What is there to do in Boston during the Boston Comedy Festival?

Things to Do in Boston: Boston Comedy Festival

The short answer

Between shows, Boston has The Freedom Trail, Massachusetts State House, USS Constitution and Fenway Park tours, and 39 more places on the Guide's Boston city guide. The Freedom Trail: Two and a half miles of red line in the pavement, joining 16 historic sites from Boston Common to Charlestown, one way only.

The Freedom Trail

Two and a half miles of red line in the pavement, joining 16 historic sites from Boston Common to Charlestown, one way only. Walking it costs nothing, though some sites charge. The Foundation's 90-minute tour leaves the Common's visitor center daily at 10, 11, noon, 1 and 2 ($17 adults); print online tickets, as a phone won't do.

Its own site ↗ · The Freedom Trail on the city guide

Massachusetts State House

Bulfinch's State House, its cornerstone laid by Samuel Adams in 1795 and its dome coppered by Paul Revere in 1802. Free 45-minute tours go from Doric Hall, 10am to 3:30pm on weekdays. It closes at weekends and on state holidays, and Wednesday 11 November is one, so in festival week go on the Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.

Its own site ↗ · Massachusetts State House on the city guide

USS Constitution

Launched in Boston in 1797, the oldest commissioned warship still afloat anywhere. Going aboard is free, Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm, after airport-style security, and over-18s need photo ID. The museum across the pier opens daily 9:30am to 5pm and suggests $15.

Its own site ↗ · USS Constitution on the city guide

Fenway Park tours

Ballpark tours run every day of the year, whatever the weather: from November, hourly from 10am to 5pm, an hour each. Adults $30, children 3 to 12 $21. Leave the backpack behind; bags must be small and single-pocket.

Its own site ↗ · Fenway Park tours on the city guide

View Boston

A 360-degree deck on top of the Prudential Tower, open every day 10am to 10pm, from $32 a ticket plus a booking fee. Be there by 9pm to be sure of going up (its pages give 9 and 9:15). The Stratus bar up top needs a deck ticket.

Its own site ↗ · View Boston on the city guide

Wally's Café Jazz Club

Opened on New Year's Day 1947 as Wally's Paradise, the first nightclub in New England owned by a Black man, and still in the same family, with music every night of the year. Students jam beside veterans Tuesday to Saturday from 7 to 9pm; the night sets carry on to midnight. No reservations.

Its own site ↗ · Wally's Café Jazz Club on the city guide

Club Passim

A nonprofit folk room since 1994, carrying on Club 47 and the Passim before it, with a show every night and every one open to all ages. Festival week opens with Kelsey Waldon on Tuesday 10 November ($35, fees in). The kitchen serves until halfway through the show; it's down a flight of stairs, with no step-free way in.

Its own site ↗ · Club Passim on the city guide

Neptune Oyster

A North End raw bar that takes no reservations: walk in, from 11am every day. On weekdays the kitchen cooks until 9:30pm and the raw bar shucks until 10; at weekends until 10:30 and 11pm. The lobster roll comes hot with butter or cold with mayo.

Its own site ↗ · Neptune Oyster on the city guide

Mike's Pastry

Michael Mercogliano opened it in 1946, and his family still runs it. Cannoli are the draw, carried off in a white box lettered in blue and tied up with string. The Hanover Street shop is open 8am to 10pm.

Its own site ↗ · Mike's Pastry on the city guide

Every place, measured from your show

The Boston city guide has all 43 places, each measured from the festival's rooms, with a board for your picks and the sums for the hours before and after a show.

Plan the trip

The Boston city guide · Boston Comedy Festival · Every guide, soonest first