Things to Do In Boston on a Rainy or Snowy Day

Sports Museum of New England

Sports are a huge part of the life and culture of Boston and this museum is a great example of how sports bring the city to life. With teams such as the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins, there are many passionate fans around town. The city also hosts a number of sporting events including the famous Boston Marathon. This museum is located in the TD Garden, which is home to the Bruins and Celtics, and it covers many aspects of sports in Boston.

Wang Theatre

This large theatre seats nearly 3,700 guests and is ornately decorated on the interior emulating the Paris Opera House. And, appropriately, this theatre hosts opera, ballet, concerts, and other premier events.

Museum of African American History

This museum educates visitors on the African American community and the people who lived on the north slope of Beacon Hill during the 19th century. This community actively worked to improve civil rights during this time. The two buildings that make up the museum include the African Meeting House, which is the oldest, still standing black church, and the Abiel Smith School, which is the country's oldest public school for African American children. It later became the headquarters for black Civil War veterans.

Boston Children's Museum

This three story museum offers hands-on learning for anyone who loves to play and explore. It's one of the largest children's museums in the world and has a range of exhibits that display historical items, toys, and natural specimens. There are many opportunities for hands-on learning including a bubble room, a dinosaur room, and a playspace for the youngest kids.

Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation

Located at Massachusetts General Hospital, this museum highlights the accomplishments of more than 200 years of research in the medical field. There are exhibits on various medical breakthroughs, as well up frequently updated features on the latest in medical technology. On the third floor there's a roof top garden that offers beautiful views of the Beacon Hill skyline. The Ether Dome is an amphitheater where anesthesia was first successfully used in 1846.

Old State House

Dating back to 1713, the Old State House was the site of the Boston Massacre where British soldiers fired into protesting colonists. This building was the seat of British government at the time, and became a spot where local colonists debated the details about their government leading to the revolution. Now, the building is a museum (combined with the Old South Meeting House) showcasing exhibits from the history of the revolutionary era.

The Paul Revere House

This simple, two story, wood-frame home offers a glimpse into how Paul Revere and his family lived during the late 18th century. The Tudor-style house is part of the Freedom Trail.

Blake Planetarium

Located in Plymouth, about halfway between Boston and Cape Cod, the Blake Planetarium is run by the Plymouth Public School system. They have a fantastic 4K fulldome theater which provides shows to students as well as the general public.

Boston Fire Museum

This small museum has exhibits on the historical aspects of firefighting. There are hand-operated pumpers from 1793 and a steam pumper from 1882. There's also a ladder truck from 1860. This is a fun museum for kids who like fire trucks and all things related to firefighting.

Emerson Colonial Theatre

This is the oldest continuously operating theatre in the United States. The interior is ornate and gorgeous. Hosting a variety of performances and musicals such as Broadway-style shows as well as locally produced plays, this theatre has seen its share of hits. In fact, it was where several shows debuted before they went on to become Broadway hits such as Oklahoma! and Porgy and Bess.

Shubert Theatre

Opened in 1910, Boston's Shuburt Theatre has ties to the theatres in New York with the same name. As such, visitors can see a variety of Broadway-style shows here including dramas and musicals and large productions.

Paramount Theatre

The Paramount Theatre is a performing arts center that hosts several touring Broadway productions each year. Opened in 1896, the Paramount Theatre is one of the oldest theaters in the country. It hosts many Broadway shows as well as concerts and operas.

Charles Playhouse

Featuring productions of Blue Man Group and Shear Madness for more than 30 years, these are the only two shows hosted at this theatre, and they are extremely popular! The theatre itself was built in the Greek Revival architectural style and offers plenty of charm.

Old North Church

This historic church is one of the main landmarks in the historic area of Boston's North End. Surrounded by houses and buildings that are hundreds of years old, the church itself dates back to 1723. Not only is it well preserved, but it has a special place in American history as the beginning of Paul Revere's famous ride to let everyone know that the British were indeed coming. Self-guided tours of the church are available, and additionally visitors can go down into the crypt underneath the church as well. Furthermore, the church is open for services on Sundays if you make a reservation.

Framingham State University Planetarium

As part of the McAuliffe Center, this planetarium hosts a variety of education astronomy shows and events for students as well as the general public. Located in the western suburbs of Boston, it's not too far from the city if you want to make the trip to experience one of their shows, mostly in the evenings, several times per month.

Charles Hayden Planetarium

Located inside the fantastic Museum of Science, this amazing planetarium features shows that educate and entertain children and adults. While some of the shows are more scientific than others, they offer shows that accommodate a variety of audiences. For example, a Sesame Street; themed show engages young children while teaching them about astronomy, and Descent into Jupiter shows us what the gas giant is made of. Tickets can be purchased at the museum and shows run several times per day when the museum is open.

MIT Museum

This interactive museum is perfect for the tech lovers among us. There are exhibits on robotics, oceanographic research, photography, and innovative engineering. The exhibits and programming changes frequently so there's also something new and exciting to check out. Both kids and adults of all ages can have fun exploring and playing at this hands-on museum.

Boston Garden (TD Garden)

The iconic Boston Garden indoor stadium (currently named the TD Garden) is home to both the Boston Celtics NBA team and the Boston Bruins NHL team. While it's been around for awhile, this stadium is loved by fans from near and afar for it's close, intimate seating where spectators can see all of the action of their favorite teams. In addition to sporting events, the venue also hosts hit concerts and other shows on occasion such as Disney on Ice and famous comedians.

Museum of Science

The Museum of Science runs between East Cambridge and Boston's West End along the Charles River. This is one of the largest science museums in the world and, with more than 700 exhibits, this museum makes a good tribute to a city known for it's contributions to the field of science.

Faneuil Hall

Established as a permanent central marketplace in Boston, and gifted by the wealthy merchant Peter Faneuil, this marketplace building was constructed in 1742 and then later expanded over the following decades and centuries. The meeting hall on the upper floor of the building became famous as a place of protest against the British during the era of the Revolutionary War. It has since become a place of protest and democracy throughout American history. Today, visitors can tour the historic building as well as visit the shops and restaurants of the marketplace buildings. Grab a souvenir and a bite to eat in the food court, or join one of the many walking tours of Boston that begin in this part of town.

New England Aquarium

Rated one of the best aquariums in the world, the memories of the immersive aquatic experience that you will have here will last a lifetime. Visitors will find huge tanks filled with various marine species and ecosystems such as coral reefs, sharks, the north Atlantic, the northern Pacific, and more. Penguins, harbor seals, a touch tank, sea lions, and other exhibitions are also housed here, providing a day-long adventure through the seas. It's terrific for all ages, especially kids and kids-at-heart, or anyone who wants to learn more about the oceans and seas.

First Harrison Gray Otis House

This 1796 Federal-style house has been fully restored with bright colors, and elegant but timely furnishings. It offers a glimpse at upper class life in Boston during the late 1700s and early 1800s. There's also an interesting architecture museum in the basement.

Harvard Museum of Natural History

This museum offers a glimpse into the botanical, geological, and zoology research being done at Harvard. Some of the museum's collections date back to the 1780s with popular exhibits including the dinosaur hall, the gem gallery, the glass flowers, and the great mammal hall. With your admission fee you also give you access to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology next door.

Museum of Fine Arts

The MFA houses an impressive collection that includes more than 450,000 pieces of art and artifacts. It has one of the best collections of Korean art outside of the Korean peninsula. It also has an impressive Egyptian collection as well as a European wing that includes the Claude Monet gallery.

Boston Opera House

The Boston Opera House is now the home of the Boston Ballet. It also hosts a number of Broadway shows.

The Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art is in the Seaport District by the harbor. From the location you can enjoy impressive views of the Boston Harbor. The beautiful museum features 20th and 21st century work by notable women including Louise Bourgeois, Doris Salcedo, and Eva Hesse. There is also a satellite space that is opened seasonally during the summer months. It's accessible by shuttle but must be booked in advance.

Old South Meeting Place

This historic church was built in 1729 and is famous for its role in the 1773 Boston Tea Party. At the time, it was the largest building in the city, and the gathering point of more than 5,000 people during the protest. This was the organizing point for the Boston Tea Party, on December 16th, 1773. It is also part of Boston's famous Freedom Trail.

Orpheum Theatre

The Orpheum Theatre was built in 1852 and was the original home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Today the venue hosts a mix of performances, with live music concerts being the most common.

Harvard Art Museums

The Harvard Art Museums include three museums - the Fogg Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum. There are also four research centers included in the system. These are the Archaeological exploration of Sardis, the Center for the Technical Study of Modern Art, the Harvard Art Museums Archives, and the Straus Center for conservation and Technical Studies.