16 Unmissable Things To Do In Boston At Night
Boston is one of America's oldest cities, full of culture and history as well as exciting clubs, shopping, and award-winning dining options. You can enjoy visiting the many landmarks, museums, and art galleries in the city during the day. But there are also a plethora of things to do in Boston at night.
Whether it is Friday night or Monday evening, you can find all sorts of fun things to enjoy in Boston at night. Why not head to the Judson B. Coit Observatory for a view of the night skyline courtesy of the Boston University Astronomical Society? Or you could visit the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to see some of the world's finest art collections.
Another way to have a fun night in Boston is to hang out at the Boston Common to stroll through the grounds and the Public Garden. Anything you do in Boston at night is sure to be a hit because there are so many options. Go enjoy a few drinks under the twinkling city lights at one of the wine bars or take in a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.
There are so many things to do in Boston at night, you may have a hard time choosing. Get a tour of Harvard University, take a ride on the swan boats at Boston Common, enjoy a bowl of clam chowder at one of the great oceanfront pubs, or just enjoy the city skyline walking along the harbor.
However, as you are out exploring and learning about Boston's history, you cannot bring your luggage with you. Stop by a Boston suitcase storage locker and leave them for safekeeping. Then you can go out to the Boston Common or enjoy one of these other things to do in Boston at night.
Escape From the Escape Room
A challenge is always fun and taking a nighttime challenge even more so. Heading to an escape room for a night of testing your senses is just the activity for those who like figuring things out in a rush!
Trapology is one of the most popular and unique escape rooms in Boston. Besides the six escape rooms, there are also three outdoor escape adventures. Whether you want to team up with your family or friends or join a group of others, you will love these escape rooms. It is always open Saturday night until 10 so you can enjoy this fun after hours.
Dance All Night
Do you love the thought of being a part of Boston nightlife? Finding a place to let loose is possible all over the entire city. The Boston area is the place to party! Get your dancing shoes on and head to one of the local pubs, clubs, or bars for some live music and dancing.
Many of the nightclubs in Boston stay open until well past midnight so you can dance all night. The House of Blues is perfect for enjoying the Boston nightlife. Hard Rock Café is another place where you can dine and enjoy some tunes as well.
Prudential Center
The Prudential Center is one of Boston's most popular shopping centers. Located in the Back Bay neighborhood, this huge mall is packed with 75 retailers including Kate Spade, Oakley, and Pandora. You can also refuel at one of the 18 different eateries from Anna's Taqueria to Wagamama.
You can have a night of hitting the luxury shops or save money by looking for bargains that are always to be had. Look for special events signs that advertise seasonal sales and shop till you drop.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Not quite ready to head for home? Imagine spending a few dollars in a shopping destination that is one of Boston's historic landmarks!
The Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a historic shopping plaza and meeting hall that has been open since 1743 and has been listed as one of America's 25 Most Visited Tourist Sites by Forbes. With 80 stores, there is something for everyone including Coach, Sephora, and The Black Dog. There is even some public art to enjoy while you shop.
Boston Fire Museum
The Boston Fire Museum is a really cool place to learn about Boston Fire Department and its history. Located on Congress Street in the Seaport District, you can take a tour to see antique fire apparatus, photos, firefighting equipment, and some fire alarms of the past. The audio tour gives you a narrative while you explore.
You don't even need to purchase admission tickets because this interesting attraction is without charge. Of course, a donation is always welcomed.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Checking out local museums is a terrific pastime and is always a valuable experience, night or day. If you are interested in Asian collections, this is the place to go. It's a local favorite and has so much to see in the way of fabulous art of all types.
Established in 1903 and open until nine, this art museum boasts a large collection from Isabella Gardner. Her collection includes over 7,500 works of art including sculptures, paintings, and rare books as well as 7,000 Roman artifacts. Don't miss the 1629 self-portrait by Rembrandt and the 1538 Colonna Pieta by Michelangelo.
Museum of Science
Have you heard of Boston's famous virtual fish tank? It's a must-see attraction, so why not view it at night? Check out the Museum of Science at Science Park and get ready for about 2 hours of fun.
Located right on the Charles River, the Museum of Science is open until 10 and features more than 700 interactive exhibits as well as an indoor zoo with over 100 rescued animals. It opened in 1830 with a small collection and today boasts thousands of exhibits over three wings.
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is open until 10 pm Friday nights and boasts the largest collection of Monet paintings in the world. Showcasing over 8,000 paintings and 450 thousand other works including The Bunworth Harp from 1734, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and paintings from Gauguin, van Gogh, and Cezanne. This museum houses a lot of rare pieces as well, making it a good choice for those who have a keen interest in the arts.
The Institute of Contemporary Art
Want to see more artwork? If you like photography, sculpture, prints and more, head to the Institute of Contemporary Art, open until 9 pm. The building is designed to look like a folded-up ribbon that reaches the Charles River. Located in Seaport, you get a great view of the Boston skyline as well as the stunning artwork inside. Enjoy one of the best tours in town to see the work of emerging artists.
Get a Drink at Cheers Bar
If you have never seen the Cheers sitcom from the 80s and 90s, that's okay, you can still get a drink at the Cheers Bar. Boston is the home of the original bar that inspired this hit television show and you can even get a souvenir Cheers mug while you are there. And you should go ahead and Google the show so you know why it lasted so long.
Ghost Tour
Some people love the intrigue and apprehension that comes with a search for ghosts on a dark and eery night. If that's you, consider looking into one of Boston's must-do ghost tours.
In Downtown Boston, you can see where the Boston Strangler prowled before heading to Copp's Hill Burying Ground on Trolley Ghosts and Gravestones Tours. They take you on a trolley tour of the oldest cemetery in Boston where Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock were laid to rest. At this gravesite from the 1600s, you will learn about historical phenomena, ghost stories, and murder myths.
Crime Tour
Are you a fan of crime stories and mysteries of the past? The Beacon Hill Crime walking tour leads you along the gaslight streets of Beacon Hill where you can learn even more about the Boston Strangler. He was Boston's most notorious serial killer, murdering 13 women in the 1960s. See the home of two of the victims, the Charles Street Jail, and more.
Pub Tours
Have you ever been on a brewery tour or hopped from pub to pub? Boston has numerous breweries and distilleries where you can take a tour and enjoy some samples of some of the adult beverages. The best way to get a taste of the best is to take a pub tour or pub crawl. See Irish pubs with baseball bars, rooftop bars with stunning views of the city skyline, and learn some local history along the way.
Historic Freedom Trail Tour
History lovers, get ready for an amazing walk. You do not need a guide for the Freedom Trail because it is brightly marked with red paint and bricks along the way. Some of the sites include Paul Revere's house, the American Flag Museum, the Boston Common, King's Chapel, and the Quincy Market. Don't miss the 1718 Old Corner Bookstore where Anne Hutchinson used to live.
Dinner Cruise
Are you looking for a unique way to try some of Boston's tastiest food? Boston has great street food, but we're talking a fancy dinner! For some of the best views of Boston, take a dinner cruise on the Odyssey. These tours last about two or three hours and you will enjoy a gourmet three course dinner as you cruise the harbor. A live guitar performance makes your ride even more unique as you enjoy the scenery of the USS Constitution and the site of the Bunker Hill Monument.
Boston Champagne Cruise
The Boston Harbor Champagne Sunset Sail cruise is a fantastic romantic gesture for your special someone. Enjoy a glass of bubbly on an 80-foot schooner as the sunset lights up the sky. This is one of the most popular cruises in Boston for couples, so make sure you book well in advance.
A Fabulous Boston Skyline
Is your passion history? Or maybe it's sampling locally made beer on a pub crawl. Ice skating, the public botanical garden and more – Boston is full of excitement after dark! Whatever things to do in Boston at night you choose, you are sure to enjoy yourself.
Visiting Boston is always a fantastic way to spend a few days... and nights. Whether you are enjoying a cold pint at one of the dive bars or taking one of the walking tours to explore Boston, your vacation on the East coast will be even better when you fill your nights with fun.