Boston, Massachusetts shows up on every list of best American cities, thanks to its rich history, gracious architecture and lively vibe of old-meets-new. (It recently landed in the Top 10 U.S. Cities list in Conde' Nast Traveler magazine.) Boston is as walkable as most European cities, and it's hipper than expected, thanks to the influx of more than 250,000 college students each fall. It doesn't take a PhD in finance to enjoy Boston on the cheap. Check out Boston's best deals and fun freebies, with this top 10 list of Boston's best budget attractions.
Free Thursday Nights at the Institute of Contemporary Arts
Boston's Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) gets plenty of buzz, thanks to its fabulous waterfront location and exhibits showcasing controversial artists like Shepard Fairey and Tara Donovan. There's also a wonderful harborwalk that runs along the back of the building, with cool city views. On Thursdays nights from 5 to 9 p.m., admission is free. It's also free for families on the last Saturday of each month except Dec. (up to two adults with children age 12 and under.)
Freedom Trail
The American Revolution began in Boston, home of that famous tea party and the Boston Massacre. Follow the 2.5-mile red brick road (it's a painted red line at some points) to the city's most famous historic sites. The Freedom Trail, running from Boston Common to Charlestown, is free; some sites require a small fee or donation. Highlights include the Old Granary Burying Ground, (final resting place for Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Crispus Attucks), Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, the Old North Church, and the USS Constitution.
Fenway Park Tour
It's not free, but at $12 per person, it's a bargain, compared to the cost of Red Sox tickets. Running year-'round, Fenway Park tours feature the famous Green Monster, the dugout, the press box, and a stroll around the field, with tales and trivia about the the oldest field in Major League Baseball (opened in 1912.)
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Mrs. Gardner built this exquisite Venetian-style palazzo to house the incredible collection of furnishings, textiles, paintings and sculpture she gathered on her European travels. Nothing has been changed since her death in 1924. Visit this treasure-trove for free on your birthday, or anytime, if your name is Isabella!
Ice Skating at Frog Pond
Located in the heart of Boston Common, Frog Pond looks like a Currier and Ives painting come to life in wintertime, when it's frozen and filled with ice skaters. Skating is free; rent skates (and buy a cup of hot cocoa) for a small fee.
Swan Boats in the Public Garden
The sweet, swan-shaped boats gliding around Lagoon Pond in summertime are one of Boston's iconic images. It only costs a couple of dollars for a swanboat ride, and it's sure to be a priceless memory.
$1 Friday Nights at the Boston Children's Museum
It's worth keeping the kids up a little late to take advantage of this rate, offered Friday nights from 5 to 9 p.m. (normally $12 admission for adults, $9 for children.) This state-of-the-art fun factory is full of interactive exhibits, including a KidStage, a three-story climbing structure, and a replica of a 100-year-old Japanese house.
Free Wednesday evenings at the Museum of Fine Arts
Boston's dazzling MFA is a must-see for any arts lover. Why not visit on Wednesday from 4 to 9:45 p.m. when general admission is free? The Asian and Egyptian art collections, in particular, are not to be missed. (A fee applies for special exhibitions.)
Museum of African American History
New England's largest museum of African American history is always free, but a donation of $5 or so is always a nice gesture.
Rose Kennedy Greenway and Boston's North End
Now that the Big Dig road construction project is over, it's a lot easier to walk to Boston's Little Italy, the North End. Stroll the new Rose Kennedy Greenway to the city's oldest residential neighborhood, a one-mile-square area filled with tiny salumerias (Italian delis), pastry shops, and cafes, charming in any season.
With a little planning, it's easy to take advantage of Boston's top museums and most beloved attractions without spending much money. Use the cash saved to purchase half-price, day-of-performance tickets to the theater, opera, or ballet from BosTix . (BosTix kiosks are located at Faneuil Hall and Copley Square.)
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