Massachusetts, the historic and wealthy “Bay State,” is a dream destination for millions of tourists every year. It captivates not only with its poetic natural beauty but also with its rich history, unique culture, and countless exciting experiences waiting to be discovered. Unlike the glamour of Chicago or the bustling life of Las Vegas, Massachusetts offers a distinct American charm – peaceful, academic, and steeped in admirable historical traditions. In Massachusetts, you can easily admire precious relics from the colonial era and the Revolutionary War, explore museums housing countless artistic and academic works, or visit world-leading universities like Harvard and MIT. However, Massachusetts is far from boring; it’s always vibrant with hundreds of restaurants, amusement parks, theaters, and lively cultural and sports activities, especially on weekends.
If you’re looking for fun and exciting weekend getaways in Massachusetts, join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” to explore the list of wonderful suggestions below, guaranteed to bring you memorable and inspiring moments.
Discover Tranquil Beauty Along the Charles River
The dreamy and peaceful Charles Riverbank is one of the ideal destinations for you to relax and enjoy fresh air on weekends. The scenery here is picturesque, especially in the fall when the trees turn golden, creating a romantic and charming natural painting.
Peaceful Charles Riverbank is an ideal weekend destination in Boston
You can organize picnics or small camping trips with family and friends on the green lawns along the riverbank. If you love sports, don’t miss the opportunity to bike, run, or kayak on the Charles River. On weekends, the Charles Riverbank often becomes more lively with free street music performances, unique food festivals, and other community cultural activities. This is definitely a great place for you to immerse yourself in the joyful and bustling atmosphere of Boston on weekends.
Tip: For the most complete experience, you should come to the Charles Riverbank in the early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the fresh air and watch the beautiful sunset over the river.
Admire Panoramic Boston Views from Skylon Tower
Skylon Tower is one of the most prominent and unique architectural works in the city of Boston. This tower, over 230 meters high, was designed by the talented architect Michael Domani, bringing an impressive and modern beauty.
Skylon Tower Boston with unique architecture
Standing on top of Skylon Tower, you will admire the panoramic view of the magnificent city of Boston from above, taking in historical architectural works, bustling streets, and majestic natural beauty. On clear days, you can even see the magnificent Niagara Falls, the natural border between the US and Canada. Especially in the evening, Skylon Tower becomes more shimmering and magical than ever with a brilliant LED lighting system, creating a romantic and memorable night scene.
Weekend Activity: Skylon Tower is an ideal place for a romantic weekend evening. You can enjoy dinner at the revolving restaurant on top of the tower, sipping delicious food while admiring the city view at night.
Walk the Historic Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is the most famous historic walking route in Boston, marking important events in the city’s formation and development. This approximately 4km long path starts from Boston Common and is marked by a red brick line on the sidewalk, making it easy for visitors to recognize and follow.
Freedom Trail leads you through important historical sites of Boston
The Freedom Trail will take you through 16 important historical landmarks of Boston, including Boston Common, Old Granary Burying Ground (the resting place of famous historical figures such as Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock), King’s Chapel Burying Ground, the legendary USS Constitution warship, Old South Meeting House, Old State House (the site of the Boston Massacre in 1770), North End neighborhood, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, and Bunker Hill Monument. Each location on the Freedom Trail carries fascinating historical stories and profound cultural values.
Weekend History Exploration: Spending a weekend morning or afternoon walking along the Freedom Trail is a great way to learn about American history and explore the ancient relics of Boston. You can explore on your own or join guided tours to learn more about each location.
Relax at Boston Common and Public Garden
Boston Common and Public Garden are the two oldest and most famous parks in Boston, a favorite destination for locals and international tourists every weekend.
Boston Common, the oldest park in the United States, covers an area of about 20 hectares, covered with green lawns and shady old trees. This is an ideal space for you to organize outdoor activities, exercise, read books, or simply enjoy the fresh and peaceful atmosphere.
Green Boston Common is a great weekend relaxation spot
Public Garden, adjacent to Boston Common, is a large botanical garden with an area of 24 acres. It is famous for its Victorian-style statues, especially the George Washington statue and the famous duck family in the children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings”. A fun activity that you should not miss when visiting Public Garden is riding swan boats on the lake.
Weekend Activities: On weekends, Boston Common and Public Garden are often very lively with entertainment activities, street art performances, food festivals, and community events. You can rent bicycles, join outdoor yoga classes, or simply stroll and admire the scenery in the park.
Broaden Your Horizons at the New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium, located along Atlantic Avenue, near Green Kennedy and Long Wharf, is an attractive destination for those who love to explore the fascinating ocean world. The aquarium opened in 1969 and is home to more than 600 different marine species.
New England Aquarium takes you into the magical ocean world
At the aquarium, you will have the opportunity to see giant marine species such as blue whales, sharks, rays, sea lions, along with countless small marine creatures and colorful coral reefs. In particular, the transparent glass tunnel under the tank will give you the feeling of being lost in the vast ocean, with thousands of marine creatures swimming around. In addition, the aquarium also has fun dolphin and sea lion shows, which will surely delight you.
Weekend Ocean Exploration: The New England Aquarium is an ideal place for the whole family on weekends. Children will be extremely excited to explore the diverse marine world and watch marine animal shows.
Admire Classical Architecture at Copley Square
Copley Square, located in the heart of Boston, is a large public space surrounded by ancient and unique architectural works. This place is the cultural, educational, and historical center of Boston, attracting many tourists to visit and explore.
Copley Square with ancient architectural works
Copley Square is surrounded by historical buildings such as Old South Church, Trinity Church, Boston Public Library, and John Hancock Tower. Each architectural work has its own unique beauty and interesting historical stories. On weekends, Copley Square often becomes more lively with farmers’ markets, street art performances, and cultural events.
Weekend Activities: Strolling around Copley Square, admiring the ancient architecture, visiting the farmers’ market, and enjoying local cuisine are interesting activities you can experience on weekends.
Immerse Yourself in the Bustling Atmosphere at Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall, also known as the “Cradle of Liberty,” is an important historical building and a bustling marketplace in downtown Boston. Built in 1742, Faneuil Hall has witnessed many important historical events in American history and is now a must-visit tourist destination in Boston.
Faneuil Hall bustling with markets and street activities
The ground floor of Faneuil Hall is Quincy Market, where you can find countless food stalls, jewelry stores, clothing stores, gifts, and souvenirs. Upstairs is the assembly hall, where important meetings in American history took place. Around Faneuil Hall is a bustling square with street performers, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere.
Weekend Shopping and Dining: Faneuil Hall is a shopping and dining paradise on weekends. You can indulge in souvenir shopping, enjoy unique street food, and immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of the market.
Get a Citywide View from Prudential Hall
Prudential Hall, part of the Prudential Center complex, is a modern high-rise building with the Skywalk Observatory on the 50th floor. Skywalk Observatory offers you the opportunity to admire a 360-degree panoramic view of the city of Boston and the surrounding areas from above.
Skywalk Observatory at Prudential Hall with panoramic Boston views
From Skywalk Observatory, you can admire the famous architectural works of Boston, the poetic Charles Riverbank, and the bustling Boston Harbor. The observatory is equipped with a modern telescope system, helping you clearly observe every corner of the city. In addition, you can also enjoy a romantic dinner at the Top of the Hub restaurant on the 52nd floor of Prudential Hall, with stunning views and soothing jazz music.
Romantic Weekend Evening: Skywalk Observatory and Top of the Hub restaurant are perfect choices for a romantic and memorable weekend evening.
Explore the Prestigious Harvard University Campus
Harvard University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, is not only a leading educational center but also an attractive tourist destination in Massachusetts. The Harvard campus is vast and ancient, bearing the unique Georgian Renaissance architectural style.
Ancient and prestigious Harvard University campus
Walking around the Harvard campus, you will admire historical buildings, large libraries, art museums, and green spaces. You can visit the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and many other interesting places on campus.
Weekend Knowledge Exploration: Spending a weekend afternoon visiting the Harvard University campus is a unique and interesting experience. You can join guided tours to learn about the history and culture of the school, or explore on your own and enjoy the academic atmosphere here.
Immerse Yourself in the Art World at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is one of the largest and most important art museums in the United States. The museum houses a vast art collection with more than 450,000 works in various fields, from painting, sculpture, design to decorative arts and architecture.
Museum of Fine Arts Boston with a vast art collection
Stepping into the museum, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of classical Greek architecture and precious art collections from all over the world. The museum has many famous collections such as the ancient treasure collection, the Monet art collection, the largest Japanese art collection outside of Japan, and many other top artworks.
Weekend Art Appreciation: Spending a whole weekend day exploring the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is a great experience for art lovers. The museum regularly organizes special exhibitions, educational programs, and other interesting art activities.
Discover the Unique Architecture of the Society of Arts and Crafts
The Society of Arts and Crafts is a unique museum with an impressive flower-shaped architecture, designed by architect Moshe Safdie. The museum displays contemporary craft artworks by American artists, including ceramics, woodwork, jewelry, textiles, and other artworks.
Society of Arts and Crafts with unique flower-shaped architecture
Inside the museum, there are 18 galleries with different themes, each room is designed openly to take advantage of natural light, creating a unique and attractive art display space. The museum is not only an art exhibition space but also an educational and cultural center, organizing classes, workshops, and events related to arts and crafts.
Weekend Craft Art Exploration: The Society of Arts and Crafts is an interesting destination for those interested in contemporary crafts and design. The museum regularly organizes demonstrations, workshops, and other interactive activities on weekends.
Immerse Yourself in Cultural Space at the Boston Athenaeum
The Boston Athenaeum is one of the largest and oldest museums in the United States, founded in 1807. The museum houses a vast collection of books, manuscripts, paintings, sculptures, and other artworks, reflecting American history and culture from the 17th century to the present day.
Boston Athenaeum with historical cultural space
The Boston Athenaeum is not only a museum but also a research library and a cultural center. This place regularly organizes talks, seminars, exhibitions, and other cultural events, attracting many book and culture lovers to participate.
Weekend Culture Exploration: Spending time exploring the Boston Athenaeum on weekends is a great way to learn about American history and culture, while enjoying the quiet and elegant cultural space of the museum.
Enjoy Contemporary Art at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston is a modern and unique art museum, located on the Boston Harbor waterfront. The museum impresses with its modern and beautiful architecture, considered one of the 10 architectural icons of Boston.
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston with modern waterfront architecture
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston displays contemporary artworks in various fields, from painting, sculpture, photography, video art to performance art and multimedia art. The museum regularly organizes unique art exhibitions, film screenings, art performances, and other cultural events.
Weekend Contemporary Art Experience: The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston is a must-visit destination for contemporary art lovers. The museum offers new and unique art experiences, stimulating the creativity and thinking of viewers.
Admire the Unique Art Collection at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, founded in 1903, is a unique and charming art museum, bearing the Venetian Renaissance architectural style. The museum was built according to the will of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a famous art collector in Boston in the early 20th century.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum with unique art collection and Venetian architecture
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum displays Isabella Stewart Gardner’s personal art collection, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, textiles, and other artworks from around the world. The museum is famous for its beautiful central garden, where you can relax and enjoy the green space. On weekends, the museum often organizes free concerts, bringing diverse art experiences to visitors.
Weekend Art and Music Enjoyment: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is an ideal destination for a relaxing and romantic weekend afternoon. You can explore the unique art collection, stroll in the beautiful garden, and enjoy free concerts.
Learn About President John F. Kennedy’s Life at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is an impressive architectural work, built to commemorate the life and contributions of the 35th President of the United States – John F. Kennedy. The museum is not only a place to preserve and display documents and artifacts related to President Kennedy’s life but also a research library and a cultural center.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum commemorating a respected president
Visiting the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, you will learn about President Kennedy’s life and career, important historical events during his term, and the legacy he left for the United States and the world. The museum also has a vast library with thousands of books of various genres, meeting the reading and research needs of visitors.
Weekend History and Politics Exploration: The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is a meaningful and educational destination on weekends. You can learn about American history, the life and career of one of the most beloved presidents of the United States.
Recreate History at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is a unique and interactive museum, recreating the famous historical event the Boston Tea Party – an important event leading to the American Revolution. The museum not only displays historical artifacts but also brings visitors vivid immersive experiences, helping them better understand the Boston Tea Party event and its role in American history.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum recreating an important historical event
Visiting the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, you will board historical ships, participate in interactive activities, watch movies, and listen to explanations to learn about the Boston Tea Party event and the life of Bostonians in the 18th century. The museum offers interesting and engaging experiences, especially suitable for families and children.
Weekend History Experience: The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is a unique and interesting destination for weekends. You can recreate history, participate in role-playing activities, and learn about an important event in American history.
Explore the World of Science at the Museum of Science, Boston
The Museum of Science, Boston is a famous and largest science museum in New England, offering interesting and rewarding science experiences for all ages. The museum has hundreds of interactive exhibits, diverse displays, and engaging educational programs, helping visitors explore the world of science in a direct and lively way.
Museum of Science Boston with interactive science exhibits
The Museum of Science, Boston has many different exhibition areas, including exhibits on physics, biology, chemistry, ecology, zoology, astronomy, computers, and many other scientific fields. You can visit the Butterfly Garden, Computer Place, Animal Presentations area, and many other interesting exhibits in the museum. The museum also has an IMAX cinema and a modern planetarium, offering diverse entertainment and scientific exploration experiences.
Weekend Science Exploration: The Museum of Science, Boston is a great destination for the whole family on weekends. Children will be extremely excited to explore the colorful world of science and participate in fun interactive activities.
Admire the Unique Architecture of the Mapparium
The Mapparium is a unique and impressive architectural museum, located in the Mary Baker Eddy Library building in Boston. The highlight of the museum is a giant three-story stained-glass globe, simulating the world map of 1935.
Mapparium Museum with a unique world map stained-glass globe
Stepping inside the Mapparium globe, you will feel like you are standing in the center of the world, surrounded by a 360-degree world map. The museum offers unique visual and auditory experiences, helping you explore the world in a new and interesting way. The museum also displays Byzantine artworks, ancient coins, and ancient statues, bringing diverse cultural and historical discoveries.
Weekend Architecture and Map Experience: The Mapparium Museum is a unique and impressive destination for weekends. You can admire the unique architecture of the Mapparium globe, explore the 360-degree world map, and learn about world history and culture.
Visit Boston’s Oldest House – The Paul Revere House
The Paul Revere House is the oldest surviving house in Boston, built in 1680 and once home to Paul Revere, a hero of the American Revolution. The house has been preserved and is open to the public as a historical museum.
The Paul Revere House – Boston's oldest house
Visiting The Paul Revere House, you will explore the ancient architecture of the house, admire the objects and artifacts of the Paul Revere family, and learn about the life and career of this revolutionary hero. The house offers a real glimpse into the life of Bostonians in the 18th century and the city’s role in American history.
Weekend History and Ancient Architecture Exploration: The Paul Revere House is an important and attractive historical destination on weekends. You can explore the ancient architecture of the house, learn about the American Revolution and the life of Paul Revere.
Live in the Passionate Sports Atmosphere at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a sports icon of Boston and the home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team. The stadium was built in 1912 and is the oldest operating baseball stadium in Major League Baseball.
Besides the famous places above, Massachusetts still has countless other interesting things waiting for you to discover. Plan your weekend trip today and experience memorable moments in this beautiful “Bay State”!