourists feel welcome. A lot of the sights in Boston are free. There is a nominal charge for admission to some of the museums to offset costs of operation. Walking around the city and soaking up the history is for certainly free and will be one of the best remembered activities. There are always festivals of one kind or another happening in Boston. The Boston Pops put on free concerts during the summer, and their Fourth of July show can’t be beat. Cheap flights to Boston make it all possible. Getting to Boston and staying for awhile can be done even on a shoe string budget.