Noune Karapetian - Compass

The Boston Athenaeum has deep roots in the city's history. Founded in 1807, the athenaeum is one of the country's oldest independent libraries and is home to over 600,000 volumes. This renowned cultural institution also boasts an impressive fine art collection. Explore the building's attractions on your own or opt for a 60 minute tour.

If you're a book lover there's no better way to celebrate that than by visiting the Boston Public Library, the nation's second largest library. This huge library is home to around 6.1 million books, in addition to about 1.7 million rare books and manuscripts that feature records from colonial Boston, early works of William Shakespeare and the personal book collection of John Adams.

Head out on a Boston Lobster Tour to fish for lobster and learn about the Boston Harbor. Along with a narrated history of the area, you'll get to see lobsters, sea urchins, star fish, and crabs up close. Bring your camera because your trip on the water offers some pretty great views of the city.

Head to the Back Bay Fens and hang out next to a beautiful freshwater marsh. Along with the marsh, this link in the Emerald Necklace park system is home to ball fields, a wartime “Victory Garden” that was established in 1941, and the popular Kelleher Rose Garden, among other outdoor attractions. While you're exploring the park, be sure to pay respects at the World War II, Vietnam, and Korean War memorials that reside in the park.