22 things to put on your Boston bucket list

Modern Pastry and Mike’s Pastry give you the makings of a North End cannoli comparison. Buy from both if that sounds enjoyable, or skip the judging and order the filling you like. Modern also sells Italian cookies, cakes and other pastries. A cannoli does not have to become an argument, although Boston has had some practice.

The Rooftop at The Envoy puts the harbor and downtown buildings in view above Sleeper Street. Save the outdoor seating for weather you actually want to sit in, and check booking terms before choosing a table. Our Boston rooftop guide has alternatives if your plans take you elsewhere.

The Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are close enough to combine, but each can fill a visit on its own. Choose particular galleries at the MFA or spend time with the Gardner’s courtyard and densely arranged rooms. Check both calendars before committing to a day: the Gardner closes on Tuesdays, and admission arrangements differ.

The Head of the Charles brings rowing crews to the river each October. Choose a viewing area using the regatta’s spectator information, then allow time to walk between it and your arrival point. River paths and bridges get busy during racing. Wear something warm enough for standing beside the water, not just the walk there.

Row 34’s Fort Point restaurant occupies a former textile warehouse on Congress Street. Come for seafood, with a raw bar and lobster rolls among the choices. It works as a meal before or after a waterfront walk, though it is not directly on the harbor. Reserve the correct location: Row 34 also has restaurants in Kenmore Square and Cambridge.

The Boston Common’s holiday lights make an after-dark walk worth putting on the winter calendar. Pair it with Frog Pond skating once the rink’s season opens, or stay on the paths and watch. Check the city’s announced tree-lighting date before planning around the ceremony; decorations and skating do not run all year.

The Harborwalk connects waterfront stretches across Boston, with parks, wharves and places to sit along the way. Choose a manageable section around the Seaport, downtown or North End using the Harborwalk map. It is a network through several neighborhoods, so do not assume every section joins up without street crossings or detours.

At the New England Aquarium, spend time with the penguins before working your way around the Giant Ocean Tank. Daily feedings and presentations give you a reason to pause rather than rushing from exhibit to exhibit. Book admission ahead for busy dates, and confirm the day’s presentation times at the information desk.

TD Garden’s calendar covers concerts alongside Bruins and Celtics games. Pick the event first, then check the seating map for that particular setup. A concert floor and a basketball court produce different views from the same section. Use the venue’s event listing to reach the ticket seller, and read the bag policy before leaving home.

Trillium’s Fenway taproom at 401 Park Drive has a patio and room for a beer. Bring your own food, or order from Time Out Market next door. Outdoor seating is seasonal. Leashed dogs are allowed on the patio.

Boston Duck Tours combines a narrated ride past city landmarks with time on the Charles River in the same vehicle. Check the departure location when booking: tours leave from several places, including the Prudential Center and Museum of Science. It is useful for getting an overview of the city before deciding where to spend more time.

Newbury Street gives you shops, galleries and places to eat along one Back Bay walk. Start toward the Public Garden if you want to continue through the parks afterward, or work in the other direction toward Massachusetts Avenue. Leave time to browse the smaller storefronts and upper floors rather than treating the street as a route between chain stores.

Bring lunch to Boston Common or choose a patch of lawn on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The Common works with a downtown or Beacon Hill walk; the Greenway fits a waterfront outing. Use the bins or take your rubbish with you. If the ground is wet, a bench and a sandwich still count as lunch outside.

Sullivan’s Castle Island serves the sort of food that belongs after a walk: hot dogs, burgers, seafood and ice cream. Choose the Castle Island location when checking its menu and hours, since Sullivan’s also operates elsewhere. Leave time to walk beside Pleasure Bay and around the fort, rather than making the whole trip a queue for lunch.

Georges Island has Fort Warren; Spectacle Island offers walking trails and harbor views. Seasonal ferry service determines which trip you can make, and not every island is served on every date. Read the current ferry schedule before buying tickets, pack water and layers, and keep track of the last return sailing.

The Boston Public Library’s Central Library at Copley Square rewards a visit beyond the front steps. Look at the McKim building’s staircase, murals, courtyard and Bates Hall, remembering that readers are there to work. General admission is free. A self-guided look and a booked tour are different visits, so check the library’s tour calendar if you want a guide.

The MIT Museum in Kendall Square is the Cambridge choice for science, technology and hands-on exhibits. If paintings and sculpture are more your interest, Harvard Art Museums in Harvard Square is another option, with free admission. Choose one for the afternoon rather than racing between both. They are in different squares, with different collections and admission policies.

Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall are neighboring buildings with different roles. Browse the market if you want something to eat, then visit Faneuil Hall for its history as a meeting place. The National Park Service offers free talks in the Great Hall when it is available. City events can affect access.

The marked Freedom Trail connects 16 historic sites over roughly two and a half miles, from Boston Common to Charlestown. You can follow it independently and stop where your interest takes you. Walking the route is free, but entry to some sites costs extra. Leave time to go inside a place or two instead of only photographing the signs.

Make your Boston bucket list manageable

Keep the waterfront stops together, pair Back Bay with the library and Newbury Street, and give the Fenway museums their own afternoon. Our free and cheap Boston guide covers admission discounts worth checking before you pay. For a ferry trip, choose the return boat before choosing lunch.