Best Landmarks in Boston

Boston Public Garden & Swan Boats

America's first public botanical garden, with Victorian plantings, a willow-lined lagoon and the beloved pedal-powered Swan Boats operating since 1877. Go for a relaxed stroll, the 'Make Way for Ducklings' statues and a short, gentle boat ride. Practical note: the garden is free year-round, but the Swan Boats run only seasonally (roughly mid-April through early September), daily from 10am.

Landmarks

Faneuil Hall Marketplace & Quincy Market

A historic 18th-century meeting hall flanked by the bustling Quincy Market food colonnade and rows of shops, street performers and pushcarts. Go for a fast, lively introduction to downtown Boston with chowder, lobster rolls and people-watching under one roof. Practical note: marketplace shops run roughly Mon-Sat 10am-9pm and Sun 11am-7pm, though food stalls and bars keep their own hours.

Landmarks

Fenway Park

Home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912 and the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, famed for the 37-foot 'Green Monster' left-field wall. Catch a game for the full atmosphere, or take a year-round guided tour that goes inside the Monster and the Red Sox Hall of Fame. Practical note: roughly 50-minute tours run daily (from 9am in summer, 10am in winter) and end about 3.5 hours before any game; book ahead.

Landmarks

Freedom Trail (Boston Common Visitor Center)

A 2.5-mile red-brick walking route linking 16 historic sites tied to the American Revolution, from the Common to the USS Constitution. It's the best single way to see colonial Boston on foot and orient yourself to the city. Practical note: start at the Boston Common Visitor Center (139 Tremont St) to grab a free map; the path is marked on the sidewalk so you can self-guide or join a costumed walking tour.

Landmarks

New England Aquarium

A waterfront aquarium built around a four-story Giant Ocean Tank teeming with sharks, sea turtles and reef fish, plus a popular penguin colony. Go for a fun, weather-proof couple of hours, especially with kids, and consider its seasonal whale-watch cruises. Practical note: entry is by timed ticket, so reserve a slot online; hours run later on summer Fridays.

Landmarks

Trinity Church in the City of Boston

H.H. Richardson's 1877 Romanesque masterpiece on Copley Square, regarded as one of the finest churches in America, with John La Farge murals and stained glass. Go to admire the soaring interior and the contrast with the mirrored John Hancock Tower behind it. Practical note: self-guided tours run Tue-Sat 10am-4:30pm (about $10 adults), but times shift for weddings and services, so check ahead.

Landmarks

USS Constitution & USS Constitution Museum

'Old Ironsides' is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, a War of 1812 frigate berthed in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Go to walk the decks with active-duty Navy sailors and then explore the adjacent hands-on museum. Practical note: the ship is open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (closed Mon) and the museum is open daily 10am-5pm; bring a photo ID for the ship's security screening.