6 Places to Learn Something New in Boston

You can almost smell the inspiration and optimism in the air at Harvard University’s campus. America’s oldest higher education facility is one of the world’s most prestigious universities, and its list of alumni is an intimidating mix of US Presidents like Barack Obama, business masterminds like Bill Gates and UN leaders like Ban Ki-moon.

Scheduled walking tours will teach you the history, or you can beat your own path and explore Harvard's breezy green spaces and redbrick buildings at your leisure.

The Museum of Fine Arts boasts a massive art collection from ancient Egyptian to contemporary American. You'll find everything from Monet’s water lilies to seated sculptures of Egyptian pharaohs, and chiseled tools from the ancient world. They also carry an extensive collection of jewelry, prints and photos, musical instruments and textile and fashion arts. 

The entrance fee for The Museum of Fine Arts gives you the chance to return for free within the next 10 days, which is fortunate, because you'll barely scratch the surface of its 450,000 exhibits in a single afternoon. 

Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum brings a pivotal moment in American history to life. It tells the story of when a rebellion against British taxation led to a group of locals throwing a huge shipment of tea overboard. The ruined shipment brought harsh repercussions from the British government, fanning the flames ahead of the American Revolutionary War. 

See the actual crates, and let the actors drag you back in time to change history for yourself. Be sure to book your visit and tour in advance to make the most of your day. 

Follow the redbrick road of The Freedom Trail for a walk through Boston's history. A costumed guide will show you everything from the towering monument marking the Battle of Bunker Hill, to the floating museum of the fearless USS Constitution ship, which crucially conquered British ships during the War of 1812.

The trail is just 2.5 miles long, but with 16 main stopping points, you'll be overwhelmed by the stories of sacrifice, and the quests for liberty that took place all around you. Book a guided tour or walk at your own pace.

The beautiful Boston Symphony Hall has reverberated to the sounds of Mozart, Haydn, and Strauss for over a century. Here, the music seems to breathe with a life of its own. That's because Boston Symphony Hall was one of the first to be designed using scientific principles to enhance the acoustics.

It's now widely regarded as one of the best-sounding concert venues in the world. Sit back and let the waves of organic sound wash over you, as a conductor's twitching baton leads the orchestra. 

Faneuil Hall sits among a bustling complex located near the waterfront. Nicknamed “The Cradle of Liberty”, the Hall has seen countless historic protests and speeches by notable figures such as Samuel Adams and James Otis, who encouraged independence from Great Britain.

The Hall is pleasant to wander around, with a cobblestone promenade marking the center of a circle of markets. Quincy Market, South Market, and North Market all sit along this arrangement and are filled with lively atmosphere. There's always something happening around Faneuil Hall, with many referring to it as “the hub of the hub”.