101 Things to Do in Boston

1. Be amazed by a Blue Man Group performance. Combining theater, percussion, art, and science, this is a form of entertainment like nothing else. Student rush tickets are available for $30 the morning of a performance. Call 617-426-6912 for information.

2. Take a group of friends to Do Re Mi in Allston for a night of karaoke in your own personal room. Record yourselves singing and listen to it for years to come. Call 617-783-8900 for information.

3. Shop at Cambridgeside Galleria near the Lechmere T stop. Hungry? Stay for dinner at The Cheesecake Factory.

4. Stand on the B.U. Bridge. You’re now at the only place in America where, simultaneously, a plane may fly over a car driving over a train traveling over a boat.

5. Take a Boston Movie Tour on one of the specialized Theater-on-Wheels mini-coach. You will go on a 2 and a half hour ride around Boston, visiting exclusive filming locations. For more information go to www.bostonmovietours.net

6. Take a tour of Boston’s famous Sam Adams Brewery for only a $1 donation. It is easily accessible via the Orange Line. For more information call 617-522-9080.

7. Cheer on the racers at the Head of the Charles, a premiere international regatta held on the Charles River each October.

8. Relive your childhood at the Children’s Museum near the South Station T stop. Tickets are $12 for adults. Call 617-426-8855 for information.

9. Examine the Newbury Street mural. Eighty-one of Boston’s finest personalities, including JFK, Babe Ruth, and Bette Davis are included. Can you find them all?

10. Experience free music at the Hatch Shell, located outside on the picturesque Esplanade. Events include the Independence Day performance of the Boston Pops, as well as numerous pop, rock, or jazz concerts.

11. Explore the Commonwealth Avenue mall. In the heart of Back Bay, the mall features a series of monuments, statues, and brownstones.

12. Check out memorabilia from your favorite movies, have a bite to eat, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the stars at the Hard Rock Cafe. Call 617-424-7625 for information.

13. Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. Buy a souvenir from the gift shop inspired by Boston’s most famous sitcom, Cheers. Visit the restaurant on Beacon Street and shop in the gift store on the first floor.

14. Discover the culture of one of Boston’s many ethnic neighborhoods. Try the Italian-American dominated North End, the oldest neighborhood district in Boston, or Chinatown, where you can sample some of the finest Asian cuisine.

15. Indulge in some famous Boston clam chowder. Try the No Name Restaurant located on Fish Pier Street on the waterfront.

16. Take a walk on the famous Freedom Trail. Let the red line serve as your yellow brick road through Boston’s history. Call 617-242-5642 for information.

17. Experience the harmonious sounds of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall. Rush tickets are $9. They may be purchased on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays for performances that day. Call 617-266-1492 for more information.

18. Admire the accomplishments of New England’s finest athletes at the Sports Museum in Boston. Call 617-787-7678 for more info.

19. Shop at Downtown Crossing. While there, let the universe revolve around you. A large, circular plaque marks the extreme locus point of the universe.

20. Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! See these animals and many more at the Franklin Park Zoo. Admission is $14. Call 617-541-LION for more information.

21. Stroll around the gas lit streets of Beacon Hill. Its one of the prettiest enclaves of nineteenth century town houses in the country.

22. Expand your cultural horizons at the Museum of Fine Arts. Admission is $20 and may be discounted with your Terrier Card. Call 617-267-9300 for information about exhibits.

23. Show your patriotism at the Bunker Hill Monument and Museum, built to commemorate the first major clash of the Revolutionary War. The monument is located in Charlestown. Admission is free. Call 617-242-5641 for information.

24. See a few bands play or just get a bit to eat at the Middle East Restaurant & Nightclub located in Cambridge right off the Central Square stop on the Red Line. For ticket information visit mideastclub.com.

25. Explore the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum. Dump your own bale of tea into the harbor, and then enjoy a cup tax-free. Call 617-338-1773 for more information.

26. Attend a Boston Ballet performance at the Wang Theater. One hour prior to the beginning of the show, student rush tickets may be purchased for performances with available seats. Rush tickets are $20. One ticket may be purchased per Terrier Card.

27. Enjoy a panoramic view of Boston from the fiftieth floor of the Prudential Building. The Skywalk is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 617-236-3318.

28. Ice skate on the Boston Common Frog Pond. Admission is $4 and skate rental is $8. Call 617-635-2197 for information.

29. Cheer the Boston Celtics to victory at the Fleet Center. Call Ticket Master at 617-931-2222 for more information.

30. Extra! Extra! Tour the Boston Globe’s newsroom, composing room, and printing press. Call 617-929-2653 for information.

31. Ring in the New Year with Boston’s First Night festivities. Don’t miss the variety of ice sculptures, performances, and parades.

32. Take a guided tour of the USS Constitution. Explore the indestructible warship known as “Old Ironsides” that fought in the War of 1812. Admission is free. Call 617-426-1812 for information.

33. Browse through the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, the first free city library in the United States. Free art and architecture tours are available. Call 617-536-5400 for more information.

34. Cheer on the Boston University Terriers at the annual Beanpot hockey tournament held each February.

35. Visit Paul Revere’s house, the last remaining seventeenth century Boston home. Tours explore the history of the times as well as the changing character of the North End. Admission is $3 with your Terrier Card. Call 617-523-2338 for more information

36. Get up close and personal with marine life at the New England Aquarium. Admission is $18.95. Consider taking a whale watching tour ($39.95) or enjoying an IMAX movie at the new theater (combo ticket prices available). Call 617-973-5200 for information.

37. Cruise the Boston Harbor. Historic sightseeing and sunset cruises are $16. Call 617-227-4321 for options and schedules.

38. Take in the scenery during a walk or run on the Esplanade. Stay to watch the sun set over the Charles River.

39. Attend an Improv Asylum show. The performances of this popular North End troupe feature the best in sketch comedy complete with audience participation. Call 617-263-6887 for schedules. Discounts available with your Terrier Card.

40. Catch a Boston Cannons lacrosse game just across the river at Harvard Stadium. For ticket and schedule info call 1-888-847-9700 or visit www.bostoncannons.com.

41. Enjoy great food and 112 beers on tap and 400 available by the bottle at Sunset Grill & Tap located on Harvard Ave in Allston.

42. Visit the quaint shops and unique kiosks at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Stay to eat at one of the 54 food vendors and restaurants located throughout the marketplace.

43. Want to get the Broadway experience here in Boston without emptying your wallet? Find half-price theater tickets at Bostix on the day of the performance. Booths are located in Faneuil Hall and Copley Square. Visit www.bostix.com for listings.

44. Dress in green and head to South Boston for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

45. Enjoy an outdoor play on the banks of the Charles River at the Public Theatre during the summer months. Call 617-454-1444 for information.

46. Buy a bouquet of flowers from a street vendor. Brighten your day, or give them to a friend.

47. Catch the latest movies close to campus at the Regal Fenway Stadium 13. Discounts are available with your Terrier Card. Call (617) 424-6111 for movie listings.

48. Sit back and relax at a sidewalk cafe on trendy Newbury Street. Try The OtherSide Café at 407 Newbury St.

49. Take a day trip to Castle Island in South Boston. Visit the legendary Fort Independence, take in the view of downtown Boston, and stroll around the Sugar Bowl, a circular walkway that extends over the water. Call 617-268-5744 for information.

50. Explore Coolidge Corner. Listen to an author’s reading at Brookline Booksmith, view an independent film at the theater, or meet for coffee at one of the many cafes.

51. Buy a hotdog and watch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Call 877-REDSOX9 to purchase tickets.

52. Discover the Harvard Museum of Natural History in Cambridge. Admission is $7 with your Terrier Card. Call (617) 495-3045 or visit www.hmnh.harvard.edu/.

53. Take a leisurely walk around Boston Common. Enjoy a game of Frisbee with friends.

54. Quack! Quack! Take a narrated Duck Tour in a World War II amphibious vehicle. Travel through historic Boston and then splash into the Charles River. Tickets are $27 with your Terrier Card. 617.267.DUCK(3825) or visit www.bostonducktours.com for more information

55. Explore John F. Kennedy’s birthplace in Brookline. The house contains many artifacts from the late president’s life. Call 617-566-7937 for information.

56. Get in touch with your inner Irishmen. Try corned beef and cabbage and listen to live Irish music at The Black Rose, just outside of Quincy Market.

57. Enjoy a relaxing ride on the Swan Boats. Tickets may be purchased for $2.75. Call 617-522-1966 or visit www.swanboats.com for information.

58. On Patriots’ Day in April, cheer on the runners (or run yourself) at the Boston Marathon.

59. Canoe or kayak the scenic Charles River. Call 617-462-2513 for information.

60. Stroll along the Emerald Necklace, a scenic seven mile stretch of green that connects nine Boston parks.

61. Shop ‘til you drop at the Prudential Center, also known as the City Under Glass. Visit the many stores, kiosks, and restaurants connected by beautiful glass corridors. Call 1-800-SHOP-PRU for information.

62. Visit the impressive State House on Beacon Hill.

63. Indulge in something sweet at Mike’s Pastry, located at 300 Hanover Street in the North End, or Modern Pastry, located at 257 Hanover Street.

64. Spend a day on the beach in South Boston.

65. Visit the Museum of Afro-American History. From there, take a guided tour of the Black Heritage Trail. Admission is free. For information call 617-725-0022 or visit www.afroammuseum.org.

66. Catch a classic film at the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square. Why not stay for a double feature? For show listings and times call 617-876-6837.

67. Check out the original Newbury Comics on Newbury Street.

68. Laugh out loud! See a professional comedian at the Comedy Connection in Faneuil Hall. Call 617-248-9700 for schedules and information.

69. Witness a Civil War reenactment at the Boston Harbor Islands State Park. The ferry charge to the island is $12. Call 617-727-7676 for information.

70. Watch Shakespeare while getting a tan on the Boston Common. The Shakespeare in the Park season runs for 1 week each summer. Call 617-532-1212 for a schedule.

71. Visit the Christian Science Center Plaza. While there, tour the church, admire the reflection pool, and view the mapparium. Church tours are offered Tuesday through Sunday. Call 617-450-3790 for information.

72. Watch a street performer’s show in Harvard Square.

73. Check out Harvard Yard in Cambridge, the site of films such as Love Story, The Paper Chase, and With Honors.

74. Take a closer look at the Green Monster. Tour Fenway Park for just $12. Call 617-236-6666 for more information.

75. Go shopping at the Garment District, a warehouse of both funky and functional secondhand clothing. The District is located near the Kendall Square T stop in Cambridge. Call 617-876-5230 for hours and information.

76. Enjoy the Southwestern atmosphere of the Border Cafe as you chow down on Mexican, Cajun, or Caribbean cuisine. The Cafe is located in Harvard Square.

77. Visit the Old North Church, where two lanterns were hung to warn Bostonians that the British were coming on April 18, 1775. Admission is free, with donations requested. Call 617-523-6676 for more information.

78. Learn to sail on the Charles River. Lessons and rentals are available at the dock near the Longfellow Bridge on the Esplanade at Community Boating Inc. For more information, call 617-523-1038 or go to www.community-boating.org.

79. Play chess with a friend at Au Bon Pain at the Holyoke Center in Cambridge. Matt and Minnie made this spot famous in Good Will Hunting.

80. Take a trip on a boat and go Whale Watching. Tour go from April to October. Go to www.massbaylines.com/whalewatch/default.html

81. Enjoy neighborhood jazz at the weekly Sunday brunch at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge. Ryles is located near the Central Square T stop. Call 617-876-9330 or go to rylesjazz.com for information.

82. Experience the sights, sounds, and fresh fruit at Haymarket, Boston’s great outdoor marketplace.

83. House of Blues Boston is perfect for live music and dining experiences. In keeping with tradition, House of Blues Boston displays the “Crazy Quilt” and keeps a metal box of mud from the Delta Mississippi underneath its stage. For more information visit www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/boston/.

84. Celebrate women’s history on one of the many walks provided by the Women’s Heritage Trail. Visit the homes and workplaces of Boston’s most remarkable women. Visit www.bwht.org for information.

85. Instead of taking the T walk to your destination. Enjoy the exercise while exploring portions of the city that are otherwise inaccessible.

86. Take a leisurely ride on the Beantown Trolley. Stop at locations of interest throughout the city. Tickets are $29.

87. Explore the exhibits at the Museum of Science. Stay for an IMAX film at the Mugar Omni Theater. Call 617-723-2500 for schedules and ticket prices.

88. Create a unique meal with the ingredients of your choice at the Improvisational grill Fire & Ice. The restaurant has locations in Copley and Harvard Squares. For information and reservations call 617-547-9007.

89. Volunteer! There are numerous community service programs throughout the city. For example, try building homes with Habitat for Humanity (617-524-8891).

90. I scream, you scream, go for some ice cream! Try J.P. Licks on Newbury Street.

91. Attend College Fest in September. Hear live music, get free stuff, and meet celebrities. The fun takes place at Hynes Convention Center. Admission is $10 for college students. For information, visit www.collegefest.com.

92. Devote a day to art appreciation at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Admission is $5 with your Terrier Card. Call 617-566-1401 or visit www.gardnermuseum.org.

93. Take a multimedia excursion into the world of artificial intelligence at MITs Robots and Beyond. Located in Cambridge, admission to this museum is $3 with your Terrier Card. For information call 617-253-4444.

94. Browse through Barnes & Noble in Kenmore Square.

95. Celebrate Boston’s colonial and maritime heritage at Harborfest. A week of patriotic and fun events, Harborfest takes place on the waterfront in July.

96. Take in a show at the Lyric Stage Company, located in Copley Square. Call 617-585-5678 for show times and tickets.

97. Attend a college sporting event at any one of the campuses located in and around Boston. For schedules, contact the schools athletic departments.

98. View the films and exhibits at the John F. Kennedy Museum. Admission is $10 with your Terrier Card. Call 1-617-514-1600 for information.

99. Visit the Boston Public Gardens. Located between the Back Bay and the Boston Common, like the rest of Back Bay the Public Gardens was a swamp until it was filled in 1839. A botanical garden, the first in the country, was added and later flowerbeds and paths were laid out in the French style. In 1861 the English Pond was added and 16 years later the famous swan boats came into operation. Look for the bronze ducklings of Make Way for Ducklings fame (on the Beacon Street side).

100. View the stars at the Boston University Astronomy Open Night, held most Wednesday nights throughout the year. Start times: 7:30 p.m. Fall/Winter, 8:30p.m. Spring/Summer. This free program lasts about an hour.

101. Why not try something outside of Boston? To explore one of Boston’s surrounding towns, take the commuter rail from North or South Station.