Here are the 16 must-see attractions in Boston this summer

Readers Say

Plan your summer days in the city.

Boston is hopping during the summer months, with activities that range from baseball to boating to exploring the Boston Harbor Islands.

For those visiting the city for the first time, we asked our readers for help crafting an itinerary by naming the No. 1 attraction first timers in Boston should check out this summer.

Fenway Park, America’s oldest Major League Baseball stadium, was a popular answer.

“Even if you’re not a baseball fan, this iconic park should not be missed,” wrote Jennifer from Peabody. “You can go for tours if the Red Sox are not playing. If they are play, go to a game!”

Here are the 16 must-see attractions in the city this summer, according to our readers.

— Boston Duck Tours: The boats, celebrating their 30th season this year, carry guests through Boston’s streets and past historical landmarks before famously driving into the Charles River. 

— Boston Harbor cruise: Boston Harbor Cruises, billed as New England’s oldest and largest cruise company, offers sightseeing, sunset, and lighthouse cruises.

— Boston Harbor Islands: Made up of 34 islands and peninsulas, the islands are minutes from Boston’s city center and accessible by ferry.

— Charles River Esplanade: The 64-acre park along the waterfront was named one of the 10 best riverwalks in America by USA Today readers.

— Fenway Park: Catch a Red Sox home game at America’s oldest Major League Baseball park.

— Freedom Trail: Walk in the footsteps of America’s founding fathers on Boston’s iconic 2 ½-mile trail that connects 16 historical sites.

— Faneuil Hall Marketplace: You’ll find cobblestone streets, retailers, restaurants, and street performers, as well as the famous Quincy Market Colonnade, billed as the largest and oldest food hall in the country.

— Mapparium: Examine a three-story, three-dimensional map of the Earth made out of stained glass.

— Modern Pastry: This Italian bakery on Hanover Street in Boston’s North End has been open since 1930.

— Paul Revere House: Check out the home of silversmith Paul Revere, a Revolutionary War patriot famous for his April 18, 1775 ride from Boston to Lexington and Concord to warn the Patriot leaders that the British were coming. 

— Public Garden: Spend time in America’s first public botanical garden.

— Regina Pizzeria: Grab a slice at the oldest Italian restaurant in the North End, which first opened on Thacher Street in 1926.

— Sailing: Rent a sailboat through Community Boating, and explore the Charles River.

— Swan Boats: Take a ride on a swan boat, a Boston tradition dating back to the 19th century. 

— U.S.S. Constitution: Climb aboard “Old Ironsides,” the world’s oldest ship still afloat, which is docked beside the U.S.S. Constitution Museum.

— View Boston: The attraction, on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Center, offers unparalleled views of the city.

Need more ideas? Check out 10 free things to do in Boston in July and things to do in every Boston neighborhood this summer.