If you’re at a loss for what to do in a city as rich with history, culture, and sports as Boston, you might be looking in the wrong places. Here is our absolute bucket list of activities for visitors and residents alike. Some are beloved local institutions to discover and rediscover, others show us new sides of the city. When the day’s exploration is done, enjoy a beer, explore specialty markets around the city, or grab an ice cream for a sweet finish.
Boston Globe Best of the Best winners for 2026 were selected by Globe newsroom staff and correspondents, and limited to Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline, plus Cape Cod for one dining category. We want to hear from you: Did your favorites make the list?