Boston · Suffolk County, MA

Cheap things to do in Boston

Scout analyzed 140 Boston places and surfaced the ones that actually fit cheap day out.

Places analyzed

140

Matches

Typical spend

$25

Typical visit

1.4 hr

Best neighborhoods for cheap day out

Ranked by how many matching spots Scout found in each area.

Back Bay East

8 matching spots

Downtown

6 matching spots

Scout-verified spots

St. Elizabeth's

In House Cafe

This breakfast cafe is a good spot for a casual morning meal, fitting well into a weekend plan or a simple solo outing. Expect to spend about an hour and $10-25 per person.

FoodRelaxedSocial

★ 4.8$10–$25 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Longwood Medical and Academic Area

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Spend a couple of hours exploring the unique architecture and art collection. It can be paired with a visit to the nearby Museum of Fine Arts for a full day of culture, costing around $20-25 per person for admission.

ArtsHistoryViews

★ 4.7$20–$25 typical2 hr visitmoderate parking

Fort Point Channel Landmark District

Boston Children's Museum

Boston Children's Museum is an ideal family outing for those with young children, offering 2-3 hours of hands-on learning and play. Expect to pay around $22 per person for admission, with parking often a challenge in the area.

ArtsPlayfulEducational

★ 4.7$22 typical2 hr visithard parking

Waterfront

Chart House

Chart House is suitable for a celebratory meal or a scenic dinner overlooking the water. Expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours and roughly $70-$150 per person for a full meal and drinks.

FoodViewsCocktails

★ 4.3$70–$150 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Borderland State Park

Borderland State Park offers extensive trails and a historic home, suitable for a half-day family or solo adventure exploring nature and history. Entry fees apply for parking; allow 2-4 hours for a visit.

OutdoorsSportsHistory

$0–$20 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Outdoors

Halibut Point State Park

This state park offers scenic coastal views and walking trails over 440-million-year-old granite, suitable for a 1-2 hour visit. Parking may have a small fee, otherwise it's free to explore.

OutdoorsViewsHistory

$0–$5 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

South Boston Waterfront

Coquette

Coquette is suitable for a celebratory dinner or an upscale date night, offering fine dining food and cocktails. Plan for a 2-hour visit and a per-person spend between $100 and $250.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$100–$250 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Back Bay East

Thinking Cup

Thinking Cup is suitable for a solo coffee run or a casual meet-up, taking about 30 minutes. Expect to spend $5-15 per person for coffee and a light bite.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visithard parking

Downtown Crossing

George Howell Coffee

This cafe is good for a quick coffee stop or grabbing beans for home. Expect to spend 30 minutes and between $5-$15 per person.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visithard parking

Financial District

Bostonia Public House

Bostonia Public House is suitable for an evening meal with drinks or a social brunch. Expect to spend $50-100 per person for an experience lasting 1.5-2 hours, potentially followed by other downtown activities.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visithard parking

Outdoors

Middlesex Fells Reservation

Middlesex Fells Reservation is a free outdoor park perfect for a 2-3 hour hike or bike ride. It pairs well with a picnic or a post-hike meal nearby.

OutdoorsSportsAnimals

$0 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Back Bay

Grill 23 & Bar

Grill 23 is a high-end steakhouse best suited for a celebratory dinner or an upscale date night, often following a show or before drinks elsewhere. Plan for a two-hour visit and expect to spend $100-$300 per person.

FoodCocktailsViews

$100–$300 typical1.5 hr visithard parking

Lower Allston

Charles River Reservation

Charles River Reservation is a free outdoor space ideal for walks, runs, or bike rides along the river. A visit can range from an hour stroll to a half-day adventure, often paired with other nearby Boston attractions.

OutdoorsViewsWellness

$0 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Family

Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Spend a half-day hiking trails through varied landscapes, observing wildlife. Entry fees apply for non-members, offering an affordable outdoor experience for families or solo adventurers.

OutdoorsSportsAnimals

$0–$10 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Back Bay East

Joe’s on Newbury

Joe's on Newbury is a casual spot for American pub fare that can be a quick lunch or dinner on Newbury Street. Expect to spend $15-40 per person for a meal and drinks.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$15–$40 typical1.5 hr visithard parking

Back Bay East

Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay

Expect a lively New Orleans-inspired meal or cocktail experience, suitable for a dinner before heading out. Budget around $50-$100 per person for an evening visit.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visithard parking

Shawmut

Beehive Restaurant

The Beehive is a South End staple for dinner and drinks, often featuring live music. Plan for a 1.5-2 hour meal costing around $50-100 per person, especially if including cocktails.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$50–$100 typical1.5 hr visithard parking

North End

Carmelina's

Carmelina's is suitable for an evening meal in the North End, typically lasting 1.5 to 2 hours with a per-person cost of $40-$75 for food and drinks. It pairs well with a stroll through the neighborhood before or after.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$40–$75 typical1.3 hr visithard parking

Back Bay East

Contessa Boston

Contessa is an opulent rooftop Italian restaurant, best for a romantic dinner or special celebration, offering city views. Expect to spend a significant amount per person and factor in time for a multi-course meal, often requiring reservations well in advance.

FoodCocktailsViews

$100–$250 typical1.3 hr visithard parking

North End

Caffe Vittoria

This multi-level Italian cafe is good for a casual coffee break or a light dessert, perhaps after a meal in the North End. Expect to spend about an hour and $5-$15 per person.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visithard parking

North End

Mamma Maria

Mamma Maria is suitable for a romantic dinner or special occasion, offering a refined Italian meal in a townhouse setting. Plan for about 90 minutes and a per-person spend of $70-$150, not including drinks.

FoodCocktailsRomantic

$70–$150 typical1.3 hr visithard parking

D Street / West Broadway

Castle Island

Castle Island is a great spot for a free or low-cost outdoor excursion, offering historical exploration, walking paths, and beach access. Expect to spend a couple of hours walking around and enjoying the views, possibly pairing it with a picnic.

OutdoorsHistoryViews

$0–$10 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Franklin Field North

Franklin Park

Franklin Park is ideal for a half-day outdoor excursion, whether it's a family trip to the zoo or a solo walk through nature. The general park is free, but the zoo or golf course will add an expense, making it a flexible stop for a low-cost day.

OutdoorsAnimalsSports

$0–$25 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Great Brook Farm State Park

This state park offers trails and a working dairy farm for a multi-hour outdoor activity. It's a good low-cost option for families or individuals looking to hike or observe farm animals.

OutdoorsSportsAnimals

$0–$10 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking