SpotHero Summer Picks: Our Top 9 Things to do in Boston this Summer

Summer is in full swing in Boston! The SpotHero Team has taken a look at everything the city has to offer and hand-picked our favorite things to do. Whether you’re a local or you’re passing through, there’s something for everyone!

Hit up the New England Aquarium

Dates: The aquarium is open year-round, their summer hours (May 27-September 5) are Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 

Location: 1 Central Wharf, Boston

Price: Adults $34, children $25, timed tickets required. Full details here.

Spend a day with penguins, sea lions, and thousands of fish and aquatic animals. Visitors can scope out the many smaller exhibits, or spend hours roaming around the Giant Ocean Tank, the impressive four-story tank that holds hundreds of Caribbean fish. You can click here to learn more about the aquarium exhibits and attractions.

Dino Safari

Dates: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4 S Market St, Boston, MA 02109

Price: Ticket prices start at $16. Children under 2 are FREE.

Boston’s Dino Safari is your chance to get up close and personal with over 20 moving dinosaurs! This exhibition is fun for the whole family, where all ages are welcome and no material is too scary. Explore fossils, interactive games, and cutting-edge research about prehistoric times on this walk-through safari!

Summer in the City at the Harborwalk

Dates: June 8-August 25, full schedule of events available here.

Location: Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf

Price: Free, food and drinks a la carte.

Tuesday through Friday enjoy live music and movies as the harbor comes to life. Attendees can grab a drink or a bite at the terrace cafe, then sit back to the sounds of pop soul, blues, and swing. You can view a schedule and learn more here.

Explore the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Dates: Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m.- 9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location: 25 Evans Way

Price: Adults $20, children under 18 free, additional details available here.

There is no other place on earth quite like the Gardner Museum. This unique space was once a private home and was turned into a museum at the behest of former owner Isabella Stewart Gardner to showcase her significant art collection. Interestingly, the museum is perhaps best known now as the site of a famous unsolved art heist. Spend some time taking in the art, and who knows? You may solve a crime while you’re there! Visit their website to learn more.

The Public Garden

Dates: Open daily 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Location: 4 Charles St.

Price: Free

Spend a day or even just an hour at this dreamy spot in the heart of Boston. Bring a lunch, but if you don’t feel like sharing, watch out for the Public Garden’s famous squirrels! These critters love nothing more than feasting on snacks, and aren’t above resorting to theft! Learn more about the garden here.

Free Shakespeare on the Common: Macbeth

Dates: July 19-August 6, Performance begins at 8 p.m. 

Location: Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common

Price: Free, chair rental available for $10

This summer tradition returns as the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company proudly presents “Much Ado About Nothing,” the beloved comedy of errors the likes of which only the Bard can produce. Bring a blanket and chair, then sit back as the sun goes down for a night of theater truly unlike any other. Click here for full performance dates and details.

Boston Lights: A Franklin Park Zoo Experience

Dates: August 4-October 29, 6 to 10:30 p.m. daily 

Location: Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd.

Price: ticket prices vary depending on the day, take a look at the full rates here.

Guests can take in luminous—and large— lantern displays spread across the zoo as the sun goes down. This old favorite summer festival returns with popular displays from years past as well as new ones, including an 82-foot-long octopus! Learn more here.

“See it go” at Fenway Park

Date: The Red Sox’s last home game is October 2. You can view the entire regular season schedule here.

Location: Fenway Park

Cost: Ticket price varies based on the opponent. You can learn more here.

Nothing says summer quite like a day at Fenway. When the weather is nice, grab your friends and go cheer on the Red Sox!

Head out of town

Going on a trip this summer to beat the heat? We won’t judge you! Catching a flight? Just remember to reserve your airport parking spot in advance!

Happy Summer!