Although Boston might rank as one of the most expensive American cities to live, it is filled with museums, zoos, parks, symphonies and other activities that might seem too costly to be accessible. However, thrifty travelers and locals can easily and economically take in all the city has to offer by doing a little homework.
Free or Discounted Boston Events
Check Boston.com for free events and activities. Ongoing free Boston summer events include Friday movie nights at the DCR Hatch Shell, free Harbor Island ferry rides on Mondays and guided tours of the Arnold Arboretum.
Free concerts and family events also are published in the Boston's "Parents Paper," which is available for free in supermarkets and on the Internet.
Discounted Museum Passes
You can get more than books for free at the library. Check out any local Massachusetts' public library for museum passes at Boston's family attractions, including the Boston Children's Museum, Museum of Science, Franklin Park Zoo, Museum of Fine Arts, New England Aquarium, among others. Most of the passes are free, and some are offered at a significantly discounted rate of $2 to $4 per person.
If you carry a Bank of America card, the Museum of Fine Arts offers free admission the first full weekend of every month.
Public Gardens
The Boston Commons is one of the top free spots for families. There's a Tadpole Playground that has a safety play surface, great gymnasium and frog statues with funny faces.
In the winter, the Common's Frog Pond is open for ice-skating for a small fee. In the summer it serves as a pool for children to dip their feet.
If you walk a little way toward the Public Garden, you can anticipate gorgeous spring and summer flowers, a serene setting and swan boats that are $2.75 per adult and $1.50 per child as of 2010.
Check out the Back Bay Fens also. The Fens are beautiful to go anytime of year, especially in the fall. Bring your kids with paints or crayons to spend an afternoon capturing the beautiful gardens, sculptures and scenery.
Marketplaces
Go to Faneuil Hall marketplace in the spring and summer. Located in the square, Quincy Market has free performances with dancers, jugglers and other performance artists.
Food vendors are available at reasonable prices and there are plenty of opportunities for window-shopping if you have teenagers in tow.
Beaches
While most locals will head south to Cape Cod to enjoy the beach, Boston's beaches are easily accessible for a day trip if you are in town. Seven mainland beaches are located in South Boston and are accessible by the "T", which is Boston's subway. Savin Hill Beach, Malibu Beach and Revere Beach offer the most amenities, including a bathhouse and lifeguards.
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