Highest-rated free things to do in Massachusetts, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Massachusetts, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Massachusetts.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Massachusetts using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Castle Island
- Rating: 4.5/5 (540 reviews)
- Address: 2010 William J Day Blvd. end of Carson Beach, on Pleasure Bay Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Wrentham Village Premium Outlets
- Rating: 4/5 (783 reviews)
- Address: 1 Premium Outlet Blvd. Wrentham, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Cisco Brewers
- Rating: 4.5/5 (804 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Copley Square
- Rating: 4.5/5 (838 reviews)
- Address: 560 Boylston St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Back Bay
- Rating: 4.5/5 (640 reviews)
- Address: Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Plymouth Rock - Pilgrim Memorial State Park
- Rating: 3.5/5 (2,389 reviews)
- Address: 79 Water St. Plymouth, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Old Burying Point Cemetery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,549 reviews)
- Address: 51 Charter St. Salem, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Cape Cod National Seashore
- Rating: 5/5 (651 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Aquinnah Cliffs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (547 reviews)
- Address: State Rd. Aquinnah, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Old North Church & Historic Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,117 reviews)
- Address: 193 Salem St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Main Street Hyannis
- Rating: 4/5 (1,165 reviews)
- Address: Main St. Hyannis, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Bunker Hill Monument
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,922 reviews)
- Address: 43 Monument Square Charlestown Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Waterfront
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,845 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. New England Holocaust Memorial
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,549 reviews)
- Address: 98 Union St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. USS Constitution Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,661 reviews)
- Address: Bldg 22 Charlestown Navy Yard Charlestown Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Shining Sea Bikeway
- Rating: 5/5 (1,065 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Beacon Hill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,409 reviews)
- Address: Between Beacon St. and Cambridge St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Commercial Street
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,331 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Newbury Street
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,514 reviews)
- Address: Newbury St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Salem Witch Trials Memorial
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,065 reviews)
- Address: 24 Liberty St. Off Charter St. Salem, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. USS Constitution
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,465 reviews)
- Address: Bldg. 5, Charlestown Navy Yard Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Quincy Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,662 reviews)
- Address: 206 South Market St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Samuel Adams Brewery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,556 reviews)
- Address: 30 Germania St. Jamaica Plain Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Faneuil Hall Marketplace
- Rating: 4/5 (7,823 reviews)
- Address: 1 Faneuil Hall Sq Quincy Market Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Harvard University
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,187 reviews)
- Address: 1350 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Boston Common
- Rating: 4.5/5 (6,531 reviews)
- Address: 139 Tremont St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Boston Public Library
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,123 reviews)
- Address: 700 Boylston St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Boston Public Garden
- Rating: 4.5/5 (9,981 reviews)
- Address: 4 Charles St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. North End
- Rating: 4.5/5 (7,250 reviews)
- Address: Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Freedom Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (17,840 reviews)
- Address: 139 Tremont St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
