Exploring a big city on a budget can be quite a challenge. Boston is no exception with tickets to New England Aquarium priced at $39, a visit to observatory at $25, and a piece of the original Boston cream pie at $13. But if you spend a little more time researching and planning ahead you can spend your money wisely. There are plenty of cheap things to do in Boston (and some things are completely free!).

When I say “cheap things to do in Boston”, I want you to understand that I don’t necessarily mean that you won’t spend more than a few dollars on an attraction (although sometimes that’s the case). It’s all about the value you are getting for your investment. Spending $25 to visit an observatory for bird’s eye view of Boston to me seems expensive because there are other, more affordable options. But spending $25 to watch a world class performance by Boston Ballet is a bargain!

Some things on this list are completely free, some are cheap and some are relatively cheap. If you know of more great things to do in Boston on a budget, let me know in the comments!

Disclosure: this post contains some affiliate links which means if you buy something by clicking the link I will earn a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you.

12 Cheap Things to Do in Boston

Get Inspired by the Vertical Garden Mural by Richard Haas

This mural known as the Vertical Garden is a true hidden gem of Boston! Created by Richard Haas who closely worked with the building architect, it covers all the walls and the ceiling of a large atrium. The mural was created in 1990, spans 6 stories, and depicts a lush tropical garden. It creates optical illusions where painted parts are one with the real architectural elements, like a fountain at the base. 

There used to be Au Bon Pain cafe inside, so it was a perfect place for a breakfast or a quick snack. Unfortunately, it closed down. I have tried to find out online whether the mural is still accessible to public, but there’s no up-to-date information. Since it’s located inside a large office building, you should technically be able to just walk in from Monday to Friday during business hours. 

If you are in Boston and check out this place, please let me know in the comments, if it’s still possible for people to see it. I’d be really grateful for an update, since I am not planning to go to Boston anytime soon. I have written about this place in more detail here, back when I visited it first in 2016.

Vertical Garden Mural — 101 Merrimack Street

Cost: free

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Panoramic view from the rooftop of Independence Wharf Building

Enjoy Rooftop Views of the City

The most popular place to get a great view of Boston is Skywalk Observatory which will cost you $25. If you are not ready to spend that much for 15 minutes of your time, head down to Independence Wharf Building on Atlantic Avenue. The observation deck located on 14th floor offers amazing views of the city and will cost you literally nothing. It’s free for all visitors daily 10 am to 5 pm. Be ready to present your photo ID at the lobby to go up.

Independence Wharf Building — 470 Atlantic Avenue

Cost: free

Tip: don’t forget to bring your ID.

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Inside Mapparium. Photo courtesy of Mary Baker Eddy Library since taking pictures inside is not allowed.

Step Inside a Globe

One of a kind experience that you will never forget and just for $6! Here’s how I found this place: I was reading a short story by Jhumpa Lahiri in which the main character who lives in Boston brings his lover to his favorite place in the city described as «a room which was shaped like the inside of the globe but looked like the outside of one». Wouldn’t you want to visit it after such an intriguing portrayal?

Mapparium is a sphere with a bridge stretching from one side to the other. On the inner walls of the sphere is a political map of the world. The shape of the Mapparium creates unusual sound effects: when you stay on one side of the bridge and whisper people on the other side can perfectly hear you.

It’s fun for people of any age, but if you are exploring Boston with kids it could be a particularly cool idea. Mapparium is located inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library. Admission is required for the Mapparium only, all the other spaces in the library are free.

Mapparium — 200 Massachusetts Avenue

Cost: a ticket to Mapparium costs $6, all the other spaces in Mary Baker Eddy Library are free.

Tip: Mapparium is available for view on a tour only. The last tour starts at 4.40 pm.

Visit a Museum

Visiting museums is not one of the cheap things to do in Boston unless you know a few tricks. There are several museums that always offer free admission:

MassArt Art Museum is one of the newest contemporary art museums and is always free to visit. 

Harvard Art Museums are free to all visitors every day.

Bunker Hill Museum is also free of charge.

There are also museums that offer reduced admission on particular days:

Boston Children’s Museum offers $1 admission on Sundays from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm (online reservations are a must).

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum offers free admission on the first Thursday of every month after 3pm. Additionally, if your name is Isabella admission is always free. 

The Museum of Fine Arts used to have free admission on Wednesday afternoon, but that unfortunately is not the case anymore. There’s a list of days when you can pay a reduced admission fee on their website

Cost: depends on the museum

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Get Messy with Boston’s Famous Lobster Roll

You cannot come to Boston and not try a lobster roll. It’s a sin, I tell you. James Hook & Co serves my all time favorite lobster roll in the city. It’s great all around: the warm and soft hot dog bun, the huge chunks of lobster meat, the creamy mayo dressing.

I realize buying a lobster roll for $28 is not exactly a cheap thing to do in Boston. But if I told you that lobster rolls can cost as much as $60 at other restaurants, it would sound so bad anymore, right? James Hook provides direct service and distribution of lobsters to restaurants and wholesale distributers around the country, so you are getting the best quality lobster meat for a great price.

James Hook and Co — 15-17 Nothern Avenue

Cost: $27.99

Learn History by Walking the Streets

You probably don’t need me to tell you that the cheapest thing to do in Boston is to walk its gorgeous streets (if the weather allows). So let me just tell you that my favorite neighborhoods in Boston are Back Bay and Beacon Hill. You don’t even need a map or a guide, simply get lost on the streets and admire the beautiful architecture.

And then of course, there’s the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile-long path marked by the red line on the floor, that will take you through the most significant locations. Most of the stops along the trail are free of charge.

The Freedom Trail — check the Freedom Trail website for map and tips.

Cost: free

Take a Tour of Boston with a Local Guide

I love exporing cities on my own, but it is always a good idea to take a tour with a local who can point out the details I would otherwise miss. Boston by Foot is an educational nonprofit committed to promoting public awareness of Boston’s history and architecture. 

There are over 200 volunteer guides ready to show you the city. They have regular tours around different neighborhoods of Boston: North End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and many more. The tours are not cheap per se, but cheaper than other guided tours you will find in Boston.

Boston by Foot — check Boston by Foot website for the tours schedule.

Cost: $17 for adults, $10 for children

Taste New England’s Best Produce

Browse through the many shops of Boston Public Market in the heart of the city and taste everything it has to offer: cheese and charcuterie, fudge and chocolate, apple cider and honey. All of the products and vendors are from New England area. By the end of the stroll you will be so full that having lunch will seem like a crazy idea.

On Fridays and Saturdays, Haymarket, a year-round outdoor market, is open on a street adjacent to Boston Public Market. It’s a popular destination for both locals and tourists to stock up on fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. Prices are good and they drop down significantly by the end of the day when vendors try to sell all the leftovers.

Boston Public Market 100 Hanover Street

Haymarket — located along Blackstone Street between Hanover Street and North Street

Cost: tasting is free, the rest depends on your appetite

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Get Lost in the World of Books

My heart melts every time I see these shelves of books against red brick walls. Hidden in a tiny nook on West Street, Brattle Book Shop is my absolute favorite spot in Boston. It’s one of America’s largest and oldest used book shops.

Come here if you want to get away from the noise of big city and get lost in the world of fictional characters. On my last visit I left with a happy smile on my face, two books in my bag, and only $5 in damages. Prices go all the way down to $1 for some books on sale! If you are looking for cheap things to do in Boston, it doesn’t get better than browsing through books under open sky.

Brattle Book Shop — 9 West St

Cost: books on sale start from $1

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Bates hall of Boston Public Library

Marvel at the Beautiful Architecture of Boston Public Library 

Another one of my favorites in Boston is the gorgeous Public Library and the Bates Hall in particular. You can walk in and explore it on your own or take a free guided tour focused on the architecture and art pieces. The tours are offered daily. Check the time of the tours here. 

By the way, inside Boston Public Library is a restaurant overlooking the inner courtyard where you can have afternoon tea. It’s definitely not a cheap thing to do in Boston, but it’s one of a kind experience. I wrote about it here.

Boston Public Library — 700 Boylston Street

Cost: free

Watch a Performance at Boston Ballet 

Watching a performance by one of North America’s leading ballet companies might not come to mind when you think of cheap things to do in Boston, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the tickets start at $25. Now these wouldn’t be the best seats in the house and you do need to buy tickets ahead of time, but $25 to watch the Nutcracker or Swan Lake is a bargain! The performances take place at the Citizens Opera House and include both classical ballet and contemporary works.

Boston Ballet — 539 Washington St

Cost: starting at $25

Admire the Ray and Maria Stata Center

Finally, let’s take a short trip from Boston to Cambridge (easily done by metro) and explore MIT grounds. You can stop at the visitor’s office in the main building to get a map that depicts all the major attractions. But while the whole area is quite interesting to walk around, the most mind-blowing spot on the route is definitely the Ray and Maria Stata Center.

Stata Center is an academic complex designed by architect Frank Gehry that was opened in 2004. There has been lots of controversy surrounding the building. Namely, MIT filed a law suit against the architect stating Gehry was negligent which led to construction failures, including poor drainage, leaks, and mold growth. The problems have been resolved and the law suit settled in 2010. 

The center houses Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and Department of Linguistics and Philosophy to name a few. I’ve no idea what it’s like to work in a building like this, but it sure is cool to at least see it from the outside!

Ray and Maria Stata Center — 32 Vassar Street

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Where to Stay in Boston?

Budget Option: HI Boston 

If you are looking for something simple during your stay in Boston, a bed at a hostel might be a good option for you. HI Boston, located in Theatre district, a short walk from Boston Common, is one of the highest rated hostels in the city. 

Unique Quirky Option: The Liberty

How does a jail-turned-hotel sound for a place to stay in Boston? Ever since reading about it I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to spend the night there. The Liberty, a modern hotel overlooking Charles River, was once Charles Street Jail, a national historic landmark built in 1851. It costs a pretty penny, but staying in a former prison would definitely be a one-of-a-kind experience. 

What Else to Do In Boston?

If you only have 2 days in the city check out my 48-hour guide to Boston.

If you have an additional day, cross the bridge and explore Cambridge! Check out my one day itinerary for Cambridge here.

If you are into Italian food, try traditional Neapolitan pizza at my favorite restaurant in Boston.

And if you’d love to have a fancy afternoon tea experience, go to Boston Public Library. I wrote more about my experience here!