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Boston

An unforgettable adventure

Steeped in Colonial history, Boston is an unforgettable adventure. One of the country’s most historic cities, it is the setting of numerous events that helped spark the American Revolution. The determination of these Bostonians earned the city its moniker, Cradle of Liberty. Nearly 400 years of history are on display in many of its must-see sights. Boston also boasts exceptional food, performance venues and sporting events. With so many fascinating points of interest, the toughest decision will be what to experience first when you visit Boston.

Page Contents

Best Time to Visit Boston
Boston Travel tips
Best Ways to See Boston
Popular Boston Springtime Events
Best Boston Attractions

Best Time to Visit Boston

Boston Tea Party Channel.

Boston Tea Party Channel.

One of the best times to visit Boston is April to May. June is crowded as the city’s numerous colleges and universities hold commencement exercises. The city is a popular summer vacation destination. During early fall, school field trips descend on the city. Winter can be cold and snowy. Spring also offers some of best rates on lodging and other activities. Temperatures range from 40 to 65 degrees, and light precipitation is possible.

Boston Travel Tips

There are a few dos and don’ts when visiting Boston in the spring.

  • When you get your daily dose of caffeine in the morning, expect cream and sugar in a regular coffee. You have to specify that you want your java black.
  • Dress in layers. While the temperatures are beginning to climb, the city may still experience some cooler weather, especially at night.
  • Do not drive around the city. The old Colonial streets are hard to navigate, which leads to congestion. Parking is also at a premium.
  • Despite being a college town filled with young people, Boston’s nightlife ends at 2 a.m. Public transportation also stops running, so make plans accordingly.

Best Ways to See the City

Visit Boston

Visit Boston

The “T” is the colloquial name for Boston’s public transit system, which was the country’s first subway system. Although you can navigate around the city using this quick and economical form of transportation, you will miss a number of sights while traveling underground. The best way to travel around Boston is to use the hop on/hop off privileges of the Old Town Trolley.

Boston is fairly compact. You can walk between many popular attractions located near each trolley stop. When you have finished exploring, you can hop on the next trolley to continue the popular sightseeing tour that includes an entertaining and informative narration. View many of Boston’s most popular attractions while learning lesser-known facts and interesting tidbits about the Cradle of Liberty.

Popular Boston Springtime Events

As the weather starts to warm up, Bostonians begin to enjoy the outdoors. Numerous events and celebrations mark the end of winter and the start of spring and summer sunshine.

Fenway Park in Boston.

Fenway Park in Boston.

Patriots Day

Patriots Day celebrations are held in mid-April. Reenactments and other events commemorate the first battles of the American Revolution. Historical societies and local minutemen honor the circumstances that led to American liberty.

Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is the oldest road race of its kind in the United States. Held every year on Patriots Day, elite runners from around the world gather in Boston. You can join the crowd along the route and cheer on the competitors. The most exciting place is near the finish line on Boylston Street.

Fenway Park

Boston is a sports-crazed town. Opening day at Fenway Park is your chance to enjoy a game inside this legendary ballpark. April is also a time to witness the end of season home games for the Boston Bruins and Celtics at the TD Garden. The atmosphere can be electric if the teams are in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs.

As the old saying goes, April showers bring May flowers. Awakening from the deep winter slumber, the trees, flowers and other plantings in the Public Garden and Boston Common burst into color.

Boston Library

Boston Library

Duckling Day Parade

The annual Duckling Day Parade takes place on Mother’s Day. The event commemorates the popular children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings.” The parade route traces the path that Mrs. Mallard and her flock of eight ducklings followed in the beloved story by Robert McCloskey.

Boston Calling

Boston Calling is a three-day indie and pop rock music festival held during the Memorial Day weekend. There are three music stages, a comedy stage and over 30 food vendors.

SoWa Art Walk

The repurposed Fort Point warehouse district now houses one of New England’s largest arts communities. During early May, many of these studios are open to the public. The SoWa Art Walk is an annual spring event in Boston’s South End. These events offer the opportunity to view works by many promising regional artists.

Best Boston Attractions

Revere House in Boston

Revere House in Boston

With so many top attractions, you’ll run out of time before you run out things to see and do. The following is just a short list of some of the most popular things to see and do in the city.

Museum of Fine Arts

Museum of Fine Arts has hundreds of galleries filled with priceless works from around the world by legendary masters. The collection includes pieces from a variety of periods in a wide range of media.

New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium is designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. From its waterfront location, you can stay dry while experiencing the colorful and interesting undersea world.

Museum of Science

Located on the Charles River Basin, the Museum of Science offers more than 500 interactive exhibits. There are also live presentations, a planetarium and an IMAX theater.

Boston State House

Boston State House

Skywalk Observatory

The Skywalk Observatory atop the Prudential Tower affords a 360-degree panoramic view of the city and surrounding countryside. A state-of-the-art audio tour provides information on many of the sites of historic or cultural interest.

Freedom Trail

Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walking tour that leads to 16 of the most historic places in the city. Follow the red stripe marking for a trip through the history that shaped a new nation.

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is an immersive experience that brings history to life. Step back in time to that momentous night in December 1773 when the Sons of Liberty sparked a revolution by throwing casks of tea into Boston Harbor.

Boston Tea Party Museum at night.

Boston Tea Party Museum at night.

Find More Things to Do in Massachusetts

Visiting the Witches of Salem

The witches of Salem may have been hanged on Gallows Hill more than 320 years ago, but their story draws many of us to Salem, Massachusetts every year. In fact, more than a million people visit this city annually to learn a little more about its history....

Visit Philadelphia and the Battleship New Jersey

View photos of the Battleship New Jersey, which is docked on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. It’s open for touring and overnight adventures.

Fun Things to Do in Boston if You Only Have Two Days and Love History

Fun things to do in Boston if you only have 2 days and love history — from Boston Common to Old Ironsides to a duck boat ride in Boston Harbor!

About the Author

We’re always looking for ways to bring you great adventure destinations with a twist of history, so this week we’ve partnered with Mitchell Meyers, an expert on a number of Southern destinations. He shares some reasons to visit Boston this spring, as well as giving you some trip planning tips.

About the Photo

The photo in the header is of the Boston Tea Party boat adventure that you can take in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Photographer credit (for this photo and all of the others in this article): John W. Penney.

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Boston Tea Party Boat.

Weekend getaway in Boston, Massachusetts.

Historic Boston, Massachusetts.

Weekend getaway in Boston, Massachusetts.

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