Boston Through the Seasons: Temperature Talk and Attractions

Boston, Massachusetts also known as the “Cradle of Modern America” is booming with fashion, culture, music, and history, surrounded by a beautiful skyline decorated with old-world architecture and cobblestone streets.

Boston is ideal for tourists given its 60 immersive museums, delicious food, beautiful parks, and attractions, it is ideal for those traveling with family, friends, solo, or with their significant other.

The city’s climate is continental meaning cold, snowy winters and hot, sunny summers, so let us assist in choosing the best attractions throughout the seasons.

Winter

For those looking to experience a beautiful winter wonderland, Boston in the winter is the place for you, also the quietest and cheapest time to visit. January is the coldest month for the city, with an average temperature of 36 ℉ and the coldest average sitting of 22 ℉.

Throughout winter, Boston averages about 48 inches of snow with January and February bringing in the most snowfall. For those traveling to the wintery city, we suggest packing a winter jacket, lots of layers, mittens/gloves, a scarf, and comfortable boots.

While in the wintery wonderland of Boston, we suggest you gain the full winter experience and skate at the Boston Common Frog Pond, the Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rink in the United States! Opened November through March, this beautiful rink offers skate rentals and sharpenings as well, so no need to pack a pair of your own.

This attraction is a great place to take the family, friends, or significant other, or enjoy the scenery on your own, getting in some exercise.

To warm up after you have worked up an appetite skating, a great place to grab a bite to eat is the Frog Pond Cafe where you can enjoy hot cocoa along with many other delicious foods such as pizza or hamburgers!

When looking to stay warm and indoors visit some of the many museums Boston has to offer including; the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, a great stop for anyone interested in the 35th President of the United States.

Explore the many exhibits highlighting Kennedy’s life from his younger years onwards to his presidential run and inauguration, including an exhibit on his wife, the former first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy.

When traveling with kids the Boston Children’s Museum is a great stop. Recognized as a pacesetter for children’s exhibitions, educational programs, and curriculums, the museum offers children the opportunity to explore exhibits surrounding literacy, performing arts, science, math, cultures, and health and wellness among others.

While out and about enjoying the beautiful city of Boston, warm up with some delicious hot chocolate and tea. Stop by 1369 Coffee House, voted the best coffeehouse in Cambridge for 3 years in a row, offering 2 locations, one in Central Square and the other in Inman Square.

Another great spot to stop to warm up and enjoy some delicious handmade chocolates, artisan pastries, and specialty drinks is L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates, located on Clarendon Street.

For those looking to experience the arts scene Boston offers, the Boston Opera House is a must-see.

The museum is the 14th largest art museum in the world, showcasing more than 450,000 works of art, making it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Americas!

Opened 5 days a week, Wednesday to Sunday, this is a great place to visit their many exhibitions while warming up for your next adventure.

Another great place to explore the arts is to see a play at the Boston Opera House or the Emerson Colonial Theatre.

Also known as the Citizens Bank Opera House, the Boston Opera House was built in 1928 and features many amazing musicals such as the NutCracker and Pretty Woman.

The Emerson Colonial Theatre opened in 1900, it is the oldest continually-operating theatre in the city debuting multiple Broadway shows such as Anything Goes and Oklahoma! And hosting live music, comedy, and events as well.

Both theatres contribute to the rich cultural landscape of Boston.

Tis the season to also take the time to explore one of Boston’s Holiday Markets and shop til’ you drop at the Prudential Center.

We recommend visiting Boston’s biggest holiday market - the SoWa Winter Festival and Holiday Market with free admission for the month of December! Enjoy some hot mulled wine and plenty of delicious food while shopping in the winter village watching live ice sculpting!

The market offers over 130 vendors, galleries, art studios, and boutiques. You can also experience Christmas all year round when visiting Christmas in Boston located in the historical Faneuil Marketplace

A great stop to purchase many glittery ornaments of all sorts among many other festive items needed to decorate for the holiday season.

While in Boston, why not also get some of your holiday shopping done (or treat yourself!) we won’t judge you if it’s last minute, at the Prudential Center located in the affluent Back Bay neighborhood, enclosing 75 stores where you can shop your heart out and spoil yourself and loved ones.

Spring

In Spring, the temperature rises, and the growing season begins! This season is known as the best time to visit Boston with temperatures in the high 50s and 60s.

The city does experience lots of rain from April to May, so we do suggest you still layer up, including a jacket and umbrella when packing.

For those traveling with children (or a child at heart) we suggest taking a ride on the Boston Common Carousel, open from 10 am to 6 pm!

Take a ride alongside horses, wildlife figures, and a chariot, in one of “America’s Best Carousels” by Travel and Leisure in May of 2021.

Experience the beautiful aquaculture and attend a guided whale watch in the Boston Harbor! 

New England Aquarium has partnered with Boston Harbor City Cruises to provide visitors with an unforgettable experience to view the ocean’s most majestic animals including whales, dolphins, and sea birds among others.

The Boston Harbor City Cruises actually guarantees that you will see a whale, and if not will give you a free ticket for a future whale watch!

Boston is home to some of the oldest open-air farmers’ markets in the United States, a must-experience for those visiting in the spring. We recommend a trip to the Boston Public Market.

Named one of the 10 Best Public Markets in the country by USA Today, this indoor year-round marketplace features 30 New England artisans along with food producers offering fresh food, meals, and crafts, among many others, all under one roof!

Great to escape the heat or rain during springtime and a great opportunity to explore local art and foods

For those rainy days, we suggest a visit indoors to the New England Aquarium great for families and home to thousands of aquatic animals.

Offering a wide variety of exhibits ranging from the largest shark tank and ray touch tank on the East Coast and the Giant Ocean Tank which encloses a 4-story coral reef providing a home for the green sea turtle among hundreds of other Caribbean animals.

Some other great animals that await you at the New England Aquarium include penguins, sea lions, seals, and even an anaconda, among many others!

Another great date idea would be to picnic on the Boston Common at the beginning of the historical Freedom Trail!

A beautiful park, situated in the bustling downtown Boston, the Boston Common is the oldest park in the United States.

This is also a great place for a family picnic, taking a ride on the carousel, splashing in the Frog Pond, and running around the Tadpole Playground, all located on the Common.

Summer

For those hoping to catch some sun on their vacation, Boston in the summer is a great place! With temperatures in the high 70s and 80s, don’t forget to pack lots of sunscreens and bring those stylish shades you have been dying to wear.

August does tend to be the driest month so remember to keep hydrated. On a summer’s day or evening, we suggest taking a stroll through the Back Bay neighborhood, a shopping and dining destination surrounded by designer boutiques, fashion chains, art galleries, and cafes among the tallest skyscrapers in the city.

While roaming the neighborhood you are very likely to find yourself in one of the many beautiful parks such as Copley Square or Charles River Esplanade.

The neighborhood is also filled with great spots to eat including the Parish Cafe offering delicious and decadent sandwiches, or Lolita, a high-end Mexican restaurant decorated in a Gothic, Day of the Dead motif.

When looking for a more ‘hipster-esque’ vibe to your walk we suggest starting off closer to the Fens and working your way toward the Boston.

Common positioned at the opposite end of the neighborhood, on this route you can stop by a local chain, Newbury Comics, and maybe grab some streetwear apparel or a new vinyl record!

Boston area between August 8th and the 21st this summer (2021) and enjoy eating delicious food, then you are in luck! 

Dine Out Boston 2021 is the perfect opportunity for any foodie to get deals on a wide array of delicious foods, from old favorites to new culinary hot spots, from well-known chains to locally owned ones. Of course, we HIGHLY suggest joining our Best of Boston Tour.

This small-group tour offers an intimate exploration of the most prominent sites and attractions the city has to offer.

On this guided tour you will explore the world’s oldest naval vessel the USS Constitution, the historical Bunker Hill Monument, the beautiful Quincy Market, and a relaxing sightseeing cruise on the Boston Harbor!

You will also pass by multiple points of interest including MIT, Harvard, and the famous Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.

Let us help you enjoy a stress-free visit and do all the work for you!

Take a tour of America’s most beloved ballpark, Fenway Park, and attend a Red Sox Game!

Since 1912, fans have flocked to Fenway to watch the home team play in the heart of Boston, the oldest active ballpark in the MLB.

Offering a variety of tours for individuals, groups, any occasion, and premium experiences, fans are able to get an exclusive look at the historical Fenway Park and get a chance to see the home team win!

When looking for something fun for you and your friends, family, or significant other the Boston Beer Gardens are a great place to enjoy delicious food and drink craft beer!

There are multiple running throughout the city, including the Cisco Brewers Seaport Pop-up, a 14,000 sq ft outdoor beer garden serving a series of IPAS, pale and golden ales, ciders, wines, coolers, and many more, offering Caribbean and Central American-influenced cuisine.

Another great beer garden, the Cambridge Brewing Company, established in 1989, is the oldest brewpub in the greater Boston area, offering handcrafted beer paired with food made from local ingredients.

With over 30 beer gardens offered, you can’t go wrong with visiting one (or a few), cheers!

Fall

Fall is arguably the most popular season to visit Boston with its favorable not too hot but not too cold weather and the beautiful changing colors of the trees.

September can have higher temperatures at 73℉, however, October tends to get colder at night.

As you get closer to November, temperatures do drop to as low as 38 ℉, as winter creeps in.

We suggest packing layers for the unpredictable weather, especially a fall jacket. As Starbucks's pumpkin spice latte rollout begins and the spooky season approaches, Boston offers a beautiful environment to embrace these.

With New England surrounded by hundreds of pumpkins, we suggest a visit to the Boston Public Market, showcasing locally produced food from New England farmers, fishers, and specialist bakers among many more, making it a great place to pick up some prepared food for a picnic outside with the beautiful fall foliage or to take back to your cozy accommodations.

To capture the perfect fall foliage selfie or picture we suggest the Public Garden which is surrounded by bright splashes of foliage in the first fall days with some small ornamental Japanese maple trees for an even more stunning view we recommend walking onto the footbridge across to Lagoon in the Public Garden.

Another picture-perfect location is the Boston Esplanade, a long skinny park along the Charles River where you can walk, jog, or bicycle along the scenic river and enjoy the fall foliage dancing in the reflection of the water.

For our sports fanatics in the fall season, we suggest visiting TD Garden, located in the middle of the city, making it very easy to catch a Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots Game! You can also catch a New England Patriots Game at the Gillette Stadium if you have more time on your hands, boarding the special ”Patriot Train”, and departing from North Station.

With its many graveyards and ghost stories, the city revels in Halloween with special events going on all month long, an event not to be missed including the famous Ghosts and Gravestones

The 1.5-hour tour transports you to the city’s ghostly locations via a trolley ride, guided by a 17th-century gravedigger, visiting the streets where the Boston Strangler prowled, hearing stories of murder and mayhem, ghosts and ghouls including stops at the two oldest burying grounds in Boston - Copp’s Hill Burying Ground and Granary Burying Ground.

Be warned, this tour is not suggested for those under 13 years old and due to the loud noises on the tour, children under the age of 4 are not allowed on board.

Continuing on for those embracing this spooky Halloween season we suggest a stop in Salem, not far from Boston. This beautiful town is filled with history, specifically the history of the witchy kind. Salem Massachusetts, was the site for the famous witch trials, now offering many tours to explore the trials including the Salem Witch Museum

This authentic gothic church is the site of the oldest and most visited witch museum, offering visitors a chance to explore the history of the witch trials and executions including animated mannequins and exhibits surrounding present-day ideas of witchcraft.

Salem is the perfect place for anyone looking to get into the Halloween spirit hosting the Haunted Happenings Parade, pumpkin decorating, haunted tours, and the Salem Wax Museum

So grab your broomsticks and cauldrons and head down to Salem!

Boston, Massachusetts is a fantastic place to visit all year round! A great place to explore local traditions, scenic views, and explore American history and arts scenes.

The city is happy to be the site of your next vacation any time of the year!