Go Boston Explorer City Pass: Choose 2, 3, 4 Or 5 Attractions

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Go Boston Pass, 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111, USA

Save up to 35% on admission to top Boston attractions. Pay nothing at the gate!

Digital delivery. Use your pass right on your phone.

Duration: 1 day

Stop At: CityView Trolley Tours, 296 State St on the State Street side of the street., Boston, MA 02109-2607

See the best of Boston and enjoy the convenience of a Hop-On Hop-Off fully narrated trolley tour.

The CityView Trolley Tour is a great way to get around the city and hit all the top attractions, popular shopping destinations, museums, and more. As you ride, you’ll learn about Boston’s unique history while you get acquainted with the area with open-air views.

The trolley makes 9 stops including:

The New England Aquarium/ Shuttle & Ferry/ Quincy Market/ Faneuil Hall

Paul Revere House/ Little Italy

North End/ Old North Church

USS Constitution “Old Ironsides”

North Station/ TD Bank Garden Sports Museum

Old State House / Faneuil Hall/ Boston Massacre Site/ Government Center

Boston Common/ Public Garden

State House/ Beacon Hill

South Station/ Convention Center/ Children’s Museum


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Boston Duck Tours, 53 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02199-7658

A Boston Duck Tour provides high-energy fun with a unique perspective on the history of Boston. Explore the streets of Beantown on a World War II style landing craft. Just when you thought you’ve seen it all, your guide takes you to the edge of the Charles River and drives right into the water for a ducks-eye view of Cambridge and Boston!

Your Boston Duck Tour will take you past the famous gold-domed State House, the trendy shopping district on Newbury Street, the politically-charged and geographically-challenged Beacon Hill neighborhood, and so much more! Get ready to lose your inhibitions and quack your heart out at other Boston Duck Tour boats you pass--the ducks all seem to know each other!

There are 2 departure points for Boston Duck Tour. Choose from:

Museum of Science - Original Duck Tour

New England Aquarium - Original Duck Tour

Once your landing craft turns into a "duck" in the water, you’ll have a duck’s-eye-view of Boston as well as neighboring Cambridge--home of MIT, Harvard, and loads of historic hot-spots. The two distinct towns are neatly divided by the Charles River, and on your Boston Duck Tour, you’ll have the chance to see both.

What other sights might you see, courtesy of your high-energy and uniquely clad “ConDUCKtor”? While each tour is different, here’s a preview of many of the sights:

Trinity Church

Hancock Tower

Prudential Center

Boston Common and Boston Public Garden

“Cheers”

Robert Gould Shaw Civil War Memorial

Holocaust Memorial

Union Oyster House (purported to be the oldest restaurant in America)

TD Garden (home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins)

Bunker Hill Monument and Historic Charlestown

Leonard P. Zakim Cable Bridge

Old North Church and The Italian North End

King’s Chapel & Granary Burying Ground (burial site of three signors of the Declaration of Independence)

Climb aboard a super-cool amphibious tour vehicle that is part boat, part bus, and a whole lot of duck. Get to know your Boston tour-guide, who, alongside a licensed captain will guarantee you a whole lot of laughs and a memorable trip that promises a “quacky” and fun look at Beantown and its attractions!


Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110-3309

VIP Line Privileges

Let your imagination swim wild with a visit to the New England Aquarium. Marvel at the bustling penguin colony, and then circle the four-story Caribbean coral reef teeming with sea turtles, eels, barracuda, tarpon, and hundreds of tropical fish.

Your Aquarium adventure includes playful seals, eye-catching jellies, and unforgettable hands-on experiences at the Shark and Ray Touch Tank exhibit.

Your visit helps! Each admission supports the Aquarium's global conservation and research efforts.

After visiting, keep the exploration going and catch an IMAX 3D movie on New England's largest screen (additional charge).

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114-1099

VIP Line Privileges

Be scientist for the day and explore all things science, technology, engineering, and math at the Museum of Science in Boston, one of the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most attended cultural institution.

With over 700 interactive exhibits, you’ll find hands-on adventures geared towards all ages that ignite curiosity and a greater understanding for the science behind everyday occurrences. You’ll get to watch real chicks hatch, safely witness lightning during one of the museum’s twice daily live shows, get an up-close look at the first space capsule, and more – all while learning through the fun of play about everything from some of the most basic fundamentals of science to more complex concepts still being explored today.

Here’s a look at some exhibit highlights at the Museum of Science:

Hall of Human Life: step inside the Hall of Human Life, the museum’s new biology exhibition, and take a journey inside the human body. Spanning more than 70 interactive components, the exhibition will revolutionize how you engage with your biology and manage your health.

Theater of Electricity: Indoor bolts produced by the world’s largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator explore the science of lightning, conductors, insulators, electricity, magnetism, and storm safety.

Triceratops Cliff: View a 65-million-year-old fossil that was unearthed in the Dakota Badlands in 2004. It’s one of only four nearly-complete Triceratops on public display in the world!

Drop-In Activities & Live Presentations: The museum offers a variety of hands-on activities and live presentations daily. Check out their daily schedule to see what’s going on during your visit.

Live Animal Center: Get a behind-the-scenes peek at some of the animals that star in museum exhibits, Live Animal presentations, and Traveling Programs. The Live Animal Care Center is home to approximately 120 animals representing more than 50 species.

Charles Hayden Planetarium (upgrade available for purchase): The Charles Hayden Planetarium is the most technologically advanced digital theater in New England and showcases a variety of engaging shows, including the Museum’s newest original production, Inside: NASA: From Dream to Discovery.

Mugar Omni Theater (upgrade available for purchase): Catch a larger-than-life projection of a five-story IMAX® film exploring topics such as flora, fauna, and faraway places.

4-D Theater (upgrade available for purchase): Immerse yourself in a theater complete with special effects, like wind and snow, at this multi-sensory experience featuring an engaging, family-friendly film experience.

Butterfly Garden (upgrade available for purchase): Walk among the free-flying residents of this warm conservatory overlooking the Charles River filled with exotic plants and living butterflies from New England and across the globe.


Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Boston Harbor Cruises, Boston, MA 02110-3600

There’s always time for a little romance on your vacation. Embark on this spectacular sunset cruise to experience the illustrious Boston Harbor at its most alluring.

In this 90-minute sightseeing tour, your captain will transport you to some of the most beloved Boston attractions. Your tour guide will introduce you to all the history and sights of the Harbor as you marvel at stunning views of one of America’s favorite cities.

On your tour, you’ll witness the USS Constitution’s traditional sunset ritual as she fires her cannon and lowers her flag ceremoniously signaling the day’s end. Departing from the Long Wharf in Boston, peruse the Inner Harbor, and cruise past Long Island, Spectacle Island, Castle Island, and more! Relax on the calm waters of Boston Harbor, grab a drink from the vessel’s bar, and take in views of the Boston skyline as the sun begins to set.

The Boston Harbor Cruises are easily accessible. Located just outside of the Aquarium Station the MBTA Blue Line, getting there is a breeze. The waterfront is a quick walk away from the North End, Haymarket, or Government Center, so you can enjoy neighboring attractions before boarding for the Sunset Cruise. Kids will be captivated by the fascinating history of Boston and its isles, while the adults enjoy the chance to unwind and feel that ocean breeze. Experience Boston at its most intimate on this fun, relaxing, and educational Sunset Cruise. It is the perfect culmination to any vacation day!


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, MA 02215-3409

Don’t miss this classic Boston experience at “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark”. Fenway Park is more than an iconic baseball stadium; many Bostonians consider it the heart and soul of the city and you can see why on this one hour Fenway Park Tour.

Explore the park where Babe Ruth pitched, Ted Williams hit, and Carl Yastrzemski led his amazing career. Visit Pesky’s Pole and sit atop the world famous Green Monster overlooking left field.

Knowledgeable guides provide entertaining commentary, stories, and trivia as they take visitors through areas not typically seen by the general public. You’ll see all of Fenway Park’s infamous features, including Duffy’s Cliff, Pesky’s Pole, Williamsburg, The Triangle, and the Lone Red Seat.

You don’t have to be a baseball fan to appreciate a Fenway Park Tour and the park's historical importance to the city of Boston as the “Red Sox Nation”.

Since it’s unveiling on April 20, 1912, Fenway Park has been the home of many of Major League Baseball’s record-breaking moments. It is one of the few ballparks in the country to still use a manual scoreboard.

Fenway Park is more than just the site of Red Sox games. The legendary baseball arena has also hosted the Beanpot, the Boston collegiate hockey tournament, the 2010 NHL Winter Classic and even numerous New England Patriots games in the days when the team was known as the Boston Patriots!

Walk through baseball’s most sacred stadium and feel the magic of the Red Sox, while learning what makes Boston one of the most important baseball cities in the country.


Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Boston Children's Museum, 308 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210-1016

Climb a wall, navigate through a giant maze, and create original artwork at Boston Children's Museum. This visit will be the highlight of your child's trip to Boston.

Boston Children's Museum has been building innovative, meaningful, and fun exhibits for over 100 years, with a continued emphasis on ‘hands-on engagement and learning through experience’ that has inspired other museums around the world.

Designed for children and families, the exhibits focus on science, culture, environmental awareness, health and fitness, and the arts. The Museum promotes a love of learning and exploration that is crucial to the development of any child. Visit Boston Children's Museum with your little ones, and get ready for a full day of fun and adventures!

Here’s a look at some highlights at the Boston Children's Museum:

Art Studio: A dynamic, hands-on activity space. Lively and well-equipped, the room is designed to encourage children to observe, explore and express ideas, and use different tools.

The Common: For games, gatherings and getting active, The Common is the place to play. The Common features brain-building fun alongside activities that help children develop gross motor skills.

Japanese House: Families can explore every corner of this fully-equipped Japanese house reconstructed in Boston by Japanese carpenters. Japanese family life, customs, ceremonies, art, architecture and seasonal events are all highlighted in the fully functional 100-year-old house inside the Museum.

Kid Power: Active bodies are powerful bodies! Use pedal power to activate the Kid Power sign, light up the interactive dance floor, climb the walls, or hop on the power pump seats.

New Balance Foundation Climb: This incredible 3-story climbing sculpture is made of flowing curved platforms, rising up through the glass lobby of Boston Children’s Museum and inviting children to scamper and scale this vertical maze. Children are both challenged and delighted as they attempt safe risk-taking and find their way through the 3D, full body puzzle.

Boston Children's Museum is a must for any family with young children.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Freedom Trail Tours, Begin at 148 Tremont St. Office at 99 Chauncy St. #401, Boston, MA 02111

Meander down Boston's iconic red line and you'll feel like you're walking through a history book. Packing a total of 11 historic sites in just under 1 mile, this tour takes you on a journey of the American Revolution and beyond. You should NOT leave Boston without learning about its historical significance by taking a trip along the city’s world-famous Freedom Trail®! This legendary path is a red-brick line that physically leads you through the city, passing by the most important historical sites of the early days of American Revolution that led to eventual independence from Britain.

Walk Into History® with the Freedom Trail® Foundation’s 18th-century costumed guides along the red-brick line of Boston's Freedom Trail®, and learn what really happened. On the official Freedom Trail® tours, famous patriots such as James Otis, Abigail Adams, and William Dawes tell stories about the people, places, events, and drama of the American Revolution, and share lively anecdotes about the importance and historical significance of the city of Boston!

The 90-minute tours travels between Boston Common and Faneuil Hall, covering 11 of the 16 Freedom Trail® sites. Your tour will feature the following Boston landmarks:

Boston Common: The “Central Park” of Boston. Dated to 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States

Massachusetts State House: The current state capitol and house of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, located in the affluent Beacon Hill neighborhood and highly recognizable by its prominent gold-domed roof

Park Street Church: Founded by former members of the Old South Meeting House, this church features a prominent 217-foot steeple that stands out among the skyscrapers of the Financial District, and was used to store gunpowder during the War of 1812

Granary Burying Ground: A cemetery founded in 1660, and the resting place for three signers of the Declaration of Independence, Paul Revere, and the five victims of the Boston Massacre

King’s Chapel Burying Ground: The oldest cemetery in the city, founded in 1630, and the final resting place of John Winthrop, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s father, and Mary Chilton-the first European woman to step ashore in New England

Boston Latin School Site/Benjamin Franklin Statue

Old Corner Bookstore: Formerly the home of Anne Hutchinson, accused heretic, and subsequently a meeting-place for such authors as Wadsworth, Longfellow, Emerson, Hawthorne, Dickens, and Wendell-Holmes

Old South Meeting House: The famed organizing point for the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773

Old State House: The oldest surviving public building in Boston and the seat of the first elected legislature in the ‘New World’

Boston Massacre Site: The physical location (now in the middle of an intersection!) where the American rebellion was sparked by the killing of five civilians

Faneuil Hall: A marketplace and meetinghouse since 1742, and the site of speeches given by Samuel Adams and James Otis as they encouraged independence from Great Britain

Needless to say, the Freedom Trail® Foundation's Walk Into History Tour is the most comprehensive and “up-close” look at the events of the American Revolution available, and will not only let you stretch your legs in the beautiful city of Boston, but send you home with a broad understanding of how the United States gained independence. Entrance into the historic sites are encouraged before or after the tours, which organically go into Boston Common, Granary Burying Ground, Boston Latin School Site/Benjamin Franklin Statue, and Boston Massacre Site.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Freedom Trail, 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111

Meander down Boston's iconic red line and you'll feel like you're walking through a history book. Packing a total of 11 historic sites in just under 1 mile, this tour takes you on a journey of the American Revolution and beyond. You should NOT leave Boston without learning about its historical significance by taking a trip along the city’s world-famous Freedom Trail®! This legendary path is a red-brick line that physically leads you through the city, passing by the most important historical sites of the early days of American Revolution that led to eventual independence from Britain.

Walk Into History® with the Freedom Trail® Foundation’s 18th-century costumed guides along the red-brick line of Boston's Freedom Trail®, and learn what really happened. On the official Freedom Trail® tours, famous patriots such as James Otis, Abigail Adams, and William Dawes tell stories about the people, places, events, and drama of the American Revolution, and share lively anecdotes about the importance and historical significance of the city of Boston!

The 90-minute tours travels between Boston Common and Faneuil Hall, covering 11 of the 16 Freedom Trail® sites. Your tour will feature the following Boston landmarks:

Boston Common: The “Central Park” of Boston. Dated to 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States

Massachusetts State House: The current state capitol and house of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, located in the affluent Beacon Hill neighborhood and highly recognizable by its prominent gold-domed roof

Park Street Church: Founded by former members of the Old South Meeting House, this church features a prominent 217-foot steeple that stands out among the skyscrapers of the Financial District, and was used to store gunpowder during the War of 1812

Granary Burying Ground: A cemetery founded in 1660, and the resting place for three signers of the Declaration of Independence, Paul Revere, and the five victims of the Boston Massacre

King’s Chapel Burying Ground: The oldest cemetery in the city, founded in 1630, and the final resting place of John Winthrop, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s father, and Mary Chilton-the first European woman to step ashore in New England

Boston Latin School Site/Benjamin Franklin Statue

Old Corner Bookstore: Formerly the home of Anne Hutchinson, accused heretic, and subsequently a meeting-place for such authors as Wadsworth, Longfellow, Emerson, Hawthorne, Dickens, and Wendell-Holmes

Old South Meeting House: The famed organizing point for the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773

Old State House: The oldest surviving public building in Boston and the seat of the first elected legislature in the ‘New World’

Boston Massacre Site: The physical location (now in the middle of an intersection!) where the American rebellion was sparked by the killing of five civilians

Faneuil Hall: A marketplace and meetinghouse since 1742, and the site of speeches given by Samuel Adams and James Otis as they encouraged independence from Great Britain

Needless to say, the Freedom Trail® Foundation's Walk Into History Tour is the most comprehensive and “up-close” look at the events of the American Revolution available, and will not only let you stretch your legs in the beautiful city of Boston, but send you home with a broad understanding of how the United States gained independence. Entrance into the historic sites are encouraged before or after the tours, which organically go into Boston Common, Granary Burying Ground, Boston Latin School Site/Benjamin Franklin Statue, and Boston Massacre Site.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: USS Constitution, Bldg. 5, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA 02129

History, character, top-ranked universities, and winning sports teams – see why Boston has it all on this historical Harbor Cruise.

What your USS Constitution Cruise tickets include

A 45-minute narrated cruise through Boston Harbor

A chance to tour and explore the Charlestown Navy Yard

An up close and personal experience with the USS Constitution

A history of Boston and a trip past famous landmarks like the site of the Boston Tea Party

Hop aboard a Boston Harbor Cruise for a unique perspective on the history and intrigue of this great city. Learn about Beantown’s storied past on a 45-minute narrated cruise, complete with a tour of the USS Constitution and Charlestown’s most famous landmarks.

This tour brings you up close and personal with the iconic USS Constitution, otherwise known as Old Ironsides. The esteemed vessel is famous for being one of the first ships ever commissioned by the US Navy. You’ll cruise right up to her home at the Charlestown Navy and will have the option to disembark and explore the beauty for yourself. If you choose to disembark, you’re more than welcome to catch a different ship back.

Aside from being able to walk aboard the USS Constitution, you’ll also be able to explore other famous Navy Ships at the shipyard, snap memorable photos of the Boston Harbor skyline, and get a feel for America’s maritime history. Take time to walk around Charlestown Shipyard and the nearby attractions for the full Boston experience.

Once back onboard, you’ll cruise through the Harbor and back to the start. Listen on as your captain points out Old North Church, the site of the Boston Tea Party, and the Charlestown Bunker Hill Monument. The USS Constitution Cruise is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable way to learn about Boston’s monumental history.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston, 598 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145, USA

With over three million LEGO® bricks under one roof, there’s a lot to explore at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Boston, a must-see for LEGO® fans ages 3-10.

This indoor family attraction features two interactive LEGO® rides, a 4D cinema, LEGO® Fire Academy Soft Play Area (socks required), and more. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring MINILAND® where you can see famous Boston and Somerville buildings made entirely of LEGO® bricks.

Kids can brush up on LEGO® engineering skills and learn new building secrets at the Model Builder Academy before testing new skills racing cars on the speed test tracks or building skyscrapers to withstand the Earthquake Tables. Next, they can sing karaoke and catch up with Olivia, Andrea, Stephanie, Mia, and Emma, the LEGO® Friends, at Olivia's House and discover how LEGO® bricks are made and how they get their shape and color on the LEGO® Factory Tour.

Tip: bring a LEGO® Minifigure with you on your visit so that you can trade with staff members.


Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave Avenue of the Arts, Boston, MA 02115-5597

Recently named one of the Top 25 Museums in the United States by TripAdvisor!

This museum houses nearly 450,000 works of art, from ancient Egyptian to contemporary, but the centerpiece is the spectacular wing for the Art of the Americas. Here, you'll be treated to large-scale masterpieces that haven't been displayed for decades.

Boston is a city of culture, higher-learning, innovation, music, and of course art. The city’s Museum of Fine Arts tastefully captures the creative spirit of this New England capitol, housing an impressive collection of international masterpieces and mainstays in the mediums of painting, sculpture, artisanal items, textiles, and musical instruments. The Boston MFA is also the proud home of the “Art of the Americas” wing, which features a whopping fifty-three galleries of art and artifacts from the Pre-Columbian era through the third quarter of the twentieth century. Visitors will see such well-known American pieces as The Sons of Liberty Bowl and The Passage of the Delaware.

The architecturally-grand MFA is located in Boston’s Fenway area—so named for its unusual geographic situation in a “fen” or marshy area filled with wild grasses and tall oats. It is surrounded by many of the city’s finest universities and colleges, with Northeastern University and Berklee College of Music in the immediate vicinity.

The Boston MFA is quite large and visitors can easily spend several hours wandering through its eloquently-arranged halls and exhibits. On permanent collection are an array of items in the categories of American, European, and Asian Art, Art of African and Oceania, The Ancient World, Contemporary Art, Photography, Prints and Drawings, Musical Instruments, Textiles and Fashion Arts, and Jewelry.

Also featured is an impressive variety of rotating special exhibits that bring in renowned art from around the world.

The MFA is a beautifully designed institution housing over 450,000 pieces of exquisite art, making it one of the world’s most comprehensive fine art collections. Don’t leave without visiting the “Art of the Americas” wing, which is the buzz of the Boston art scene and is well worth a visit! Flash-free photography is permitted in the permanent collections, and the building and adjacent parking lot are wheelchair accessible. The MFA also features four dining establishments housed among its fantastic works of art, allowing for an inspiring and satisfying visit that can easily take up a full day.


Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Salem Witch Museum, 19 1/2 Washington Sq, Salem, MA 01970-4096

"She afflicts me! She comes to me at night and torments me! She's a witch!" The Salem Witch Museum takes you back to 1692 Salem, where these words struck terror into the hearts of townspeople. Dramatic stage sets offer an unforgettable history lesson.

Do you believe in witches? Don't answer until you’ve visited the Salem Witch Museum, located north of Boston. This remarkable museum brings you back to Salem Village as it existed in 1692. Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and narration. Learn about the word “witch” in the “Witches: Evolving Perception” exhibit, a provocative tour that examines the pagan midwife, the associations that led to the stereotypical “witch” perception, modern witchcraft and the phenomenon of the witch hunt. The presentation is also available in Japanese, French German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese.

In the spring of 1692, fear struck terror into the hearts of Salem's citizens, as 180 people were accused and imprisoned for witchcraft, essentially held captive and defenseless against what were often baseless allegations. A court formed to defend the so-called witches only led to further accusations, and the infamous “witch hunt” was born.

The Salem Witch Museum shows visitors the “Hysteria Sites” on an interactive map, as quoted in a 1692 book of the same name, depicting original houses, foundations, grave sites, indicated by historic markers, where witches were alleged to have existed. Sites are spread throughout Salem, Boston, and other towns like Andover, Beverly, Haverhill, Marblehead, Peabody, Salisbury and Wehnam, and the unique map shows how widespread the panic grew to be.

Salem is arguably the most popular Halloween destination in the nation, and even the town’s name brings to mind the haunting scenes described in textbooks and works of popular fiction and literature such as The Crucible. The Salem Witch Museum is the most-visited attraction in the town, and offers an entertaining, informative, and well… haunting look at the actual events around the witch hunts and trials held in Massachusetts in the 17th century.

The Salem Witch Museum store offers souvenirs and artisanal crafts ranging from the delightful to the delightfully tacky (including some outrageous Halloween costumes that will guarantee that you are the most authentic witch at the party next year). Don’t miss the chance to learn about the witches of Salem and the ensuing witch hunts and trials, easily one of the most interesting and captivating eras in colonial American history.


Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138-2932

Here, you'll find three museums in one: Comparative Zoology, the Herbaria and the Mineralogical and Geological Museums — with everything from a 1,600-pound amethyst geode to a fossil of a 15 ft. giant sloth. Harvard's most-visited attraction!

Explore 12,000 natural specimens from around the world, including dinosaurs, whale skeletons of epic proportions, and the tiniest insects imaginable! Behold one of the first Triceratops ever discovered and see the world's only mounted Kronosaurus, a 42 ft-long prehistoric marine reptile. Touch meteorites from outer space and be dazzled by thousands of minerals and gems, including a whopping 1,642-lb amethyst geode. The Harvard Natural History Museum is a veritable treasure trove of learning and exploration, and located at the campus of one of the most prestigious universities in the world, this is the place to come for a little enlightenment on your trip!

Here’s a look at the permanent exhibits at HMNH:

New England Forests: Explore the world of woodland beaver, bear, moose, and dozens of other wildlife.

Marine Life in the Putnam Family Gallery: Immerse yourself in this new marine diorama of life in local waters. See hundreds of fish, mollusks from around the world.

Africa Gallery: See impressive mounted specimens of African wildlife including elephant, hippos, lions, ostrich, gorillas, hyena, as well as a collection of rare animals from Madagascar.

Great Mammal Hall: Constructed in 1872, this hall features towering giraffes, antelope, bats, and skeletons of many of the world’s primates and mammals arranged in biologically-fascinating poses.

The Glass Flowers: See the world-renowned collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, by the glass artisan Leopold Blaschka and his son Rudolf, as well as their earlier exquisite Sea Creatures in Glass — jellyfish, octopus, anemones and more.

The Harvard Museum of Natural History also boasts an array of special exhibits highlighting diverse perspectives on the natural world. Check out the latest: Islands: Evolving in Isolation where you can see Galapagos tortoises, a komodo dragon, and the extinct, giant, flightless Moa, over 9 feet tall.

HMNH exhibits its cutting-edge research and promotes the power of the museum to change the way visitors see and understand the world around them. More than 240,000 visitors pass through its halls each year, so be sure to take a trip to this museum when you visit Boston for a unique learning experience! Included in one ticket is the connected Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, with towering totem poles, Maya monuments, and the new Arts of War exhibition.


Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 11 Divinity Ave Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138

See towering Native American totem poles, large Maya sculptures, and precious artifacts of the ancient world. Arts of War features over 150 weapons that are also works of art, and Wiyohpiyata: Lakota Images of the Contested West offers a rare view of 19th-century Plains Indian warrior art.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way, Boston, MA 02115-5538

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum—a work of art in totality—is at once an intimate collection of fine and decorative art and a vibrant, innovative venue for contemporary artists, musicians, and scholars. Housed in a 1902 building, modeled after a 15th century Venetian palazzo, and a 2012 wing designed by Renzo Piano, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum provides an unusual backdrop for the viewing of art. The historic galleries surrounding the verdant Courtyard contain more than 2,500 extraordinary works of art, featuring pieces by Titian, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Manet, Degas, Whistler, and Sargent.

Explore

Several spaces in the new Renzo Piano-designed wing were created to encourage visitor engagement and orientation, and special artist projects in these areas will promote an atmosphere of curiosity and learning.

Music at The Gardner

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum hosts performances by world-renowned musicians and for generations, has served as a launch pad for outstanding emerging artists. Now housed in the innovative Calderwood Hall, concerts feature classical masterpieces, contemporary music, and jazz.

Richard E. Floor Living Room

Inspired by a project of the same name created for the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 2000 by Artist-in-Residence Lee Mingwei, the Living Room is a place of learning and inspiration for visitors. Friday and Saturday afternoons, stop by for conversations with hosts, or come anytime to discover new things, read, or simply relax.

Tours and Talks

In addition to items in this calendar, regular tours and talks are available. Please ask about the latest schedule at the admission desk or in the Living Room.

Audio Guides

Members may use audio guides free of charge. Guides are available in a variety of languages.

Claire and John Bertucci Education Studio

Hands-on art activities for visitors of all ages. Drop-in hours:

weekends, 11:00 am-4:00 pm.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125

At the JFK Library, immerse yourself in an interactive timeline of his transformative presidency. Glimpse rare family photos and watch video clips of press interviews. The myriad of artifacts and exhibits beautifully illuminate his world.

Housed in a striking building designed by I. M. Pei, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (JFK Library) sits on a 10-acre waterfront site on Columbia Point, offering panoramic views of Boston's skyline and Harbor Islands. Twenty-five multimedia exhibits and period settings from the White House offer an exciting experience and create a stirring account of President Kennedy's days in office.

The museum poignantly demonstrates President Kennedy's enthusiasm and love for the American system of politics and government, and is a must-see for anyone interested in Kennedy and his family, life in America during the early 1960s, and Boston's connection to both. Here is a look at the permanent exhibits you can enjoy as you peruse this world-famous Presidential Library and Museum:

Campaign Trail: A look at then-Senator Kennedy’s campaign for the presidency in 1960 and his face-off with Richard Nixon that featured the first live-broadcast television debates

The Briefing Room: This exhibit features video samples of JFK’s televised responses to reporters’ queries and exhibits of objects and documents illustrating the issues he dealt with as President. Also included at the JFK Library is his speech to the people of West Berlin denouncing the construction of the Berlin Wall

Space Program: A look at Freedom 7, the iconic space capsule that U.S. Navy Commander Alan B. Shepard, Jr. piloted on the first American manned flight into space The flight was the first to play out live on television, with millions of people sharing in the tension and excitement as the historic event unfolded before their eyes. (on view through 2015)

Attorney General’s Office: An examination of the relationship between JFK and his brother Robert Kennedy, who was appointed Attorney General at a time when the civil rights struggle was peaking

The Oval Office: This exhibit highlights the personal items displayed in the Oval Office during JFK’s presidency, a replica of his desk, and a his press conference on civil rights where his commitment to the cause of equal rights became a main thrust of his term in office.

First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy: A look at the elegant First Lady who used the prestige of her position to champion American arts and culture as well as a look at Jacqueline Bouvier, before she became the famed Mrs. Kennedy.

The Kennedy Family: This exhibit explores the roots of the historically political Fitzgerald and Kennedy stretching back to Ireland in the 1800s.

The Glass Pavilion: This nine- story glassed pavilion is where you complete your visit. It has stunning views of Boston and the Harbor Islands and is the perfect place to think about the potential of JFK’s presidency had it gone longer than 1000 days.

The JFK Library is a community landmark and nationally significant building that promotes the understanding and appreciation of America’s political and cultural heritage. It is well worth the visit!


Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, 210 William T Morrissey Blvd Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125-3314

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate offers a unique, insider’s perspective on the daily workings of the U.S. Senate, one of the most important governmental bodies in the country. This relatively new attraction boasts several state-of-the-art exhibit halls featuring diverse topics such as Senate history and culture and how a bill becomes a law, plus full-scale authentic reproductions of Senator Kennedy’s office and the Senate Chamber itself!

Another popular feature of the Institute is the “Issue of the Day,” where visitors are presented with a new daily topic to guide them through the exhibits. Fans of American history and visitors invested in civic engagement will find much to admire in this attraction.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St East India Square, Salem, MA 01970

This museum harkens back to 1799, when sea captains would bring home a "cabinet of natural and artificial curiosities" from strange and exotic lands. Today, it houses one million works, including an 18th-century Chinese merchant's house transported from China and reassembled here.

Experience art and culture from around the world at one of New England’s largest museums. Located in the coastal city of Salem, Massachusetts, the Peabody Essex Museum offers unrivaled collections, special exhibitions, a hands-on education center, an award-winning shop, and a café and restaurant. The museum campus also features numerous parks, period gardens, and daily tours of historic houses, including Yin Yu Tang, an 18th-century Chinese merchant’s house transported from China and reassembled at the Peabody Essex Museum.

The Peabody Essex Museum houses an impressive collection of African, American, Asian, Native American, Oceanic, and Indian art, as well as one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Maritime Art & Artifacts. Also on display is a Photography collection featuring acquisitions from as early as 1840 (the same year photography was invented).

In addition to a stunning permanent collection, PEM regularly rotates unique themed exhibitions through its halls. Here is a preview of some of the exhibits visitors can expect to find at PEM (check website for the specific exhibits that will be available during your visit):

Written on the Waves: Shipboard Logs and Journals: A unique look at the world of maritime manuscripts through the logbooks of 18th-century sea captains who voyaged around the globe, recording their expeditions and feats.

Faces of Devotion: Indian Sculpture from the Figiel Collection: Widely-regarded as the finest collection of Indian sculpture in the world, this exhibition presents ritual bronzes of deified heroes, pastoral gods and goddesses, and totemic animal spirits spanning the last millennium.

Fish, Silk, Tea, Bamboo: Cultivating an Image of China: This exhibit explores four of the motifs often associated with China, through delicate works on paper and other objects that helped to shape perceptions of the Middle Kingdom in 18th-century Europe.

Intersections: Native American Art in a New Light: Features never-before-seen objects such as a 17th-century bejeweled Incan dance crown, as well as art from diverse cultures—from the Haida of British Columbia to the Incas of Peru. This exhibit focuses on the connections between the traditional and personal, the present and the past.

The Peabody Essex Museum dates to the 1779 founding of the East India Marine Society, with a charter that included a provision for “the establishment of a “cabinet of natural and artificial curiosities”. Satisfy your own curiosities at PEM while viewing the delightful works of art and intricate artifacts from the far reaches of the globe that captivate the imagination and enlighten the mind.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Urban AdvenTours, 103 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110, USA

With all of its history and charm, Boston is a city that deserves exploring. And what better way to take your family on this adventure than by bike? Urban AdvenTours offers the perfect Eco-friendly solution for you and your family: a well-maintained, comfortable, and safe standard bicycle, fitted to your specifications, that's yours for the day until 6:00 pm.

In addition to your bicycle, Urban AdvenTours will also provide you with a bike lock, helmet, and a map of the popular Boston bike routes. You can plan out the famous landmarks you want to see, or just enjoy the views of Boston's historical buildings, modern vistas, and beautiful gardens. Boston is a very bike-friendly city that you and your family will love exploring. So head on out to Urban AdvenTours to start your biking experience today!


Duration: 8 hours

Stop At: Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston, MA 02121-3255

Share a moment with Kiki and her five-month-old baby Kambiri in the world's most innovative indoor gorilla exhibit at the Franklin Park Zoo. Say hello to a herd of giraffe in the "Savannah." Spot a white-bearded wildebeest on the "Serengeti Crossing."

Franklin Park Zoo (part of Zoo New England) is a 72-acre site nestled within Boston's historic Franklin Park. Here, guests can visit the most innovative and intimate indoor gorilla exhibit in the world! Visitors to the Tropical Forest can stand face-to-face with the Zoo's seven western lowland gorillas at one of five glass viewing stations at a state-of-the-art indoor exhibit. This is a truly unforgettable experience!

Be sure to also visit the African lions in the Kalahari Kingdom, the Tiger Tales exhibit, the Masai giraffe and Grevy's zebra on the Giraffe Savannah, and the many other remarkable species that call Franklin Park Zoo home.

Franklin Park Zoo boasts a spacious layout, thanks to its location just outside of central Boston. A regular schedule of feedings and hands-on encounters bring you that much closer to the animals you’ll see on your visit.

In general, the animals can be seen in fairly accurate simulations of their natural environments. Serengeti Crossing, for example, is a spacious 4-acre exhibit that is home to ostriches, zebras, ibex, and wildebeest—grazing and lounging as they do in their natural environs. Butterfly Landing is a seasonal exhibit containing over 1,000 butterflies in free flight in a large outdoor “tent” featuring streams and a waterfall.

In The Children’s Zoo, young ones can run free with the ducks, prairie dogs, and watch two beautiful and rare Amur Leopards. Bird’s World is a large building with an Oriental-themed exterior, containing dozens of bird species in four different habitats: swamp, rain forest, desert, and wetlands.

Franklin Park Zoo has been open to the public since 1912 and has since become a landmark in the Boston area. Franklin Park Zoo plays an active role in the conservation of various animal species, participating in Species Survival Plans. A trip to Franklin Park Zoo is not only entertaining and enlightening, but is also helping with the worldwide fight for animal conservation and protection.

Duration: 2 hours