Boston is a vibrant and dynamic city, with activities ranging from history tours to sports. As a twenty-something-year-old who attended college and lived post-grad in here, I’ve experienced the city’s share of unique activities for the older crowd. This is my ultimate local’s guide for fun things to do in Boston for young adults, suitable for locals and tourists alike.
Note: For many of the activities that include alcohol, I provide non-alcohol alternatives. Also, some places listed are 18+ or 21+ after a certain time. Always double-check the website!
Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a booking using my links at no extra cost to you.
Last Updated: May 31st, 2024
Fun Things to Do in Boston for Young Adults
Have a Picnic
Especially in warmer weather, one of my favorite activities on this list is to have a picnic with friends. The Boston Common & Boston Public Garden in Downtown Boston is a fantastic, centrally-located park to have a picnic. The Commons is a 50-acre park that is often bustling with activities including people playing football, frisbee, and spike ball.
A block away is the (more picturesque) Boston Public Garden. In the warmer weather, their well-kept garden blooms and you can watch the swan boats go by in the pond. Perfect place to people-watch and take in the greenery!
Another one of my top spots to have a picnic is the Charles River Esplanade. The 3-mile-long park is situated along Storrow Drive, with docks, a playground, a beer garden, and even an outdoor calisthenics gym. I love to picnic with friends at the docks to admire the Cambridge skyline.
Check out a Brewery
Drink some beer from the source from one of Boston’s breweries. The most well-known ones are Sam Adams in Jamaica Plain and Downtown, Trillium in Fenway and Seaport, and Harpoon Brewery and Beer Hall in Seaport.
Tuft a Custom Rug
Ever heard of tufting? At Tutuland in Allston, you can create your own custom rug from start to finish. You first can choose from one of their hundreds of designs, or bring in your own. The staff first provides a tutorial and then guides you through the entire process. Best of all, you can bring your rug home the same day!
Board Game Cafe & Bar
Did you know that Boston has a board game cafe that doubles as a bar? Tavern of Tales is located in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood. You can either pick a board game from their game shelf or book a private game room to play longer, more complicated games like Settlers of Catan and Dominion.
Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult to play. After 7 PM, the bar is strictly for people aged 21+.
An alternative place to play board games near Boston is Knight Moves in Brookline. The cafe has over 2,000 games, so you’re spoiled with options.
Further Reading: 25 Indoor Activities in Boston for Rainy Days
Take a Bike Tour
Biking is a unique way to see the city while getting active! Boston has plenty of dedicated bike lanes that are safe and accessible. GetYourGuide has a 2.5-hour guided Bike Tour through Boston, covering 10-12 miles and hitting iconic stops like Fenway Park, the Boston Common, and the North End. You can choose between a regular bicycle or a pedal-assist E-Bike.
For anyone who prefers to see the city alone, Boston has Blue Bikes scattered throughout the city. Use the Blue Bike App to locate them.
Experimental Bars
Spice up your night out by trying out one of Boston’s experimental bars. SPIN in Seaport is a table tennis bar with 14 Olympic-caliber professional ping pong tables, giant Connect 4 setups, a full-service bar and food, and multiple lounge areas. Reserve on the SPIN website for your group for unlimited gameplay at a table. It’s also a great option for corporate events and private parties.
Just a few blocks away from SPIN is Puttshack, a tech-infused, upscale miniature golf course and bar. There are 9 holes in a game, with unique setups like a beer pong course and Connect 4. What’s cool is that each person’s golf ball is linked to the scoreboard, so you don’t have to keep track.
Flight Club in Seaport is a modern take on darts, with a digital scoreboard and fast-paced, competitive minigames. Out of the fun things to do in Boston for young adults, this is one of my top picks.
Further Reading: 27 Unique and Fun Boston Date Ideas
Walk the Freedom Trail
The 2.5-mile-long path of the Freedom Trail is an iconic Boston activity, regardless of age. It’s a must do activity for anyone with even just one day in Boston. Along the trail are 16 historically significant sights to the United States including the Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, and the Paul Revere House.
You can walk the trail on your own for free — it’s marked on the ground with red brick. Or, take a guided walking tour for a more enriching experience as you learn about the history of each site.
Admire the City from Above
Next on the best fun things to do in Boston for young adults guide is to check out a Boston rooftop bar or observation deck. I particularly like the rooftop at the Envoy Hotel in the Seaport District. It’s always bustling with coworkers, friend groups, and couples on a date. In the winter, they set up “Igloos” to keep warm patrons warm. Other restaurant and bar rooftops include Felipe’s Taqueria in Harvard Square (especially popular with the college crowd) and Rooftop at Revere in Cambridge.
A few observation decks that are NOT primarily bars are ViewBoston for 360-degree panoramic views of the city above the 50th Floor. The whole experience spans 3 stories, including a bar and eatery, an immersive experience, and a view deck. Another completely free observation deck is located at the Independence Wharf Deck on the 14th floor in Seaport. The view deck showcases Fort Point.
Further Reading: 39 Completely Free Things To Do in Boston
Axe Throwing
An unconventional activity in the city perfect for groups is some axe throwing! Revolution Axe is one of Boston’s most prominent axe-throwing venues. It’s surprisingly accessible and safe to throw, given the instruction from their expert coaches. While you’re there, you can order a beer, cider, or craft cocktail from their bar menu. They don’t have food, but bringing your own or ordering delivery is highly encouraged.
Note: The facility is strictly 18+, so keep that in mind when making plans here.
Shop in Back Bay
Centrally located in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, Prudential and Copley Place are inter-connected indoor malls with over 60 shops and restaurants. The Copley Place has flagship stores for upscale brands including Dior and Louis Vuitton, while the Prudential has stores like Sephora and Aritzia. You can also go to the department store Saks Fifth Avenue. Or, head to Eataly’s Italian market for Italian groceries or prepared foods.
Just one street over from the Prudential is Newbury Street, an outdoor shopping street spanning 8 blocks.
Further Reading: 3 Day Boston Itinerary
Go Bowling
Next on the fun things to do in Boston for young adults list is bowling –There are a variety of places around the city to play. Boston Bowl in Dorchester is open late and has billiards, bowling, and a small arcade. They even have an adults-only area called “Xperience” with lanes, a lounge area, and a private bar. The 21+ section is separate from the other lanes and can be booked out for private events, corporate events, and other parties.
Another bowling alley is Lucky Strike in Boston’s Fenway. The large space has lanes that light up in the dark, an arcade, and a full-service bar and restaurant.
Have a Laugh at a Comedy Club
Kick back, relax, and have a laugh at one of Boston’s top comedy clubs. Laugh Boston in Seaport is the most well-known – they host top comedians throughout the month like Chris Redd and Paul Mecurio. On certain days they also have open mic nights and drag brunch.
Improv Boston in Boston’s North End neighborhood has been ongoing for 20 years and no show is ever the same. For anyone looking for Saturday night plans, “Raunch” is a fan-favorite improv show on Saturday midnights and is adults-only.
Looking for fun things to do in Boston for young adults in the North End neighborhood? Check out my Little Italy in Boston: The Complete Guide
Nightlife
Boston’s nightlife is dynamic and vibrant, so depending on your mood, there’s something for everyone. For EDM and hip hop-focused clubs, The Grand, Royale, and Big Night Live are go-to’s. For Latin music, Venu, Caveau, and La Fabrica are great. Last, considering that Boston has over 1,000 bars, bar hopping is also a blast.
Play Pickleball
In the last three years, pickleball has exploded across the United States and has become one of the fastest-growing sports. The paddle sport combines aspects of tennis, table tennis, and badminton into a competitive but social activity. The rules are simple, so don’t feel intimidated joining as a newcomer. Also, the court is small, making it an easily accessible option for all fitness levels.
As its popularity has increased, so has the number of pickleball courts across Boston. For instance, there’s an indoor pickleball parlor in South Boston called PKL. Harpoon Brewery has also partnered with Hub Sports Boston to develop a Pickleball Social Club in Seaport (reopening Spring 2024). The outdoor space has four pickleball courts, two shuffleboard courts, and cornhole boards.
Find a Hidden Speakeasy
As someone who’s always on the hunt to find cool bars, speakeasies are easily one of my favorite activities for fun things to do in Boston for young adults. What was historically an illegal, hidden establishment existing when alcohol was prohibited is now just a discreetly placed bar. One of my favorites in the city is the (not-so-secret anymore) Offsuit in Boston’s Leather District. Located in an alleyway, you need to call the number posted on the door to be let in.
Another cool speakeasy is Next Door in East Boston. The speakeasy and raw bar can be found through the restaurant Pazza on Porter. The swanky basement-level establishment has inventive cocktails and a raw bar.
The last speakeasy I recommend is the Wig Shop, located Downtown just steps away from Boston’s theater district.
Sip & Paint
Guided by a professional instructor, a paint-and-sip class is a unique way to tap into your creative side while being social. Throughout the class, you create a painting step-by-step with the option of drinking their selection of wine, beer, or non-alcoholic options and snacks.
The most well-known paint and sip in the Boston area is Muse PaintBar in Assembly Row, Somerville. Check Muse’s event calendar to decide what painting you’d like to create!
Attend a Sporting Event
It’s no secret that Boston is a huge sports city with a strong fanbase, so attending a high-energy sports event is a great option for fun things to do in Boston for young adults. Catch a baseball game at Fenway Park between March and November, a basketball game from October to April at TD Garden, and hockey from early October to early April at TD Garden. If you’re willing to venture further out to Gilette Stadium in Foxborough, football season runs from September to early January.
Go on a Sightseeing Cruise
The Boston: Historical Sightseeing Cruise is a great way to enjoy Boston on the water. The fully narrated 1-hour sightseeing cruise takes you through the inner and outer Boston harbors and passes through historical landmarks including the U.S.S Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument. You’ll learn about the history of the city while also enjoying the indoor and outdoor decks.
There’s also a Boston Harbor Sunset Cruise to enjoy the city night view.
Further Reading: 25 Unique Boston Summer Activities
See a Musical
For performing arts enthusiasts, catching a show in Boston’s theater district should be at the top of your fun things to do in the Boston for young adults list. The Citizens Bank Opera House (previously known as the Boston Opera House) has a rotating calendar of musicals, ballets, and plays throughout the year. My favorite musicals here have been Hamilton and Jersey Boys. Not only are the performances incredible, but the theater itself is stunning!
Smaller venues to catch a show include the Wilbur, Boch Center, and Emerson Colonial Theater.
Take a Road Trip
No matter the season, there’s always somewhere to explore just a short drive away from Boston. In the milder weather, drive just two hours to Six Flags in Agawam, an amusement park filled with thrill rides.
Cape Cod is only about an hour and a half drive away from Boston. Mayflower Beach is one of the most famous free beaches and is my favorite. The beach is clean, the sand is soft, and the views are beautiful!
In the winter, drive just an hour out of Boston to Loon Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire. It’s a popular skiing and snowboarding destination among New Englanders.
Further Reading: 21 Best Day Trips from Boston
Level 99
A cool, tech-infused obstacle course that’s designed for adults is located at Level 99 at the Natick Mall in Natick, Massachusetts. It has over 40 themed challenges that are both mentally and physically challenging for your team. You can either make your way through their challenge rooms by working together in groups of 2-6, or you can play games against another opponent in their arena-style competitions.
There are 20 types of beer on tap and a full-service restaurant and bar to keep yourself energized while you’re there.
Boda Borg
Along the same idea as Level 99, Boda Borg is an amusement center in Malden, Massachusetts, specializing in “questing”. In a team of 3-5 people, you solve physical and mental challenges in a room where solving one gain you access to another room. The real-life gaming experience is fast-paced and enjoyable for all ages and physicality levels. Another plus about Boda Borg is that there’s only one entrance fee, so you can play for as long as you want and the challenges as many times as you want.
Escape Room
For groups, an escape room is a fun things to do in Boston for young adults. How it works is solving a series of puzzles inside a room within a timeframe (typically 60 minutes) to beat the challenge and unlock the door to get out. There’s typically a storyline and clues throughout the space to help you. Many of them have themes like a prison break, murder mystery, etc.
There are a few escape rooms centrally located in Boston. In Downtown, there’s Trapology, Escape Room Boston, Room Escapers, and Boxaroo.
Unique Arts & Crafts
Tutuland has other DIY crafting activities like pouring art and decoden. Craftzone in Brookline also has a dynamic selection of crafts not found elsewhere such as decoden designs, dry flower photo frames, DIY ukeleles, etc. A unique option for fun things to do in Boston for young adults!
Bar Arcade
Feel like a kid again at one of Boston’s bar arcades. VERSUS in Downtown has everything from classic arcade games like Pacman and Asteroids, pinball, modern video game consoles like the Nintendo Switch and PS4, and more. Roxy’s Arcade in Cambridge is another space with retro games — see their full game list.
Note: Both of these barcades are 21+, so bring an ID.
Honorable Mentions: Fun Things to Do in Boston for Young Adults
Paintballing –> An action-packed activity to try out near Boston is a paintballing arena. A great place for this in Massachusetts is Boston Paintball in Maynard and Ashland.
Go-Karting at Supercharged –> While Wrentham is quite far out for a fun things to do in Boston for young adults guide, Go-Karting at Supercharged is a cool, adrenaline-packed activity. Fun Fact: it’s the largest multilevel go-karting track in the world!
Hiking –> Blue Hills is a reservation in Milton, MA, just a 20-minute drive away from Boston. The variety of trails has something for everyone, whether it’s picnicking by the pond, hiking to a viewpoint, or just going for a walk.
Wrapping Up: Fun Things to Do in Boston for Young Adults
That concludes my comprehensive local’s guide to the best fun things to do in Boston for young adults (and adults of all ages, really). Did I miss your favorite activity? Send my contact page a message, or email sachaeats@gmail.com.
Check out my Boston food guides:
- Best Breakfast in Boston: 27 Must-Try Spots
- The Best Boston Southern Food: 11 Spots to Try Now
- 17+ Best Cheap Eats in Boston
- 25 Best Chinatown Restaurants in Boston
- The Best Chinese Food in Boston (By an Asian)
The rest can be found on my Boston Guide page.
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