Boston: Things To Do

Boston Harbor Cruises Well-regarded boat tours range from sightseeing to whale watching to lighthouse cruises. Long Wharf; 877-733-9425; www.bostonharborcruises.com
cruise | tour | wildlife

Cooking classes Co-author of The Elephant Walk Cookbook, Longteine "Nyep" de Monteiro, teaches weekly three-hour cooking classes at the Elephant Walk Restaurant. Students get a crash course in making spring rolls or in Cambodian-style grilling before a light lunch at the restaurant. Sign up early as Nyep’s expertise is in high demand and classes sell out quickly.   Cambridge; The Elephant Room, 2067 Massachusetts Ave.; 617-285-1056; www.elephantwalk.com
culinary | smart splurge | cooking class | education

Fenway Park The city has its fair share of churches, but none are considered as holy as the home of the beloved Boston Red Sox; tours are available. The Fenway; 4 Yawkey Way; 617-226-6666; www.redsox.mlb.com
family | tour | spectator sports

Freedom Trail Hit 16 historical sites along the 2.5-mile red-brick Freedom Trail as it winds through several of the city’s must-see neighborhoods. Boston Common; Boston Common Information Kiosk; www.thefreedomtrail.org
walk | free | history

Institute of Contemporary Art New addition to South Boston’s waterfront dedicated to all forms of contemporary art: dance, music, literature, and visual arts. Waterfront; 100 Northern Ave.; 617-478-3100; www.icaboston.org
architecture | performing arts | art

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Eclectic collection of sculpture, paintings, and furniture surrounding an exquisite garden courtyard. The Fenway; 280 The Fenway; 617-566-1401; www.gardnermuseum.org
culture | art | gardens

Museum of Fine Arts Classic museum with traditional galleries featuring European, Asian, African, and American art. Back Bay; 465 Huntington Ave.; 617-267-9300; www.mfa.org
family | museum | art

New England Aquarium With jellyfish, seal, and penguin exhibits, it's a great place to bring the kids; an IMAX theatre rotates educational movies about marine and animal life on a 65-foot-tall screen. Waterfront; Central Wharf; 617-973-5200; www.neaq.org
family | aquarium | wildlife