Christmas Lights in Boston, MA
Boston, MA's best Christmas light displays include Lawn On D (Free), Lawn On D (Free), and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston ($30). Most displays run from late November through early January, with peak crowds on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Four-story ocean tank you can walk around
1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm
Free spray pool in summer, ice skating in winter
38 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108 · Daily 6am-11pm, Frog Pond spray pool 11am-6pm (summer)
Gorillas, lions, giraffes, starting at $15.95
1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston, MA 02121 · Apr-Sep: Weekdays 9am-5pm, Weekends 9am-6pm; Oct-Mar: Daily 9am-4pm
Explore a Civil War fort by ferry, $9
66 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 · Ferries May-Oct, check schedule for times
Drives on streets then splashes into the river
1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114 · Apr-Nov, departures every 30 min from 9am
One of the last dedicated puppet theaters left
32 Station St, Brookline, MA 02445 · Sat-Sun 10:30am & 1pm, holiday Mondays · Ages 2–10
LED swings that glow at night, totally free
420 D St, Boston, MA 02210 · Mon-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 7am-10:30pm
Free wading pool, less crowded than the Esplanade
1255 Soldiers Field Rd, Brighton, MA 02135 · Pool: late Jun-Labor Day 11am-6pm; playground: dawn to dusk
Free concerts all summer, no tickets needed
47 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02108 · Summer concerts typically Wed and weekend evenings
Free for kids, State House as your backdrop
38 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108 · Mid-Nov to mid-Mar: Mon-Thu 10am-4pm, Fri-Sun 10am-9pm
Seven splash fountains, free, through downtown
Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02111 · Daily dawn to dusk, fountains seasonal
Voted best outdoor rink in the country. $10 admission if you're over 58 inches. Free if you're shorter. Skate rental $15.
139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108 · Tue-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-9pm, Mon 10am-3:45pm
Basketball and tennis courts in the South End. Free. Community garden next to it. Pickup games after work.
75 W Rutland Sq, Boston, MA 02118 · Daily dawn to dusk
Free admission. Outdoor rink run by DCR. Skate rental $5. Locals only vibe. Open Dec through March.
1 Marbury Ter, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 · Sun-Fri 12pm-7:30pm, Sat 1pm-7:30pm
Ice skating on the waterfront with harbor views. 60-minute sessions. Newer rink, less crowded than Frog Pond.
1 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 · Sessions vary -- check website for times
Indoor rink in the North End. Free admission. $5 skate rental, cash only. Harbor views from inside. Most locals don't know it exists.
561 Commercial St, Boston, MA 02109 · Varies by day -- call (617) 523-9327 to confirm
$10 adults, $8 kids and students. $2 off for Brookline residents. Outdoor rink in a beautiful park setting. Friday night sessions go until 10pm.
25 Newton St, Brookline, MA 02445 · Tue/Thu 9am-12pm, Fri 12-3pm & 8-10pm, Sat 12-5pm, Sun 12-6:45pm
$20 adults, $14 kids. Olympic-caliber facility open to the public. Norwood residents get half off. No membership required.
750 University Ave, Norwood, MA 02062 · Public session times vary -- check scboston.org/public-skating
$7 adults, $3 for kids. Cheapest outdoor rink in the area. Right in Kendall Square. Open Dec through mid-March.
300 Athenaeum St, Cambridge, MA 02142 · Wed-Thu 12-8pm, Fri 12-9pm, Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-6pm
500,000 works, pay-what-you-wish third Thursdays
465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 · Mon/Tue/Sat/Sun 10am-5pm, Wed-Fri 10am-10pm
Free concerts on the Charles River all summer
47 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02108 · Seasonal, concerts typically 7pm in summer
LED swings that glow and change color, free
420 D St, Boston, MA 02210 · Mon-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 7am-10:30pm