Boston · TICKETS
A short list to forward to whoever is planning: 15 tickets & entry passes worth the money, each with its price, how travellers rated it and the one thing to know first.
View Boston takes you to the Prudential Tower’s top floors for 360-degree city views, an open-air terrace, a 270-degree theater, and interactive Boston exhibits. Your ticket includes a custom digital itinerary. Plan on about 90 minutes, and consider timing your visit for sunset. Food and drinks are not included.
“Went with my friends that came from Ireland. They loved it”
Ride an open-air trolley past Boston’s landmark neighborhoods, then hop off to explore at your own pace. Guides share live commentary, and a full circuit takes about an hour. Stops include the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, USS Constitution, Boston Common, and Faneuil Hall. Choose a one- or two-day ticket; Boston Harbor cruises are not included.
“Coach was amazing! His knowledge and dry wit made the experience rewarding. He gave us great insight into the harbor area that we were able to use to enjoy our stay in Boston.”
Start at The Breakers Welcome Center, then tour the Vanderbilt mansion and, with a multi-property ticket, choose other Newport homes such as Marble House, The Elms, or Rosecliff. Explore at your own pace with downloadable audio tours, allow 60 to 90 minutes per mansion, and use the ticket within seven days of your selected date.
“This was amazing! The recorded tour was fantastic. We learned so much about the history of the mansion.”
Book timed admission to Boston’s New England Aquarium and spend about two hours among penguins, harbor seals, sea turtles, rays, and hundreds of other marine animals. The four-story Giant Ocean Tank is the centerpiece, while daily animal presentations and a touch tank add variety. Films at Simons Theatre cost extra.
“It was a great aquarium. The set up was easy to follow and the exhibits were well done. The outside area was very nice.”
Spend a day exploring 72 acres of animal habitats in Boston’s Franklin Park. See gorillas in the Tropical Forest, lions in Kalahari Kingdom, Masai giraffes, kangaroos, and seasonal butterfly and budgie exhibits. Admission is $24 per person and includes free parking. The zoo is wheelchair accessible, though some exhibits close seasonally.
“Even though the wind was gusty, the animals were all still out and happy. It’s a lovely little zoo, with interactive keeper sessions about the animals and just there for guest to interact with them also. All the animals were out and about and some were more interactive then others, I was able to call over the tapir and get some great photos! Nice safe paced zoo which is mainly flat so easily accessible and lots of room for everyone to see the animals in their environments. Plenty of food vending about and also eatery. I would say this is more of a summer place as various exhibits were closed…”
At the Salem Witch Museum on Washington Square, a 30-minute narration brings 13 life-size scenes from the 1692 trials to light around a seated auditorium. Staff then guide you through a shorter exhibit on how ideas about witches changed over time. Plan about 75 minutes, including time for the gift shop.
“The guides were all very friendly and knowledgeable. The museum is well set up and gives lots of interesting information.”
Spend about one to two hours on the top three floors of Boston’s Prudential Tower. Your timed ticket includes indoor and outdoor observation decks, interactive city displays, and access to the Cloud Terrace, where Stratus serves drinks. Beacon Bistro and a gift shop add options for a longer visit. Book a clear-weather time if the skyline is your main reason for going.
“Unfortunately through no fault of their own, a noreaster came in while we were visiting Boston so we were not able to see very much. We did meet a very nice man that works for Boston View. His name is Ben. He spent a lot of time talking about things in Boston and the surrounding area that we were not able to see because of the weather.”
At Real Pirates Salem, follow Black Sam Bellamy and the Whydah Gally from pirate ship to 1717 shipwreck. See and touch recovered artifacts, explore a discovery lab, and take the self-guided route at your own pace. Allow about an hour to 90 minutes. Staff members, including Captain Johnny, may add context along the way.
“Great museum! Informative and layout was good for timelines. Great exhibits. There is a photo op at the end with limited time to take your pic, so move fast and jot down the code because I didn’t do that and I can’t access our pictures. If you mess up you can try again.”
Ride from Newport’s Visitor Center through the colonial district and along Bellevue Avenue’s mansion-lined Ten Mile Drive. An English-speaking guide points out landmarks and shares local stories; guides such as Troy and Rob are known for adding humor. Your ticket includes admission to The Breakers, where you can explore the grand Vanderbilt summer home.
“We enjoyed the tour. We had never been to Newport before. Troy was an excellent driver and guide. He was interesting and humorous. We can recommend this tour!”
Enter Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts with a mobile general-admission ticket and explore its galleries at your own pace. Your ticket includes a free audio guide for your device, coat check, shops, and cafés. See art from many cultures and eras, but note that special exhibitions, including some Van Gogh shows, require separate admission.
“Great experience especially to see the transition of time between the history of where things come from and who are the pioneers behind it.”
At Real Pirates Salem, trace Black Sam Bellamy’s rise and the Whydah Gally’s wreck through recovered coins, jewelry, weapons, a short film, and a Discovery Lab. The $21 ticket includes an audio tour and digital photo experience. A Director’s Tour adds a personal guide; past guides have included Captain Carl and Stephanie.
“Captain Carl was our guide & was very knowledgeable, patient, kind, & very personable. It was amazing to learn about recovered objects of a shipwreck located in the northeast US during my lifetime. This was my first time back to Salem in 20 yrs & I’m really glad I booked this tour for our trip. This experience definitely left a lasting impression. We really enjoyed it.”
Spend about 90 minutes at Boston’s Museum of Ice Cream, moving at your own pace through nine interactive spaces, including the Sprinkle Pool and Hall of Freezers. Unlimited ice cream and #TeamMOIC guides are included. Plan for a playful, photo-friendly visit rather than a traditional museum with a detailed, room-by-room story.
“It didn’t really have any story attached to it. The ice cream was very sweet and sickly. Would recommend for toddlers but nothing older”
Ride the commuter train from Boston’s North Station to Salem, then walk with a local English-speaking guide past the Witch House, the witch trials memorial, Ropes Mansion, and other landmarks. The group is capped at 14. Your included museum changes by day: Salem Witch Museum Sunday through Thursday, Real Pirates Museum Friday and Saturday.
“Elizabeth was nice and knowledgeable. She made the tour interesting. The only negative is you never enter anywhere. This isn’t her fault she is following what she is told to do”
At Boston’s LEGO Discovery Center in Somerville, children and accompanying adults can build cars and spaceships, ride Kingdom Quest, explore DUPLO Park, and watch a 4D film. The ticket includes the attraction’s main play zones and workshops. Expect hands-on fun, especially for younger children, with personal expenses at the café and shop extra.
“I think if there were more activities for older kids (10-12) they would have more fun. It was a fun time, the little kids had lots of fun.”
At Boston’s Charlestown Navy Yard, explore the USS Constitution Museum through hands-on sailor activities, historical displays, Navy crew videos and a LEGO shipbuilding area. The museum ticket does not include admission to USS Constitution itself, which is operated separately by the US Navy. Check the ship’s access and the LEGO Brickyard hours before you go.
“When the patrons are lining up for the experience, they need to be told that each group can only accommodate 40 people. There needs to be better coordination of getting people in line. When we went today, there was a tour group of 50 elderly people in the waiting area eating their bag lunch. They were there before us. We would have liked to have been told that we would will have to wait extra time, instead of finding it out after waiting for 30 minutes. Just better coordination of getting people lined up needs to happen. Otherwise, great tour.Read more”
Pick a trail, a boat or a town up the coast.
