About Boston


New England has a distinct character during each season. This is one of the reasons why many endear themselves to this region of the United States. The beauty of each season makes New England a true all-year-round destination.

Spring

Spring in Boston can be many things. From spring skiing, to enjoying the blooming gardens, there are a plenty of activities and places to explore:

  • Play golf at the surrounding golf courses in Boston
  • Visit the Boston National Historical Park or other national parks and greeneries a little further outside of Boston
  • Get your “Irish on”, as Boston is home to the region’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade held annually in South Boston
  • You may also want to check out the Vermont Maple Festival which happens in St. Albans in April
  • On a beautiful day you could visit Boston’s Public Garden, which has over 80 species of plants as well as a lagoon, monuments, fountains, and the Swan boats that were created and operated over 100 years ago by the Paget family

Summer

Boston in the Summer is great! With the temperatures reaching about an average of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) in June and July, there are plenty of opportunities and exciting activities to enjoy while out in the sun and into the warm nights.  Some of these activities may include:

  • Attend concerts at indoor and outdoor venues
  • Go whale watching or other water cruises
  • Relax at nearby beaches, lakes, or ponds, or for the more adventurous you can go kayaking or paddle-boarding
  • Attend a variety of sporting and festival events

Fall

You’ll fall in love with Boston in the Fall. It is the time of the year where the foliage starts to change colors, which fills the city and the New England region with bright colors of red, yellow, and orange. In addition to the beautiful array of colors, you’ll want to check out the amazing things going on in and around the city, including:

  • Haunted tours for those who love a fright! Especially in historic Salem, MA
  • Visit special exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts
  • Tours of local breweries
  • Rent a bike and explore the city

Winter

Winter in Boston can be quite cold and snow events sometimes slow the city down. However, that does not have to stop you from checking out the awesome things that still go on! Some of these include:

  • Attend an indoor sporting event, like the Boston Celtics (NBA) or the Boston Bruins (NHL)
  • Go ice skating on the Boston Common Frog Pond
  • Go skiing, snow tubing, or snowshoeing at nearby locations
  • Visit the Skywalk Observatory to catch some beautiful views of the city

Boston is a cosmopolitan city of contrasts: neat rows of red brick town houses and some of the nation’s most revered landmark buildings stand side by side with high-tech towers. More than 70 universities and colleges make Boston their home and their influence is felt throughout the area. These institutions have extensive libraries, museums and special events. The Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops and the Boston Ballet are mainstays of the performing arts. Bostonians have four major-league sports teams: the Boston Red Sox (MLB – baseball), the Boston Celtics (NBA – basketball), the Boston Bruins (NHL – ice hockey) and the New England Patriots (NFL – football). Fenway Park, one of America’s oldest baseball parks, is located in the heart of the city and is only two miles from Boston Medical Center.

On Boston’s Newbury Street, elegant boutiques, art galleries and coffee houses are located in 19th century town houses. Nearby, Copley Place and the Prudential Center offer more than 200 enclosed shops and restaurants. The city has many other attractions such as the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science with its four-story Omnimax Theater, for example, are just the tip of the iceberg.

Cape Cod, only 60 miles from Boston, offers 27,000 acres of beaches. The beaches enjoy warm-water access, an abundance of fresh, local seafood, summer theater and challenging golf courses. The Cape Cod National Seashore offers many miles of bicycle and nature trails and long sandy dunes. The nearby islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard also offer their own brand of sandy beaches, pine forests, rolling hills and moors connecting delightful towns. Each can be reached by air or by passenger and car ferries. Martha’s Vineyard is a picturesque turn-of-the-century community and a year-round ferry port. Nantucket, was known for a thriving whaling industry in years gone by and is 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod. It has elegant restaurants and antiques, crafts and specialty stores in addition to its relaxing beaches.

A quick drive west of Boston provides access to the Berkshires while going north access to the White Mountains. Abundant natural beauty is the setting for downhill and cross-county skiing, hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing. To many, Massachusetts is one of the most exciting places to live in America.

Visit Boston.gov to find out more about this vibrant modern city.