BOSTON · TICKETS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 13 attraction tickets worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Visit View Boston in Prudential Tower for 90 minutes of indoor and open-air 360-degree views. Explore Boston 365, Open Doors theater, and the Explore Boston itinerary tool, then add a drink at Stratus or reserve The Beacon Restaurant.
“I didn’t have a guide but it was beautiful!! Very nice”
Ride CityView’s English-speaking hop-on, hop-off trolley around Boston for one or two days. Hear local stories from guides such as Paul, Hugo, Coach, and Johnny Boston, then get off near Paul Revere’s House, the USS Constitution, Beacon Hill, and the Freedom Trail.
“The Guide answered other questions above and beyond the tour. Also, the trolley was not full and he made sure everyone was comfortable with heat/air, windows down.”
Book timed admission to Boston’s New England Aquarium and spend about two hours exploring more than 800 marine animals. See Myrtle, the 550-pound green sea turtle, watch penguins and seals, visit the Marine Mammal Center, and get close to rays at the touch tank. Mobile tickets make entry simple.
“Weekend attendance comes with tons of children. For folks with disabilities, this visit might be better during the weekdays and earlier in the day. This was a great place to visit, very informative!”
Spend a day at Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo, where you can see African lions, Masai giraffes, gorillas, pygmy hippos, painted dogs, butterflies, kangaroos, and more. Seasonal areas include Gorilla Grove, Aussie Aviary, and Butterfly Hollow. Entry costs $24 and parking is free.
“The zoo was awesome. I have the scanned ticket, and I was walking up to enter the zoo, and two employees asked if I paid online, and I said yes, so I brought up the app and they scanned and said, you're all set. I had a wonderful time at the zoo. I would recommend going earlier or later in the date because going midday, the animals were asleep.”
Reserve timed admission to View Boston atop Prudential Tower. You’ll explore indoor and outdoor decks, the Cloud Terrace, interactive city exhibits, Boston 365, and optional drinks or food. Plan on one to two hours, with clear weather best for the full experience.
“It was not bust. Just 1 or two others. I went to see Boston and I took some nice pictures, not just from the observation deck but also the nice buildings and surrounding places. I also went to the Franklin Zoo. I made a day of it.”
Visit Real Pirates Salem for a self-guided look at Black Sam Bellamy, Maria Hallett, and the wreck of the Whydah Gally. You’ll see authentic shipwreck artifacts, watch a short film, explore a discovery lab, and enjoy photo stops. Allow 45 to 90 minutes.
“There’s a lot of interesting historical information. It was a lot of fun, and honestly one of the best tours we had while in Salem.”
Visit Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts at your own pace with a one-day general admission ticket. Use the free audio guide on your phone, see works from ancient Egypt to modern art, browse the shops, and pause at the cafés. Special exhibitions require separate tickets.
“This museum is amazing. We were especially interested in the O'Keefe exhibit. It was excellent, but the people who were supposed to be in the group before us arrived late. That made for a very crowded experience. Other than that, it was great. The Ancient Egypt exhibit is fabulous.”
At Real Pirates Salem, follow Black Sam Bellamy and Maria Hallet through a multimedia museum built around treasure recovered from the Whydah Gally. See 300-year-old coins, jewelry, and weapons, watch archaeologists work in the Discovery Lab, and finish with an included digital photo experience.
“the tour was great. the guide was great. the coin with $5 off was a great treat”
Spend about 90 minutes at Boston’s Museum of Ice Cream, an interactive Experium with nine themed spaces, unlimited ice cream, the Sprinkle Pool, and Hall of Freezers. #TeamMOIC guides keep the visit moving, share ice cream facts, and help you enjoy the exhibits safely.
“It didn’t really have any story attached to it. The ice cream was very sweet and sickly. Would recommend for toddlers but nothing older”
Take a 35-minute train from Boston to Salem, then follow a local guide through witch trial sites, Hocus Pocus locations, Puritan landmarks, and pop culture stops. The tour ends with the Salem Witch Museum Sunday through Thursday or Real Pirates Museum Friday and Saturday, plus free time in town.
“Our tour guide Elizabeth was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history of the town. The town was beautiful and clean. Everyone was very welcoming and the shops were fun! Lots of walking so be prepared and public bathrooms are few and far between so go when you can!”
At Boston’s LEGO Discovery Center in Somerville, you and your child can build minifigures, launch LEGO cars, scan a spaceship, ride Kingdom Quest, watch a 4D film, and play among more than 1.5 million bricks. English-speaking Playmakers and Master Model Builders add hands-on help.
“I think if there were more activities for older kids (10-12) they would have more fun. It was a fun time, the little kids had lots of fun.”
At Boston’s Charlestown Navy Yard, explore the USS Constitution Museum for one day with interactive galleries, sailor activities, Navy crew videos, and the LEGO Brickyard. Your ticket covers the museum only, not boarding USS Constitution, which the US Navy operates separately.
“Really educational and the films were fascinating to watch”
You’ll watch the Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park from an assigned seat, with budget, regular, or premium categories available. Your mobile ticket arrives separately from the booking QR code. Allow about three hours for the game, concessions, and matchday entertainment.
Pick a walk, a hull, a plate or a ghost story.
