The best time to visit Boston is in the late spring and early fall. In these shoulder season months, we’ll get to experience warm weather without the humidity and crowds of the peak summer months.
Boston has snowy winters and hot summers with thunderstorms. From our visits, we’ve discovered that the weather can be temperamental year-round here. We suggest always preparing for a little rain when traveling to Massachusetts’s capital city.
As winters are cold, Boston has lots of indoor activities; even if you visit when the weather isn’t great, we know you’ll still find plenty to fill up your itinerary. Of course, we believe that Boston’s highlights shine most in the warmer months when you can enjoy being outside in comfortable temperatures.
Boston is fantastic for offering travelers four distinct seasonal experiences. Work out when to visit and pick the best month and season to travel with our complete Boston weather guide, including our recommendations for what to expect and what to see & do…
Weather in Boston
By season
Spring
From our experience, the weather in Boston can be unpredictable at the start of spring. March and April are Boston’s shoulder season, with risks of snow, rain, and colder temperatures.
While visiting Boston in spring, we’d recommend keeping your plans spontaneous. You might get a pleasant day on the Freedom Trail, or you might be forced to make a last-minute museum visit to escape the rain.
By May, we approach Boston’s high tourist season. Signs of spring start to show with flowers in bloom and vibrant displays at the Rose Kennedy Garden and Back Bay.
In late spring, temperatures will be pleasant during the day, so you’ll need fewer layers than in winter. The evenings, however, are still chilly. We’d suggest bringing along some warm outerwear.
The rain starts to ease towards the end of spring, giving you more days to enjoy the outdoors. And, of course, since Boston is a major university city, expect it to be busy with college graduations at this time of year.
Summer
We see temperatures in Boston peak in the summer months. In summer, we’d suggest planning any active sightseeing for the mornings before the heat of the day sets in.
You’ll want to take a hat and sunscreen if you’re taking part in any walking tours. We’ve noticed on our summer trips to Boston that rain is less likely in the mornings, so it’s not as risky to plan your outdoor activities for this time of day.
Luckily, in the hot summer weather, Boston’s waterfront location offers plenty of fun ways to cool down. If we had the choice, we’d spend our summer afternoons on cruises around the harbor, at the beach, or on whale-watching tours.
A lot of the students have left for the summer. But at this time of year, Boston experiences a rush of family tourism.
The city also comes alive with street markets and art festivals. If you’re a foodie, we’d suggest taking part in North End Feasts, a summer-long celebration of Boston’s Italian American food and culture in the North End neighborhood.
With long days and warm temperatures into the late evening, we think summer is the perfect time to make the most of Boston’s outdoor social scene. We love spending our time indulging in all the al fresco eating & drink options around the South Boston Waterfront and in Downtown Boston.
Fall
Fall is a beautiful time to visit Boston, with vivid autumnal foliage woven throughout the city. In our experience, the warm colors of the leaves and the varied architecture give Boston a cozy, old-world atmosphere.
In fall, the air is crisp, but the days are sunny and dry, making this one of our favorite times to get out and explore this fabulous walking city. Autumn is a great season to get into the heart of Boston to explore its historical sights and natural urban spaces. Only caveat: We’d recommend packing multiple layers as temperatures can fluctuate in and out of the sun.
When we’ve planned trips here, we often start to see the accommodation prices rising at the peak of the fall, with events like the Head of Charles Regatta drawing big crowds to the area.
Sports lovers will be in heaven with the baseball season coming to a close and the hockey, basketball, and football seasons starting to ramp up.
(As lifelong Maple Leafs fans, though, we refuse to suggest buying Boston Bruins tickets and cheering on the home team! 😹)
Winter
If you’re looking for a white Christmas, Boston’s not a bad choice. It’s a charming time to visit, with twinkling lights and frosty cobblestoned streets.
But that doesn’t come without its drawbacks. Winters in Boston are also cold, with temperatures dropping to near freezing at night.
And we have to warn you: From our experience, the idea of a romantic winter wonderland may look more like a slushy mess! Pack your warmest winter coat and waterproof boots to avoid ending your days cold and wet.
We’ll take a guess and say that you probably won’t want to experience the delights of exploring Boston on foot at this time of year. The city has a great public transport network, though, so you should still have no problem discovering some of Boston’s top sights, particularly some of our favorite Boston museums.
A lot of outdoor attractions, like the swan boats in the Public Garden in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, shut down for the winter, but you can take part in cozy seasonal activities.
Need some ideas? We recommend going ice skating, shopping at the holiday markets, or watching a live performance of The Nutcracker at the Citizens Opera House in the Boston Theater District.
By month
January
From our experience, January is the cheapest and quietest time to visit Boston. The bad weather has chased away most visitors, and we can often score luxury accommodation at low-season prices.
The bad news? It’s the coldest month to visit the area. We see average temperatures sitting just below freezing, and the average snowfall is 13 inches. Prepare for icy streets and lots of hot chocolate breaks.
If you can tough out the cold weather, though, we think January is the ideal time to enjoy Boston’s buzzing theatre season or warm up with hearty Italian food in Little Italy.
February
Although slightly warmer than January, February in Boston is still frosty. Daily highs reach the high 30s and the low 40s by the end of the month. The amount of snowfall varies each year, but, in our experience, the average is around five days of snow.
With colorful events like Chinese New Year and the New England Boat Show, expect plenty of life to be injected into those winter blues. While we can’t claim it’s as comfortable as the summer months, wrap up warm and enjoy some of Boston’s top historical tours without the crowds.
March
The weather in March can be mixed and gets warmer towards the end of the month. It’ll probably snow in the first couple of weeks, but it’s unlikely to settle.
We see average temperatures increase from the low 40s to the low 50s by the end of March. Boston’s coastal location brings cold rain and lots of wind. We’d recommend packing waterproof clothing and plenty of layers, so you’re prepared to brave the elements.
If you make it outside in March, the leafless trees provide great views of the city’s period architecture. Even better, get a taste of Boston’s Irish heritage with the South Boston St Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Film Festival taking place this month.
April
April is the wettest month of the year in Boston. Around half of the days will have rainfall, usually averaging 100mm. As temperatures increase to an average high of 56°F, we see people starting to emerge from hibernation and spend more time outdoors.
Flowers start to bloom again, making this an idyllic time to spend time in the great selection of city parks. We’d suggest taking this opportunity to try the swan boat rides at the Boston Public Garden without the queues. Enjoy iconic events like the Boston Marathon and the Patriots’ Day Battle Reenactment in nearby Lexington, MA.
May
In our opinion, May is a great month to visit Boston. Temperatures reach the low 70s by the end of the month, providing pleasant weather to walk Boston’s top tourist trails.
May will still have rainfall, but the showers are much lighter than the downpours of April, averaging around 80mm.
In May, we find the city in bloom, with colorful flower displays filling the Public Garden and Rose Kennedy Garden.
Memorial Day brings lots of fun events, including the Boston Calling Music Festival, but many locals leave town for a few days; you may benefit from smaller crowds and easier access to events and activities.
June
Things start heating up in Boston in June, with average daily highs reaching 80°F. We’ll notice less rainfall, but the humidity ramps up, reaching an average of 75%.
With 15 hours of daylight, you have plenty of time to get out and explore all the city has to offer in June. Evenings get warmer, too, so you’ll only need a light sweater while walking around at night.
Boston’s most popular beaches start to open again in June, but, in our experience, the water may still be too cold to do more than a quick dip. Feel the wind in your hair by sailing in the harbor or renting a boat on the Charles River.
July
July is the hottest month in Boston, with temperatures in the low 80s and humidity around 73%. Expect shady and waterside locations to be crowded with locals and tourists seeking shelter from the heat.
While sightseeing, you’ll usually be comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt, but we often see things cool off slightly in the evenings.
From spending time in Boston in summer, we think July is a pleasant time to enjoy the city’s open-air concerts and festivals. Independence Day brings back the popular Boston Harborfest. The unique festival involves parades, performances, and spectacles to celebrate Boston’s rich history.
August
August is another hot month in Boston. We often see humidity peaking in the morning at 82% and average daily highs of 82°F. The beaches are popular in August, both for the cooler sea breeze and because the water temperatures are at their warmest.
Hotel rates remain high, but August Adventures offers you one free admission per day to some of our favorite Boston attractions. Or take part in Dine Out Boston, where some of the tastiest restaurants in the city offer discounted 3-course meals.
September
September is another popular month to visit Boston, thanks to sunny, dry days without the summer humidity. We experience average high temperatures in the mid to high 70s, with around 20 days of sunshine.
Signs of fall emerge towards the end of September, with golden colors lingering on the trees. Get into the fall spirit with plenty of seasonal adventures.
Spend sunny days picking your own apples or getting lost in the corn maze. Visit traditional farmers’ markets like SoWa Open Market or—more to our own travel preference!—head to one of the city’s cider taprooms for a taste of the best New England brews.
October
October is the most popular time to visit Boston, which also makes it among the most expensive. From our experience in planning fall trips here, many of our favorite hotels in Boston will be charging peak rates in October. We recommend booking further in advance.
We start to see things cool off in October, with average temperatures in the 60s. With around 12 rainy days, we’d caution you to expect to get some wet weather during your stay.
Now, our main reason to suggest visiting at this time of year!
The fall foliage is at its most stunning in October, with reds and golds framing the views of the historical city. See it from all the best angles at some of Boston’s top outdoor events. Every year, thousands of people attend the Head of the Charles Regatta, one of the largest regattas in the world.
November
Temperatures in Boston plunge in November, with average daily highs sinking to 47°F. Surprisingly, there are still some traces of the golden fall leaves, but you won’t be getting out as often to enjoy them.
November is the second wettest month of the year in Boston, so make sure you pack an umbrella. Mornings start comfortably, but the afternoons bring cold winds and rain; we’d recommend dressing in layers to prepare for all weather.
Get in the holiday mood on the Holiday Lights Trail in Downtown Boston. You can shop for unique artisan gifts under the shelter of the World Trade Center at the South Boston Waterfront.
December
December is cold and unpredictable, with average highs and lows spanning from 41°F to 28°F. Expect intense winds and anything from torrential downpours to muddy sleet to flurries of snow. With short days and freezing nighttime temperatures, we’d advise you to wrap up warm clothing and spend much more time indoors.
Although we’ve yet to attend, the most popular December event is the Boston Tea Party Reenactment. The iconic festival features a theatrical meeting, march, and recreation of this significant event in period costumes.
