THE RITZ-CARLTON, BOSTON COMMON

10 Avery Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 U.S.A.
Phone:  +1 (617) 574-7100   •  Map & Directions
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Attractions



Explore a world of history, culture and natural beauty

The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common is the perfect place to discover all that America’s Walking City has to offer. Conveniently located near Back Bay and Beacon Hill, our luxury Boston hotel offers an array of exciting attractions within walking distance. From America’s oldest public park at Boston Common to the fascinating Freedom Trail leading to 16 major historical events, you’ll find activities the entire family will enjoy.

Let us help you plan a special Boston vacation by recommending specific attractions to take in –conveniently located near our Beacon Hill hotel. Review our suggestions for area attractions below or speak to any of our staff members to find tips on what to see while visiting Boston.


Attractions

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New England Aquarium
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Conveniently located on Boston’s waterfront, the New England Aquarium features more than 20,000 animals of 600 different species. Highlights include the 4-story, 200,000 gallon Giant Ocean Tank that recreates a Caribbean coral reef environment, complete with sharks, seaturtles, rays and fish; the penguin exhibit, featuring three species and more than 60 birds; and the Edge of the Sea tidepool touch tank, where visitors of any age can interact hands-on with sea stars, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, periwinkles and more. The New England Aquarium is also home to the Simons IMAX Theatre, featuring IMAX 3D technology.

New England Aquarium
Central Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 973-5200


1.12 mi/5 min

New England Aquarium

Cambridge - Harvard University
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Just across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge offers an exciting, multicultural setting where visitors from around the world can take in great art, classic and street music, bookstores and boutiques, tea or coffee - since the city is teaming with cafes. Just a bridge away from Boston, Cambridge is a must for all travelers.

Make sure to visit Harvard Square and Harvard University. The university is a private institution in Cambridge since 1865, and includes the college as well as 10 graduate and professional schools. It owns more than 400 buildings in Boston and Cambridge; some of the most interesting surround Harvard Yard.

Harvard Square
Cambridge, Massachusetts

2.8 mi/15 min

Harvard University

Boston Duck Tour
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"One big splash and the rest is history!" This fully narrated historic tour takes place in authentic WWI amphibious vehicles through the streets of Boston and into the Charles River. The fun begins as soon as you board!

Operating seven days a week, the tours depart rain or shine, 7 days a week, every 30 minutes starting at 9 a.m.  The last tour leaves an hour before sunset.

Boston Duck Tours has two convenient departure points:

  • The Museum of Science
  • The Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay (Huntington Avenue)

Boston Duck Tours

Cultural

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Museum of Fine Arts
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The MFA`s encyclopedic collection culls some of the world’s finest treasures, including international and contemporary art, instruments, photographs, and textiles. Special exhibits change throughout the year. The museum offers free, guided tours, including foreign language tours, and films and art programs.

Avenue of the Arts
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
General Information: (617) 267-9300

1.4 mi/5 min

Museum of Fine Arts

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
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Step back into the recreated world of the early 1960s and experience first hand the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Period settings from the White House and 25 multimedia exhibits create a stirring account of President Kennedy's thousand days in office. Housed in a striking building designed by I.M. Pei, the national memorial to President Kennedy sits on a 10-acre waterfront site on Columbia Point offering panoramic views of Boston's skyline and Harbor Islands. The Library and Museum offer special events and programs year round.

Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
(866) JFK-1960 (535-1960)
(617) 514-1600

2.86 mi/8 min

The John F. Kennedy Library

Museum of Science
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The Science Museum is a world-renowned educational institution with over 400 interactive participatory exhibits featuring live animal and physical science demonstrations, courses, traveling exhibits, a computer center, the Mugar Omni Theater, and Charles Hayden Planetarium. 600 interactive exhibits let visitors explore the world around them, daily live presentations, science theatre and 15 foot lightning bolts. The Museum offers a number of special exhibitions & theater shows throughout the year.

Science Park
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 723-2500

2.67 mi/10 min

The Museum of Science

AMC Loews Boston Common Movie Theater
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This movie theater adjacent to the hotel offers 19 feature film options daily.

For more theater information, please visit AMC Boston Common:

AMC Boston Common

Opera House
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Located two blocks from the hotel, the Boston landmark Opera House emerged after an extensive multi-million-dollar renovation as an architectural jewel and New England's finest and most historically significant performing arts venue.

539 Washington St
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 259-3500

0.08 mi/2 min

Boston Opera House

Parks

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Boston Common
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America’s oldest public park and part of Emerald Necklace, the 50-acre Boston Common was set aside in 1634 as a military “trayning” ground and common pastureland, but it is and has always been a place where city dwellers convene for anything from rallies to recreation. In winter the Frog Pond is an ice skating rink, but come summer it turns into a wading pool for kids who want to splash in its fountain.

The Boston Common is located directly across Tremon Street from The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common.  It is also bordered by Boylston Street, Charles Street, Beacon Street and Park Street.

0.1 mi/1 min

Friends of the Public Garden

Freedom Trail
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Boston's Freedom Trail is a red (mostly brick) path through downtown Boston which leads to sixteen significant historical sites. The 2.5 mile (4 km) walk from the Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown is popular with tourists. Part of the Freedom Trail overlaps with the much longer Boston Harbor Walk. The Freedom Trail is a unit of Boston National Historical Parks.

The Freedom Trail is open to the public, and for your convenience, maps may be found at the concierge.  90-minute guided tours are available from the Freedom Trail Foundation, departing from Fanueil Hall Marketplace or the Visitors Information Center on the Boston Common.

The Freedom Trail Foundation

Public Garden
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The Public Garden, established in 1837, is the first public botanical garden in the United States. Today, with its plant material chosen for ornamental excellence as well as its botanical diversity, it forms a green and flowering oasis in the heart of a great metropolis. No visit to Boston would be complete without a stroll in the Garden which is maintained by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department in cooperation with the Friends of the Public Garden.

The Boston Public Garden is bordered by Arlington Street, Beacon Street, Charles Street and Boylston Street.

0.2 mi/3 min

Friends of the Public Garden

Shopping

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Newbury Street
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Stroll Newbury Street, browse the art galleries, and shop at some of the famous luxury stores and boutiques.  Truly one of Boston's most enchanting streets, it encompasses eight blocks filled with posh salons, historic brownstones, and fabulous dining.

To browse some of the businesses of Newbury Street online, visit:

Newbury Street Shops

1.95 mi/7 min

Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
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This magical place in the center of Boston is like no other. The lively core of Boston's historic waterfront, and the nation's premier urban marketplace. Housed in 3 beautifully restored 19th century buildings, its 125 shops and 21 restaurants offer tantalizing delicacies & unique gifts in a festive atmosphere that spills onto cobblestone streets filled with an amazing variety of street performers.

Fanueil Hall Marketplace is a must-see historical destination attracting over 20 million people each year, and is an experience in sensory overload. Everywhere you look there is another place to shop or dine.

1 Faneuil Hall sq
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 523-1300

0.98 mi/5 min

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Copley Place Shopping Galleries
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Shop 100 fine stores and restaurants including Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York, Tiffany & Co., A|X Armani Exchange, Christian Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more.

100 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 369-5000

1.65 mi/6 min

Copley Place Shopping Galleries