Boston summers are a testament to the city’s vibrant summer culture and seasonal energy, blending iconic summer experiences, outdoor adventures, waterfront activities, sports culture, culinary finds, music festivals, neighbourhood charm, and more into an unforgettable getaway. Moreover, the city’s walkability makes exploring Boston during the summer both convenient and enjoyable.
Start your vibrant Boston summer with one of the most unique experiences in the city: access to beautiful water views, activities, and boat tours. Take a sunset cruise in the harbour, gather friends and have some fun with city views, sightsee, or paddle down the Charles River, glide through the Boston Common on a swan boat, or explore the city by land or by sea with an iconic Boston Duck Tour.
Along with being a bustling city, Boston is filled with fun ways to enjoy the great outdoors, and summer is a prime time to savour that energy to the fullest. Once named America’s Walking City, Boston offers several walking tours spanning interests such as the Revolutionary War, Black History, science and innovation, and even pizza! For a serene escape, take a walk along the Charles River Esplanade or visit one of the sites along the Emerald Necklace, a 1,100-acre chain of parks linked by parkways and waterways in Boston and Brookline. You may also head to South Boston and walk around Castle Island or sunbathe at one of the Boston area’s best beaches, such as Constitution Beach or Carson Beach. Take your explorations outside the land limits and visit the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Parks, just minutes from the city. Grab a ticket on a park ferry and head to Islands, such as Spectacle Island or Georges Island, for some outdoor fun and relaxation.
What is summer without music and festivals, and Boston’s music scene is brimming with some of the hottest tunes of the season. With several outdoor music venues and concerts, there is something for the ears of every music lover. Head to the Seaport and grab tickets to a show at the Leader Bank Pavilion or check out the Fenway Concert Series for the summer.
Fenway Park is one of the most iconic locations in Boston and the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, so a trip to a Red Sox Game is a must this summer. Head to the Fenway and Kenmore neighborhood before the game to grab a bite or a drink at one of the area’s local sports bars and restaurants, such as Bleacher Bar, where you can also get a behind-the-scenes view of the stadium, or Game On to show off your skills at the batting cages alongside tasty bites. If you are not much of a baseball fan, head to Gillette Stadium to catch a New England Revolution match, travel to Quincy to cheer on the Free Jacks, or watch a sport of your choosing at one of Boston’s top sports bars, such as Banners Kitchen & Tap, Back Deck, and Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co., among many others.
Summer calls for city explorations like no other season, and with Boston’s wealth of historic moments and sites, especially as the nation marks the USA’s 250th anniversary, there is no better time to discover the city’s rich past. Take a walk along the Freedom Trail, stop in for a tour of the Museum of African American History, head to Charlestown and visit the USS Constitution Museum, or choose from many other famous landmarks in the city, including the beautiful halls of the Boston Public Library, Quincy Market or Faneuil Hall. And if you are visiting the city during the Fourth of July, check out Boston’s Harborfest, a weekend-long itinerary of events, concerts, and more to celebrate Independence Day.
Along with visiting some of Boston’s best museums, there are unique ways to enjoy the art scene during the summer. Take a boat across the river to the ICA Watershed, attend a free night or a concert in one of the museum courtyards, visit the SoWa Art + Design District and explore local galleries, or walk through Boston’s outdoor and public art scene.
The city is filled not only with activities to fill your summer itinerary but also with a wide array of culinary options to fill your plate. From dim sum and dumplings in Boston’s Chinatown neighbourhood to Italian dishes in the North End, there is something for everyone. And if there is one thing Boston is known for, it is the seafood. Try a lobster roll at city favourites such as Yankee Lobster or Neptune Oyster, grab a cup of chowder at the Union Oyster House or The Banks Fish House, or split a couple of dozen oysters at Row 34, The Hourly Oyster House, or Reelhouse Oyster. For fried seafood options, head to the Seaport to visit the Barking Crab or Newbury Street to grab a bite at Little Whale Oyster Bar.
During the summer months, there is nothing more refreshing than a delicious drink or bite to eat in the sun. Here in Boston, visitors can even enjoy these moments with one-of-a-kind views. Head to the Lookout Rooftop at the Envoy Hotel for one of the best views of the Boston skyline or enjoy a poolside drink at Lifted Restaurant at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. Moreover, with the city known as a craft beer haven and the sunny summer weather in full swing, visiting one of Boston’s beer, wine, or cocktail gardens is a must-do during your visit. Check out one of the many pop-ups in some of the coolest locations in the city, such as Harpoon Beer Garden in Seaport, or Anchor Navy Yard, Boston’s only multi-story public gathering space in Boston’s iconic and historic Charlestown neighbourhood or make your way to one of Boston’s widely known breweries, along the Boston Craft Beer Trail, such as Samuel Adams or Dorchester Brewing Company.
So, begin your ultimate bucket list in Boston and experience one of the USA’s most vibrant destinations this summer.
