Nothing can quite compare to the beauty of New England's fall foliage, with its vibrant bursts of color. Travelers flock to this area in the hope of capturing their brilliance with film and photography. Boston is also of course a perfect place to enjoy fall activities like apple cider donuts and pumpkin-decorated porches.
Here are our top areas for prime New England foliage viewing.
When is the best time to see New England fall foliage?
Wondering when to plan your Boston visit to coincide with when the foliage is at its peak? This fall foliage map will help you to make sure you catch the peak of color! Each year, the changing of the leaves tends to begin at different times. Generally speaking, you'll start to see splashes of color around mid-September.
By early October, fall leaf colors become more pronounced. Peak season usually comes in about the 3rd week of October. By early November, the most vivid fall leaf colors may unfortunately be gone, so be sure to get here sooner rather than later.
If you're looking for places to enjoy the best of Boston-area fall foliage, then check out some of our suggestions below. We've combined the possibilities for leaf peeping with some other fun things to do in Boston to help you make the most of your fall vacation.
Check out Boston Common and the public gardens
Head here to see a rich array of golds, yellows, and reds against the city skyline and manicured walkways, ponds, and statues. The Boston Public Gardens are a short walk from Beacon Hill, a neighborhood full of 19th-century charm.
You can warm up with cider or coffee in any of the coffeehouses along Charles and Cambridge streets. Many of the trees in the gardens change color earlier in the season, so splashes of autumn color can usually be seen first here.
It's an excellent place to snap photos, too, with the contrast of beautiful trees against grand buildings. While you won't be seeing many of the picnickers or frisbee throwers that throng the park in the summer months, keep an eye out for kids flying kites and plenty of excited furry friends.
Plan a visit to Harvard Yard
A melting pot of students, professors, dogs, and children, Harvard Yard is a great spot for leaf-peeping. As you stroll through the tree-lined grassy common, stop by the infamous John Harvard Statue, a frequent target of local pranks, to give your New England fall day a collegiate twist (don't forget to rub the statue's feet for good luck!)
Take the Harvard Walking Tour if you've got some free time and you're interested in the school. It's the most popular tour of Harvard University. It's a great opportunity to learn all about the school while taking in the beautiful colors of the changing leaves.
While you're here, be sure to check out the Harvard Museum of Natural History, which contains a one-of-a-kind glass display of over 3,000 plant species. It's bound to amaze botanists and tourists alike. Plus, they've also got a nice little collection of fossils, gemstones, and other natural artifacts.
Enjoy the Boston fall foliage on a bike
Consider taking a beautiful bike ride around Boston, which is one the best ways for tourists and Boston residents alike to see some of the best sights, smells, and scenes that the Hub has to offer in the Fall. A few areas that you should consider checking out for some great Boston Fall foliage on two wheels include:
- The Boston Common and Public Garden
- The famous Charles River Esplanade
- The Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path
- The Museum of Fine Arts
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- The Rose Kennedy Greenway
- The Arnold Arboretum
Take a Charles River tour and discover Boston's charm
The Charles River Cruise or Boston’s famous Duck Tour in the fall months is especially scenic as the leaves reflect off the water of the Charles River. Both tours are available through October – prime New England foliage time!
The Charles River Cruise is a serene 70-minute excursion around the Charles River Basin. It's filled with great photo opportunities and informative yet engaging narration. This cruise is a lovely way to do a spot of sightseeing.
Meanwhile, the Boston Duck Tour is more interactive but just as educational. Spend part of your time on land, and part in the Charles River for a truly unique sightseeing experience.
New England foliage outside of Boston
It wouldn't be a proper New England fall visit without a taste of life outside of Boston. Visitors to the area really should experience the rolling New England foliage in the countryside. Soak up all the hues that are produced by a slowly departing summer. Watching the leaves change color while traveling past quiet ponds, historic farms, weathered roadside taverns, colonial churches, and quaint village greens is a charming way to spend an autumn day.
A tour of Lexington and Concord is a great option - it will give you a firsthand view of what this historic region has to offer. The 90-minute tour will take you on a trolley ride along historic Battle Road as you visit some of the most important sites of the American Revolution. You'll visit the Lexington Battle Green, Buckman Tavern, and the Hancock-Clarke House.
Additionally, you will see Minute Man National Historical Park, Meriam’s Corner, the North Bridge, and many other historic places.
Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City®
Planning to visit lots of Boston attractions? With Go City® you won't miss a thing, plus with a pass, you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do. So grab a Boston attraction pass and go explore the city's best bits!
☀️Compare Boston passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️
