13 Cheap & Fun Things to Do Solo in Boston This Season

There’s so much going on in Boston this season, you don’t have to have a pack of friends or a romantic partner to make the most of fall. Take yourself on a date and enjoy one of these 13, low-cost activities that are perfect for a solo day in the city. by Celina Colby 1) Meet someone new <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869449/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.001_prfszw.jpg"> If you’re feeling bold head to one of Boston’s <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/15-bars-to-meet-single-people-around-boston-boston-427260">best bars for single people</a> and chat up a new cutie. Or go for a more casual evening and attend <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/skip-the-small-talk-at-trident-books-boston-428571">Skip the Small Talk</a>, a night of deep conversation with strangers.  2) Dive into a good book (with a drink) <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698887328/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/wine.001_b1nc18.jpg"> Whether you want to haunt the halls of <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/the-6-most-unique-libraries-in-boston-boston-397332">Boston’s prettiest libraries</a>, search for a new read at one of the city’s <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/14-independent-bookstores-around-boston-boston-396315">independent bookstores</a>, or <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/6-places-in-boston-where-you-can-read-grab-a-drink-boston-378952">sip a cocktail while you read</a>, Boston is a spectacular city to enjoy a good book in.  3) Go wine tasting for free  <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869459/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.003_okqdh5.jpg"> Many wine shops around Boston do free tastings on a regular basis. Head to <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/free-wine-spirit-tastings-at-urban-grape-south-end-boston-434297">Urban Grape</a> in the South End and <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/free-wine-tasting-boston-454442">Vinodivino</a> in Needham to sip and learn about new wines. Get even swankier with a <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/cheese-and-wine-tasting-soiree-brookline-434303">wine and cheese tasting</a> at vomFASS in Coolidge Corner or a shop-and-sip mingle event at <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/sip-shop-grey-moon-x-neighborhood-wines-boston-434307">Neighborhood Wines</a> in the South End. 4) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/new-england-synth-fest-boston-432891">New England Synth Fest</a> <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869454/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.004_vylpiq.jpg"> Musicians and visualizers will team up at the Charles Hayden Planetarium to make it a fully immersive experience in the planetarium dome. Snag a seat and watch this unique performance on the all-encompassing Planetarium screen.  5) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/pulpo-day-2023-stout-festival-everett-433262">Pulpo Day 2023: Stout Festival</a> <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869457/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.005_hmlsaz.jpg"> Beer lovers pull up a seat at the bar and enjoy Bone Up Brewing’s seasonal brew El Pulpo, a chocolate orange stout aged in whiskey barrels. At this event you can taste the 2023 edition as well as vintages from years past.  6) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/11-places-to-see-fall-foliage-in-around-boston-boston-19809">Leaf peeping around the city</a> <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869460/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.006_uzizsz.jpg"> Grab a pumpkin spice latte and take a stroll through Boston admiring the festive colors of the season. We’re mostly talking about leaf peeping but soon, you might spot some <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/10-places-to-see-holiday-lights-around-boston-boston-395993">holiday lights</a> while you’re at it. You can see lots of foliage right here in the city, but if you have a car consider daytripping to another area of <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/11-unique-places-to-peep-fall-foliage-in-new-england-right-now-new-england-395522">New England</a> as well. 7) Learn a new skill <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869463/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.011_fw12mo.jpg"> Taking a class doesn’t have to mean lectures and a reading list. Learn <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/affordable-spanish-classes-in-boston-in-person-and-online-courses-base-boston-258522">a new language</a>, how to <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/jewelry-1-jamaica-plain-166132">weld your own jewelry</a>, <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/coffee-tasting-and-clay-mug-making-pottery-class-11-5-boston-boston-432765">craft a clay mug</a> for your morning coffee, <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/build-a-boob-pot-pottery-class-11-4-brookline-ma-brookline-434533">build-a-boob pot</a> in a cheeky pottery class, or <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/chunky-knit-throw-blanket-making-2hrs-cambridge-store--7">knit a cozy</a>, chunky blanket for the cool weather. To find more workshops and courses, filter The Boston Calendar using the <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/?tags%5B%5D=Classes">“classes” filter.</a> 8) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/the-23-best-museums-you-ll-want-to-visit-in-boston-boston-409475">Visit a museum for free!</a> <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869459/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.007_fdyntb.jpg"> Get some quality time with Boston’s best pieces of art by visiting <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/museum-of-fine-arts-boston-boston-407922">The Museum of Fine Arts</a>, the <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/institute-of-contemporary-art-boston-boston-407925">ICA</a>, or the <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/isabella-stewart-gardner-museum-general-admission-boston-365042">Gardner Museum</a>. The Gardner is free every first Thursday of the month and the ICA is free every Thursday night. The <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/harvard-art-museums-cambridge-407920">Harvard Art Museums</a> are free every day. You can also get discounted tickets for a regular day by using your <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/free-discounted-tickets-to-19-museums-cruises-and-other-attractions-with-your-boston-public-library-card-boston-431210">Boston Public Library card</a>! 9) Go for a bike ride <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698870114/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/photwebf.001_wpejt4.jpg"> Explore a new area of the city by bike! Most neighborhoods have a Bluebikes station and there are some wonderful bikeways for riders who aren’t comfortable on the road. The <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/green-line-extension-community-path-somerville-422261">Somerville Community Path Extension</a> connects Somerville and Downtown Boston. 10) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/the-innovation-trail-cambridge-414213">Explore The Innovation Trail</a> <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869459/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.009_v5maka.jpg"> Take a walking tour of The Innovation Trail from Downtown Boston to Central Square and learn about Boston’s scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs throughout history and today. You’ll be amazed at what’s been invented right here in Greater Boston. 11) Go shopping (locally) <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869463/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.010_bipcrr.jpg"> Hunt through vintage finds at <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/fenway-flea-boston-419312">Fenway Flea</a>, peruse the local shops at <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/bow-market-a-courtyard-with-food-art-retail-shops-brewery-wine-bar-event-space-union-square-somerville-somerville-411907">Bow Market</a> (and consider a cocktail at <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/nook-cocktail-bar-at-bow-market-union-square-somerville-somerville-416722">Nook</a> while you’re there), and later in the season shop local for the holidays at the <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/the-holiday-market-at-snowport-2023-boston-seaport-395741">Snowport Holiday Market</a> and <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/sowa-winter-festival-2023-boston-394224">SoWa Winter Festival</a>.  12) Watch a movie <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869463/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.012_nql00o.jpg"> Catch a movie at this historic <a href="https://coolidge.org/">Coolidge Corner Theater</a>, perhaps preceded by a trip to <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/far-out-ice-cream-coolidge-corner-brookline-425437">Far Out Ice Cream</a>, or enjoy one of the screenings at the <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/15th-annual-boston-asian-american-film-festival-baaff-boston-428032">Boston Asian American Film Festival</a> showcasing the Asian American experience in a variety of genres. 13) Grab a latte at a local coffee shop <img src="https://media.thebostoncalendar.com/image/upload/v1698869463/solo%20adventures%20in%20boston/solo_adventures_in_boston.013_b1xqe6.jpg"> Grab a book or queue up a podcast and try a new coffee shop on a cozy fall afternoon. Whether you’re waterfront at the <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/ica-wine-coffee-bar-on-the-waterfront-boston-414851">ICA Wine + Coffee Bar</a>, snapping an Instagram photo at the <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/faro-cafe-cambridge-cambridge-405369">ever-chic Faro</a> in Harvard Square, or sampling a waffle sandwich at Ukrainian-owned <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/esthetic-bean-coffee-shop-waffle-sandwiches-south-boston-south-boston-423342">Esthetic Bean</a> in South Boston, it’ll make for a delicious afternoon.  -- <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWMLsRzLL9K/">Photo</a> by @jackdarylphotography

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Cape Cod Catheren

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Best of 💫

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

Top 20 kid-friendly things to do in Boston, MA

Kid-friendly things to do in Boston

Kid-friendly events

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

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13 Cheap & Fun Things to Do Solo in Boston This Season

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