Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 10:33 pm

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

This blog post contains all of the best things to do in Boston in the summer! I also listed a few of the best summer day trips to take from Boston.

Summer is a great time of year to visit Boston. The weather is usually pretty warm, with average temperatures of around 25°C – 30°C. With these warmer and longer days, summer is the perfect time of year to explore all that Boston has to offer. I recently took a trip to Boston in June, and had a great time. It is truly one of my favourite American cities I have ever visited. I had a chance to do lots of activities in Boston and the surrounding area while I was there, so I’ve put together this list of the best things to do in Boston in the summer.

Best things to in Boston in the summer:

• See a Red Sox Game. Summer is baseball season! Fenway Park is the oldest MLB stadium, and is an attraction in itself. If your visit to Boston doesn’t line up with the Red Sox schedule, or you don’t want to buy Red Sox tickets (they are pricey!), there are also Fenway Park tours available, so you can still see the stadium.

• Walk the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a route through downtown Boston that passes 17 historical landmarks from American history. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Boston, and the summer is the perfect time to see it, since it involves lots of walking outside!

• Visit Boston Common. Boston Common is a beautiful park in downtown Boston. It is the oldest public park in the USA, and the starting point of the Freedom Trail. This park is a lovely place to go for a walk, a picnic, or just soak up the sun!

• Do a walking tour of Harvard. Harvard is one of the oldest and most famous universities in the world. It also has a beautiful campus with lots of history, and is a great place to do a walking tour in the summer when the weather is nice. Additionally, you can do a self-guided tour using the Visit Harvard mobile app.

• Walk along the Boston Harborwalk. The Harborwalk is an incredibly long (43 miles!) continuous walkway along Boston’s shoreline. If you are looking for a free summer activity, this is a great option. The views are beautiful! I started around Long Wharf, but given how long the Harborwalk is, you can start pretty much anywhere along the shore.

• Go for a harbor cruise. Another great way to see the Boston harbor is by taking a Harbor cruise. Enjoy the sights of Boston while learning about the history of the area. A perfect activity for a sunny day!

• Go whale watching. Whale watching is another perfect way to get out on the water in Boston in the summer. Humpback, fin, and minke whales can be seen in the waters off the coast of Boston.

• Visit the Boston Public Library. Okay, the library may not sound like an exciting summer activity, but it is one of the most beautiful buildings in Boston. It’s also a great place to escape the heat for a few minutes! It is open to the public, and I would highly recommend taking a peek inside. It also has a beautiful courtyard, which would make a perfect place to hang out on a sunny day.

• Get ice cream. There are many great places for ice cream in Boston. My personal favourite was Scoop n’ Scootery in Arlington. It’s a little outside of downtown, but worth a visit. Also, if you are planning a trip to Harvard, you will already be heading in this direction.

• Go for a walk along Commonwealth Avenue Mall. This is another lovely stretch of greenway that starts near Boston common and offers plenty of shade, benches, and historic monuments.

Best day trips from Boston in the Summer:

• Take a day trip to a Maine beach town. If you have a car, taking a road trip along the coast of Maine is a great way to spend a sunny day. Ogunquit and Kennebunkport are two of the cutest Maine coastal towns that can be reached on a day trip from Boston. And if you don’t have access to a car, consider joining a group tour with New England Trips.

• Take a day trip to Salem. Salem is packed with witch trial history, and makes for a very interesting day trip. You can easily get there on Commuter Rail, or take a ferry from downtown Boston. Summer is the perfect time to visit because it won’t be overrun with tourists, like it is closer to Halloween. Check out my full Salem day trip guide for everything you need to know.

• Take a day trip to Cape Cod. This is another great option if you have the whole day free and the weather is nice. You can take 90 minute ferry from Long Wharf in Boston to Provincetown in the summer months. It is a great spot to enjoy the beach and some local seafood!

• Take a day trip to Providence, Rhode Island. Providence is another destination that can be reached from Boston via Amtrak or Commuter Rail in about an hour. Providence has a nice waterfront to take a walk along, some cool museums and shops, and lots of good food!

Hopefully this list of the best things to do in Boston in the summer has you inspired to plan your trip to Boston! I had a great time there, and I’m sure you will too. Happy travelling!

You may also like:

• Salem Day Trip From Boston