12 Fun Romantic Things to Do in Boston

January 8, 2020 - Updated

Whether you live in Boston or are planning a quick weekend getaway, the city offers many fun things to do for couples. Our list includes a range of options, from unique tours and gondola rides to relaxing at a spa or by the pool. Couples can take a decadent chocolate tour of Boston, enjoy 360-degree city views from a panoramic observation deck, listen to jazz, visit the aquarium, have a romantic dinner, and view art from around the world. All the activities and attractions that made our list let you enjoy romantic time together in a unique setting.

1.Skywalk Observatory

For an incredible 360-degree bird’s eye view of Boston, head to the Skywalk Observatory. Take a personalized audio tour of the Dreams of Freedom Museum exhibit to learn about Boston’s cultural heritage and how immigration has shaped the city. The observatory is open seven days a week; admission is $16. The facility is sometimes rented for private events, so it’s a good idea to check whether it will be open when you plan to visit.

2.Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is one of the nation’s leading art institutions, dating back to 1876. The museum houses 450,000 works of art, including Egyptian, American, European, Asian, African and Contemporary. Whether you are interested in paintings, sculpture, prints, musical instruments, photography, fashion, jewelry, or works by living artists, there is something for everyone.

Choose from several dining options, ranging from casual to sophisticated. Stop for a romantic lunch or dinner at Bravo, an award-winning restaurant with both indoor and outdoor tables, an excellent wine list and dishes prepared with sustainable ingredients. New American Café is housed in a glass-enclosed courtyard and serves salads, hot and cold plates, wines, and craft beers. Taste Café and Wine Bar is the place for coffee, gourmet tea, sandwiches and gelato. Garden Cafeteria has a salad bar, pizzas, hamburgers, soups and desserts. Museum admission is $25.

3.Gondola di Venezia

Glide down the Charles River in an authentic Venetian gondola, surrounded by views of the Boston skyline. Gondola di Venezia operates two 36-foot gondolas, both built in Venice, complete with elaborate carvings, hand-forged figurines and brass railing. Couples sip champagne, listen to Italian music and take in the views. Private 45-minute cruises start at $99 for two, including a basket of cheese, chocolates and recorded music. If you prefer to be accompanied by a live musician, cruises start at $159.

4.Bella Sante Boston Day Spa

Check into the Bella Sante Boston Day Spa on Newbury Street for an afternoon of pampering and relaxation. The spa has nine treatment rooms where you can get couples massages, facials, body treatments, and other services. The spa is open seven days a week; 50-minute massages start at $95.

5.Num Pang Kitchen

Num Pang Kitchen has been acclaimed as one of the American East Coast's top fast casual chains by Zagat and New York Magazine, offering several locations throughout the New York City and Boston areas, including a flagship location within Prudential Center. The delicious restaurant chain, which was founded in 2009, specializes in Southeast Asian-inspired casual fare, ranging from savory sandwiches to health-conscious grain and rice bowls. Diners can choose from sandwich options such as pulled duroc pork, coconut tiger shrimp, five-spice-glazed pork belly, and ginger soy honey-glazed tofu. Bowls pair diners' choice of protein with brown or jasmine rice or super-grain mix, roasted vegetables, chili yogurt, chive lime vinaigrette, and fresh herbs. Soups and salads are also available, paired with housemade beverages such as blood orange lemonade and Cambodian-style iced coffee.

Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199, Phone: 857-239-8535

6.New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic animals, educational exhibits, and a 3D IMAX theater where you can watch incredible films featuring whales, sharks and colorful fish. See several species of penguins, including African, Little Blue and Rockhopper Penguins. Learn about 15-inch Moon Jellies, 20-foot Giant Pacific Octopi, 18-inch Leafy Seadragons and other extraordinary creatures. See the new four-story, 200,000 gallon Giant Ocean Tank featuring a Caribbean coral reef with turtles, seals, sharks and stingrays. Admission is $24.95 for adults.

7.Rooftop Pool at the Colonnade

During the summer months, relax next to the outdoor pool at the Colonnade Hotel which is open to the public on weekdays. Order a tasty cocktail and go for a swim to cool off. Admission is $40 from 8 am to 5 pm, or free from 5 pm to 11 pm. After 5 pm, the pool is open to adults only. If you decide to stay at the hotel overnight, you will get rooftop access on Saturdays and Sundays as well.

8.A4cade

A4cade is a clever new bar offering from cult Boston-area foodie favorites Area Four and Roxy's Grilled Cheese, located in Cambridge's hip Central Square district. The 21-and-up speakeasy-style arcade is a retro gamer's paradise, offering a wide variety of arcade-style games from the 20th and 21st centuries, ranging from favorites such as Mario Kart and Pac-Man to themed games featuring iconic pop culture characters such as the Addams Family, Batman, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Clever cocktails offerings play on late-20th-century pop culture nostalgia, including the carrot-infused What's Up Doc and the Carmen Sandiego, which pairs tequila with absinthe and St. Germain. An extensive selection of draft and bottled local beers are also available, along with an abbreviated menu of sandwiches and burgers from Roxy's Grilled Cheese.

292 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, Phone: 617-714-3960

9.The American Repertory Theater

The American Repertory Theater, commonly referred to as the A.R.T., is one of the United States' most distinguished regional theaters, housed within Harvard University's Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge. The theater, which was founded in 1980 by Robert Brustein, has received some of the theater world's most prestigious awards throughout its tenure, including a Pulitzer Prize and three Tony Awards. A full season lineup of American plays and musical theater performances is showcased each year, with a focus on new American works, reinterpretations of classical texts, and revitalizations of overlooked works of the past. Notable past performances have included the company's Tony Award-winning productions of Pippin and The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. In addition to its standard season lineup, the company also serves as the home for the Harvard-Radcliffe Drama Club and Harvard University's Advanced Theater Training program.

Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138, Phone: 617-547-8300

10.Top of the Hub

Stop for cocktails, lunch or a romantic dinner at Top of the Hub where you can listen to a jazz performance surrounded by panoramic city views. The lounge serves contemporary cuisine with Asian and Californian influences, paired with great wine.

11.Sam Adams Brewery Tour

Tour one of the most well known beer breweries in the United States. Sam Adams was founded in Boston where it is still headquartered. Tours are offered daily, except Sundays and holidays. Visitors learn about the history of the brand, get to watch the brewing process and sample award winning beers.

12.Scullers Jazz Club

Listen to performances by some of the best Jazz artists at Scullers Jazz Club. Tickets start at $30. The Dinner & Show package is an extra $40 and includes a three-course dinner, parking and preferred seating in the jazz club.