Free Things to Do in Boston on a School Trip

A Park Ranger speaking with two visitors at the beginning of the Black Heritage Trail about to head out on a tour of Beacon Hill. (source: http://www.nps.gov/boaf/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm)

What can my students do for free on their school trip to Boston?

Fun, educational, and free! Does it get any better? These free things to do in Boston can be added to your itinerary to enhance your school travel experience.

See an example of a 3-day customized Boston itinerary

See an example of a customized Boston itinerary for a band and choral trip

Free Things to Do in Boston

Freedom Trail – “The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile, red-lined route that leads you to 16 historically significant sites — each one an authentic treasure. Explore museums and meetinghouses, churches, and burying grounds. Learn about the brave people who shaped our nation. Discover the rich history of the American Revolution, as it began in Boston, where every step tells a story.”
Faneuil Hall Marketplace -“Located in downtown Boston, steps away from the waterfront, Faneuil Hall Marketplace is alive today as it was in 1742 when our nation’s fathers proclaimed it “The Cradle of Liberty.” Over 70 retailers and 40 office tenants occupy the 200,000 square feet of retail and 160,000 square feet of space on Boston’s iconic mixed use festival marketplace. The cobblestone promenades are filled with the music and jaw-dropping routines of world-renowned street performers and musicians. “
Minute Man National Historical Park – “At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the American revolutionary spirit through the writings of the Concord authors.”
Bunker Hill Monument – “Today, a 221-foot granite obelisk marks the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution….”Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” This legendary order has come to symbolize the conviction and determination of the ill-equipped American colonists facing powerful British forces during the famous battle fought on this site on June 17, 1775. The battle is popularly known as “The Battle of Bunker Hill” although most of the fighting actually took place on Breed’s Hill, the site of the existing monument and exhibit lodge. “
New England Holocaust Memorial – “Inspired by a group of Holocaust survivors who found new lives in the Boston area, the New England Holocaust Memorial was built to foster reflection on the impact of bigotry and the outcomes of evil during World War II and to this day.”
Plymouth Rock – “Nearly one million people a year come from all over the world to visit “The Rock” and the town where in 1620 Europeans first made a home in New England. This simple glacial erratic boulder on the shore of Plymouth Harbor has become a world famous symbol of the courage and faith of the men and women who founded the first New England colony. A landscaped waterfront park provides scenic views of Plymouth Harbor. The Mayflower II, a replica of the ship that brought the first Pilgrims to Massachusetts, is anchored at the park”
Boston College Campus Tour – “Boston College was founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Today it is one of the nation’s foremost universities, with an enrollment of nearly 14,700 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries.”
Boston University Campus Tour – “Your visit will begin with a presentation where you will learn about BU’s dynamic academic and social community from a variety of perspectives. You will learn what makes an application competitive for admission and have an opportunity to have all your questions answered. You will then proceed on a walking tour of campus* where you’ll see everything from the student union to the BU “Beach.”
Boston Harborwalk – “Boston’s HarborWalk is an inviting public walkway along the waterfront, with parks, public art, seating areas, cafes, exhibit areas, interpretive signage, water transportation facilities, and a wide range of other amenities.”
Harvard Square – ” Each year, over 8 million men, women and children visit Harvard Square. Visitors come for a variety of reasons; this is a place of history, of books, of ideas, and of learning. It is a place of bookstores and coffee houses, of fine dining and eclectic shopping. It is a place of folk music and old theaters, of Cuban ballet and world-class music, of street-performers and award-winning pizza, of public discourse, and public art.”
John F. Kennedy National Historical Site– “In 1966, Rose Kennedy, the President’s mother returned to her family’s first home and birthplace of John F. Kennedy with the intention of sharing the values and expectations she believed defined her children’s early years. Today, visitors travel back in time through Mrs. Kennedy’s memories to understand the Kennedy family’s early years and how she helped Americans memorialize John Kennedy.”
Boston African American National Historic Site – “Centered on the north slope of Beacon Hill, the African American community of 19th century Boston led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and injustice. These remarkable men and women, together with their allies, were leaders in Abolition Movement, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and the early struggle for equal rights and education.”
The Black Heritage Trail® – The Black Heritage Trail® explores the history of the 19th century African American community of Boston. The trail consists of 14 sites and begins at the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on Beacon Street.
Coit Observatory Stargazing – “The Public Open Night at the Observatory is a chance for people to come observe the night sky through telescopes and binoculars and see things they otherwise might not get to see, and learn some astronomy as well. The Open Nights are held most Wednesday evenings throughout the year, weather permitting.”
Boston Common – “The starting point of the Freedom Trail, Boston Common is the oldest park in the country. The park is almost 50 acres in size. Today, Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston’s neighborhoods. “
Museum of Fine Arts – Free for youth on weekdays after 3 PM – “the MFA is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world; the collection encompasses nearly 450,000 works of art. We welcome more than one million visitors each year to experience art from ancient Egyptian to contemporary, special exhibitions, and innovative educational programs.”
Public Garden – “The Parks Department maintains the Victorian traditions to the best of their abilities, so you can judge its beauty for yourself. Admire the rich and unusual plants, the Lagoon, the monuments and fountains, and the Swan Boats created and operated for over 100 years by the Paget family.”
Boston Harbor Islands National Historical Area – “Here is a place where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, visit historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking or swimming-all within reach of downtown Boston. Youth programs, visitor services, research, wildlife management, and more are coordinated on the park’s 34 islands and peninsulas by the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership.”
Massachusetts State House Tour – “Tours last approximately 30-45 minutes and include overview of the history and architecture of the State Capitol. Visitors can see the House and Senate Chambers, learn about the Ladybug (our state insect) and of the “Sacred Cod”.
Old North Church – “Founded in 1722, Christ Church in the City of Boston, known to all as the Old North Church, is Boston’s oldest surviving church building and most visited historical site.”