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Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in New England

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

7.6
4.7/5
283 reviews
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts with a century-old history is an important art museum in the United States. The museum collects works from the archaeological and cultural remains of ancient Egypt and the Mesopotamia to the Greek and Roman civilizations to painting genres of various periods in Europe, as well as ancient artworks from East Asia and India. 1. Background overview After the expansion of the two design masters, Ieoh Ming Pei and Foster, the current art museum is divided into a new museum and an old museum. Pei's extended west wing continues the classical revival of the old building, while Foster presents a new modern twist. In front of the gallery is a statue called "Appeal to The Great Spirit", which was sculpted by American sculptor Cyrus Dallin. 2. Visiting Guide The art gallery has four floors, three on the ground and one underground. On the first floor are the exhibition halls of American art, Egyptian Nubian ancient Near Eastern art, Greek and Etruscan art, Eurasian and African American musical instruments, Indian Korean Southeast Asian Islamic art, Japanese art, African and Oceanian art, and contemporary art. On the second floor are American art, Impressionism, European painting and sculpture, Egyptian art, Greek and Roman art, Chinese and Himalayan art, and Japanese art. The third floor is mainly the studio of the gallery and American art. On the ground floor are some American art and some special exhibition halls. After the visit, you can go to the third floor to continue to visit the American art exhibition hall, or you can go to the coffee shop on the first floor to rest, or buy your favorite souvenirs in the store. If you happen to be holding some special exhibitions when you go, you can go to the basement floor to continue the tour.Boston · 4.2 km from Cambridge
Boston Duck Tours
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in New England

Boston Duck Tours

7.5
4.7/5
33 reviews
Boston Duck Tours is a highly recognizable amphibious sightseeing attraction on the streets of Boston. The vehicles used are dual-purpose, modeled after the amphibious landing vehicles of the US military during World War II. They can navigate through city streets and directly enter the river, allowing travelers to experience both a city tour and a cruise in one itinerary. This makes it especially suitable for first-time visitors who want to get a comprehensive impression of Boston in a short time. The itinerary features live commentary by the driver and on-site guide, passing landmarks such as the golden-domed State House, Boston Common and Public Garden, the shop-lined Newbury Street, Copley Square, Trinity Church, the Prudential Tower, and the historic districts around Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. Just when you think you've seen all of Boston, the driver makes a splashdown into the Charles River—the moment the vehicle hits the water is the highlight of the tour. The vehicle then cruises slowly along the river, offering views of the skylines of Boston and Cambridge, which is also a great time for photos. A signature interactive tradition on board involves every passenger receiving a duck-bill-shaped "quacker" whistle. When encountering another duck tour vehicle or waving crowds on the street, everyone blows their whistles in response. The chorus of quacking has been a hallmark of this tour for years, and families with children particularly enjoy this playful experience.Boston · 4 km from Cambridge
Harvard University
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in New England

Harvard University

7.5
4.5/5
572 reviews
Harvard University is one of the world's most famous institutions of higher learning and a tourist destination rich in history and culture. The campus centers around Harvard Yard, where red-brick walkways, ivy-covered walls, and classical buildings constructed over the centuries intertwine. The Johnston Gate on the west side of Harvard Yard is considered the main entrance, and a short walk into the yard brings you to the John Harvard Statue. This statue is known as the "Statue of Three Lies" because the inscription on its base contains three inaccuracies. Many tourists touch the statue's left foot for photos, a habit that has polished the bronze foot to a shine. Across the lawn from the statue stands The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library, a grand building donated by the mother of an alumnus who perished on the Titanic. Memorial Church is the only building in the yard with a spire, and its walls are inscribed with the names of Harvard students who died in World War I. Memorial Hall is famous for its ornate stained-glass windows, and its freshman dining hall is often compared to the Hogwarts dining hall in "Harry Potter". Massachusetts Hall, built in the early 18th century, is one of the oldest surviving buildings on campus. Harvard Square is one of the bustling neighborhoods in Cambridge, packed with bookstores, cafes, and various shops. The area around the campus also features the Harvard Art Museums, which house a collection of European and American art ranging from classical to modern works, including self-portraits by Van Gogh and paintings by Monet.Cambridge · 725m from downtown
New England Aquarium
2026 Americas 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

New England Aquarium

7
4.5/5
159 reviews
Built in 1969, the New England Aquarium is one of the most popular aquariums in the northeastern United States. It is located in the Boston waterfront area, at the central pier on Pacific Avenue at the northern end of the city center. The National Aquarium (NationalAquariuminBaltimore) is equally famous and is one of the few large aquariums in the world. In its first year of opening, the aquarium attracted nearly 500,000 visitors, especially the large aquariums here. Learn about what it takes to be a sea turtle rescuer at the SeaTurtle Hospital and experience first-hand turtle diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Admire the stunning Caribbean reefs in the Giant Ocean Tank. There are more than 3,000 elaborately sculpted coral shapes and more than 1,000 animals, including Myrtle (a 550-pound green sea turtle that has lived in the aquarium for over 40 years). Gently stroke bullnose, Atlantic rays and sharks as they swim gracefully in the crystal clear water at the TrustFamily Foundation Shark and RayTouchTank. See the world's only remaining sea dragon exhibit at the Thinking House Two species of sea dragons. Immerse yourself in the world of Tentacles! Look out for the giant Pacific octopus in its newly created habitat, and watch its cuttlefish cousin change color before your eyes. From petite red octopuses to graceful sea jellyfish, dive into this plethora of A world of all kinds of mysterious marine animals, Tentacles takes you through this dazzling world. Meet blue penguins from Australia face-to-face and watch how they swim, groom, socialize and feed. Gulf of Maine Exhibit featuring local animals such as Atlantic cod and halibut, the rare blue lobster, and the familiar ugly flat shark (also known as the anglerfish). Freshwater pavilion, where you can see animals from the Amazon Basin Wild animals of the forest. You can also sit back and watch an unforgettable IMAX movie! The Simons IMAX Theater uses extraordinary IMAX3D technology and New England big screen to give you a shocking experience. IMAX movies can provide people of all ages with a rich experience A legendary, unforgettable experience.Boston · 5.3 km from Cambridge
Boston Public Library
No. 8 of Best Things to Do in New England

Boston Public Library

6.1
4.4/5
256 reviews
Boston Public Library was founded in the mid-19th century. Its main branch is located next toCopley Squareand consists of the older McKim Building connected to the adjacent Johnson Building: the McKim Building is an Italian Renaissance-style palace, known as a palace for the people when it opened; the Johnson Building was designed by modernist architect Philip Johnson and, like the old building, features a granite facade. One ancient and one modern, one ornate and one simple, they form a compelling architectural contrast in the Back Bay neighborhood. It is both a place for Bostonians to read daily and a destination for tourists who visit specifically for the library's extensive art collection. The interior of the McKim Building is full of highlights: the marble floor of the vestibule is inlaid with 12 zodiac patterns, stone lions commemorating the Massachusetts infantry regiments of the Civil War stand beside the grand staircase, and the walls of the staircase are adorned with murals by French painter Pierre Puvis de Chavannes on the themes of poetry, history, science, and philosophy; the long Bates Hall on the second floor, with its soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling, oak tables, and rows of lamps, creates the library's signature scene; the Sargent Gallery on the third floor houses "The Triumph of Religion," a work completed by American painter John Singer Sargent over nearly 30 years, while the murals covering the walls of the Abbey Room are by Edwin Abbey and depict the legend of the Holy Grail; the rare book exhibition also features the private collection of John Adams. In the center of the building is an Italian-style courtyard, surrounded by arcades with a fountain in the middle, which is a quiet corner where both readers and tourists love to linger. The adjacent Johnson Building, after a comprehensive renovation, is bright and airy. It focuses on lending services and also houses spaces such as the Children's Library, the Teen Central, and the Leventhal Map Center.Boston · 3.9 km from Cambridge
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
No. 9 of Best Things to Do in New England

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

5.9
4.5/5
74 reviews
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a private art museum that collector Isabella Stewart Gardner devoted half her life to creating. The entire building is designed in the style of a 15th-century Venetian palace. Although it was not moved in its entirety from Venice, it incorporates a large number of architectural elements taken from European Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Walking between the porticos and the courtyard, one truly feels as if they are in a Venetian palace. The three-story exhibition halls are arranged around a central courtyard, which is covered by a glass skylight and adorned with ancient Roman mosaics. The floral displays that change with the seasons ensure there is something different to see all year round, and it is also a popular photo spot in the museum. The collection includes thousands of items, such as paintings, sculptures, tapestries, letters and manuscripts, rare books, and silver furniture. It features works by painters such as Titian, Raphael, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Sargent. Titian's masterpiece "The Rape of Europa" and the portrait of the museum's founder painted by Sargent are particularly noteworthy. In accordance with Isabella's will, the museum's displays remain exactly as she arranged them during her lifetime. Most exhibits do not have labels, and the lighting is as soft as in a private residence. Rather than visiting an art museum, it feels more like stepping into a collector's home, and this kind of visiting experience is quite rare among similar large art museums. In 1990, the museum was the site of a sensational art heist, and more than a dozen masterpieces remain missing to this day, including Vermeer's rare "The Concert." The empty frames left in the Dutch Room are still hanging in their original places, becoming "absent exhibits" that many visitors come specifically to see. The museum also continues the founder's tradition of using music and art to connect with friends.Boston · 4.2 km from Cambridge
Trinity Church
No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Boston

Trinity Church

5.7
4.0/5
187 reviews
Trinity Church is a parish church of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. Founded in the 18th century, it is the 3rd-oldest Episcopal parish in Boston. The church is the 3rd building of the parish, designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and completed in the late 19th century. Its design, featuring rough stone walls, rounded arches, and towering spires, is considered the source and model of the "Richardsonian Romanesque" style. The interior can accommodate over 1,000 people and serves not only as a place for weekly worship but also as a venue for large-scale citywide events in Boston. The interior realizes the "colorful church" vision shared by Rector Phillips Brooks and Richardson: the full-hall murals painted by artist John La Farge and his team, combined with stained glass windows created by the Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris studio, La Farge's layered opalescent glass windows, and works by several American sculptors, make those who step into the inner hall feel as if they are in a complete work of art. In 1885, the American architectural community selected the 10 most representative buildings in the U.S., and it was among them. In 1986, the American Institute of Architects held a similar selection again, and it was the only one from the 1885 list that remained. The annual candlelight carol service in December has continued for many years and has become one of Boston's traditions for welcoming Christmas. The church faces the Boston Public Library across the square, and the blue glass curtain wall of the nearbyHancock Towerperfectly reflects the stone tower, making it a classic photo spot in Boston. Back Bay was originally a reclaimed wetland, and the entire building is supported by thousands of wooden piles below the water table, allowing it to stand firmly for over a century.Boston · 4 km from Cambridge

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Experiences you can't miss in Cambridge

Featured Day tours in Cambridge

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From NYC: Boston, Cambridge & Freedom Trail Day Tour
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4.6/5
· 51 reviews
Duration: 14 hrs
Free cancellation
92.2% of travelers recommend
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSAR 384.88SAR 405.14
Harvard University Walking Tour in Boston, USA [Walking Tour/English Guide]
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FromSAR 82.57
Boston, Harvard and Freedom Trail Day Tour from New York
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 10 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromSAR 467.69
BOSTON FREEDOM TRAIL, FULL DAY TOUR BY BUS
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Duration: 9 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromSAR 625.50
Boston Universities and Harbor Cruise Day Tour
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Duration: 6.6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromSAR 596.72
From Boston:Small Group Harvard, MIT, Quincy Market Day Tour
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FromSAR 596.72

Featured Culture & history in Cambridge

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Boston CityPASS City Pass
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English
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FromSAR 331.57
Cambridge Audio Tour: Ivy League Legends and City Stories
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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FromSAR 21.76SAR 27.2
2-hour Ivy League campus walking tour at Harvard University in Boston, USA
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Duration: 2 hrs
English
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1.5 hr paleontology walking tour at The Harvard Museum of Natural History in Boston
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Duration: 2 hrs
English
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FromSAR 380.79
US | Chinese guide travel accompaniment business inspection exhibition interpretation
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FromSAR 56.37

Featured Food & drink in Cambridge

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Boston Universities and Harbor Cruise Day Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 6.5 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
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FromSAR 460.10SAR 484.32
Boston North End Food Tour with Authentic Local Flavors & Dishes
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4.8/5
· 647 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
Free cancellation
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94.7% of travelers recommend
FromSAR 324.60
Boston Food Tour: Pizza & North End Italian Classics
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5.0/5
· 25 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
25 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
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FromSAR 220.70SAR 232.32
Boston: North End & Little Italy Food Tour with Local Dishes
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4.8/5
· 13 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromSAR 307.62SAR 323.82
Boston: Freedom Trail History and Food Tour
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4.7/5
· 9 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
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FromSAR 103.04SAR 108.47
Boston: Seafood Tasting & Historical Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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FromSAR 638.45SAR 672.06
Boston: Back Bay Chocolate and Art Galleries Guided Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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FromSAR 244.05
Boston: Historic Pubs Walking & Ferry, Food & Drink Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 3.5 hrs
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FromSAR 567.09SAR 596.94

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What travelers say about Cambridge

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逗子铺掌柜September 3, 2026
5.0
Definitely worth a visit! The collection is incredibly rich; even 2-4 hours isn't enough to fully appreciate it. I recommend going early when it opens to avoid crowds and enjoy a quieter experience. A guided tour is highly recommended; the service is excellent, highlighting key points and preventing unnecessary wandering. There are so many wonderful things, I can't upload them all on my camera!

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

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Anonymous userOctober 8, 2024
5.0
The experience was very good. The tour guide kept talking for an hour and entertained everyone. You can experience all the city views on land and water. The moment you got into the water, everyone was recording. When you met other duck boats during the journey, everyone would imitate the duck's call to greet each other

Boston Duck Tours

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中西南北东September 14, 2026
4.0
Most universities abroad don't have walls, and Harvard is no exception. The first picture shows the visitor center, where you can use the restrooms. The campus is divided into several sections by city streets, but overall it remains quiet and orderly.

Harvard University

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Dina MUNINAMay 13, 2026
5.0
Absolutely amazing experience for any age! We were very happy to see New England Aquarium!

New England Aquarium

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BeachButterflyApril 18, 2024
5.0
This place has a great selection of food and treats to choose from. You can get some good stuff to take home to friends too.

Quincy Market

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西行阿里May 2, 2021
5.0
Faneuil Hall, located on Boston's Freedom Trail, was built in 1742 by the wealthy businessman Peter Faneuil. It was originally used as a market. Before the outbreak of the War of Independence, it was used as a place for Boston citizens to gather and have free discussions. It has witnessed countless meetings and speeches by patriots, so it is also called the "Cradle of Freedom" and has played an important role in American history. This is a solemn, three-story red brick building with a Greek-style duplex. After a large-scale renovation, it was reopened to the public in August 1976. When you enter the hall, you can see the words on the wall: This is where the important moment of the founding of Boston was witnessed.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

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KevinTsuiMay 2, 2021
5.0
I went there a long time ago, around 2016, probably in November, it was already very cold, the weather was not very good, but it is indeed a good place to learn about the history of the founding of the United States. Be sure to remember to go and see it.

Freedom Trail

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Jessica I’dNovember 29, 2023
5.0
A Boston essential. Not only good for book lovers, but fans of art and history will love this refuge right in the heart of the city. Be respectful if you visit just for some photos, it is an active community resource hub and welcoming event space year round.

Boston Public Library

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evermoreJuly 2, 2022
5.0
It's hard to believe that this is a privately-run museum, as there are so many great pieces and the atmosphere is so great. It's a place with a botanical garden? garden concept, so it's great for taking pictures :) It's one of the museums I want to visit again because they say the garden concept changes every time!

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

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jiuyuefangDecember 23, 2024
5.0
My dears, Trinity Church is worth a visit. In terms of architecture, Boston Trinity Church has a unique Chadson Romanesque style, with a rose-colored sandstone exterior, reliefs and red-topped towers that attract attention. New York Trinity Church is a Gothic Revival classic, which has been included in the National Register of Historic Places and was once a landmark in Lower Manhattan. In terms of culture, Moscow Trinity Church is an important Orthodox church dedicated to St. Vladimir. The interior murals and sculptures are exquisite, and there are precious works of art and cultural relics; there are also historical stories, such as the New York Trinity Church and Alexander Hamilton. In terms of the tour experience, the interior is quiet, and the New York Trinity Church is located at the intersection of Wall Street and Broadway, which can be connected to the surrounding tours. The rose-colored sandstone exterior of Boston Trinity Church is unique. This rose-colored sandstone is soft and warm in the sun, giving people a solemn and warm feeling. It has a hard texture and can still remain in good condition after years of baptism. The sandstone is decorated with exquisite reliefs. These reliefs are meticulously detailed and feature religious figures, symbolic symbols, etc., which add a strong religious atmosphere and artistic beauty to the building, making the church look solemn and dignified while showing an exquisite and gorgeous side.

Trinity Church

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What are the must-do things in Cambridge?

Don't miss these attractions in Cambridge: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston Duck Tours, and Harvard University. If you like Day tours, try From NYC: Boston, Cambridge & Freedom Trail Day Tour. If you enjoy Culture & history, try Go City: Boston All-Inclusive Pass (Discover over 40 top attractions | View Boston Observation Deck & more).

You can give Boston Universities and Harbor Cruise Day Tour and Boston North End Food Tour with Authentic Local Flavors & Dishes a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include From NYC: Boston, Cambridge & Freedom Trail Day Tour, Harvard University Walking Tour in Boston, USA [Walking Tour/English Guide], and Boston, Harvard and Freedom Trail Day Tour from New York. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 2, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Cambridge is around SAR 82.57 – SAR 659.49. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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