Boston, like many Northeastern cities, might have a high cost of living and offer plenty of expensive treats, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend big to have a good time there. In fact, a lot about the city, from affordable public transportation to free-entry parks and museums, make it the perfect place to get away on a shoestring.
Beantown is a big, active place, so you can find an ever-changing roster of festivals, cultural events and culinary sensations to explore there. But if you need a few reliable, low-cost options to build your vacation plans around, take a look at some of the best ways to visit Boston on a budget in the guide below, as well as some handy tips on saving, to make the most of your time and money there.
Free Things to Do in Boston
Boston Common
Boston Common’s 48 acres of green space are the place to be for fun in the sun. In warm months, pedal a swan boat, frolic on the playground, take a spin on the carousel or just spread a blanket on the lawn and take a nap. Cross Charles Street to pose for a selfie with the beloved “Make Way for Ducklings” statues at the Public Garden, a AAA GEM® attraction. When the weather cools off, put on some skates and practice your spins on Frog Pond. Admission is free; there’s a fee for skate rental.
Boston Public Library
The Boston Public Library comprises two buildings that are a study in contrasts: one a Philip Johnson modernist structure, built 1967-71 and the other a Renaissance Revival style designed by Charles Follen McKim. When the stunning McKim building opened in 1895, it was called “a palace for the people”. Wander inside to see some major artwork, including two supersized lion sculptures, as well as rooms covered in breathtaking murals by Daniel Chester French and John Singer Sargent. A lovely courtyard in the style of a 16th-century Roman palace style separates the buildings.
Bunker Hill Monument
The last stop on the Freedom Trail, the Bunker Hill Monument, a AAA GEM® attraction, is a 221-foot-tall granite obelisk that pays homage to one of the most important conflicts of the American Revolution. Challenge yourself to climb up the 294-step spiral staircase to reach the observation deck—it’s worth it for the sweeping city views. Cross the street and check out the Battle of Bunker Hill Museum, where you can see a 360-degree cyclorama painting that portrays the battle in great detail. Admission to the monument and museum is free.
Commonwealth Museum
A must-see for history buffs, this museum houses a small but very important collection of rare documents, including one of 14 original copies of the Declaration of Independence, signed by John Hancock and one of 14 original copies of the Bill of Rights, signed by John Adams. The 1629 Massachusetts Bay Colony Charter, the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution and a copper-plate etching of the Boston Massacre by Paul Revere also are on display. Admission is free.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Shoppers from the world over unite at this gathering place that swarms with tourists no matter the time of year. Foodies will delight in the abundance of budget-priced eateries that line both sides of Quincy Market, although crowds sometimes fill it up quickly and move slowly. Watch buskers from acrobats and dance troupes to knife jugglers and escape artists perform in the marketplace’s pedestrian malls.
Cheap Things to Do in Boston
The Mary Baker Eddy Library
The true standout of the Mary Baker Eddy Library, the Mapparium is a room that literally puts you in the middle of the world as you step inside (via a bisecting bridge) a dazzling three-story globe made of multicolored stained glass. The room’s acoustics account for cool sound effects; for example, if you stand at one end of the room and whisper, someone at the other end will hear you. Adult admission is $6.
Old State House
If you need a refresher course on Colonial history, especially when it comes to the events leading up to the American Revolution, this AAA GEM® attraction should be a stop on your trip. An enthusiastic tour guide will fill you in on how the major players— John Adams, John Hancock, George Washington—and lesser-known but equally important men and women figured into the founding of the United States. Admission is $10 per adult.
The USS Constitution Museum
For generations, no trip to Boston has been complete without a stop at this living piece of history, commissioned in 1797 as one of the newborn U.S. Navy’s original six frigates. “Old Ironsides” has served in the Atlantic and Pacific, taken part in the War of 1812 and the American Civil War, trained generations of naval officers and is today the oldest commissioned naval ship still afloat.
Built, launched and often homeported in Boston, the ship is an enduring symbol of the city’s importance in early American history. Entry is technically free, but since the museum receives no federal funding, they have a suggested admission price of $10-15 for adults and $5-10 for kids.
The Harpoon Brewery Tour
With over 1,000 bars and more than 30 breweries, Boston is a paradise for beer lovers and the perfect place to take a brewery tour. Among Beantown brewers, Harpoon stands out in several ways: the beer is brewed using simple, natural ingredients, it’s employee-owned and it’s where the India Pale Ale (IPA) style, now so popular, was first introduced to New England’s beer fans. The half-hour tour costs $5 per adult and includes samples of Harpoon’s most popular brews.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Boston offers no shortage of options for art lovers, among which the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is by far one of the most famous and well-regarded. Named for the collector who commissioned the building and turned it into a sterling collection of artworks from Europe, America and Asia, the museum is as famous for its collection of artworks from masters like Rembrandt, Degas and Titian as it is for its stunning courtyard and for the infamous theft which occurred there in 1990. Admission is free for kids and members, $13 for college students, $18 for seniors and $20 for all other adults.
How to Save Money on Hotels and Transportation
Besides taking advantage of discounts from AAA and other membership programs, there are a few ways you can keep your expenses down while visiting Boston. First, try to visit outside of the summer. Summer in Boston is, as in many cities, peak tourist season, when prices for lodging, food and transportation all increase dramatically. You can enjoy many of the same sights and experiences for far less when you visit in the spring or fall.
One way to save on accommodation is by broadening your search to towns outside the city with stops on the MBTA commuter rail network, like Worcester or Billerica. One-way tickets on the MBTA start at $2.40, with 1-, 5-, 7-day, weekend and month passes available. Hotels in smaller satellite towns are also more affordable than those in downtown Boston.
It’s also a good idea to ask for special rates and discounts when booking lodging and to look up fixed cab fare rates and reduced MBTA fares for groups like uniformed military personnel or people with disabilities.
How to Save Money on Tickets
Boston CityPASS®
A great way to cut costs when visiting Boston’s most popular attractions is to invest in a Boston CityPASS. This discount deal is valid for nine days from the date of purchase and offers prepaid admission to the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science, plus your choice of Franklin Park Zoo, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, Boston Harbor City Cruises, or the View Boston observation deck, with savings of up to 45%. You can buy yours right here on Trip Canvas at $79 for adults or $67 for kids.
The Fun Pass
If you’re traveling with kids, don’t forget to order a copy of the Fun Pass coupon book. Published by the Breathe New Hampshire non-profit organization, it contains coupons worth $2,000 offering discounts on kid-friendly events throughout New England. Copies can be purchased for $40 online or by phone.
Sign Up for Ticket Alerts
Hoping to catch some sports excitement on a shoestring? Then your best bet is to sign up for newsletters from teams like the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics. Sports franchises use newsletters to let fans know about the latest news and ticket specials and discounts. The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can get game tickets at bargain prices.
Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Boston today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.