Are you thinking about visiting Boston, Massachusetts? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Boston worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for three to five days. Boston feels like a living museums with many historical sights that are integral in the founding of the United States. You can follow the Freedom Trail, which takes you through many highlights of the city. Boston also has many beautiful parks, charming townhomes, and a proud and enthusiastic local population. There's a large student population due to the many world-class universities in the area. There are also many popular sports teams. We first visited in 2010 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its iconic history and beautiful neighborhoods such as Back Bay and Beacon Hill.
Boston Harbor
Reasons to Visit Boston
Museums
The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.
Historical Sights
Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.
Theatre Productions
The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.
Food
There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.
Nightlife
The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.
Christmas Markets
There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.
Music
Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.
Shopping
Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.
Is Boston worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Boston is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too. Boston is beautiful in the summer when the weather is warm and there are a number of activities to choose from.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 28°C (82°F).
The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the historic old town. Also, you can take advantage of the local nightlife.
Summer Weather in Boston
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 23°C (73°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| August | 22°C (72°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| September | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Is Boston worth visiting in the Autumn?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 12°C (54°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Boston, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
You'll want to make sure you set aside some time to visit the Christmas markets during the holiday season! This is one of the main attractions this time of year. Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery, admire the historic sights, and browse the museums. Also, you can check out the quaint atmosphere, the Christmas markets, the big city activities, and the live music scene.
Autumn Weather in Boston
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 12°C (54°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| November | 7°C (45°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| December | 1°C (33°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Is Boston worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in Boston. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices. Boston can be cold and a bit dreary in the winter.
The weather in Boston can be quite cold during winter, and averages around -2°C (29°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, take in a show, and sample the delicious cuisine. Also, you'll be able to browse around the old town, grab some drinks at a bar, listen to some live music, and discover the big city activities.
Winter Weather in Boston
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | -2°C (29°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| February | -1°C (30°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| March | 4°C (38°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
Is Boston worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Boston. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
The weather in Boston can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 9°C (48°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the quaint atmosphere. Also, you can experience the beautiful scenery, the historic old town, the live music, and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Boston
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 9°C (48°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| June | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Related
What is Boston most famous for?
Boston is most famous for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. The city is very popular for its museums and historical sights. It is also known for its great theatre productions, food, nightlife, and christmas markets. And many visitors also come to this city for its music and shopping. It is often described as historic, traditional, classic, proud, and loyal.
What is the most famous sight in Boston?
The most popular sight in Boston is The Freedom Trail. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Boston on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Freedom Trail and other attractions here.
How touristy is Boston? Is it a popular city to visit?
Boston is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Beacon Hill: Small Group Tour of Civil War Boston: $35
- Salem Kids Slightly Spooky Tour: $16
- PRIVATE Authentic Revolutionary Boston Walking Tour: $75
- Back Bay: Small Group Tour of Women's Rights Boston: $35
- Boston Seafood & Freedom Trail Walking Tour: $172
- Public Innovation Trail Tour in Cambridge: $20
- Private North End Neighborhood Tour: $115
- Salem History Lovers Walking Tour: $28
How long should I spend in Boston?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Boston is at least three or as many as five days. Since Boston has a variety of activities such as museums and historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Boston?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Boston?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Boston?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.