If you are looking for a cheap way to get around Boston, check out the Go Boston card for a discount on transportation.
Suggested attractions, museums, hotels and sightseeing, restaurants, and bars for folks on a Budget in Boston.
Looking for cheap and free stuff to do in Boston, here are a few ideas for your visit. In the Back Bay Area take a free tour of the Boston Public Library. Free architectural and art tours are given Sunday 2:00 p.m., Monday 2:30 p.m., Tuesday 6:00 p.m., Thursday 6:00 p.m., Friday 11:00 a.m., and Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
The Freedom Trail is the best known attraction in Boston, almost all of the attractions on this historic walk are free of charge including the USS Constitution, Old North Church, and Bunker Hill Monument. The free 30 minute tour of the Massachusetts State House is highly recommended, and features historic artwork and statutes. Free historical tours of the Boston Custom House are available Monday – Thursday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Friday Saturday at 4 p.m.
Boston Museums on a Budget
Take advantage of Museum Special Rates. At the Harvard University Art Museums which includes, The Fogg Museum, Arthur Sackler Museum, and The Busch-Reisinger Museum. All are Free on Saturdays until noon. Friday Nights at the Children’s Museum is only a buck from 5 PM to 9 PM.
In Back Bay Area the Museum of Fine Arts has a Pay-what-you-wish on Wednesdays after 4 PM. Nearby the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is $2.00 off for anyone wearing Red Sox gear. The Institute of Contemporary Art has free admission on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
In Beacon Hill, the Museum of Afro-American History in Boston is always free. Also for $5.00 you can take a Tour of Historic Trinity Church – one of the architectural gems of Boston.
Free Concerts in Boston
From June thru September be sure to take in one of the many free concerts offered on the Esplanade at the Hatch Shell, some nights featuring the famous Boston Pops. Don’t miss Free Shakespeare on the Common during the month of July.
Cheap Hotels in Boston
Need a decent room but need to get a break on the price. We have some picks and suggestions on how to Get a Cheap Hotel in Boston.
Featured Cheap Eats
There’s cheap fresh vegetarian and vegan eats at Clovers, in Harvard Square, or catch their fresh food truck at Kendall Square. In Technology Square Cambridge you can grab a great burrito at MexiCali Burrito Co. Over on Mass Avenue is the original Mr. Bartley’s Gourment Burger, a fast-paced and fun restaurant. It’s won lots of awards and was recently featured on the TV show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Don’t miss this one.
The battle of the North End Pizzerias rages on as people take sides with Ernesto’s, or Pizzeria Regina. Our favorite is the the crust at Regina, but if your ordering slices only you get 2 huge slices of pizza at Ernesto’s for the price of one. If you have any cash left spend it at Mike’s Pastry and grab a cannoli. In the mood for Dim Sum, try Empire Garden Restaurant, 690 Washington Street in Chinatown. It’s located in an opulent old theater, food is reasonabley priced, and good – go with a crowd.
At Night – Dive Bars
Check out the Karaoke scene at the Hong Kong Club located at the south entrance to Faneuil Hall Marketplace. WIth $1 drafts and cheap appetizers you can’t miss. Near Harvard Square there is Live music every Monday night at Charlies Kitchen. It’s only $5 to get in, once your in be sure to have one of their double cheeseburgers, our favorite.
Looking for a 100 year old Irish Pub, here it is, J.J. Foley’s on East Berkley Street in Boston’s South End. In Back Bay Bukowskis tavern across from the Sheraton Hotel has great atmosphere and a good lunch special. Near Fenway before the game there is no cheaper dive than Copperfields Down under Pub. For those of you too cheap to buy a ticket to the Sox game, you can get even view of the field from inside the Bleacher Bar.