Things to Do and Ways to Save in and Around Boston



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A beautiful city, rich with history and bustling with activity.  Boston has been named one of the most active cities in the country.  We've really got it all here: some of the best in art, music, education, nightlife, healthcare, theater and great family-friendly activities.  What more can you ask for?  A cheaper price tag, maybe?  Maybe I can help with that.  Here you will find tips on fun things to do in the Boston area, with and without children and ways to save while doing them.  If you have anything to add to this page please let me know by using the contact form or leaving a comment.


25 Free Things to Do in Boston

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25 FREE things to do in and around Boston.


Free Fun Fridays!

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Back by popular demand! The Free Fun Fridays program offers free admission to certain museums and attractions on certain Fridays throughout the summer.  This years free admissions include: Boston Children's Museum, Stone's Zoo, Plimoth Plantation, the MFA, Buttonwood Zoo, Sports Museum, and many more.  Check here for a full schedule of free admission Fridays 2011 coming soon!!!


Library Passes

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There is so much to do in the Boston area, but alas, not everything is free... or is it?  One great way to save is to head over to your local library and grab free or discounted passes to local area attractions.  Some are only valid on weekdays, some only available to town residents, and some have restrictions on the number of family members admitted so read the fine print but overall, library passes are one of the best ways to save money.  Many libraries offer the opportunity to reserve passes online or over the phone which is very convenient for busy moms. Check out the activities link.  I have indicated some of the library passes available at local libraries. Note: Available library passes vary by town/city.


Goldstar

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Goldstar is a site that offers discount tickets to shows and attractions.  For example, this summers "Walking With the Dinosaurs" show tickets are 50% off face value.  There is no cost to register for this site and they will send you weekly emails with great deals in your area.



Arts Boston

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Arts Boston is a "wicked" cool site that promotes arts and culture in Boston.  Here you can purchase 1/2 price tickets to many shows and events around Boston and its a great resource for things to do in town.  There is also a link to FREE activities and events in Boston.


Boston Central

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Boston Central is another great resource for things to do in Boston.  You can subscribe to their email newsletter to keep informed of FREE family events and activities.


Official Massachusetts Site

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Another great resource for things to do in Massachusetts.  There is so much to see and explore in Massachusetts!


BostonMamas

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Great Resource for Boston Moms.


All Things New England

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This site's name really says it all!


Boston.com

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Boston.com is a great resource for happenings and activities in the Boston area.  If you "like" boston.com on facebook you will get updates in your news feed with current things to do in Boston.  Check out my favorite picks for activities to do in Boston.



Deals on Activities

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Don't worry if your library doesn't offer a pass for the activity you're looking to do.  Check out the Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitors Bureau for offers on local activities.  You can search for and print coupons for various central Mass attractions.  This site is also a great resource for things to do near Boston.


Groupon

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Join Groupon for daily deals in Boston!  Deals include discounts on restaurants, spas, activities, and more.  Its FREE to join. 


Check Your Employers Benefits Package

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It amazes me how many people don't realize it when their employers offer great corporate discounts.  Make sure to check with your benefits department so you aren't missing out on any of these benefits.  These discounts range from gym memberships, wireless plans, retail discounts, discounted tickets to local events, theme park passes and more!  Not every corporation offers these of course but make sure you know what your employer does offer.   


Use Coupons

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Coupons can save you a lot of cash.  Yeah, it can be tedious to clip coupons but they add up quickly.  By coupons, I don't just mean grocery coupons that you find in the local paper. There are tons of coupon codes for online sites.  I, personally, almost never buy anything online without using a coupon code.  You can usually find codes for either discounts or free shipping.  Always, always try to combine coupons.  Many sites will let you use more than one code per order.  To find codes you can check Ebates if you are a member but always google as well because Ebates does not always have every coupon code that is available.  Google the name of the site you wish to purchase from and "coupon code" and/or "promotional code" and see what comes up.  There are lots of bogus codes out there so sometimes you need to try a few before you find one that works but its usually worth your effort.


Get a High Interest Savings Account

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I should say "higher" interest savings account because there really is no such thing as a high interest savings account these days.  Online accounts yield higher interest rates, are convenient, and promote saving.  You can set up sub accounts (for example, we have one savings account with sub-accounts for "vacation," "education," and one for our daughter), you can set up recurring deposits from a linked checking account, and ING now offers no-fee interest-yielding checking accounts (most banks do not pay interest for checking accounts.)  ING and emigrant are the online banks I'm familiar with.  Send me an email if you'd like an ING referral & $25 signup bonus.