Boston: 13 Things to See and Do in 2019

There are chic shops and boutiques, fabulous restaurants, gorgeous green spaces and public parks, a magnificent harbor, and a metropolitan culture all its own.

Whether you feel like a little island-hopping Boston style, browsing the best bookstores, or gorging yourself on lobster rolls and clam chowder, you’ll find something to love about the “City on a Hill.”

Boston is great any time of the year—although you better pack warm clothes if you visit in winter! New England gets its share of snow and cold temperatures. Spring in Boston is spectacular, though it’s still a bit chilly. If you’re looking for perfect outdoor weather, you’ll love Boston between June and October.

No matter when you visit, there’s always something to do. Check out our list of 13 top experiences in Boston for 2019.

• Boston’s Patriot Day is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Patriot Day caps off what is pretty much the best weekend in Boston; it sums up the spirit of the city like nothing else can. On the third Monday in April, the Red Sox play at 11 am, an early start so fans can still cheer on family and friends running in the Boston Marathon, which also takes place on Patriot Day.

Patriot Day falls on April 15th in 2019—what better way to take your mind off tax day? Check out a few re-enactments of the 1775 battles of Lexington and Concord over the weekend, too.

• Spring is baseball season—cheer on the Boston Red Sox at the oldest ballpark in the USA.

Baseball is America’s game and Fenway Park is one of its most iconic ballparks. It’s been the home of the Red Sox since 1912. There’s no better way to spend an afternoon in Boston than at Fenway Park, eating hot dogs and peanuts, and cheering on the Sox.

• Channel your inner history buff with a visit to the actual site of the Boston Massacre.

Most historians agree that the Boston Massacre paved the way for the American Revolution. A scuffle turned into a deadly riot, leaving five colonists dead. John Adams caused a bit of a firestorm giving legal defense to the British soldiers. Take a stroll down King Street and you can see the place where American history began.

• Boston Public Garden is a riot of color with spring blooms.

Boston Public Garden holds the distinction of being the first public botanical garden in America, and it lives up to its lofty heritage. Today, this “people’s park” is the pride of Boston. Take a ride on the world renowned Swan Boats, enjoy a guided tour, and while away a few hours picnicking and gazing at the gorgeous sculptures and blooms.

• Walk the Freedom Trail and ponder the nation’s patriots.

Boston’s summertime is sunny and pleasant—the perfect time to wander the Freedom Trail and explore America’s history through museums, parks, burial grounds, historical markers and even a ship. You’ll visit Faneuil Hall, Boston Commons, the Paul Revere House, and the U.S.S. Constitution among others. This is a great family activity even your kids will love.

• Lobster rolls! Enough said.

Let’s be frank—is there anything better than sweet tender hunks of lobster meat slathered with mayo or warm butter and cradled in a crusty split-top bun? We certainly don’t think so. And there’s no better place than Boston to sample the absolute best of these hand-held feasts.

• Watch the sunset from your kayak on the Charles River.

The Charles River is a defining feature of Boston’s cityscape. The leafy Esplanade is perfect for a leisurely stroll or morning jog—get there at the crack of dawn and you’ll likely catch collegiate rowers gliding across the water. But the best time to experience the Charles is at sunset from your kayak. The views are simply stunning.

• Pretty sure nothing beats Boston’s fall foliage displays.

The rolling hills and picturesque towns around Boston are picture-perfect when the leaves have turned from green to bronze. Jump in your car and go where your heart takes you—you might even find a pumpkin patch or farmer’s market along the way.

• You know you’ve always wanted to explore Harvard.

Harvard is the oldest college in America and Harvard Yard is one of Boston’s most iconic landmarks. Stroll around the campus, pop into Peabody or the Sackler Art Museum, or browse for a scholarly tome at the Harvard Book Store. Or just treat yourself to a student-led tour of the campus (you don’t have to be a prospective student to enjoy the sights).

• Boston is the home of the first Thanksgiving—what’s more American than that?

As you’d guess, you can find some pretty amazing Thanksgiving dinners at Boston’s restaurants—it’s the city that invented Thanksgiving, after all. And when you’re finished eating, Boston has plenty to keep you entertained. Take in a game or a concert at the Garden, check out the holiday market at Faneuil Hall, or visit the Plimoth Plantation, where the pilgrims first landed. And if the weather cooperates, you can go ice skating at Frog Pond.

• Go sledding in Boston Common.

Boston has a ton of great urban hills for sledding, but Flagstaff Hill in Boston Common is one of the best. Release your inner child and fly down a snow-covered hill. Or take a short trip to nearby Medford and sled on the President’s Lawn at Tufts.

• Attend a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party.

December 16, 1773, is a pivotal day in American history—one of the most important events leading up to the American Revolution. You can participate in a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party at the Old South Meeting House. When it’s over, enjoy a hearty dinner at one of Boston’s incredible restaurants (and go ahead and order that cup of hot tea).

• Escape the cold at one of Boston's 60 amazing museums.

It’s not surprising that a city known as a center of culture and academia has 60 museums—there’s really something for everyone. And if you’re a fan of JFK, you definitely won’t want to miss the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.