United States, North America
The best time to visit Boston
America's history lesson reads best in fall, with a winter that tests your commitment.
- Best months
- Jun and Sep to Oct
- Think twice
- Feb
- Quietest
- January
- Cheapest
- January
The straight answer
The best time to visit Boston is September through October or late May through June: comfortable walking weather, full calendars, and New England fall color within an easy drive.
Go in September and October, or from late May through June. Fall is Boston's signature season: crisp days in the 60s and 70s F (16 to 24C), the Head of the Charles regatta, and peak foliage within an hour or two of the city in mid October. Late spring is the other great window, with long evenings, open-air dining, and Red Sox games at Fenway.
Two things drive hotel prices here more than weather: colleges and conventions. Boston has one of the densest concentrations of universities in the world, so graduation weekends in May, move-in around September 1, and parents' weekends in October can fill hotels and double rates. Check the academic calendar before booking.
Winter is cold and snowy, with highs near 37F (3C) in January and the occasional nor'easter dumping a foot of snow or more. The Freedom Trail still works in a coat, the museums are excellent, and hotel rates hit their lows in January and February. Summer is warm and humid, with highs in the low 80s F (about 28C), and a busy tourist season.
Boston, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryQuiet valueCold, highs near 37F (3C), snowThe cheapest month. Museums and restaurants are easy; nor'easters can disrupt travel.CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryThink twiceCold, highs near 39F (4C), snow and windStill deep winter, gray and slushy. Only for bargain hunters and museum lovers.CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchQuiet valueRaw, highs near 46F (8C)The South Boston St. Patrick's parade is the highlight. Late snow is possible.CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilGoodCool, highs near 57F (14C)The Boston Marathon on Patriots' Day and Red Sox opening week. Marathon weekend fills hotels.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayGoodMild, highs near 67F (19C)Magnolias and lilacs bloom, but graduation weekends push rates to the year's highest.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneBestWarm, highs near 77F (25C)Long days, harbor islands open for the season, and patios full. A great month.Hotels for June →CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyGoodWarm and humid, highs near 82F (28C)Peak tourist season. The Boston Pops July 4 concert and fireworks on the Esplanade are iconic.Hotels for July →CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustGoodWarm and humid, highs near 81F (27C)Summer beach weather and quieter weeks as locals head to the Cape. Late August move-in chaos begins.Hotels for August →CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberBestPleasant, highs near 74F (23C)Warm days, cool nights, and a rich events calendar. College move-in makes the first weekend hectic.Hotels for September →CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberBestCrisp, highs near 63F (17C), fall colorPeak foliage in the region, the Head of the Charles, and nearby Salem's Halloween crowds. The busiest and most expensive month.Hotels for October →CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberQuiet valueCool, highs near 52F (11C)Quiet and cheaper. Thanksgiving is a natural fit, with Plymouth and its Pilgrim sites an hour away.CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberTradeoffsCold, highs near 42F (6C), first snowHoliday lights on the Common and skating on the Frog Pond. Cold but festive.CrowdsPrice
Book Boston for June.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for June
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in BostonOpens a hotel search for Boston in June, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in BostonWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in BostonTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Boston for June. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Boston
American history on foot
The Freedom Trail links 16 Revolutionary sites in about 2.5 miles, from Boston Common to the USS Constitution.
Great museums
The Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Museum of Science are all first-rate.
Sports culture
Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in the major leagues, plus the Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots nearby.
A gateway to New England
Cape Cod, Salem, Concord and Lexington, and the fall foliage of New Hampshire and Vermont are easy trips.
Things to do, and when to do them
The Freedom Trail
Start early at Boston Common and follow the red line. Ranger and costumed guide tours run in season.
Fenway Park
A Red Sox game from April through September, or a ballpark tour year-round.
Museum of Fine Arts
One of the largest art museums in the US. Plan a half day.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
A Venetian palace courtyard filled with art, and the site of a famous unsolved art heist.
Boston National Historical Park
Faneuil Hall, the Old North Church area, Bunker Hill, and the Charlestown Navy Yard.
USS Constitution Museum
Old Ironsides and the museum in Charlestown. Great for kids.
Museum of Science
Hands-on exhibits and a planetarium on the Charles River. Good for rainy or cold days.
Events and seasons worth planning around
St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Sunday closest to March 17
A big parade through South Boston, also marking Evacuation Day.
Boston Marathon
Patriots' Day, the third Monday in April
The world's oldest annual marathon. Hotels book out and roads close.
Boston Pops Fourth of July
July 4 every year
Free concert and fireworks on the Esplanade. Arrive early for a spot.
Head of the Charles Regatta
A weekend in mid to late October
The world's largest two-day rowing event on the Charles River.
New England fall foliage
Late September to late October
Peak color moves south from northern New England to the Boston area by mid to late October.
Beat the crowds
- Check college graduation and move-in dates before booking. Those weekends can double hotel rates.
- Walk the Freedom Trail before 10am in summer and fall.
- Stay in Cambridge or Brookline near the T for lower rates than the Back Bay.
- For foliage, go midweek. Weekend traffic to New Hampshire and Vermont is heavy in October.
Open or closed
- Boston Harbor Islands ferries run seasonally, roughly May through October.
- Nor'easters can cancel flights and slow the T for a day or two in winter.
- Patriots' Day closes streets along the Marathon route and some businesses keep holiday hours.
With kids in tow
- The Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, the USS Constitution, and Boston Common's Frog Pond make a great kid trip.
- Swan Boats in the Public Garden run in spring through early fall.
- For homeschool families: the Freedom Trail, Lexington and Concord, and Plymouth cover the American Revolution and the Pilgrims in a single trip.
Getting there
- Boston Logan (BOS) has nonstops from most US hubs, including Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
- The Silver Line and Blue Line connect Logan to downtown; the water taxi is a fun alternative.
- You do not need a car in the city. Rent one only for Cape Cod, the foliage drive, or Salem.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Boston for the holidays
Holiday and school-break weeks where Boston makes our ranked list.
Boston timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Boston?
September. Warm days, cool nights, and a full calendar, with fewer tourists than summer. October is a close second for foliage.
What is the cheapest time to visit Boston?
January and February. Hotels drop sharply, but expect cold, snow, and short days.
When is peak fall foliage near Boston?
Usually mid to late October around Boston, earlier farther north in New Hampshire and Vermont.
When is Boston most crowded?
October for foliage and the Head of the Charles, plus graduation weekends in May, Marathon weekend in April, and July 4.
How cold is Boston in winter?
January highs average near 37F (3C), with snow and occasional nor'easters. Dress in warm layers.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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