Things to Do in Boston in Fall

Autumn is when Boston and New England really comes into its own. World-famous for trees that transform into a riot of color and bursting with festive activities around every corner, Boston is the perfect place for a fall vacation.

By Katie Sagal
Things to do in Boston in fall

If you haven’t been to New England and the Boston area in the Fall, you haven’t truly experienced this amazing season!

With richly colored foliage, crisp breezes, and the scent of apples and pumpkins everywhere, Fall is most definitely our favorite time of year in Boston. If you’re planning a trip and looking for things to do in Boston in the Fall, take a look at our suggestions for the top attractions and activities to check out this year, including...

  • Visit historic Salem, MA
  • Special Exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts
  • Boston Mini Maker Faire at the Boston Children's Museum
  • Freedom Trail Walking Tour
  • and more...

Visit Historic Salem, MA in October

witch-house-being-witchy-salem-ma

As the oldest and most historic area of the United States, it’s no surprise that you can feel history breathing down your neck in New England. And with Halloween dominating October, New Englanders (and tourists who love a good scare) fully appreciate any and all haunted happenings in the fall. The Salem Witch Museum is the prime Halloween destination and it’s a must-see attraction for families. Expect gently spooky fun, informative historical context, and an all-around good time.

Spending some more time in the area during October? Check out our post on things to do in Salem, MA for Halloween. The town comes to life in Fall with dozens of haunted amusements that range from entertaining to historical. Another great Salem attraction to check out in the fall is the House of Seven Gables.

Special exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts

One of the best collections of American art, furnishings, and craftwork can be found at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. They also have particular strengths in European painting, Asian art, sculpture, and prints. In addition to their regular holdings, they're also putting on some exciting special exhibits this fall which we're sure art lovers won't want to miss.

Boston Mini Maker Faire at Boston Children's Museum

In fall, the Boston Children's Museum will be the host of the city's much anticipated CreatedBy Festival. This is a hands-on festival celebrating the inspirational work of local artists, technologists, innovators, and creative do-ers, geared specifically towards the little ones!

It's a can't-miss for those of you with creative and curious kids. The Boston Children's Museum always encourages the same kind of inventive and thoughtful play in the CreatedBy Festival as in their regular exhibits.

Day of the Dead Celebrations at Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

Dia de los Muertos

What better place to celebrate the iconic Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead than the museum that centralizes the study of indigenous American cultures? Head to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology for an amazing series of celebrations that honor this important cultural event.

There's the evening celebration on the first night, which treats guests to savory Mexican food while they remember their lost ones. Then, on another date during the day, families can enjoy themselves in a celebratory welcoming of the spirits of loved ones with live mariachi music, skull decorating, and artwork. It's a fun event for kids!

Fright Fest at Six Flags New England

Fright Fest is Six Flags' popular Halloween season event. During the day, kids will love the mild scares and fun activities. Enjoy street parties, a charming trick-or-treat trail, a dance party, and all your favorite rides and attractions.

At night, however, family-friendly time is over and it's time for some super scares. Explore haunted houses, eerie regions, and terrifying attractions. Plus, keep an eye out for horrific monsters that roam the park! Be prepared for some seriously scary stuff here.

Admission to Fright Fest is separately ticketed. See their website for more details.

Freedom Trail Walking Tour

History is all around you in Boston, so why not celebrate back-to-school season with a little bit of educational fun? Take the convenient Freedom Trail Tour for an engaging and entertaining look at the rich colonial history of the area. It’s a longish walk, but at an easy pace, so don't worry about wearing yourself out.

It can also be pretty chilly depending on when in the season you're touring, so be sure to dress appropriately for being outdoors for an extended period of time. Boston can be breezy, too, especially on the waterfront.

Rent a bike and take it for a spin

Bike ride in Boston

Fall in New England is equated with crisp, cool air that is perfect for many outdoor activities like biking. Consider visiting Boston Bike rentals and taking a beautiful ride to see the fall foliage.

Relish the crisp fall air with a leisurely Boston bike ride around the Boston Common or along the breezy waterfront of the Charles. The kids will love the chance to get out and enjoy the weather, and you’ll love that everyone is being active and healthy.

Go for a cruise on the Charles River

boston-city-sunset-fall

Enjoy an informative hour-long tour of the Charles River that glides past Boston’s historic skyline and charming waterfront scenery. Although this cruise only runs through mid-October, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy the brisk fall air and the beautiful foliage along the Charles River.

Brewery Tours

If you’re a beer lover, fall is a great time to indulge in the most popular of seasonal brews – pumpkin beer and cider! Take a tour of a local brewery like Sam Adams, Harpoon, or Night Shift for a taste of their traditional favorites and seasonal standouts. Better yet, check out the Sam Adams Octoberfest events, running all October long!

Enjoy the beautiful New England fall foliage

fall-foliage-new-england

In the fall, tourists flock from all over to see the magnificent foliage. Green leaves transform into a kaleidoscope of yellows, oranges, reds, and browns, practically before your eyes. It’s such a spectacular and beautiful phenomenon that taking a drive in New England in the fall is entertainment in itself.

'Leaf peepers' come from all over to see the vibrant bursts of color that make up nature’s fireworks. Of course, all of the New England states offer fantastic views of the foliage, but check out these top places to see prime New England foliage if you're going to be closer to the Boston area.

Opening Our Doors - Fenway Fest

This amazing artistic event gathers the best arts and culture of the Fenway neighborhood all into one place. Enjoy gallery talks, free admission to art museums, art-making events, dance performances, walking tours, food trucks, and much much more. Admission to Opening Our Doors is free.

Boston Book Festival

This immensely popular local event is one for the readers in your life. Enjoy an entire day of lectures, presentations, performances, and discussions all about writing and reading books. Plus, there's a killer book fair where you can often get books signed by participating authors across all sorts of genres. Admission to the Boston Book Festival is free.

Head of the Charles Regatta

head-charles-regatta-river-boston-massachusetts

Usually taking place in October, this is the biggest rowing event in New England. The Head of the Charles Regatta brings people from all over the region to watch the most talented rowers compete for the big prize. Spend some time at Reunion Village, located at the halfway point on the Boston side of the river, where many of the spectators gather to enjoy food and refreshment plus live commentary.

A few other fun things to do in Boston this fall

Apple picking
  • Be sure to soak up the beautiful fall ambiance of the bustling Boston Common and the changing flora of the Boston Public Garden.
  • Get out there and do some apple picking at one of the local farms just outside the city – a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy the bountiful harvests of fall.
  • Be sure to visit a pumpkin patch before Halloween this year to pick out the perfect pumpkin or squash.
  • Special exhibits at local museums (like the Gardner or the ICA). Many of the major institutions feature special seasonal exhibits that open during the fall. (Both the Gardner and ICA tickets are included with the Go Boston pass)
  • Immerse yourself in history with a visit to one of the many iconic sites of the American Revolution, including the Paul Revere House, the Lexington & Concord historical sites, the Old South Meeting House, and many more.
  • New England is full of beautiful trails, and hiking or biking are great daytime activities for travelers with kids.
  • Sporting events at TD Garden (home of the Celtics and Bruins)
  • Take a visit to Plimoth Plantation to get a taste of how life was for the Pilgrims.

Who knew autumn in Boston could be this much fun?

We hope you enjoyed these suggestions for a few popular things to do in Boston in the Fall. Discover our full line-up of Boston attractions including the USS Constitution Museum, Salem Witch Museum, Paul Revere House, and more. 

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.   

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

Please note, some of these special Fall events may be separately ticketed and not available with Go City®.

If you're in search of more fall events earlier in the season, check out our special post on September events in Boston.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Boston Airport to City Travel Options (Logan)

Baked beans, the Boston Red Sox and thr bar ‘where everybody knows your name’: Massachusetts' lively state capital offers all this and more. Known as the birthplace of the American Revolution, this is a city that’s thoroughly steeped in history. Follow the Freedom Trail to immerse yourself in 250 years of US heritage, step inside the former home of legendary revolutionary Paul Revere, and take a trip to Louisa May Alcott’s house in Concord, where her literary masterpiece Little Women was both written and set. With all this on offer, you’ll no doubt want to get to the heart of the city (and those umami, smoky platefuls of sweet-savory beans) as quickly as possible after touching down at Logan Airport. Read on for our guide to all the transit options from Logan to downtown Boston… Boston Logan International Airport in Brief There’s only one international airport in Boston. So the chances of getting yourself lost are fairly slim. Unless of course you accidentally boarded a flight to Boston in England, but that’s for another blog… In-keeping with Boston’s proud history, Logan is named for local son Edward Lawrence Logan: judge, lawyer, politician and military officer. Indeed, the airport’s full name is General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport. A bit of a mouthful, we’re sure you’ll agree, which is why it’s commonly known as plain Logan. The airport serves as the primary global gateway for Massachusetts and New England, with over 100 domestic and international routes. Around 40 million passengers pass through every year. Best of all, Logan lies just 5km east of downtown Boston, straddling the border between East Boston and the town of Winthrop. In light traffic, the cab ride into town can take as little as 10 minutes. So, without any further ado, here’s how to get from Logan Airport to downtown Boston. Logan Airport to Downtown Boston by Public Transport On-Airport Shuttle System It’s likely you’ll make use of Logan’s free shuttle system, which serves all four terminals and shuttles excited new arrivals to the Rental Car Center and parking garages. The shuttle also serves the airport's subway station and water transportation dock for onward travel to downtown Boston, via Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) services. Getting from Logan to Downtown Boston by Subway Having shuttled your way successfully to Airport station, it’s just a hop and a skip along the Blue Line to downtown Boston. The Blue Line connects to the Green Line at Government Center station and to the Orange Line at State Street.  Going anywhere near Back Bay, Fenway Park or Boston University? The Blue Line out of Logan is your friend. A one-way ticket costs just $2.90, and you can transfer between subway and Silver Line, Express and local bus services twice on your ticket, paying only the one-time cost of whichever service costs more. Getting from Logan to Downtown Boston by Bus Bus enthusiasts rejoice! There are multiple ways to get from Logan to downtown (and beyond) on four wheels. The MBTA’s Silver Line connects all terminals at Logan to South Station and beyond. Hitch a free ride on SL1 as far as South Station if you want to transfer to the subway’s Red Line here. Services SL2, SL3, SL4 and SL5 continue to other areas of Boston and a one-way ticket costs $1.70. Alternatively, the Express buses speed visitors to downtown and beyond for $4.25 one way. There are also multiple private bus services covering much of New England and New Hampshire, from reputable companies including Concord Coach Lines, Boston Express Bus and more. Getting from Logan to Downtown Boston by Ferry Ok, it ain’t Venice, but arriving in Boston by sea is certainly the most scenic of all the airport transit options. Take the short trip across Boston Harbor to Long Wharf for rapid access to downtown, taking in panoramic views of the skyline from up on deck as you go. The On-Airport Shuttle connects terminals to the water transportation dock and the terminals, and a one-way ticket on the MBTA ferry costs $2.40 Top Tip: CharlieCards and CharlieTickets Charlies are reusable cards or tickets that can be preloaded with cash and used to tap in and out of MBTA subway, bus and ferry services. They’re a good option if you plan to use public transport a fair bit while you’re in town, as there are savings to be made over buying individual tickets for every journey. CharlieTickets are particularly convenient for visitors. You can pick yours up at vending machines in the airport and most stations. Logan Airport to Downtown Boston by Private Transfer Cabs are readily available outside arrivals at terminals A, B and E and on the ground floor of the terminal C parking garage. It’s only around 5km from the airport to downtown Boston but travel times and prices can vary wildly depending whether you’re traveling in rush hour traffic or not. Expect to pay somewhere in the region of $40-50 one way. Ride apps like Uber and Lyft will usually cost a little less, but you’ll have to arrange these yourself and organize a suitable pick-up point. Alternatively, make like your favorite Bond villain and charter your own pre-booked private limousine. Or hop in a water taxi: one-way tickets from companies including Red Top Boats and the Boston Water Bus start from around $15. Logan Airport to Downtown Boston by Rental Vehicle Boston’s walkable downtown and excellent public transport system means you’ll have little need for your own wheels unless you’re planning out-of-town day trips to the likes of Salem, Portland and the Gilded Age mansions of beautiful Newport. You’ll find all the usual suspects at Logan’s Rental Car Center (RCC): everything from Alamo to Zipcar. The On-Airport Shuttle whisks passengers to the RCC via routes 22, 33 and 55, with services running approximately every 5-6 minutes. Save on attractions, tours and activities in Boston Save on admission to Boston attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
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Visiting Boston's Museum of Science - Admission, Tips & More

Spending some time in Boston? Looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon that is great for both children and adults? A trip to the Museum of Science should definitely be part of your Boston itinerary. The Museum of Science experience is an immersive plunge into the way things work at a biological level, an environmental level, a physical level, and many others. Check out our helpful guide for visiting Boston's Museum of Science. It's packed full of tips for visiting, ways to save on admission, other nearby attractions, and much more. How to get Boston Museum of Science discount tickets? We’ve got you covered – Museum of Science admission is available with the below money saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that’s right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to dozens of attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 5 attractions. 3. Build Your Own Pass – Select the attractions you want to visit prior to visiting. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. What should I bring to the Museum of Science? Bottled water, if you prefer not to drink from the museum's fountains. Comfortable walking shoes. It's a sizable museum and you'll need some stamina. A camera or phone to catch all the memories at distinctive museum attractions. Take a selfie next to the huge T-rex or inside a space module. What is there to see and do at the Museum of Science? Frequently showcasing new temporary exhibits and activities, the museum is sure to be a great experience even if you have been there before. The Museum is full of permanent exhibits that will dazzle you and your family. Here are a few of our favorites we suggest you check out during your visit... NEW FOR 2019: BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz4lGjfpOUi/ BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life is the latest temporary exhibit to open at the Museum of Boston. It is open now until January 2020, and you should definitely try to see it before it closes. The exhibit features more than one hundred specimens, and examines what it means to be human. Please note: this exhibition is not included with general admission provided by the Go Boston pass. Tickets must be purchased separately. Hall of Human Life The Hall of Human Life is arguably the most informative and interactive room at the Museum of Science. The left side of the room breaks down human life into its most basic, yet compelling building blocks. These activities help structure kids’ developing perceptions in scientific fact. Plus, it's a fun way to be reminded as an adult of these biological essentials. The stations builds a biological understanding of humans from our social nature, to how DNA, cancer, diseases, and antibiotics all work inside the body. The right side is even more interactive, featuring a series of tests to collect your own personal attributes and health. But before you get caught up in the fascinating topics and experiments, make sure you visit the free-to-use Link Stations. Here, you'll receive a wristband to “link up” with the stations' interactions via barcode. This feature will track your scores at each station, like the height of your foot arch at the aptly named “How High are Your Arches” Station, or the stations where you can see how efficient your walking motion is, or how warm or cold you feel relatively. Afterwards you can access your scores from the Museum of Science website in order to help measure and manage your health. Dinosaur Room The "Modeling the Mesozoic" and the "Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff" exhibits will delight the dinosaur lovers. You'll be treated to fascinating facts and information about all your favorite, and soon-to-be-favorite dinosaurs. The life-size T-rex, and the reconstructed bones of a triceratops bring the seemingly larger-than-life, ancient creatures to life like you've never seen before. The "Modeling the Mesozoic" exhibit delves into the methods of science behind hypothesizing where and how these animals lived, giving texture to the archeological remains we have today. You can also explore fossil clues as you roam through these models. Examine bones, footprints, and even dinosaur dung to look for information. Then, review the bones of a dinosaur, an iguana, and a bird to see how some dinosaurs are closely related to birds! Take a Closer Look We especially recommend the Take a Closer Look exhibit for both kids and adults. There is relativity of hot and cold, the SEM camera, and the visual “sound” waves all contribute to suspending our static, commonplace view of stimuli, while at the same time drawing connections between seemingly disparate sensations that demonstrate the unification of reality. Special Experiences There are a number of additional experiences that visitors love, available for an additional upgrade fee (paid directly to the attraction). Charles Hayden Planetarium: This hi-tech digital planetarium hosts both typical planetarium shows and musical shows on the weekends. Mugar Omni Theater: Featuring top IMAX films with subjects like Pandas, Volcanoes, and the Great Barrier Reef. 4-D Theater: Shows here combined 3-D visual technology with additional special effects like air movement, temperature changes, water, and more. Butterfly Garden: A favorite with visitors from all over, this delightful exhibit is a respite from city living. What attractions are near the Museum of Science? If you're interested in a unique tour of the city, the Boston Duck Tour is the perfect option and conveniently picks up right at the Museum of Science. Cambridgeside Galleria is a comprehensive mall located just a few blocks away, and is a local go-to shopping destination. A short hop across the river brings you to a number of other attractions, including TD Garden (home of the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics), the Otis House Museum, and the Museum of African American History. Important Information Hours: Saturday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm Location: 1 Science Park Boston, MA 02114 Public Transportation: Take the T: Green Line, Lechmere train, to Science Park stop. Note: Science Park stop is not wheelchair accessible; call the MBTA at 617-222-5000 for assistance. Save on Tickets with a Go Boston pass Remember, the Go Boston® pass is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes Museum of Science tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price. For other fun ideas to add to your Boston itinerary, check out our ultimate Boston guide.
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