Does Boston get snow?

Yes. Boston averages about 49 inches of snow per year, with most falling in January and February. Nor'easters can bring heavy accumulation, but the city is well-equipped for snow removal and public transit keeps running.

Is Boston too cold in winter?

Cold but manageable. January and February highs sit in the mid-30s to low 40s Fahrenheit, with occasional dips into the teens. Dress in layers and plan for indoor sights like the MFA, the aquarium, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the historic buildings along the Freedom Trail.

Is summer too humid in Boston?

July and August can be humid, with highs in the low 80s and sticky afternoons. It is manageable, especially near the harbor where breezes help. The worst stretches rarely last more than a few days, and the trade-off is the city's best events calendar.

What is Patriots' Day?

A Massachusetts state holiday on the third Monday in April, commemorating the Battles of Lexington and Concord. It is also Boston Marathon day. Schools and many businesses close, and reenactments take place on the Lexington Green at dawn.

When is the best time for whale watching from Boston?

May through October, with peak sightings in August. Boats head to Stellwagen Bank, a federally protected marine sanctuary about 25 miles east of Boston, where humpback, fin, and minke whales feed through the warm months.

Is October a good time to visit Boston?

Excellent. October brings peak fall foliage in the city, comfortable daytime temperatures in the low 60s, the Head of the Charles Regatta, and fall farmers' markets. It is one of the most popular months, so book hotels early.

When do the Boston Harbor Islands open?

Ferry service to Georges Island and Spectacle Island typically runs from late May through mid-October, with the fullest schedule in July and August. Some islands are accessible by private boat year-round.

When is the best time for a budget trip to Boston?

January through March offers the lowest hotel rates (30-40% below summer) and the cheapest flights. If cold weather is a dealbreaker, shoulder months like early May or November after foliage season also bring lower prices with milder conditions.

Boston city guide

Boston · when to go

Best Time to Visit Boston

Fall and spring are the sweet spots, but the best month depends on what draws you. Here is how Boston's seasons, crowds, and prices stack up.

Boston in brief

When is the best time to visit Boston?

September through November for fall foliage and comfortable weather, or April through June for spring blooms and fewer crowds than fall. Summer (July-August) is peak season with the most events but highest prices.

When is the cheapest time to visit Boston?

January through March, when hotel rates drop 30-40% and flights are at their lowest. The trade-off is cold weather (20s-40s F), but indoor sights like the MFA, aquarium, and Freedom Trail historic buildings stay open year-round.

When is Boston's fall foliage?

Peak color in the city usually hits mid to late October. For the best leaf-peeping day trips, the Berkshires and Vermont peak in early to mid October.

Boston through the year

When to visit, at a glance

Average daily high and low temperatures, how busy each month runs, and the moments worth timing a trip around.

Crowds: shorter & greener = quieterLowModerateHighPeak

Boston season by season

When to visit Boston, season by season

Each season is a different city. Jump to any season for its weather, its crowd and price level, and the best places to feel it.

Boston Public Garden in spring with tulips blooming along the lagoon path.

SpringMarch to MaySweet spot

Warming days, tulips in the Public Garden, and Marathon Monday

Spring arrives slowly in Boston. March can still bring snow, but by April the city warms into the 50s and 60s, the tulip beds in the Public Garden fill in, and the swan boats return to the lagoon. The Boston Marathon on Patriots' Day (the third Monday in April) is the season's signature event.

Temperature: 46-67°F
Crowds: Moderate
Prices: Moderate
Highlight: Boston Marathon

Where to see spring in Boston

Boston Public Garden
The oldest public botanical garden in the country fills with tulips by mid-April, and the swan boats start running as soon as the weather allows.
Guide coming soon
Freedom Trail
The 2.5-mile red-brick path through 16 historic sites is at its best in spring, when the walking weather is comfortable and the crowds have not peaked yet.
Guide coming soon
Boston Marathon
Run on Patriots' Day, the third Monday in April, the Marathon turns the city into a 26.2-mile street party from Hopkinton to Copley Square.
Guide coming soon

Boston skyline and harbor on a bright summer day with sailboats on the water.

SummerJune to AugustPeak season

Harbor breezes, the Esplanade, and a packed events calendar

Summer is Boston's busiest and most expensive window, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. The harbor and islands open up, the July 4th Boston Pops concert on the Esplanade draws hundreds of thousands, and Fenway Park is in full swing. Humidity can push into the uncomfortable range in late July and August.

Temperature: 76-82°F
Crowds: Peak
Prices: Highest
Highlight: July 4th Pops

Where to feel summer in Boston

Boston Harbor Islands
Ferries run daily from Long Wharf to Georges and Spectacle Islands, with beaches, hiking, and Civil War-era Fort Warren just 45 minutes from downtown.
Guide coming soon
Esplanade
The Charles River Esplanade hosts the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July 4th, one of the largest Independence Day events in the country.
Guide coming soon
Fenway Park
The oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball (1912) is best experienced on a summer evening with a seat in the bleachers and the Green Monster in view.
Guide coming soon

Boston Public Garden ablaze with red and gold autumn foliage reflected in the lagoon.

AutumnSeptember to NovemberBest overall

Foliage, comfortable temps, and the city at its most photogenic

Autumn is Boston's signature season. September stays warm (low 70s), October brings peak foliage and crisp air, and November cools toward sweater weather. The Head of the Charles Regatta in October packs the riverbanks. Prices sit between summer peaks and winter lows.

Temperature: 51-73°F
Crowds: High
Prices: Moderate-High
Highlight: Fall foliage

Where to see autumn in Boston

Boston Common and Public Garden
The oldest public park in America and its neighboring garden put on the best free foliage show in the city, peaking in mid to late October.
Guide coming soon
Head of the Charles Regatta
The world's largest two-day rowing event fills the Charles River and its banks on the third weekend in October. No ticket needed to watch from the bridges.
Guide coming soon
Berkshires day trips
The western Massachusetts hills peak a week or two before Boston, in early to mid October. A two-hour drive on the Mass Pike for some of New England's best leaf-peeping.
Guide coming soon

Snow-covered Boston Common with the State House dome in the background on a clear winter day.

WinterDecember to FebruaryCheapest & quietest

Cold and snowy, but the lowest prices and plenty to do indoors

Boston winters are real. Expect highs in the 30s and 40s, snow (the city averages 49 inches a year, mostly January and February), and short days. The upside is the lowest hotel rates of the year, holiday lights on the Common, and a city full of top-tier indoor attractions that never close.

Temperature: 36-42°F
Crowds: Low
Prices: Lowest
Highlight: Holiday lights

Where to feel winter in Boston

Faneuil Hall holiday market
The historic marketplace fills with holiday vendors, a towering tree, and carolers through December, a tradition since the 1700s.
Guide coming soon
Museum of Fine Arts and New England Aquarium
Two of Boston's best indoor attractions. The MFA holds one of the largest art collections in the Americas; the aquarium's Giant Ocean Tank is a hit with all ages.
Guide coming soon