What Is the Best Time to Travel to Boston?
The summer and fall are the most popular times to visit Boston, but you can find the best deals in the winter and spring months.
Written by Payton Ternus
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- The best time of year to travel to Boston
- The cheapest time to travel to Boston
- Find the best month for your visit to Boston
- How to save on car and rental insurance
- FAQs
Load full table of contents
If you’re looking to sit on the Green Monster at Fenway Park, enjoy some famous baked beans, or take a stroll on the harbor, the best time to travel to
Boston
will depend on your budget, interests, and weather preferences. Summer and fall are the most popular seasons to visit Boston, but you’ll get better deals during winter and spring months.Beantown is an iconic American city to visit—but planning a trip there can feel like you’re navigating Fenway Park after a Red Sox win. Extreme travel costs and undesirable weather could put a damper on your vacation, so you’ll want to be careful in planning your trip.
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The best time of year to travel to Boston
To find the right time to visit Boston, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions. If you want nicer weather with lots of things to do, you’ll need to go during the summer or fall time. But if you’re more focused on getting the best deals on travel, plan your trip for the winter or spring.
Peak season: June through October
The good: Nice weather, lots of events to attend
The bad: Most expensive time to visit, large tourist crowds, humid in the summer
The weather: 70s-80s in summer months, low 60s-70s in fall months
The height of tourism in Boston is in the summer and the fall. The summer months are the most popular months to visit Boston, due to athletics and outdoor events, but autumn is close behind.
Boston Harbor is a very popular spot for tourists. You can walk along the harbor, enjoy some time at the beach, or take a cruise at this historic spot.
Boston Harborfest
, one of the largest Fourth of July celebrations in the country, has live music, historical reenactments, and more!Other popular events during Boston’s peak season include the
Cambridge Art Streams Festival
, FAN EXPO Boston
, Dine Out Boston
, and the Boston Film Festival
. Pro Tip If you’re wanting to visit Boston during the summer or fall, make sure you book at least two months in advance if possible!
Off-season: November through February
The good: Fewer tourists, much cheaper
The bad: Plenty of winter weather, not as many events
The weather: 20s-50s, snow and ice
If you’re brave enough to risk the major snowfall of Boston winters, you’ll find the best travel deals and avoid the large crowds of tourists.
Boston is a lively city, so you won’t miss out on any of the fun during the winter. You can go ice skating in
Back Bay
, immerse yourself in history at the Boston Tea Party Reenactment
, enjoy fine wine at the Boston Wine Festival
, and celebrate Chinese New Year
.Shoulder season: March through May
The good: Fewer tourists, not as expensive as peak season, events to attend
The bad: Can still be cold and need to wear layers
The weather: 30s-60s
Boston’s “shoulder season,” or the period between low and high seasons, is in the spring. You’ll miss the major crowds and prices of the peak season if you visit during March, April, or May, but you’ll still get a taste of the true Boston experience.
Dine Out Boston happens again in March, so this is great news if you want to attend without the large tourist swarms. March also hosts Boston’s famous
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
if you’re feeling lucky. The Boston Marathon
and the Boston International Film Festival
are in April, and Boston Calling
happens in May. You’ll have lots to do in this shoulder season!MORE: Massachusetts electric vehicle incentive
The cheapest time to travel to Boston
If you’re wanting to visit Boston and save the most money possible, you’ll want to book your visit during the winter. The colder temperatures and wintry precipitation scare off most of the tourists during November, December, January, and February, so you’ll find cheaper hotels and better deals during these months.
However, a spring trip is another good option if winter isn’t your cup of tea. The months of March, April, and May still have plenty of fun events for you to attend. You’ll get to enjoy the beautiful springtime, avoid the major tourist crowds, and score some pretty good travel deals!
Find the best month for your visit to Boston
Ready to start planning your trip to Beantown? Check out this table to find the perfect time for your trip based on your interests and the activities you’re planning.
Activity | Best month to visit | Why? |
|---|---|---|
Dine Out Boston | March or August | If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to attend this culinary event to sample the best Boston has to offer. |
Boston Wine Festival | January-March | Relax, unwind, and enjoy some delicious wine selections during this festival. |
Boston Harbor | Mainly summer events | Take a stroll, enjoy a cruise, or attend July’s [Boston Harborfest](https://www.bostonharborfest.com] and Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular |
Red Sox games | April-October | Head to Fenway Park to see the Green Monster, chow down on ballpark hotdogs, and cheer on the Red Sox! |
Arts | Year-round | Revel in the arts at any time of the year at museums, the Cambridge Arts Stream Festival , the Boston Film Festival , or the Boston International Film Festival |
St. Patrick’s Day Parade | March | Experience the luck of the Irish in Beantown! |
Pro Tip Boston has great food and plenty of events to attend throughout the year, so plan your trip based on your budget and the weather if there aren’t any specific events you want to attend.
How to save on car and rental insurance
Whether you decide on driving to Beantown or renting a car when you land at the airport, it’s very important to make sure you have the right car insurance to cover you.
Jerry
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FAQs
What is the worst time to travel to Boston?
Winter is considered to be the worst time to travel to Boston. The city gets significant winter weather consisting of slush, sleet, and snowbanks measuring a few feet tall!
What months make up the snowy season in Boston?
Boston usually gets snow from December through February. It’s also been known to receive snow in November and sometimes all the way into May, so unfortunately you can never know what to expect.
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