You don’t need a bulging wallet to have a good time. In fact, being able to find awesome stuff to do without breaking the bank may actually lead to a bulging wallet. Massachusetts is filled with amazing activities and sights that you can enjoy without spending a single dime. Check out these 15 free things to do in Massachusetts that will leave you feeling rich in memories.

1. Check out the Woods Hole Science Aquarium, Woods Hole
Facebook/Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Facebook/Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Facebook/Woods Hole Science Aquarium
This is a public aquarium that displays approximately 140 species of marine animals found in Northeast and Middle Atlantic waters. Catch one of the daily seal feedings and feel up some crazy ocean critters in the touch tanks. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a world-famous center for marine science and engineering, so getting to wander around their museum for free is quite the opportunity. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Learn more on the official website of Woods Hole Science Aquarium.
2. Watch a free movie at the Hatch Shell besides the Charles River. 
Flickr/Chris Devers
Flickr/Lorianne DiSabato
The Friday Night Flicks series offers family-friendly films all throughout the summer. Don’t forget a warm blanket and some popcorn. Check out the official website of Hatch Shell.
3. Tour the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory, Hyannis
Tripadvisor/Baghdadilian
Tripadvisor/Kim025Singapore
Potato chip connoisseurs rejoice; your day has come. Take a free self-guided tour through this potato chip factory. and watch plain old potatoes transform into the crispy salty goodness that you know and love. (And there are free chips at the end.) Here's the official website of Cape Cod Factory Tour.
4. Visit your favorite Massachusetts museum or zoo for free.
Flickr/MOTT
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
For 10 weeks each summer, the Highland Street Foundation sponsors Free Fun Fridays, letting the public enjoy free admission to 70 museums, art centers, zoos and more. Mark your calendars! Stop by the official website of Highland Street Foundation.
5. Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls
Facebook/Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center
Facebook/Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center
Facebook/Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center
Check out acres and acres of native plants, butterfly gardens, and open rolling lawns at the Great Falls Discovery Center. The exhibits teach visitors about the natural, cultural, and industrial history of the Connecticut River watershed. There are activities and crafts for kids and adults, as well as monthly live-music coffeehouse performances. When you’ve finished touring the beautiful grounds, head over the bridge to Barton Cove’s picnic area and camp grounds where eagles soar over the peninsula. Find more information on the official website of Great Falls Discovery Center.
6. Tour the Crane Papermaking Museum.
The Crane Museum
The Crane Museum
Step into the Rag Rom of Crane’s 1844 Old Stone Mill and learn about the history of American paper making. From elegant stationary to sturdy currency, you’ll be guided through a tour of the oldest paper company in America from 1770 to today. Find more on the official website of The Crane Museum.
7. Attend the annual Lowell Winterfest, Lowell
The City of Lowell
The City of Lowell

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The City of Lowell
Lowell transforms into a winter wonderland each February. Check out the free ice skating, fire dance performances, an ice lounge, inflatable obstacle courses, food trucks, ice sculptures, a classic carousel, games and activities, a soup competition, and live music all through the night. Some events do require a small fee, but most are free to the public. Check out the official website of Lowell Winterfest.
8. Take a free brewery tour, Boston
Facebook/Samuel Adams
Facebook/Samuel Adams
The Sam Adams brewery in Jamaica Plain offers free tours of its facilities. Book your tour on the official website of Boston Brewery Tours.
9. Wander the Polly Hill Arboretum, Martha's Vineyard
Flickr/iheartpandas
Flickr/iheartpandas
Flickr/iheartpandas
Polly Hill is a non-profit horticultural and botanical center on Martha's Vineyard. The grounds are open everyday from sunrise to sunset, with a $5 donation suggested per party (of non-members and adults over 12). If you find yourself on Martha's Vineyard and have had your fill of fudge and cobblestones, head over for a lush and flowering expanse of greenery. Find more information on the official website of The Polly Hill Arboretum.
10. Walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs...literally.
Flickr/Paul Cooper
Head on over to Holyoke and check out over 130 real dinosaur tracks preserved over a large area of sandstone. Scientists have determined that these prints were left by small groups of two-legged, carnivorous dinosaurs. These creatures may have been up to 15 feet tall. Learn more about the dinosaur footprints.
11. Celebrate the holidays all year round at the Yankee Candle Village.
Facebook/Yankee Candle Village
Facebook/Yankee Candle Village
Flickr/rickpilot_2000
Facebook/The Yankee Candle Company
This place is a candle-lover's heaven. They offer 400,000 candles in more than 200 different distinctive Yankee scents. It's a quirky, fun, and definitely one-of-a-king, landscape. The shop celebrates the beauty of New England charm, brings fairy tales to life, and offers hands-on candle making that's a good time for adults and kids alike (though candle making is not free). Stop by the official website of Yankee Candle Village.
12. Conquer Mt. Greylock
Flickr/MOTT
Flickr/cerebros1: trying to get back in after a long time
At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. Rising above the surrounding Berkshire landscape, you can glimpse dramatic views up to 60-90 miles away. Wear sturdy shoes and bring your camera. This one won't cost you more than some gas money and trail mix. Find more information on the official website of the Mount Greylock State Reservation.
13. Hunt for treasure at a flea market.
Flickr/em°
Flickr/6SN7
There's no charge for looking! Even if you find something you can't live without, it's likely to be a bargain. Check out great spots like the Brimfield Antique Show or the weekly flea market at the Wellfleet Drive In. Both are open seasonally, and Brimfield Antique Show is known as the oldest flea market in the United States. Visit the website of Brimfield Antique Flea Market and Wellfleet Flea Market.
14. Have a beach day in the off-season (or take a sunset stroll).
Flickr/MOTT
Beach admission and parking can get pricey during the summer months (unless you have a coveted beach sticker) so plan some time by the waves during the off-season. Besides winter, many beaches don't start charging until late June or even early July, and stop charging around early September. The Cape Cod National Seashore's beaches only require a fee from late June until September. And if you're feeling romantic, late night walk near the waves won't cost you a thing. Check out the official website of Cape Cod National Seashore.
15. Tour the U.S.S. Constitution.
Flickr/Chris Devers
Nicknamed "Old Ironsides", and first launched in 1797, Constitution was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the newly formed U.S. Navy. This ship fought off Barbary pirates and defeated five British warships in the War of 1812. Tours are free and entertaining for kids and grownups alike. If you want to visit the museum, you will have to pay an admission fee. Stop by the official website of the USS Constitution Museum.

Before you head over to any of the attractions, don’t forget to check on the destination’s website to ensure it is open and to confirm business hours. What are your favorite free things to do in Massachusetts? What are your recommendations for free or cheap things to do in Massachusetts? Let us know in the comments! Then check out these seven little known museums where admission is free.

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More to Explore

free things to do in Massachusetts

Beth Price-Williams | November 08, 2020

Which hidden gems in Massachusetts should I visit?

Seeking out hidden gems often results in us finding some of the most unique things to do in Massachusetts. For a really cool and fun experience, head over to The Mapparium in Boston, a three-story stained glass globe that you can actually walk in. It’s one of those places that’s bucket list-worthy. Feel as though you’ve stepped into a Norman Rockwell painting when you browse Stockbridge General Store in Stockbridge, an old-fashioned general store. Gunn Brook Falls in Sunderland is also a hidden gem waterfall that’s sure to take your breath away.

What are the best local attractions in Massachusetts?

Some of the best Massachusetts attractions are pretty cheap or even absolutely free, which means we can keep more money in our wallets. If you want to explore some of the best local attractions, visit one of Massachusetts’s many state parks. Clarksburg State Park in Clarksburg is picture-perfect for a relaxing picnic and a refreshing hike. The state park features nearly 10 miles of hiking trails, and you can even camp out seasonally. Hampton Ponds State Park in Westfield boasts a ton of fun outdoor activities – from kayaking and motorized boating to picnicking and fishing.

What can I do with kids in Massachusetts?

Life can get pretty expensive. If we’re looking for cheap things to do in Massachusetts, where we can bring the kids along, we can always go hiking. Hiking’s a great way to get fresh air, to explore nature, and to bond. You’ll also find some pretty amazing kid-friendly hiking trails in Massachusetts. At just a half of a mile, the Chapel Brook Falls Trail in Ashford leads you straight to a beautiful tumbling waterfall. It’s perfect for kids and family members of all ages. For an even shorter yet picture-perfect trail, set off on the trail that will take you around Ashland Reservoir. The quarter of a mile trail winds through Ashland State Park in Ashland.

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Featured Addresses
166 Water St, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
Hatch Memorial Shell, 47 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02108, USA
Cape Cod Potato Chips, 100 Breeds Hill Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601, USA
2223 Washington St #104, Newton, MA 02462, USA
Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376, USA
32 Pioneer St, Dalton, MA 01226, USA
Lowell, MA, USA
Samuel Adams Boston Brewery - Jamaica Plain, 30 Germania St, Boston, MA 02130, USA
Polly Hill Arboretum, 809 State Rd, West Tisbury, MA 02575, USA
Holyoke, MA, USA
Yankee Candle Way, Deerfield, MA 01373, USA
Mount Greylock, Adams, MA 01220, USA
51 US-6, Wellfleet, MA 02667, USA
Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA
Building 5, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA 02109, USA