The 36 best free attractions in Cambridge

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit after a nice casual stroll through campus. Easy flow to follow for each floor. Not crowded which gives you plenty of time to view each piece of your choosing with graceful time. IMO a top 10 attraction of Boston for art and culture. Recommended with enthusiasm.

One of the most impressive and refreshing things about the Harvard Art Museums is that some of them are free and open to the public. In a world where admission fees can be a barrier, it’s genuinely inspiring to see an institution choosing to open its doors for people to learn, explore, and experience art without restriction. The space itself is beautifully curated—classic yet modern—and filled with pieces that span centuries and cultures. It’s a manageable size too, so you’re not overwhelmed, but still walk away feeling enriched. One personal highlight: I had just read a post online about the ballerina sculpture, and then, completely by coincidence, saw it in person a few days later. There’s something really special about stumbling across a piece you’ve only seen on a screen—it hits differently. That moment stayed with me. The museum experience is peaceful, thoughtful, and genuinely educational. Whether you’re deeply into art or just curious, it’s worth stopping by if you’re in Cambridge. I love that Harvard has created a space that feels welcoming, not intimidating. This isn’t just for students or scholars—it’s for everyone. And that makes it even more memorable.

An absolute gem of a museum! Free admission for everyone (not sure if this is true always or just on the day I happened to go), and just a few small stories that can be explored within a single day. The collection was well-curated and easy to navigate, with informative descriptions of each piece. There is something for everyone here. The gift shop is cute and has a good selection of post cards, too!

This museum is fantastic, and much bigger than expected. I highly recommend it if anyone is visiting Boston. You can easily spend 3+ hours seeing it all, so plan accordingly. The only negative is we had to drop somebody off at the curb to go inside for a $23 parking permit before we could use the 52 Oxford St. parking garage, even though there is a person at the booth to get into the garage. Why couldn’t we just purchase it right there?

What a beautifully curated and wonderfully kept and updated gem of a museum!!!!!? Some incredibly rare works of art here and how lucky are we that access to all the galleries is absolutely free every single day?!?? Exhibits change and you’re constantly falling in love with artists over and over again because you see so many facets of their artists careers just by exploring the galleries here. Ever changing while the rotate their collections and allow works to rest. Fantastic gift shop that has upscale souvenirs that have extreme sentiment and value uniquely exclusive to the museum one of the best museums I have been to.

Nice small museum with important works, but sadly almost exclusively European and North American. There’s some Asian works but I couldn’t see any Latin American art for example in the “America” section, which was a bit underwhelming. But in any case it was well designed and organized.

So in love with this museum! Many pieces of art can’t even been seen in its original countries! Amazing! Hope to visit again and really take the time to enjoy every piece!

Great museum with an accurate selection of pieces showing to the public MIT’s contribution. The collection shows different periods advancements from early XX century technologies to contemporary robots allowing visitors to interact.

An amazing experience! The MIT Museum offers a perfect mix of science, technology, and creativity. I loved the interactive exhibits and the fascinating stories behind the innovations. Great for anyone curious about how ideas shape our world. Definitely worth visiting.

Amazing science and technology museum! Will definitely inspire you to do high quality research in your area. You can easily spend 2-3 h here. Lot of good information to read if you're interested. Engineering students and graduate students might really enjoy the exhibits. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

The MIT Museum felt like a museum made up of the work of graduate students and recent MIT graduates, including work relating to the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Biology. This was alongside interactive installations and some rare, vintage items. There were also more artistic installations, so overall it was quite varied in its offerings. I would say it did not blow me away completely, though I did enjoy several parts of it. It was also a bit small to my liking, just two floors and one of the floors (the 3rd) was around half. Worth a visit nonetheless and it gets you in the MIT engineering and hacking culture but also the wonder of biological discovery and CRISPR.

Is it terrible of me to say that I miss some of the older exhibits and enjoyed the museum more prior to the renovation? I know that sounds awful! But the small nature of the other museum and some of the exhibits, such as the kinetic machines, were really attractive and fun, and this one seems as if it is somehow more sterile. It also seemed as if the older museum really catered more for inquisitive adults, and this museum had children running all over the place! There are so many museums and exhibits in the city that really cater to children, that it would be wonderful to have a museum that is more suitable for adults. I have children; they are older now, and I’m not anti-children, but the older museum felt more adult – focused. This one also felt like it was singing the praises of MIT more, which is great, that’s why we’re there, but I would love to know what the researchers are up to, without having an interactive exhibit that asked me what I like most about MIT. I really don’t know what I like most about MIT, because I don’t attend MIT. And the exhibit asked me for adjectives to describe MIT. I think that feels more like an assignment for the students and professors, and perhaps that’s the point of this new museum? Perhaps it’s supposed to be a hub for MIT students and professors and also…visitors. Regardless, bring back more exhibits that are interactive/movement based. Again, I’m returning to the kinetic exhibit, but have things that we can really watch and engage in, rather than looking at an object and having the explanation next to it on the wall. Yes, there were a few things to engage in, especially with the AI section, but we can write a collaborative poem with AI at home. I’m wondering how they could make things more interactive and also capture the attention of the adults. I was there with my 22-year-old son, who is a stem guy and is majoring in stem in college, and he just didn’t seem to feel it had a lot to offer either. Also, the last time I was there, I went by the gift shop and bought some periodic table of the elements bags and mugs etc. Now my daughter is a chemist at the Mayo Clinic, I was so excited to run in the gift shop and grab a bunch of chemistry items, and the gift shop instead had lots of kids toys in it. It was fairly disappointing. I would love it to be more Stem related and less about the dehydrated ice cream that you can get when you visit the Smithsonian Museums in DC. Not really even MIT related. Just stuff you’d find in any children’s tech museum gift shop. I did manage to find a chemistry-related glass and a game of chemistry flux. Also, I would’ve loved to have seen some more of their robotics. They have some on display at the museum of science, why could we not watch some of them on display here? Overall, an underwhelming experience. Would hope for more adult and interactive and challenging exhibits in the future, and let’s tilt the gift shop to be things that would be less children- focused as well. This isn’t really a children’s museum, is it? Or perhaps I’m missing the point, and it is supposed to be now.

If you are a MIT student I highly recommend that you visit the Museum at some point. It is highly unqiue and provides a gateway into the MIT way (P.S its free for students!). If you are visiting the area the MIT Museum offers great exhibits that are both timeless and unique to the current state of the world/technology. Great for kids and families!

A waste of time and money for me. So sorry. I thought I'd see real explanations of AI, robotics, etc but instead of that I saw walls of text and unmoving exhibits like old rulers, robotic hand, and circuits. Yes, they could be there but without cutting edge science and real explanations (not looped videos ) it could be so much better. Just not that visual or breakthrough, I guess . And btw, there is a war with 'dangerous white males' throughout texts in the museum. Disappointed.

A great place full of amazing items, and one of a kind finds. From the iconic dinosaur bones to the impressive room of gemstones and educational displays it was fun for the whole family. When we went there wasn't many people working and it took a while to find a map. Sometimes it was easy to get turned around. And some of the more popular displays lead to a bottle neck of sorts. Definitely worth checking out. Parking was hard to find, but that's to be expected. We will be back again!

Great experience! Shout out to the staff for delivering on positivity! Love this building and its exquisite architecture. Beautifully curated collections. My teenage granddaughter truly enjoyed visiting. The exhibition on climate change is a must see! Especially pleased with the many areas provided for sitting and taking a short pause. Looking forward to our next visit.

A must see museum if your into anything natural and earthy. Each section was well defined and clear making touring very easy. Additionally the coat hangers and lockers for guests who did not want to carry items was a nice touch. I particularly enjoyed the gemstone and crystal section of the museum, but also enjoyed the dinosaur display! The museum features a lot of animals and if you struggle to breath in dustier spaces than the mammal display may not be the most suiting spot, but still a sight to behold.

I went to see mostly Blaschka glass flower collection, and if you never seen glass flowers and plants photos included might change your mind to come and visit. The rest of the museum is equally incredible, and $15 is very accessible. The geology collection is extraordinary as well.

What a wonderful museum. Went in with the expectation of it being a small exhibit or two, and boy was I wrong. Did not think it would be so filled. Lion, tigers, and bears, oh my!! The climate change exhibit was a bit small. The Glass flowers exhibit is absolutely wild, did not know you could capture so much minute detail. Recommend visiting at least once.

The glass flower collection has been on my favorites list. It's just amazing how it was done for each piece. With their wonderful curator, everything becomes lively! And the mineral and Jem stones collection just opened my eyes. They are even better than the Smithsonian's collections.

This is a really awesome museum. I’ve been here a few times and its a lot bigger than it seems. There’s so many cool artifacts like Taxidermy, Fossils, really intricate historical glass models of plants/Sea creatures and even an exhibit on the anthropological impact of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. But my favorite part is the MASSIVE Kronosaurus fossil. This place is more than worth checking out just to check out this one awe inspiring ancient Sea Monster, with everything else just making it way better.

This is a really nice collection. I was really surprised to see an exhibit about the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, but since I’m a huge Worlds Fair nerd it was a pleasant surprise. Totally worth checking out.

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University is one of the oldest museums of its kind in the world. Founded in 1866 by philanthropist George Peabody, it became a cornerstone of American anthropology and a repository for artifacts that trace human history across continents. The museum’s redbrick building, completed in 1877, anchors Harvard’s historic campus in Cambridge and remains a center for teaching and research today. Inside, visitors encounter exhibits spanning thousands of years—from ancient Mesoamerican carvings and Native American pottery to early photographs documenting cultures around the world. The Peabody’s collections helped shape modern archaeological methods and contributed to early fieldwork in Central America, the American Southwest, and the Arctic.

Went to see the Day of the Dead (Die de los Muertos) special event. Entry was free for the event, and it was a great experience. Very crowded, but I enjoyed walking through the museum to see the exhibition and crafts. I must return on a normal day to check out the museum without the crowd.

If you are MA resident, you can visit this museum for free on Wednesday from 3pm-5pm, and on Sunday in the morning. I must admit, that this year the displays with artifacts have changed. Almost half of them were removed, and replaced with inscription, about cultural sensitivities. I was really shocked, because there was almost nothing left to see. I am really curious to see that person, who came to the museum, and asked to remove some items. What was already history, can't be changed, or removed, if people are so sensitive nowadays, just stay at home, don't waste your time visiting the museum.

On Harvard campus is this cute little museum. I recommend it highly. For only $15, you get access to not only the Peabody museum, but all of the other museums in the building as well! You cannot beat that for the price of admission! It even has an exhibit on the archaeology of the originial Harvard yard, and the different things that they've found there- if you like history, this is the place for you!

This museum is incredible! It is so worth the visit! I do wish they had more native artifacts from local tribes, especially because all of the local museums for specific tribes are closed right now for some reason. I discussed this with the guy at the front desk, and he said that because of a lot of laws that allow tribes to take back artifacts, they have many artifacts from tribes from Montana or Illinois or Mississippi or Maine, but a lot less from local places. Metacom’s bow wasn’t there (presumed to have been used during King Phillips war, where the relationship with the colonists and the natives deteriorated), and I don’t know that there was anything from the Natick tribes. I was also sad that John Eliot’s Bible wasn’t there! I had just gone to deer Island, where the native tribes were termed during Kings Phillips war, and I had just gone to Newton, to see the location of the Natick tribe that Elliott first made into a praying tribe. I was hoping I would get to see a copy of his Bible, but I did not. Would love to find out where it is because I will go! Unless of course it’s in another country… That would be sad. There is a way for wheelchair users to get into the building, but it is by going through the adjacent library. If you go through the library, there is an elevator that takes you up a floor so you can get onto the main level of the museum. There is almost no parking. I had to park by Dudley Café and Starbucks on Wendell Street and walk over. It took me a good hour to walk over because it was so hot and I had to stop and sit and drink and it just took so long. The good thing is that if you have a handicap sticker, you can park in any metered spot and the time limits do not apply and you don’t have to pay. That’s very good because it took me forever to get there. By the time I got there, I was so tired , I just needed to sit for a minute and thankfully everyone was very kind. Pretty cool that Henry David Thoreau found the arrowheads! How cool is that?! I also personally had no idea that Harvard had a school for native Americans and it was really amazing to hear about the archaeological work on the campus even today! Very very cool. As a local educator, I would love to connect more! My students would find that so fascinating! Free for residents on Sunday mornings 9-12, and Wednesday afternoons (not sure exact hours).

This is a cool spot if you are looking to spend some museum time in the area. The exhibits are well thought out and the museum staff goes to great lengths to honor the cultures they have displays for. I thought that the archaeology exibit about Harvard was very interesting. Something I didn't realize before coming here was that the ticket will get you into all of the museums that day.

Today we returned to Harvard for the college admissions info sessions and tour. For context, my husband went to grad school and I worked there back in the late 1990s so it holds a special place in our hearts. The campus is so peaceful and charming, and we loved learning more specifically about Harvard College. Highly recommend giving Harvard Yard a visit, even if just for learning about its history and enjoying its beautiful campus! We also paid a visit to the Harvard Art Museum and took a tour of the Munch exhibit (which leaves toward the end of July), which we also enjoyed.

Commencement 2025! Honestly, the commencement could have been much better organized. I will give credit to Security. They were on top of it. But in general, event staff were outnumbered and didn’t know how to provide help or directions. There wasn’t good signage about where to go and when. Parents and families could not be in the same area where the graduates were. That created a lot of stress for a lot of people. But the institution itself is amazing. The education and the opportunity to build new connections with really smart people dedicated to innovation, creativity, helping one another to succeed, and in every single industry and every single subject matter is beyond comparison to all others. Honestly, in my five years in the program, I never felt like any of my classmates was trying to undermine me or sabotage me or impede my own success. Everyone worked hard. But we all worked hard together. Commencement organization and speeches get maybe a Three. After over 400 years you think there would be a YouTube video that graduates could watch in advance to see literally how to prepare and how to help their guest prepare. But it seemed and maybe this was because of Security, but it seemed like we were being told what to go when literally hours or minutes before where we had to go there. And everybody had to go different places…. Regardless, the opportunity to be amongst all these people and experience the pure joy and the thrill while gathered to celebrate at this momentous event has earned a spot in the top 10 experiences of my entire life. Anyone has interested in advancing their knowledge in anything… I highly recommend recommend the harvard school. This is everyone’s path to a Harvard education.

Best school in the world. Great place to visit!

It is everything its reputation promises. Prepare to spend at least a day in the library alone, and another day or two in the museums.

It's Harvard and now that we've met the members of the community first hand, we can tell it will be an amazing experience for our son. A few snaps of Annenberg Hall and Wigglesworth.

The best community I have ever been a part of! It’s actually funny how Google Maps just randomly asked me to review Harvard, because I could write an entire book about my experience here. But, in short: Harvard is about the people you meet, and they are some of the nicest, most helpful, and most brilliant individuals you’ll ever meet in your life.

Great place to visit. And if your guide is Andreas you will enjoy it even more.

A stunning building in the heart of downtown Boston and a perfect starting point for the Freedom Trail. Don’t miss the statues and monuments around it, and take time to enjoy the park out front. It’s a powerful piece of America’s golden history. They offer free tours, or you can wonder inside on your own.

Visiting the Massachusetts State House was a great experience! It was my first time seeing a place where government employees were working while tourists were walking around the building. The governor was in her office when I was in her reception room, and I also saw people coming out of the courtroom. At first, I thought I entered the building by mistake, because there were not many tourists, mostly people who work there. The atmosphere felt authentic and unique, giving me a real glimpse into how government functions on a daily basis. Truly a memorable visit!

The tour was fantastic, and I stayed to visit the library and special collections, which I hope to return to! Def appreciated the fish in both the senate and house chambers :-). Glad they have Frederick Douglass and are putting in a woman of significance as well in the senate chamber!

This is a must-visit place in Boston! You can explore the Massachusetts State House for free, and a volunteer guide offers tours that are both engaging and informative. It’s fascinating to walk through rooms full of history while seeing that the building is still used for government work today. The architecture and the view from the hill are also worth the visit!

Definitely recommend taking the free tour. I don't remember the name of our guide, but she started us a little early since a large group was coming through. She was knowledgeable and shared so many bits of information that we didn't know and we were impressed with the amount that she shared with us ... Great start to our freedom tour that day

It's great that people can visit the inside of the state house and get a free guided tour! Henry (our guide) was very knowledgeable. If you're in the area and looking for some interesting history of Massachusets, give this place a visit.

Historic Landmarks we Know. #FreedomTrail in Boston crosses #BostonCommons to reach the Massachusetts State House. It is the state capitol and seat of government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. Red bricks on streets show the route of the Freedom Trail to landmarks in historic downtown Boston. #abuelosmochileros_trails #abuelosmochileros_boston #historictrailsweknow #geolandmarks #lamdmarksweknow

Another great stop along the freedom trail. Got there in time before the visitors center closed. Didn't quite get the tour info for entering the ship but joined on with 2 tours as we walked through. Lots of info about the ships and great historical anecdotes. A very cool visit for any history buff.

Check before you go! This is an active vessel. Make sure she is pier side before you go. If she isn't they are typically only gone for the day, get a picture of the US Navy's Oldest commissioned warship underway! Highly recommend a tour of the ship, and a visit to the interactive museum. Also on site is a WW2 destroyer, go walk the deck, enjoy a guided tour... When done here head up to Bunker hill (see in photos) it is a nice walk from the Constitution with a commanding view of the city and area. On the way down, stop for lunch... Mornings at opening are better to visit the Constitution IMO, the crowds are lighter and you can be there at rope drop for opening...

Really interesting history and the seaman that gave us the free tour did his best. He was a very new guide and managed to answer most questions. Taking the guided tour we were able to access the lower decks. The war ship just docked up on the other side was well worth a free visit as well. Nice way to spend an ~ hour in Boston.

Absolutely awesome tour! If you are a history buff, as I am, you can't beat visiting "Old Ironsides" when you visit Boston. There was free admission to the visitor center and to two ships when we visited....the USS Constitution and the USS Cassin Young, a ship from World War Two. There are great exhibits in the museum which admission is paid by donation. It is located walking distance from the Battle of Bunker Hill Monument. Definitely worth a visit!

Known as “Old Ironsides” this frigate is the oldest commissioned ship in the world and saw extensive action during the War of 1812. Located in the Charleston Navy Yard in Boston, it is the “Ship of State” for the US Navy. Entry is free and the tours are given by current US Navy personnel. Our guide was a seaman (fireman) and was very knowledgeable about the ship and its history. There is also a free museum. Very highly recommend this historic ship.

Definitely worth a trip. The Constitution is relatively small/ narrow compared to cruise ships. The museum gift shop is fascinating. The hardest part is driving there from the Tobin Bridge! Use phone navigation! Afterwards walk to Bunker Hill and have lunch at the oldest tavern in the area.

If you are interested in American history, you should visit. I used to work at the Naval base that provides oak for the replanking, so it was a special experience to walk the deck and talk with the sailors.

Very nice experience. Be prepared to conquer the 294 steps. Once you do, there are four nice views of the city. Outside the monument, there are interpretive markers explaining at least six events during the battle. Service dogs are allowed to climb the monument, and pets are not. My boy had little if any problems. I also recommend the museum directly across the street.

Cool activity to spend a little while doing. The stairs were more than I bargained for, lol! The staff was friendly, and there was no wait on the midweek day I went. The top does get crowded quickly.

The monument it open to the public and you can climb the 294 steps at only the cost of your knees. It's a cool view of Boston and a great place to learn about American revolutionary history. Lovely spot on the Boston freedom trail.

Probably our favorite site along the Freedom Trail. You are able to climb up the monument, 294 steps, and see some great views from the top. We also listened to a short presentation about a few of the individuals involved at Bunker Hill and saw their musket be shot. Quite an ordeal of instructions in order to shoot. Don’t let the fact that this is a ways away from all the other sites, definitely a must see.

What a great ending to the Freedom Trail walk! Our legs were tired but we still climbed the stairs to the top to enjoy the view. The rangers were informative and helpful. We even had the chance to watch men in revolutionary costumes load and “shoot” revolutionary style guns. My boys loved it!

Good leg workout and memorable experience climbing the 294 steps. Nice views from the top. It's small at the top so you can't stay for long on a busy day. Free to enter and don't forget to take your sticker at the end.

294 steps of free climbing. They have them numbered here and there so you know where you are going up. I've climbed light houses before... They were no where near this many steps. I left a picture of the view from the top and the stairs... You see a lot of the narrow stairs... Historical location... So have to rate... But I'm not a super history buff but can appreciate it.

This is probably one of the best kept (not so secret) secrets of greater Boston area! This place is absolutely amazing. While it’s technically a cemetery, it really feels more like a park. There are ponds, gardens and beautiful architecture throughout the 175 Acres of land here. It also boasts a collection of rare trees from all over the world (around 5000 trees in total) and is a huge draw for birders as it has an impressive variety/ diversity of them (due to the extensive ecosystem from all the rare trees I am guessing). I have literally seen countless rare birds here while not even trying to look. You can walk around for hours and not run out of new, beautiful things to see. There is also a tower that one is able to scale to see a pretty sweet 360 panorama of Boston and its surroundings. Now it is still a cemetery, but one where a lot of the graves and crypts are so beautiful you may forget people are buried here. Speaking of buried people, it turns out that Isabella Stewart Gardner (of the Gardner Museum is buried here - among many other famous folks). I can’t stress this enough: if you like beauty, alone time and tranquility, you have to check this place out! Now it is tech

Mount Auburn Cemetery is a hidden gem for a stroll! The serene paths wind through stunning landscapes and historic graves, some dating back to the 1800s. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset as we walked, creating a peaceful and reflective atmosphere. The blend of nature and history makes it a must-visit spot. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a quiet place to walk in the city! 🌅🌳

This was my second visit to Mount Auburn Cemetery. My first time was in the fall, when the colorful leaves made the grounds absolutely beautiful. On this visit, my friend and I climbed to the tower at the top, which offers breathtaking 360-degree views of Cambridge and Boston. When we went, the place was quiet with very few people around - likely because it was a weekday - making it a perfect spot to relax. There is seating at the top where you can rest or even enjoy a picnic while taking in the greenery and scenery. It is a peaceful, scenic place that I highly recommend visiting.

This is a great place to come walk around and enjoy the scenery. I've been coming here for over 45 years and have always remarked on how peaceful Mount Auburn Cemetery can be. With all the different water features, trees and vegetation there is so much to see and observe and not to mention all the wildlife that call this place home. And the groundskeepers keep this place looking great!

Mount Auburn Cemetery is a lovely place to visit. There are some stunning memorials, including a sphinx. But it is also a great place to just walk around and enjoy some nature in the city, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Beautiful cemetery open to the public with beautiful views from atop Washington Tower. Definitely worth the 10-15 minute hike up to the tower.

This "garden cemetery" is stunning. It functions as a botanical garden, arboretum, and bird sanctuary. There are beautiful paths for walking and a tower that you can climb to enjoy gorgeous views of Boston.

Very nice and beautiful place. Stunning surroundings, absolutely breathtaking views of Charles River!

Saw the Longwood Symphony Orchestra and it was amazing. Such a nice visit. One suggestion; parents, if your kids cant sit quietly and enjoy, take them to a bouncy castle instead. Everyone will enjoy that more.

Very cool spot. There were musicians playing peaceful music there. Brought picnic stuff and chilled for a few hours around 7-9pm.

Very pretty venue with neat statues around it. If you’ve never seen a goose before, this is a good place to start.

Find a gorgeous night for a picnic or go to a free concert. Easy walk from the T.

Well known outdoor venue where local bands & orchestras play free to the public on the grassy area of the Charles River Esplanade. Excellent acoustics occasionally disrupted by helicopters flying overhead.

Breast cancer 🎀 walk 2025... was great.

Beautifully maintained reservation geared towards locals, many of whom like to walk their dogs. Visitors would benefit to know in advance that dogs belonging to Cambridge residents are allowed to be off leash and are plentiful. Cambridge parking sticker is required to park in the lot and tickets are issued daily . If you picnic here, you are picnicking with dogs. Danahey Park just around the corner is better geared towards picnicking and child play w/ grills, tables, soccer fields and playground. Alewife Brook Reservation is walking distance, lovely and dog free.

Beautiful circuit with easy access from multiple sides. Important note: this is an off leash circuit for Registered Cambridge dogs, so there are multiple pups running around. All I encountered are well behaved and owners are responsible.

If your not from Cambridge don’t park there. You’ll get a ticket unfortunately. Other than that a nice place to walk/run.

A great, scenic place to escape the city and enjoy the views over the water. The loop around the lake is slightly less than a 5k and is mostly flat which makes it a great place to walk and run. There is a water fountain near the main building too.

Beautiful to walk around with secret protected areas throughout. Birding here is incredible.

Nice spot to walk around, watch the leaves change color during the Fall. Quiet, not too crowded.

One of my new favorite parks in the area! It has faint Central Park vibes just because of the unexpected size and how haven like it feels to enter inside and be enveloped by nature smack in the middle of Cambridge :) Tons of walking space, greenery, and cute off leash pooches. Also love how it’s so close to La Saison which is also one of my new favorite local coffee spots.

A great place to go for lunch as a tourist in Boston! So much choice of food. Enjoyed some American Mac and Cheese! The small portion is ginormous . So delicious! Will definitely return when next in Boston. Public toilets available here too!

It's very close to downtown Boston. There are many vendors selling foods, snacks, souvenirs and also many shops with a good collection of apparel. I like the place because it's very walkable and there are artists and also street performances like you can enjoy. You can walk in the building of the market. There are three separate buildings. Each of them features different set of merchandise goods. There are children's play area inside and outside the building. Pets are welcomed.

This was on all of the Google searches for being a must see in Boston. There were so many food vendors and the building was historic and beautiful. There were areas to eat although it was pretty crowded. It was fun to look at all the different types of food available.

Great place to eat if in Boston. Many different options for food in an historic location. Only downside is that it can get VERY crowded during peak eating times and seating is limited to the center court or maybe outside. Lines for ordering can get confusing. Food we had was delicious. If coming to Boston, you have to try clam chowder at least once. Bathrooms are limited and small, and look like they haven’t been updated in at least 50 years, if not 100. That considered, they were still fairly clean. Parking is almost non-existent; I’d recommend an Uber/Lift to get there. Save yourself the headache of finding a spot. Parking garages may be in the area but cost $20+. I would go again if in the area.

Amazing place to visit when in Boston. This was the staple of our trip, so much to see a s do. Very close, walking distance to many stops on the FREEDOM TRAIL. must stop!

Very eccentric and diverse group of shops and restaurants. There’s literally something for everyone and there are so many nooks and crannies you could spend a full day exploring them all. It’s a touristy area, so expect lots of people. Also, the walkways are brick and uneven, so watch where you’re stepping!

Such a cool spot. We went having no expectations, and were amazed. Almost sensory overload with how much there is to do and see. There was also a really nice farmer's market next door with fresh produce.

Fabulous time for families! Purchase tickets in advance, planetarium is a must! This is a classic spot that makes for a quintessential childhood summer day, the duck boats are a fun addition. I recommend for 8+ or the duck boat tour aspect might not be the best (6 year old was bored). I am so glad they have maintained a great museum that feels nostalgic and growing with the times.

WOW! Neat place! Good Selection of Gem and Mineral Specimens from around New England. Space/ Moon Landing Exibits. Lots of Model Ships. Impressive Displays on Dinosaurs🦕 and Fossils. Big on Robots 🤖 and AI from MIT. Charles River Info(They Love That Dirty Water!) Duck Tours start there. Handicapped Accessible. Very Modern Restrooms. Discounts for Veterans and EBT Card Holders and Seniors

The Boston Museum of Science is an incredible experience—everything is so cool, inspiring, and thought-provoking. It really pushes you to want to learn more, no matter your age. There’s so much to see and do that my girlfriend and I had to speed-run it since we arrived around 2 PM and they closed at 5. Even then, it was well worth it. The museum was undergoing some renovations during our visit, but it didn’t take away from how amazing the exhibits were. I’d absolutely come back to explore more. Only minor thing to keep in mind: there are a lot of kids running around (as expected in a science museum), so depending on the time and day, it can be a bit chaotic. It’d be awesome if they stayed open later for a more adult-oriented experience, but that’s just a wish—not a complaint. Overall, it’s an amazing place and I’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend it.

Had alot of fun learning about all types of things. Definitely check out the electricity show, that was awesome. We saw a show at the planetarium, very cool. The food court fish and chips was not great. The burger was pretty good though.

A truly amazing museum that brings all branches of science to life! It offers a hands on, interactive experience for visitors of all ages. Through models, visuals, experiments, and a wide variety of materials, it makes learning science exciting and accessible. A perfect place to explore, discover, and be inspired by the wonders of science!

I hadn't been to the museum in 40 years. It was so great living childhood memories of my favorite place as a child. The lightning show still is my favorite thing there. The new exhibits were great to see. I am definitely going back once the renovation is completed.

Great experience for a family with a toddler. Lots of fun things to look at and manipulate. The workers at the live demonstration and showing off skulls in the river area were great with a little kid - but there's a ton of stuff at the adult level too. Enjoyed it twice in the last year with more we haven't even seen! I would say that the cafeteria is decently priced compared to other local museums/attractions. Delicious falafel burger!

No photos allowed inside. It was interesting. Definitely get to see how much space we have in modern times. Neat seeing the old furniture and learning about how they entertained. Doesn't take long to go through, but you learn that there is so much more to Revere than we were taught in schools. And there's a tiny pear tree in the courtyard.

Why to visit?... simple, well restored period home of one of the most recognizable names in American history. John Adams and Revere were compatriots and friends. This home is a national treasure that makes the story of America real... Buy, tickets ahead, it is also situated in Bostons Italian zone. You would be silly to miss a meal at any one of the amazing local eateries that pepper the area.

Pretty cool to see the only surging 18th century home in Boston. ESP its connection to Paul Revere. But it is tiny. It’s 4 rooms, no pictures allowed inside. The price matched the experience though it was cheap for 2 adults. $6 a ticket. Love little Italy though, it’s in a neighborhood with tons of food and drink options.

If you love history you have to see the home. It may be small but you can't complain about 6 bucks these days. Well worth a quick look in a very old home while on the freedom trail.

The place is kept very close to what was a working family home in the XVIII century. The organization keeping the site is doing a great job with the personnel helping with questions in the special areas. A visit here can teach you like hours of reading. The history made here is too precious and needs to be kept alive. Good job and thank you for all you do.

This was my favorite experience the whole trip after seeing Paul Revere's grave earlier on the freedom trail We eventually came upon this, his house. For only $6 you can walk through the house that he lived in. It really touched me in the moment when I was walking up the stairs and saw the worn stair steps, and the handrail that he would have used daily to ascend the stairs including that last moment when he climbed the stairs and got into bed and passed away. It really made me feel connected to the past. I also have to comment that the price is so good. Too many places charge a crazy price and then you can't even spend any money in the gift shop because it's too expensive to get in. The gable house was an example of this. I would recommend every person even if you're not walking the freedom trail see this. I even bought a book of his poem and his own account of the famous ride from their gift shop. I'm really glad that they make this accessible to everyone. They don't allow pictures this is understandable, butI really wish that I could have taken pictures inside of that stairwell. It's an image that I will keep with me for a long time in my mind.

Inexpensive and interesting! This is a rather small historical sight, with very helpful and informative docents. The regular adult admission was just $6.

Absolute gem of Boston. One of the northeast's most impressive and comprehensive collection of landscape plants in my opinion. There are clean grounds, labelled plants, bathrooms, and plenty of sitting area. The ground are quite large and are jam packed with a slew of unique and spectacular plants. It is hard to put into works how beautiful and horticulturally significant this site is, so do yourself a favor and go check it out! Also, do check out the bonsai collection. There are a few impressive and very old trees.

I participated in the MassQ ball at the Arboretum this past weekend and it was an amazing event and experience. I feel as though I rediscovered or rather newly discovered hidden parts and paths Id never seen before. I've been going to the Arboretum since I was a little girl and it was like a whole new place for me. I can't wait to go back

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is an extraordinary destination for nature lovers and anyone seeking a peaceful escape from the city. The grounds host an extensive collection of trees, shrubs, and plants from around the world, carefully curated to showcase their beauty and diversity. Walking through the arboretum feels like exploring a living museum of horticulture, with each section offering something unique to admire. Seasonal changes bring new colors and experiences, from vibrant spring blossoms to the stunning foliage of autumn. The pathways are clean, well maintained, and thoughtfully designed to guide visitors through the expansive landscape, creating an enjoyable and accessible experience for individuals and families alike. Educational placards and guided tours provide opportunities to learn about the rich history and scientific research that Harvard supports within these grounds. Overall, the Arnold Arboretum is not only a visual delight but also a valuable resource for education and relaxation.

I love taking a walk and looking at trees - if you enjoy the same thing, it is a wonderful place for you! Tons of trees from all over the world - be them happy or not at the moment - nevertheless making it a beautiful collection in the nature. I wish the weather could have been better when I visited! p.s., the place is free, with street parking available (may have 2-hr limit, though).

Another great green space to take a nice walk and very dog friendly. Lots of extra trails off of the main paved trail. Lots of trees and plants to explore. Easy free parking.

Great atmosphere and ambiance. The cherry blossom trees were in bloom when I visited. What a beautiful sight to see.

Perfect spot for my morning runs, no cars, just lots of beautiful nature and dog walkers. Good walking trails, a few gentle hills, a life saver when you need a retreat from the city life 😀

As a historian, I always appreciate going to older cities and learning about diverse histories. Given that the Freedom trail is popular history, i decide to learn about the less known history of Boston by going on the Black heritage trail. As a person from NC witnessing many African American structures demolished due to development. I appreciated seeing preserve African American historic homes. I’ve truly appreciate coming to the meeting house and seeing the oldest surviving black church structure in the nation. This is the only site that visitors can enter on walking tour. Other stops are private residence. We didn’t physically go inside the meeting house because it did require an entry fee and we were pressed on time. I do plan on returning and paying the fee for my daughter and myself. Finally, I would suggest starting at Faneuil Hall. There is a ranger at that site to acclimate you to the city. But also other historical panels about history of africans and American Indians in Boston

The Black heritage trail takes you on a historical walk through the rich history of African Americans in Boston. Best part of my trip.

This should be a required extension of the Freedom trail. Absolutely essential to understanding the true and complete history of both Boston and our entire country. Most of the stops are private residences but I actually much prefer it that way as opposed to houses wasted as tourist destinations. Homes are to be lived in. It's such an insult imo to use a home that way while thousands don't have their own. Anyway, at the end of the trail is the museum and the adjacent building known as the African Meeting House. They've done a wonderful job restoring both spaces and providing compelling historical displays. The tour guide in the museum is knowledgeable and passionate. The audio guide for the other parts of the tour is just as fascinating.

If you have time, walking the Black Heritage Trail is a great way to see Beacon Hill while seeing significant sites. This is a short walk compared to the Freedom Trail, since most of the sites are private residencies and you can't go inside.

Great American history tour. Excellent tour guide. Wear comfortable shoes. So much to see and learn.

Hello, I bring the family to Boston on vacation. We bored one day and found this trail on Google. We didn’t know what it was so we give it a shot. We learned a lot about the black people history. We were shocked by the struggles they went through, but happy to see their success. We not learn this in my home country, so we all have greater appreciation for the improvement today.

This Black Heritage Tour with NPS was the best tour we have been on during our stay in Boston. Very interesting, most informative and very detailed information. Would highly recommend the tour and follow up withe the museum at the meeting hall. Great experience.

This is the best tour I’ve been on in a long time! The street and local atmosphere is something out of a movie, and the tour is very affordable and informative. The guide was fantastic, telling fun stories of his life in Boston and his 10 years working at the field. We saw everything from the original seats to the press box, the green monster, and the special VIP museum that holds World Series balls, bats, uniforms and memorabilia from over the decades. I would recommend this tour to anyone I know, especially baseball lovers. So worth the time and money!

We took a guided tour of the Fenway stadium. Booked just about 45mins before the tour from the kiosk at the Gate D entrance on the Jersey street. Great experience. The tour guide, Abby (if I remember correctly), was great - very informed as well as great style of presenting facts. With very long history and so many interesting things happened with the Red Sox, the tour was definitely worth it. We don’t watch baseball and have only elementary knowledge of rules but it was still very much easy to understand. Definitely to be done if you’re in Boston.

This was my first time visiting Fenway Park, and even though my team wasn’t playing, I knew I couldn’t come to Boston without checking it out. I’m so glad I did, the energy inside the stadium was incredible! From the moment I walked in, I felt the history and passion that make Fenway such a special place for baseball fans. The crowd was electric, and what really stood out was the sense of community. The entire stadium came together, singing songs, cheering, and living and breathing every moment of the game. I felt completely swept up in the excitement. We just so happened to be there for the game the Red Sox clinched their spot in the playoffs with a walk-off win! The stadium absolutely erupted. I’ve never felt that kind of excitement at a ball game before. You didn’t have to be a Red Sox fan to appreciate the moment. Being there for that walk-off and watching the team celebrate was something I’ll never forget. Fenway isn’t just a place to watch baseball it’s a place to feel it. The atmosphere, the history, the energy it all makes for an incredible experience.

Had a wonderful tour of Fenway Park with George. Loved his World Series rings. As a full time employee, he also gets a ring when the team does. The history of the ball park is so fascinating to hear. George did a beautiful job of telling the tales & was so enthusiastic about them. Another bucket list check off.

Fenway Park is one of the Mecca's of MLB that every baseball fan needs to visit in person. It was great attending a Boston Red Sox game in the one of the oldest baseball parks in America. The food was good and at a decent price, but it was the surrounding bars and restaurants around the park that made it a great overall baseball and sporting experience!

Being a Cub fan from Chicago, home to the most iconic stadium in all of sport, I must say that I continue to be impressed with the condition of Fenway Park. It's no Wrigley Field, and it being a few years older, doesn't make it "grander", but it's a fun place to see a game. The fans are pretty great, and supportive of their team, but the place emptied out long before the game was over because the Sox were getting their butts kicked. You don't ever see that at Wrigley... no matter what the score. I was in Yankee Stadium in this trip out East too, and I continued to be unimpressed with that ballpark.

Came out from California, San Francisco Giants fan. Got a real good look at this beautiful ballpark. I think what makes it special is the foul lines. Makes it look like an old ballpark I used to play in when I was 12 years old. Just kidding. But it does make it look really authentic when you're young playing baseball. We had a great time with the guide. He was very knowledgeable. And he was from California. I would strongly suggest this place if you are a baseball fan. The tour is great.

Such a beautiful and peaceful spot! I could have stayed all day, especially with the perfect fall weather. I captured some amazing Boston shots during my mini photoshoot. While there were plenty of people and lots of photo-taking happening, there were also plenty of quiet corners to escape the crowds. Truly loved my time here!

The Boston Public Garden is a must-see! It's a gorgeous escape right in the middle of the city, and a perfect spot to relax and get away from all the noise. The trees are stunning, especially in the fall when the colors are just magical. I love watching the squirrels play and taking a stroll along the paved pathways. The famous Swan Boats on the lagoon are a charming sight, and the park is great for all ages. It's completely free to enter, open from dawn to dusk, and super easy to get to with the Arlington and Boylston T stops nearby. Don't forget to say hi to the "Make Way for Ducklings" statue! It's a beautiful, peaceful place that's perfect for a walk, a date, or just unwinding.

We love this place! It’s serene and peaceful. This time around, we rode on the Swan Boat which was so nice since the last time we were here was in the Fall and the lake was empty. So glad we were able to check it out in the Summer. Be aware if it’s hot outside, the Swan boat is open so you are exposed to the sun and the elements, but you get a nice breeze from the water.

Absolutely stunning! The Public Garden is magical in the fall — the colors are breathtaking. A perfect place to walk, relax, and enjoy nature.

Loved visiting the public garden. It was so beautiful when we visited. Each tree has a history behind it and a plaque attached telling you where it’s originally from. Lots of space and great for families

This public garden is stunning! Right next to Boston Common but wayyyy better in my opinion! There are plenty of comfortable benches in the shade of old growth trees. The pond is lovely and helps keep the whole area cool. I was there on a busy Saturday morning and yet it felt peaceful enough to read and reflect. I would recommend taking time to just sit and embrace the beautiful weather. There is a large pond that you can pay to ride around on a medium sized man powered boat. Also there was a small craft fair that popped up on the sidewalk just outside of the park around 11 a.m., it was fun to walk through and look at the vendors' items.

Boston Public Garden completely will steal your heart. From the moment you stepped in, you will felt like you had entered a peaceful, green sanctuary right in the middle of the city. The landscaping is stunning—vivid flowers in full bloom, lush trees that offer shade and comfort, and carefully maintained pathways that invite you to stroll slowly and soak in the atmosphere. One of my favorite moments was watching the iconic Swan Boats glide gently across the pond. It felt like something out of a storybook. I also loved seeing families, couples, and solo visitors all enjoying the space in their own way—whether reading a book under a tree, having a picnic, or just relaxing on a bench. I took my time wandering through the park, taking photos of the beautiful statues and fountains, especially the George Washington statue. Everything about the garden feels peaceful, thoughtful, and timeless. It’s not just a park—it’s a place that invites you to pause and breathe. If you’re visiting Boston, you absolutely cannot miss this place. It’s a perfect blend of nature, history, and quiet joy. I’ll definitely be coming back whenever I’m in the city. Highly recommended for all ages and interests.

A great aquarium! Clean and organized. I enjoyed that the exhibits we're put around the center tank so when you're walking around the tank you go up or down while seeing the other tanks. Easy for kids to navigate and see into each tank/exhibit. Afterwards you can still go out and explore Boston within walking distance.

This place is amazing! Took an Uber from a cruise port as its less than 10 minutes away. Spent a good 2 hours walking through the 4 floors of exhibits ranging from seals, stingrays, clown fish, sharks, turtles, jelly fish and an anaconda. Extremely clean. We are from out of town but brought an annual membership. Well worth it even if you go just once. Trying to go again soon!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Magical Day at the New England Aquarium! I absolutely loved my visit to the Boston Aquarium! From the moment I walked in, I was surrounded by incredible marine life and beautifully designed exhibits that made me feel like I was stepping into an underwater world. The highlight of my day was definitely the sea turtle — such a magnificent and graceful creature. Watching it glide effortlessly through the water was truly mesmerizing and peaceful. Another favorite was the seahorse exhibit. I could have stood there for hours watching those delicate, whimsical creatures sway and twist around the coral. They’re so tiny, yet so full of personality! The entire aquarium is thoughtfully laid out, making it easy to explore while learning so much about ocean conservation and the importance of protecting marine habitats. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the animals they care for. I also appreciated how clean and well-maintained everything was, from the tanks to the viewing areas. Whether you’re visiting Boston for the first time or you’re a local looking for something special, the New England Aquarium is a must-see destination. I can’t wait to go back again soon!

So I will preface this review by saying I have been to over a hundred zoos and awuariums over the last 6 years. This aquarium is pretty decent. A good variety of different fish, and overall they do have as good a layout as they can with the space they have. Pros: Variety Bright colored exhibits Good signage about animals Cons: Price for size Very tight space inside Bad signage on where to go next Again, I liked this aquarium, but for $40+ bucks I would like to have not been shoulder to shoulder with everyone else there. I also feel like the "Sharks" exhibit is a joke, and some of the exhibits talk big, but then fail to deliver.

My fiance and I LOVED the New England Aquarium!! No kids yet, but cannot wait to bring the little one here soon! Such an amazing layout and awesome exhibits. The stingrays are so cute and friendly, the penguins, seals, and sea lions were sooooo much fun to sit and watch. It was a little crowded but not too bad for a saturday! We will definitely be back!!

Oh my god - can’t rave enough. Having never seen the Penguins, this place lived upto my expectations. It was the most beautiful day in boston with penguin, seals, fishes, and other unique underwater life exhibit witnessing. I totally loved it and would recommend it to anyone and everyone. So proud that they keep these animals and are equally aware and preach animal welfare in kind too :)

Overall a good a experience. Definitely on the smaller end of aquariums I've been too. Kid friendly. Personally I do believe they should not have anything bigger than fish at this aquarium because it's so small, however there are seals and penguins at this location which is slightly disheartening because of how small their enclosures are at this facility.

Nice museum. Has small replicas of the USS Constitution and lots of info about its history. Tells you about how the crew were recruited and their backgrounds, and the day to day on the ship. Also how the ship has traveled around the world and the battles it has won. There are some funny posters and it's interesting to learn.

The USS Constitution is an absolutely gorgeous ship and a remarkable piece of American history. Stepping aboard really gives you a sense of its scale, craftsmanship, and the role it played in the nation’s past. The experience felt both inspiring and educational, making it well worth the visit. The museum is an excellent addition, with interactive exhibits that make the history engaging for all ages. Younger visitors can get hands-on and learn in a fun way, while older visitors will appreciate the depth of information and the careful preservation of artifacts. It truly makes the history of the ship come alive and provides valuable context for the visit. This is the kind of destination that appeals to everyone: families with kids, students, history buffs, or older generations who simply want to connect with a living piece of history. The combination of the ship and the museum creates a balanced experience that is both educational and enjoyable. Overall, a must-see in Boston. Beautifully maintained, rich with history, and accessible for all ages, the USS Constitution and its museum offer an unforgettable experience.

The ship is super fun to explore. It’s an old ship that was involved in some military activities. You can see how things were organised inside and the members of the staff (army) do mini tours inside. There are not so many artefacts from the past presented and I would personally appreciate a bit more of history of how people on the ship lived (despite some of that being mentioned) but in any case this ship is worth a visit as it’s a super historic one. Entrance is free

A good English Style museum capturing the true essence of the infamous historical events. Interesting about this place is the artifacts and all the information they have there is more of interactive (like hitting buttons, warships games, build your own warship, simulation and decision on your own character in the history). Apart from that there’s marine ship out there and stuff to see.

I loved this tour. We are a military family. The history they shared and the small facts about what the crew did during an engagement was both fascinating and educational.

The USS Constitution Museum is a must-visit gem in Boston—engaging, educational, and deeply inspiring. The museum does a phenomenal job of contextualizing the USS Constitution’s legacy. Through well-curated displays, personal stories of sailors, and detailed models, you gain a deeper appreciation for the ship’s role in American history.

In the midst of demanding democrats shut down, this museum was the bright spot. Very clean & great employees great information. The dry dock was awesome display of history.

I have wanted to visit for years and I finally got my chance. What a wonderful museum. I truly enjoyed that it was organized the way she wanted and that won't change. I found it refreshing that there weren't descriptions posted on everything because I'd recently felt that, for me personally, I was spending more time reading and less time observing. The courtyard is delightful and unifies the whole museum, the floral design was beautiful. Thank you to all the helpful staff as well. I'm looking forward to my next visit

Amazing I’ve been dying to come to this museum for 5 years now and finally I was able to see it. The collection is extensive and gorgeous. The garden transports you to a calm and serene place. I spent about 30 minutes looking out into it and admiring it before continuing with the rest of the museum

Visited on a weekday with my child and had a great experience exploring the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The museum has three floors filled with a variety of art objects, each room curated with its own unique theme. Many rooms feature beautiful and rare religious artifacts. Even on a weekday, it was quite crowded, so moving through some areas took time. Timed-entry tickets are required, so it’s best to reserve in advance. The courtyard garden is stunning, with blooming flowers creating a peaceful and colorful atmosphere. Overall, it was a good visit and worth the trip.

This was by far one of the coolest collections of art from around the world. I have never visited such a well thought out installation. The walk through was a feast for the eyes! Each room was better than the last and the interior garden was breathtaking!

Wow. This was a stunning collection of art, carefully curated into distinct rooms to complement each piece. The museum itself is beautiful and peaceful. It has art but also lots of fun pieces of history as well. The audioguides are informative and interesting! I spent 3 hours here, but could have spent the day. I do love museums though. Definitely worth a visit! Come early and/or book tickets online. They do sell out. There is a cafe and a gift shop.

The museum’s famous garden was beautiful, and there was certainly a great number of collections for an individual to amass. However, I wish there had been more explanations or descriptions next to the exhibits. We visited as soon as it opened on Saturday, and it was already quite packed to really enjoy the art.

An extraordinary museum with a unique atmosphere that feels more like stepping into a beautiful home than a gallery. The courtyard is breathtaking, the art collection is diverse, and every corner tells a story. A peaceful yet inspiring place that combines history, architecture, and culture in a way unlike any other museum. Truly unforgettable.

The bustling center of Harvard with a wide array of campus stores, bookstores, coffee shops and restaurants. I couldn't find the Dewey Chetem and Howe sign (I thought it had been preserved), but that did not detract from the overall scene. Subway station right below makes for easy visiting.

Had such a great time walking around Harvard Square on a gorgeous, sunny Sunday. This place is so charming and has a lively, fun vibe. There are tons of little shops and cafes to pop into, and the restaurants offer a great variety. It's the perfect spot for a casual stroll, and being right next to Harvard University makes the whole experience feel even more special. Highly recommend it for anyone looking to explore Cambridge!

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ Harvard Square: A Lively Hub of Charm & Intellect! 📚☕ bustling! It's a must-visit for anyone in the Boston area looking for a unique and lively experience! ✨ Harvard Square is truly a fantastic place to explore, and I usually have an amazing time whenever I visit! It's such a vibrant, energetic hub right in the heart of Cambridge. You can feel the history and the intellectual buzz from Harvard University all around you. 🧠🏛️ There's so much to do here! I absolutely love browsing the unique bookstores 📖, grabbing a coffee at one of the many cozy cafes ☕, and just people-watching. The mix of students, locals, and tourists creates a really dynamic atmosphere. Plus, the variety of shops and restaurants means there's always something new to discover, whether you're looking for a quick bite or a nice dinner. 🛍️🍽️ It's almost perfect, but sometimes it can get really crowded, especially on weekends, which can make navigating a bit tricky. Parking can also be a challenge if you're driving. 🚗💨 But honestly, those are minor points when you consider all the charm and excitement Harvard Square offers.

This place is a lively and welcoming place in Cambridge, right next to Harvard University. It is often the first stop for visitors who want to explore the campus and enjoy the atmosphere of student life. In the center of the square, you will find the Harvard stop of the Red Line subway, which makes it very convenient to reach from Boston. In the afternoon, the square feels relaxed and full of energy. People sit at the Smith Center to read books or play chess, while others shop at the Harvard Coop bookstore. The area is always busy but not overwhelming, with a nice balance of students, locals, and tourists. If you arrive in the morning, you can see student guides standing at the entrance of the subway station. They offer walking tours of Harvard, sharing interesting stories and history about the university. These tours are a good way to learn about the school while enjoying a friendly conversation with current students. Harvard Square also has many cafés, restaurants, and small shops. You can stop for coffee, try different kinds of food, or buy souvenirs with the Harvard name. The mix of old brick buildings and new modern spaces makes the square look charming and unique.

A bustling and historic center, Harvard Square is full of charm, excellent cafes, bookstores, and exciting street entertainment. Ideal for taking a walk, shopping, and taking in the intellectual ambiance of Cambridge.

Loved the tour. Lots of history. Legally blond was not filmed here, lol

Really cool place to visit to see the history of the college. Plenty of local shops, restaurants, and bars to hang out and enjoy a day trip. Parking on the street/private lots.

Really cool campus. There are tons of things happening including free events. I usually just go to the dome and take a picture but there is so much more to explore including free art museum.

Our family would recommend the free info session and campus tour to any prospective student. Moving from one part of campus to another took less time than expected. We would have enjoyed seeing a dorm room but it sounds like each dorm is unique so it may not be very helpful.

It was a top dream and so far away from my life! Heard some stories about it. Feel like pity that I did not try harder when I was younger;)

I came to MIT for a residential week on a certification. First of all, the level of the people and professors involved in the certification is outstanding. I've learned a lot from them. Second, the campus is spectacular.

superb!! maybe if i can rewind time and i will be student again i'll study here...

Its alright, I usually just go to develop Ai every sunday... nothing special I Build Human-Centered Ai Systems when I am not eating delicious food 😋

My children *loved* Research Science Institute at MIT and strongly considered attending there (both were admitted). Now that MIT has turned down the trumpExtortion, I have even more respect for this institution. Perhaps now they will consider graduate school there. Thank you, MIT.

Charles River Esplanade in downtown Boston is easily one of my favorite spots in the city! This park stretches along the Charles River, offering stunning views of both Cambridge and Boston’s Back Bay skyline. The sunset views here are absolutely breathtaking—think sailboats gliding across the water, warm pastel skies, and vibrant reflections. It's the perfect place to catch golden hour in the city! You can stroll, jog, bike, or simply relax on one of the floating docks or benches. The Esplanade also features iconic landmarks like the Hatch Memorial Shell, lush lawns, and quiet gardens that make it a peaceful urban retreat. On warm days, you’ll spot locals reading by the river, families picnicking, and rowers gliding by. And views of MIT and Harvard across the river just add to the scenic charm—especially as the sun goes down. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape, a scenic workout route, or a spectacular sunset backdrop, the Esplanade delivers. Highly recommended!

This place truly has something for everyone — whether you’re into running, walking, picnics, water activities, or just enjoying the city skyline views. It has it all! Even the occasional weekend dance sessions! Absolutely love it. I absolutely love visiting here, no matter the season.

Nice place to take a walk or run and escape the madness of the city. Quite a few homeless people though, would be nice if the city could solve their obvious problem they have, not sure how but that’s why I’m not in charge of a city. Overall if you are in town and looking a nice place to escape the city this is a pretty good spot.

Fabulous place to see the waterfront. Lots of public art, benches and playgrounds. Very accessible and safe

I frequent this area often, I love it over here. I walk or ride my bike on the bike path that goes along the charles river. There are great spots to stop and take a rest or relax for the day. Maybe throw a hammock up in a tree. The ice cream truck goes through there so you can grab a snack or refreshment. There is a cool playground for the kids to have fun at. The also have all kinds of events at the shell sometimes they play movies there and everyone can sit on the grass and enjoy themselves. Its a great place to go. You can rent boats or kayaks from the boathouse over there which looks like a lot of fun. There are some beautiful sunsets and views for photos. I cant say enough good things about this place. Its a nice place to go.

Beautiful area to walk, run, bike, or relax. The view over the river is lovely. Go in April when the cherry blossoms are blooming and you won't be disappointed!

No shortage of good vibes at this iconic Boston riverwalk. On a clear sky evening in the warmer months, the docks and benches are filled with people from all over taking in the romantic scenery with sunset. Even in the winter with the cold river as a backdrop, the Esplanade remains a place to seek solitude in our bustling city. For a special experience, visit during the 4th of July celebrations.

This is a strange museum. Contemporary art is not my jam. That’s fine. I can handle that. Open my mind and what not. But everyone who works here is weird/odd. Maybe comes with the type of art. Thankfully it was a holiday and we didn’t pay. Standard admission is $20 which seems like robbery

It’s always a great time at ICA, whether as a solo time out or with friends! The artists are talented! Not forgetting, if you can don’t miss out on the watershed, you can get it together with the museum tickets.

An Artful Afternoon on the Waterfront Just left the Downeast Cider House, where the only "installations" were tanks of delicious, fermenting apples and the dominant aesthetic was "rustic industrial." The Queen feeling pleasantly buzzed and artistically underqualified, we travelled next door to the ICA. And what a glorious contrast it was! The first thing you notice is that the ICA is the building that looks like a chic, silver envelope slid halfway off a table by a minimalist giant. It’s a statement. And the statement is: "I contain art. And probably a very expensive gift shop." The best statement of all? It’s free. That’s right. You can wander in off the street, still smelling faintly of apple, and immerse yourself in cutting-edge culture without spending a dime. We caught the current exhibit, which was, of course, "artfully executed." (Because what else would it be? "Slapdash and vaguely threatening"? Not here!) It was the kind of art that makes you nod thoughtfully while making a "hmmm" noise, desperately hoping you're "getting it." Pro tip: Tilting your head and squinting works for both examining abstract sculpture. It’s the perfect place to gaze out at the harbor, feel profoundly cultured. So, if you find yourself on the waterfront with an hour to kill and a brain that’s either full of cider or just hungry for something stimulating, make a beeline for the ICA. It’s the perfect chaser to a day of drinks: a tall, cool glass of perspective. Highly recommend.

The art was contemporary for those who like that. Good location. Good views. Good building. We went on a day when admission was free so not something I would pay money to see.

Expensive, small, yet impactful. They make well with the space they have, having an art section, gallery, and blooming gift shop. I loved the way the curators tied the art and exhibits together, with powerful themes, meaningful art, and visionary videos- including a favourite on doors. Stunning location.

An excellent little museum located beautifully at the waterside. Some interesting piecesand the the current Stanley Withney exhibition is outstanding. 20$ well spent!

I received free tickets as part of my stay at a nearby hotel. The outside area of the museum is wonderful. The art gallery is on the 4th floor and you can easily see all the exhibits I. Less than 2 hours. They have a great museum store and a cafe with outside seating.

Interesting area featuring buildings, museums and ships, especially the USS Constitution. We arrived quite late in the day and didn't have time for the museum element. We walked over the bridge to get here but other reviewers have complained about the lack of parking. Still a worthwhile visit as part of Boston's Freedom Trail.

A very cool place. We could have spent more time there. Only toured uss constitution and visitor center. Shout out to active Navy answering questions inside the USS Constitution. Quick 10min walk to Bunker Hill too

It's fun to see the USS Constitution but the USS Cassin Young was closed. It's a bit of a storage yard, a bit of a tourist visit. Worth the visit to see the oldest (200+year old) navy ship still "on the water", in the world. Good luck finding parking close.

The bronze octopus sculpture is an incredible work of art by Gillie and Marc. It is at the entrance to the Navy yard and is one of several sculptures by these artists in Boston. It is entitled The Bridge of Friendship. It is 36 feet long and holds endangered species in its 8 arms. Simply amazing work of art.

Museum closed early but you were still able to get to the dock and see the ships. Got some good pics of the boston skyline and as we were walking away the us navy fired the cannon from the ship. Not sure if its a timed thing or not but it was right b4 sunset. There was even an mini golf area and lots of tables to sit and relax if you wanted.

THIS PLACE WAS AMAZING!!! A great FREE national park. You're able to walk around and explore. PLEASE NOTE TO BRING A PHOTO ID if you're 18 or older as there is a security checkpoint for the USS Constitution. YOU'LL LOVE IT!!! (There's also free guided tours.)

We only stopped spontaneously to see the new sculpture but We loved the friendship sculpture! Huge and so realistic looking! Our children loved it! Parking was easy on the weekend too.

First time there. We were celebrating the renaming of the convention center in honor of Thomas Michael Menino. The place was great. It is very spacious. It is relaxing. Very nice venue.

It was cute. It was nice. They had live music places that you can sit down order drinks. I can't order food a lot of games.That was nice

I love Lawn on the D… It was good to go there to just sit back and relax and meditate and to just enjoy the good weather. ( only drawback was the bathroom is too far away for me) consider those who have disabilities and who maybe handicap.

Great to spend a day with family or just by yourself if weather helps. Free wifi available

Is event space was perfect for the pop-up? It was fun. A lot of people showed up. The food was phenomenal drinks music

What a great place to have a company summer event. Right outside of the Boston Convention center with lots of different activities and really good food served buffet style. Lots of friendly staff to serve and assist. And the weather was perfect that day, too! Only negative- $25.00 to park for 2 hours???

Went on a Friday night at 5:30pm for my 1st visit, this place was DEAD, which is a shocker considering it’s after work gets out in a business district (Seaport) on a Friday. There’s multiple hotels around this venue, a concert venue that is a 10 minute walk away. There’s a TON of potential for this place but it was disheartening to want to try this place for years, and get there and it’s crickets. Free entry which is cool, a good handful of lawn games such as cornhole, chess, checkers, jenga, ping pong. There was a DJ sadly playing to employees only. What I didn’t get was after seeing so many pictures of people enjoying the swings, there were only 2 swings there. Big let down. The venue is operated by Rebel Restaurants, a local chain group who owns Temezcal Tequila Cantina, Jack’s Coal Fired Pizza & Tony C’s. Zero ad space referencing any of their companies. Management should consider a severe marketing campaign aimed at filling the place to portrait to prospective guests what the potential and value the venue offers. Go building to building in the Seaport, Downtown & offer free catered food to businesses for events and get them to tag the venue on social media. Every hotel in that area should have a pamphlet on the desk of every hotel room. Partner with area schools to do sponsored nights and fundraisers to target kids and families. No reason the place should have about 15 people at 5:30 on a Friday when the workday ends at 5. Don’t let the working people in Boston leave Boston at 5. Give them a reason to stay later and fill your venue. I was in the city for a country concert at Leader Bank Pavilion, a 10 minute walk away. Nobody else there appeared to be going to the concert. Maybe match your DJ’s music or have themed events before concert time designed around the clientele attending the concert. Food was mediocre, fast-service food items not exactly justified by the prices, good selection of beers. Overall, just middle of the road with a lot of potential.

SoWa Open Market is an outdoor "farmers market" that has many different local vendors, with a wide variety of goods such as art prints, food, jewelry, and more. The market is only open on Sundays for a few hours of the day, which means the places tend to get crowded. We went a little later in the day and it was still bustling with people, but not overly crowded. We got a few items as well as food from Fuful Bakery and The Fat Cactus. The Dubai chocolate strawberries were good, with the price being a bit steep but overall worth the price. The vendors had a large assortment of goods that look nice and were worth the price, and some vendors were nice to give free items and try things out. Definitely worth a visit once or twice.

Difficult for parking. The market has a mediocre selection of goods and there is only one restroom on the second floor of the building. Gave three stars to the artist studios in the building, they are really excellent.

Great place to look for unique gifts or something for yourself. I took my two teen daughters here and they enjoy looking around. Believe it’s only open on Sunday, so check hours for heading over. Some really great selections of clothes, jewelry, paintings, some smallish furniture and much more. Fun enjoyable for about 30-60 minutes or so, not much more needed.

Finding parking is a struggle if you don't arrive half an hour before opening. Other than that, everything else is great.

such a cute place to walk around. little pricy though

Cool market with food, merchant and farmer markets . Runs on Sundays

This place is always fun but the crowds are crazy!! It’s worth going, but if you struggle with a lot of people do not go. Tons of great local sellers with awesome decorations and food trucks near by. This can be a really fun weekend trip with friends. Prepare for some crazy parking nearby if you are going to park on sight. All in all though the parking isn’t toooooooo expensive.

If you like the Victorian era, then the building and the machinery inside will impress. Three massive stream power pump, one 5 stories tall, are on display. If you like steam punk, this is a place for you. The museum is free, but ask for donations. Parking is limited but free as well.

Absolutely fantastic building, built better than a church in many ways .. exquisit brick work, architecture, and the carpentry, blacksmithing, foundry work , stands by itself as a true masterpiece aside from the machinery it houses. I can understand why it is said to be the show piece of Boston in its heyday. Fantastic machines. Well built and highly functional when they were in operation. Another thing that surprised me is these machines are said to have been whisper quiet when running. It's a worthy outing. The staff are friendly and outgoing.

Loved our visit. Friends of the museum have done an amazing restoration job, fascinating place, extremely atmospheric and the people there are so enthusiastic. Definitely recommend as also a great location for a walk around the reservoir. Lastly, why not pop into Cafe Landwer before / after your visit for delicious food & drink.

It’s well organized and preserved. It’s huge and explain well about its use and history. I know now how Boston is so green with lots of ponds . It’s free.

This place is amazing! When two 11 year olds say they liked it well you know it must be cool 😎

Awesome and free! enough to entertain my kids, 8 and 5 for 90 minutes. might not be every kid, but if they like things like marble runs and magnet tiles. Super cool for adult, especially if you’re into steampunk.

Fascinating experience and fun place to visit with the kids. Good to know the history of waterworks in Boston. Event part is that it was free and had awesome tours.

A great museum for kids and adults. Small and compact but lots to see, and no admission charge. The volunteers have lots of great history and information to share.

Very neat place. It was fun to see the history in all the items on display, from the helmets to the fire engines. The staff were very knowledgeable and friendly. Best part they let me pet the awesome firehouse dog 💕.

Couldn’t resist stepping inside this treasure-trove after walking past it a couple of times. So glad we did. We were quickly welcomed by one of the volunteers who gave us a personal tour of some of the highlights of the museum together with many personal experiences. I love conversations like this. It really was a wonderful and educational time, particularly when we learned about the active support they give to operational firefighters. If you get the chance, pay them a visit.

We were in Boston's Seaport area for lunch and happened upon the Boston Fire Museum. We just walked into the station and got a nice mini tour at no charge. It was so interesting to learn about the older trucks and methods for fighting fires and the older systems for response and keeping of records. Happy that we stopped in!

Boston Fire Museum is an amazing place to look at history of all facets of firefighting. Trucks, ladders, water jets... they have a real good walkthrough on safety and fire suppression throughout the years. Adults will find fascinating facts, kids will find hands on projects and maybe even put out a fire. Perfect place to throw a birthday party, get a tour or even history of Boston. Purchase some cool Boston Fire memorabilia; shirts, hats, sweatshirts or trucks.

Amazing free museum located in the heart of downtown Boston that captures the minds and imaginations of children, families, and adults alike. A very warm and engaging staff that love to converse about the history of firefighters in this city/country and willing to offer a perspective that is hard to find outside of a setting like this. It's not a large museum but well worth a visit. They were also hosting a kid's birthday party upstairs when I was visiting which seemed like a lot of fun.

I didn’t know what to expect going into this but it was awsome! The volunteers made the experience memorable and engaging. They really knew a lot of cool facts that I probably wouldn’t have picked up if I had just been looking at the displays on my own.

I haven’t been in years. Lots of high-end stores they revamp the whole mall. Plenty of places to eat, walked over to the Copley. In the Prudential center, they have a great space called Eataly! It’s a marketplace along with restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops.

I went strictly for the observatory deck and it did not disappoint! Beautiful sunset views and an amazing inner area to view that was protected from the high winds at the time. Still ventures outside to get those shots I was dreaming of on the way down to the PC. (Prudential Center) Parking was easy. Make sure to get your ticket validated! Much cheaper. Lots of shopping to do if that's your bag. Otherwise head to the top floor!

It’s a nice place to visit, located near well-known Newberry Shopping Street. It has many high-end brand stores and modern architecture. There are comfortable places to sit and relax. The outdoor landscape area is also beautifully decorated. Great spot for shopping or just walking around.

5 stars for Boston’s shopping mall. Great place — very well organized and super clean. Excellent brands and a wide variety of stores. Highly recommended!

View Boston is very cool. Worth the visits and cocktails were very good. Go around sunset, but bring a jacket.

You can see all of Boston and beyond from the top of this building. And there is a nice place at the top to sit relax and take in the sights!

I and Dyme Magazine was just ate at Earl's this weekend with Celebrity Chef and 4X World BBQ Champion J. Lee's Sauce and the staff treated us with so much love and their customer service is impeccable! A huge S/O to the Bartender Joshua and the Asian kid, their service was so graceful, helpful and all around TOP SHELF Service, we had to take a pics with them, the Whole staff did such a great job, they all need 20 stars with a 200% RAISE!!!!

We received a wonderful insight from the history of the church and of the Boston from the XVIII century. My first question as soon as we got there was: what are the small cubicles? They are interesting. They were reserved for families. It was a sign of status they explained. I can only imagine the time and the attires, and the wigs. So fascinating. Hear about the famous lanterns and what they meant in the place were it all happened is priceless.

Nice stop to get a couple of tickets to see the Old North Church with its deep historical spot of Paul Reveres famous ride to warn. The British are coming. Plenty to read and helpful guides inside to explain histical elements of the church’s heritage. Nice patio and courtyard when we left via the back door. I love history! Boston is loaded with it.

What a beautiful old church. I highly recommend stopping by here if you have the time. The church is filled with rich history, including the famous lantern signals from Paul Revere himself. It does have an entry fee, but it is very cheap. For a few dollars extra, you can also see the crypt down below, which I also recommend! It is tight, but definitely a must see sight!

Absolutely incredible to be in such a significant building of our nations history! To just sit and soak it in, thinking about the time of the colonial occupants and how they were willing to sacrifice everything for their freedom. Awe inspiring to say the least.

Beautiful old church. I liked the listening tour that's part of the entry cost and the additional crypt tour underneath the church. Worth the stop if you are walking along the freedom trail!

Inexpensive fee. We were one of the first ones there so there was no wait. Went to the bell tower, sanctuary and crypt. Part of the Freedom trail and it is a must see.

Another great stop on the freedom trail. With a reasonable price to get in of only $5. I highly recommend seeing this up close beautiful construction and a true piece of history

Very clean, very quiet. My group uses their meeting rooms and they’re always nice. The front desk staff was also very nice!

I go here all the time while studying or reading for pleasure. While it does get a bit loud on the first floor in the afternoon/evening, they are pretty good about keeping the second floor completely quiet. They also offer Chromebook loan services, which was a life saver for me when my laptop died, and even included a charger and mouse. I've never had a bad experience, and it's very close to coffee/food options if you need a snack break during your times.

A beautiful modern building (that cost the city way more than it should have) that is largely skewed towards teenagers and young adults because of its proximity to the municipal Middle High School. Most of the staff is very friendly and helpful (and stripes very hard to cover all possible variations of dei), and there is an abundance of amenities including public computers, printers, and various conference rooms. There's a substantial selection of books however the DVD movie selection is rather limited ; but since Cambridge Public library is part of the Minuteman library network, there is online access to movies from over a hundred other libraries. If only out of support for the beautiful institution that these public libraries are, I encourage everyone to not subscribe to Netflix or Amazon or any online streaming services, but rather to take the effort to walk to take their books or DVDs from the public library.

I’m a huge fan of the children’s room here & today I’m super grateful for Syuda !! She’s always kind & engages with the children but today she went above and beyond assisting us with a Mother’s Day project! She took the time to provide us with tools, materials & helped cut as well as showing us really neat creations. Super grateful

Clean, central but small. May be full of school children, sometimes.

My library the Cambridge Main Library is outstanding and filled with great wonderful Souls. Of course my very enzyme Librarians everyone's individual there at the library we have snack machines yeah we also have the privilege pandemic permitting of bringing it out on food to munch on whether it's from a pizza shop or I'm home we are most certainly welcome to enjoy something to eat in the right locations of the library. I am so thankful to the wonderful City management that we enjoy in the city of Cambridge particularly in our library

The best library! Many study spaces with outlets, very friendly staff, parking, and huge selection of materials.

John F. Kennedy Memorial Park is a beautiful and peaceful green space located just a short walk from Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This park is an excellent spot for anyone looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a moment of quiet reflection. The landscaping is beautifully maintained, with lush lawns, colorful flowers, and plenty of shady trees that make it a comfortable place to relax. One of the highlights of the park is the memorial dedicated to President John F. Kennedy. The memorial is simple yet very moving, featuring a granite fountain surrounded by engraved quotations from JFK’s speeches. The setting feels respectful and inspiring without being overly formal or somber. Wide paved pathways make it easy for visitors to stroll around or even ride a bike through the area. There are several benches scattered throughout the park where you can sit and enjoy the surroundings or read a book. It’s also a nice spot for a casual picnic if the weather is good. The park is clean, feels very safe, and is generally not too crowded, even on weekends. If you are visiting Harvard University or exploring Harvard Square, this park is definitely worth a stop. It’s a hidden gem that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and a sense of calm right in the middle of the city.

I prefer walking apposite side of this park along river side . It’s quite and small. You can view the river from here . It’s good to do picnic .

Our first visit to the JFK museum and library. This is a beautiful and memorable exhibit. The staff were so friendly and helpful. Definitely worth the trip outside of Boston to visit.

Normal park with good views of the Charles and the business school. Not taken care after. A lot of ducks around. Some of them are vicious. A little dirty.

Walking the streets of Boston on a crisp & sunny fall day, I was inspired by the words at the entrance to the park! The park offers nice views of the Charles River.

A phenomenal park for relaxing or strolling. I have fond memories of playing football here after a snowfall.

Very small park and very plain as well. The fountain did not have any water when I visited. It's not deemed for a person like the great President Kennedy in my opinion but the Charles River is right across and the views are good. I did enjoy the quotes that were present throughout the park though.

You have to register and can't bring in a backpack, drinks, or food.

Amazing staff, great collections, and open to the public.

Just wonderful!