15 Fun Things to Do in Boston With Teens

If you’re looking for things to do in Boston with teens, you’ll quickly realize this city actually works really well for this age… especially once you know where to go.

These things to do in Boston with teens are the spots that kept our kids interested, engaged, and actually excited about exploring the city.

From catching a ball at Fenway Park to walking the Freedom Trail and finding great food in the North End, these are the experiences that stood out the most from our trip.

If you’re in the early stages of planning, you can explore all of my Boston family travel guides here to start mapping out your trip.

Where These Things to Do in Boston With Teens Are Located

If you’re planning your trip, it helps to see where these Boston attractions are located. Many of the best things to do in Boston with teens are clustered around downtown, the Freedom Trail, and the waterfront, making it easy to explore several stops in the same day.

You’ll find places like Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, the North End, and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum all within a short distance of each other. This makes Boston one of the easiest cities to explore on foot with older kids.

Best Things to Do in Boston With Teens

These are some of the best things to do in Boston with teens, from historic landmarks and sports experiences to waterfront walks and great food stops.

If you’re planning your itinerary, here’s a quick overview of the best things to do in Boston with teens.

1. Tour Fenway Park

One of the most memorable things to do in Boston with teens is visiting Fenway Park. Even if your kids aren’t huge baseball fans, the stadium has so much history and personality that it’s fun to see up close.

We started our trip with a Fenway Park tour, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the whole visit. Walking through the stadium, hearing stories about legendary players, and sitting on top of the Green Monster made the experience feel really special.

During batting practice we were sitting on the Green Monster watching the players warm up, and the outfielders were tossing balls into the stands. My son actually caught one, which instantly became his favorite souvenir from the trip.

Later that evening we came back for the Red Sox game, which happened to be against our hometown Phillies. The energy in the stadium was incredible, and hearing the whole crowd sing “Sweet Caroline” during the seventh inning stretch was one of those classic Boston moments that made the experience even more fun for the kids.

If your family enjoys sports experiences too, I also shared our full Fenway Park tour review and what made it such a memorable experience for our kids.

If you want to see the stadium up close, you can also check Fenway Park tour times and availability here. Game information can be found directly on the Fenway Park website.

If you are planning a longer visit, I also included Fenway Park in our 3 days in Boston with tweens and teens itinerary.

2. Walk the Freedom Trail

Walking the Freedom Trail is one of the most interesting things to do in Boston with teens because it turns the city itself into a history lesson. Instead of sitting in a museum reading signs, you’re actually walking through the places where many of these events happened.

The trail is easy to follow because of the red brick line built into the sidewalks throughout downtown Boston. The kids liked trying to spot the line and following it to the next stop, which made it feel a little like a scavenger hunt.

Along the way you’ll pass several important historic sites including Boston Common, the Granary Burying Ground where many Revolutionary War figures are buried, the Old State House, and the Paul Revere House. We mostly viewed the sites from the outside and still felt like we learned a lot just by being there and reading the markers.

The trail eventually continues toward Charlestown where you can visit the USS Constitution and the Navy Yard. If your teens like history even a little, the Freedom Trail is a really engaging way to explore the city.

If you want to see every stop along the trail, you can check the full map on the The Freedom Trail website.

Some families also enjoy taking a guided Freedom Trail walking tour so they can hear the full stories behind each historic stop.

We included part of the trail during our 3 days in Boston with tweens and teens itinerary along with stops at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

Freedom Trail Tip – The full Freedom Trail is about 2.5 miles long, but you don’t have to walk the entire route at once. Many families start at Boston Common and walk through the downtown section before taking a break at Faneuil Hall or Quincy Market.

3. Visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum ended up being one of the most fun and interactive stops of our trip. Instead of just reading signs about history, visitors actually get to take part in the story.

When your group begins the experience, you’re given the name of a real colonist who attended the secret meeting that led up to the Boston Tea Party. Actors in costume guide the group through a town meeting where you hear about the tea tax and the growing frustration with the British government. The actors do a great job getting everyone involved, and it almost feels like you’re part of a live history performance.

The highlight for most families is when the group moves outside onto the replica ships and everyone takes turns throwing tea chests into Boston Harbor. It’s simple, but it makes the history feel very real for kids and teens.

If you are trying to decide whether it is worth adding to your itinerary, I also shared our full Boston Tea Party Museum review for families.

After the reenactment, you can explore the ships and exhibits, including one of the only surviving tea chests from the original Boston Tea Party. If your teens enjoy hands-on experiences, this is definitely one of the most memorable things to do in Boston with teens.

If you prefer to book ahead, you can also check Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum tickets and availability here.

Boston Tea Party Museum Tip – The museum runs on timed entries and popular times sell out quickly, especially during summer and school breaks. Booking your time slot in advance helps avoid long waits.

4. Eat Italian Food in Boston’s North End

One of the most enjoyable things to do in Boston with teens is simply wandering into the North End for dinner. This neighborhood is Boston’s historic Italian district, and it’s packed with small restaurants, bakeries, and cafés.

We ended up here after walking part of the Freedom Trail since the North End sits close to several historic stops like the Paul Revere House and Old North Church. It was the perfect place to take a break after a day of sightseeing.

The streets are narrow and lively, and almost every block has a restaurant with pasta, pizza, or seafood on the menu. My son ordered a pasta dish that, at the time, was his favorite Italian meal (until we later visited Italy!). It ended up being one of those dinners we still remember from the trip.

After dinner, many families stop at one of the famous bakeries for cannoli or other Italian pastries before heading back toward the waterfront.

If your teens enjoy trying local foods, there are also North End food tours that combine Boston history with stops at several Italian bakeries and restaurants.

Even if your teens aren’t huge history fans, the North End is a great place to slow down, enjoy a good meal, and experience one of Boston’s most interesting neighborhoods.

North End Tip – The North End is a great place to stop for dinner after walking the Freedom Trail since several historic sites are nearby. Many families grab dinner here and then walk to a bakery for cannoli afterward.

5. Explore Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market

If you’re looking for a lively place to take a break while sightseeing, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market are great stops and one of the easier things to do in Boston with teens.

Located right along the Freedom Trail, this area is usually full of street performers, musicians, and crowds watching the shows. When we visited, street performers were drawing crowds and it was fun to stop and watch for a bit.

Quincy Market is also a convenient place to grab food because there are lots of quick options all in one spot. If everyone in the family wants something different, it’s an easy stop before continuing your day exploring Boston.

6. Visit the USS Constitution

Another interesting stop for families is visiting the USS Constitution, nicknamed “Old Ironsides.” Docked in the Charlestown Navy Yard, this historic naval ship from the late 1700s is one of the oldest commissioned warships still afloat.

Visitors can climb aboard the ship and explore the decks while learning how sailors lived and worked during the early years of the United States. Seeing the cannons and the tight sleeping quarters helps bring history to life in a way that feels much more real for teens than just reading about it.

If you’re already walking the Freedom Trail, this stop comes near the end of the route and is an easy addition to your day.

7. Visit the New England Aquarium — One of the Best Things to Do in Boston With Teens

The New England Aquarium is another fun stop and one of the more popular things to do in Boston with teens. Located right on the waterfront, the aquarium is home to sea turtles, sharks, penguins, and thousands of other marine animals.

The giant four-story ocean tank in the center of the building is the highlight for many visitors, and teens usually enjoy watching the divers feed the animals. Outside, you can also see harbor seals swimming in the exhibits along the plaza.

Since it’s right near the harbor and other downtown attractions, the aquarium is an easy stop to combine with a walk along the waterfront.

8. Walk the Boston Harborwalk

The Boston Harborwalk is a great place to slow down for a bit and enjoy views of the water. This public walkway stretches along much of Boston’s waterfront and connects several neighborhoods, parks, and historic sites.

It’s an easy place to take a break from museums and sightseeing. Teens can watch the boats in the harbor, grab a snack nearby, or just enjoy walking along the water for a while.

Since many major attractions sit near the waterfront, it’s easy to include part of the Harborwalk while exploring downtown Boston.

9. Visit the Museum of Science

The Museum of Science is a great option if your teens enjoy hands-on exhibits and interactive displays. This large museum sits along the Charles River and covers everything from space and engineering to animals and physics.

Many of the exhibits are designed to be interactive, which makes it much more engaging for older kids than a traditional museum. There are also live demonstrations and an IMAX theater that can make the visit even more memorable.

If you’re looking for indoor things to do in Boston with teens, this is one of the best places to spend a few hours.

10. Ride the Swan Boats in Boston’s Public Garden

The Swan Boats in Boston’s Public Garden are one of the city’s most classic attractions. These small pedal-powered boats glide around the lagoon while passengers sit back and enjoy the ride.

While the ride itself is simple, it’s a relaxing break from walking around the city and a fun way to see one of Boston’s most beautiful parks. Teens usually appreciate the chance to slow down for a few minutes before heading back into the city.

The Public Garden is also right next to Boston Common, making it easy to add this stop while exploring downtown.

11. Explore Harvard Square in Cambridge

Harvard Square is a fun area to explore if your teens enjoy seeing college campuses and lively neighborhoods. Located just across the river in Cambridge, this area surrounds the historic campus of Harvard University.

The square is filled with bookstores, cafés, street performers, and small shops, giving it a relaxed college-town atmosphere. Many families enjoy walking through Harvard Yard and imagining what it would be like to attend one of the country’s most famous universities.

It’s an easy trip from downtown Boston on the subway and makes a great change of scenery from the historic sites.

12. Take a Duck Boat Tour

Boston Duck Boat tours are a unique way to see the city because the vehicles travel on both land and water. The tours drive through several historic neighborhoods before splashing into the Charles River for views of the Boston skyline.

The tour guides, known as “ConDUCKtors,” keep things entertaining with jokes and stories about Boston’s history. It’s a fun sightseeing option and something a little different that many teens enjoy.

13. Walk the Charles River Esplanade in Boston

The Charles River Esplanade is a beautiful park that runs along the Boston side of the Charles River. It’s a great place to walk, relax, or enjoy views of the water and the Cambridge skyline.

Many families come here to take a break from the busier historic areas of the city. You can watch the sailboats on the river, walk along the paths, or simply enjoy some quieter time outdoors.

14. Take a Boston Ghost Tour

Boston has a long history dating back to the 1600s, which means plenty of legends and ghost stories have developed over the centuries. Evening ghost tours walk through some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods while guides share stories about haunted buildings, historic cemeteries, and mysterious events from Boston’s past.

Many teens enjoy these tours because they combine history with storytelling and a little bit of suspense.

You can browse some of the most popular Boston ghost tours here.

15. Catch a Celtics Game or Tour TD Garden

If your family enjoys sports, attending a Celtics game or taking a tour of TD Garden can be a memorable Boston experience. The arena is home to both the Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins.

Even if you’re visiting outside basketball or hockey season, arena tours give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at one of Boston’s most famous sports venues.

Where to Stay in Boston With Teens

If you’re planning a family trip to Boston, staying near downtown or the waterfront makes it much easier to walk to many of the city’s major attractions.

Some popular areas families often choose include:

• Downtown / Financial District – close to the Freedom Trail and historic sites
• Back Bay – great shopping and easy access to Fenway Park
• Waterfront / Seaport – scenic harbor views and easy access to the aquarium

👉Check Boston hotel prices and availability here.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Boston With Teens

Boston ended up being one of our favorite cities to explore with older kids. Between the history, the sports culture, and the walkable neighborhoods, there was always something interesting around the next corner.

From touring Fenway Park and walking the Freedom Trail to exploring the waterfront and finding great food in the North End, there are plenty of memorable things to do in Boston with teens. The city does a great job blending learning with fun experiences, which keeps older kids and parents engaged while enjoying the history and culture.

If you’re planning a visit, Boston is a fantastic destination for a family trip with teens. With a mix of historic landmarks, sports experiences, museums, and great neighborhoods to explore, it’s easy to build an itinerary that everyone will enjoy. Check out my 3 Days in Boston with Tweens & Teens itinerary post.

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Our family travel photography © Stack the Miles. All family and attraction photos were captured during our Boston vacations. Select scenic and landmark images courtesy of trusted stock sources and tourism archives.

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