After living in Boston for nearly a decade, I can confidently say that summer is one of my favorite times to be in the city. Boston really comes alive once the weather warms up. Patios fill up, everyone heads outside, the Esplanade is packed with people walking and running along the river, and there’s something happening almost every weekend.
One of the things I love most about Boston is how walkable it is, which makes summer the perfect time to explore different neighborhoods, spend an afternoon along the water, or simply grab an iced coffee and see where the day takes you.
Whether you’re visiting Boston for the first time, planning a summer weekend in the city, or live nearby and want a few ideas for your own Boston summer bucket list, these are some of my favorite things to do in Boston in the summer.
The Best Things To Do in Boston in the Summer
1. Walk Along the Charles River Esplanade
A walk along the Charles River Esplanade is easily one of my favorite ways to spend a beautiful summer day in Boston. The Esplanade stretches along the Charles River and gives you some of the best views of Cambridge and the city skyline.
Grab an iced coffee and go for a walk, bring a book and find a spot by the water, or head over around sunset when the temperatures start to cool down. It’s also a great place to run or bike if you want to fit in a workout while you’re visiting.
2. Spend an Afternoon in the Boston Public Garden
The Boston Public Garden is beautiful year-round, but I especially love it during the summer when everything is green and in bloom. Take your time walking through the garden, sit by the lagoon, or take a ride on the iconic Swan Boats. From here, you’re also in the perfect location to continue exploring some of my favorite parts of the city, including Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and Newbury Street.
If you’re visiting Boston for the first time, I definitely recommend adding the Public Garden to your itinerary.
3. Walk Around Beacon Hill and Charles Street
Beacon Hill is one of those Boston neighborhoods I never get tired of walking around. Between the brick sidewalks, historic brownstones, and flower-filled window boxes, it’s especially pretty during the summer.
Start around Charles Street and pop into some of the shops, grab a coffee, and give yourself time to wander through the surrounding side streets. You can easily pair a morning in Beacon Hill with the Public Garden or walk over to the Esplanade afterward. And yes, Acorn Street is beautiful, but there are so many other pretty streets in Beacon Hill that are worth exploring, too.
4. Have a Picnic on the Esplanade
Instead of simply walking along the Charles, make an afternoon out of it by packing a picnic. Pick up sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and something fun to drink before finding a grassy spot along the Esplanade. Bring a blanket, a book, or a deck of cards and spend a few hours by the river.
This is one of those simple summer activities that makes you appreciate being in the city without needing to have a packed itinerary.
5. Spend an Afternoon in the South End
The South End is one of my favorite Boston neighborhoods and such a good place to spend a slower summer afternoon. Walk around the neighborhood and admire all of the beautiful brownstones, browse the local shops, and stop somewhere for brunch, lunch, or drinks. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, this is also the perfect time to add the SoWa Open Market to your plans.
The South End has so many great restaurants that you could also plan your afternoon around an early dinner reservation and explore the neighborhood beforehand.
6. Take the Ferry to the Boston Harbor Islands
If you want to escape the city without actually going very far, take the ferry out to one of the Boston Harbor Islands. Spectacle Island is a great option for a summer day. You can walk the trails, pack a picnic, spend some time by the water, and take in incredible views of Boston Harbor and the skyline.
The ferry ride itself is also part of the fun, especially on a sunny day. It’s such an easy way to make a regular summer weekend feel a little more like a vacation.
7. Walk the Boston Harborwalk
Another way to spend time along the water is walking part of the Boston Harborwalk. The Harborwalk winds along Boston’s waterfront and connects different neighborhoods and attractions throughout the city. I love that you can make as much or as little of an itinerary out of it as you want.
Start downtown, walk toward the Seaport, stop somewhere for lunch or drinks, and take your time enjoying the harbor views along the way. It’s particularly nice in the late afternoon when you can eventually settle in somewhere for dinner.
8. Go to a Red Sox Game at Fenway Park
You don’t have to be a huge baseball fan to appreciate a summer night at Fenway. Going to a Red Sox game is one of those classic Boston summer activities that everyone should experience at least once. There’s just something about walking into Fenway Park, grabbing a drink and something to eat, and watching a game on a warm summer night.
I also love making an evening out of it by grabbing an early dinner or drinks around Fenway before heading into the game.
9. Kayak or Paddleboard on the Charles River
If you want to see Boston from a completely different perspective, spend an afternoon on the Charles River. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and head out onto the water for incredible views of both the Boston and Cambridge skylines. Even if you’ve walked along the Charles dozens of times, experiencing it from the water feels completely different.
This is also such a fun activity for a summer date or something different to do when friends are visiting.
10. Spend a Sunday at the SoWa Open Market
One of my favorite ways to spend a summer Sunday in Boston is wandering around the SoWa Open Market in the South End. You can browse local makers, artists, vintage finds, food vendors, and more, and it’s easy to spend a few hours walking around. Grab a coffee before you go, browse the market, and then stop somewhere nearby for brunch, lunch, or a drink afterward.
I particularly love this if you’re looking for something to do that feels a little more local and less like checking another tourist attraction off your list.
11. Walk the Freedom Trail
Yes, it’s one of the most touristy things you can do in Boston, but the Freedom Trail is popular for a reason. The trail takes you through some of the most historic parts of the city, and even after living in Boston for years, I still think it’s such a great way to explore. You definitely don’t need to tackle the entire thing at once, either.
Pick a section, take your time walking around, and stop for food, coffee, or drinks along the way. It’s also a good option if you’re showing friends or family around Boston for the first time.
12. Spend an Evening in the North End
The North End is always a good idea, but I especially love it on a summer evening. Head over for dinner, walk around the neighborhood afterward, grab dessert, and then wander toward the waterfront. The streets are always lively during the warmer months, which makes it such a fun area to experience at night.
There are plenty of incredible Italian restaurants to choose from, so I usually recommend making a reservation somewhere for dinner and leaving enough time before or afterward to explore.
13. Have Dinner Outside
If there’s one thing you should take advantage of during a Boston summer, it’s patio season. After months of New England winter, Boston fully embraces outdoor dining once warmer weather arrives. Some of my favorite summer nights in the city have involved nothing more than finding a great patio, ordering dinner and a drink, and spending a few hours outside.
You’ll find outdoor dining throughout Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the South End, Seaport, and plenty of other Boston neighborhoods.
14. Spend an Afternoon in the Seaport
The Seaport is another easy place to spend an entire summer afternoon. Walk along the waterfront, browse the shops, stop for lunch, and grab drinks somewhere outside. There are often seasonal events and pop-ups happening throughout the neighborhood during the summer, too, so it’s worth checking what’s going on before you head over.
I particularly like the Seaport when you’re with a group because there are so many restaurants, bars, and things to do within a relatively small area.
15. Take a Sunset Cruise or Harbor Cruise
Boston is surrounded by water, so one of the best ways to see the city in the summer is from the harbor. Book a harbor cruise during the day or, even better, around sunset. You’ll get beautiful views of the skyline and Boston Harbor while doing something that feels completely different from your typical dinner or drinks plans.
This would be especially fun for a summer date night, girls’ night, or when you have friends visiting from out of town.
16. Walk Around Back Bay and Newbury Street
If your ideal summer afternoon involves a little shopping, coffee, and aimless wandering, head to Back Bay. Walk down Newbury Street and pop into the shops, grab an iced coffee, and then make your way toward Commonwealth Avenue Mall and the Public Garden.
This is another area where you really don’t need much of a plan. There are plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby, so you can easily turn a few hours of shopping into an entire afternoon or evening.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Boston in the Summer?
Boston summers typically run from June through August, and each month has something slightly different to offer.
June is one of my favorite times to be in the city because you usually get warm weather without quite as much midsummer heat. July and August are peak summer and perfect for spending time by the water, eating outside, going to Red Sox games, and taking advantage of all of the seasonal activities happening around Boston.
Summer weekends can get busy, especially around popular attractions, so I recommend making dinner reservations and booking any ticketed activities ahead of time when you can.