10 Things to Do in Boston in Summer

During the summer months, Boston dresses up to celebrate the 4th of July in style. Independence Day activities are always excellent and suitable for the whole family, as they include various types of attractions, such as parades, historical re-enactments, and fireworks.

There are so many things to see and do in Boston throughout the year, especially in summer, that you won't know which to choose. I'll help you plan your itinerary by telling you about the 10 must-see activities in Boston in summer.

Independence Day is the most important date in the United States, and all major cities have wonderful calendars of events to celebrate it. Boston is one of those cities. The events usually begin a few days before and generally culminate with an incredible fireworks display.

Throughout the week of 4 July, there are numerous Independence Day activities at Boston's best monuments. These events are for the whole family.

You can attend the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall Plaza, followed by a parade to Granary Burial Ground, where wreaths are laid on the graves of the patriots. After that, the parade continues to the Old State House. Activities include the annual opening ceremony at Faneuil Hall, historical re-enactments, live entertainment, and much more. See what Boston Harbourfest is all about in this video from the last edition held in 2019.

During the first days of July, as is the annual tradition, Downtown Crossing will host a wide variety of musical performances that are free and open to the public.

These concerts feature local bands that highlight Boston's multifaceted music scene.

Dozens of artists will perform live and take the stage to offer a varied programme for all tastes during the event.

The best time to visit Newbury Street is during the summer due to the weather. Newbury Street is Boston's outdoor shopping centre, so good weather is essential to enjoy it to the fullest. This avenue is about a mile long and is lined with quirky shops and cafés that are always bustling with people when the warm summer weather arrives.

Here you will find absolutely everything, from the most luxurious items to the cheapest. There is an incredible mix of high-end shops and vintage boutiques on Newbury, which means there is something for every type of shopper.

After all that walking and shopping, you can find a quiet place to rest and treat yourself to one of Boston's famous brunches at one of the many cafés in the area. You can explore Newbury Street virtually before your trip to see everything that's available there.

There are a huge number of food trucks in Boston, especially during the summer. While you can eat at a food truck at other times of the year, summer is when you'll find the most options, as many owners wait for good weather to start the season. You can look for local favourites, such as Clover Food Lab, if you're a fan of vegetarian fast food.

If, on the other hand, you prefer a tasty dish suitable for the most demanding meat-eaters, you can look for Roxy's Grilled Cheese & Burgers, creator of the famous "Nicki Minaj Burger", which you can eat all day long.

The locations of the trucks change frequently, so it's best to check the websites before you go. If you can't find the particular truck you were looking for, don't worry, most vendors also have physical locations. Check here for the Boston food truck calendar.

The summer weather is ideal for visiting one of Boston's many beaches. As a coastal city, Boston has quite a few beaches, both within the city limits and along the coast outside the city centre.

You can find beaches in Boston stretching from the east coast of the city (Carson Beach, Revere Beach, Constitution Beach) to the north coast (Wingaersheek Beach, Good Harbor Beach, Crane Beach), and also along the south coast (Duxbury Beach, Horseneck State Beach, Wollaston Beach).

Before planning your itinerary, I recommend consulting the official information about Boston's beaches so that you can better plan your visit.

Winter is long and very cold in Boston, which is perhaps why Bostonians love to be outdoors during the summer. There are many places that offer family-friendly films in parks during the summer.

Some of the best places to watch summer films outdoors under the stars in Boston are: The Hatch Shell, The Rose Kennedy Greenway, Prudential Centre South Lawn, and Boston Common, but there are many more options.

To enjoy these activities like a true Bostonian, don't forget to bring a blanket and snacks for your summer movie night under the stars in Boston.

These shows vary in location from year to year, but you can find them in Boston's major parks. It's best to check when you arrive to see which ones will be available this season. This is a free activity.

It gets very hot in Boston in the summer, so nearby water parks become popular destinations for splashing around and cooling off. Children of all ages love to slide and play on a hot summer day at these top destinations in Boston.

For younger children, sometimes a local water park or swimming pool is enough to make their day. Boston has quite a few places in the city where children can cool off and enjoy the water. One of the favourites among Bostonians is the Frog Pond wading pool, but there are many more to choose from.

The city of Boston has a large number of public swimming pools to keep you cool and entertained throughout the summer. If you want to plan your visit to the water parks in advance, you can consult this guide to water parks in Boston and the surrounding area, where you will find the characteristics of each one and up-to-date prices.

Since we're talking about summer and ways to cool off, tell me, who doesn't like an ice cream cone? The city of Boston has plenty of ice cream parlours, some of which have been around for several generations.

During the summer in Boston, there is an event that is ideal for those with a sweet tooth: the Boston Ice Cream Festival. This unique Boston event gives locals and visitors with a sweet tooth the opportunity to eat as much ice cream as they want. Another virtue of this event, besides satisfying your sweet tooth, is that it is held for charity, with all proceeds going to the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund.

Once you've finished sampling the amazing variety of ice creams, you can also vote for the best flavour from among the 30 options, many of which are truly original. What's more, there's nothing in the rules to say you can't come back every day of the event. Take advantage of this sensational event and find out all the details at the Boston Scooper Bowl Ice Cream Festival.

If you love sailing, the city of Boston is ideal for you. Along the Charles River harbour, Boston offers a wide range of sailing opportunities.

If you have enough time, Community Boating & Sailing offers affordable sailing lessons for beginners and advanced sailors on a variety of boats, and children can also take lessons and sail all summer long.

Another option is to enjoy sailing on one of the excellent boat tours and cruises that Boston has to offer.

During the summer, specifically during the month of July, many of Boston's activities focus on Independence Day and the history of the United States' path to freedom. One of these activities focused on historical events is the Freedom Trail, or as the locals call it, the Historic Freedom Trail.

If you are interested in history, this is an event you cannot miss. As you walk the Freedom Trail, you will delve into the historical events that led to Independence and experience more than 250 years of history in a single day.

You can explore Boston's iconic red line and enjoy special programmes and activities at the 16 official historic sites on the Freedom Trail. Most of the tours are led by guides dressed in 18th-century clothing. Boston is steeped in history, so I recommend checking out the best guided tours in Boston to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Summers in Boston are quite pleasant compared to other cities in the United States. Temperatures usually range between 21 and 27 degrees Celsius for most of the summer. Keep in mind that these months can be hot and sunny, but they can also be unbearably humid, and it is difficult to know what kind of weather you will experience. August is known to be the driest month, as it usually has the least rainfall of the entire year.

On the hottest days, it is recommended to leave the city and head to the beach: this is when the ocean is warmest, but it can still be quite cold for those who are not used to it. Night-time temperatures are pleasant at this time of year, ranging from 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Because Boston is a coastal city, there is usually a large influx of tourists during the summer. The wide range of water sports and beaches on offer makes Boston a very attractive destination in summer for foreign tourists, but also for many domestic tourists.

For this reason, it is advisable to book your tours well in advance so that you can do everything you want to do during your stay in the city. If you don't, you run the risk of them selling out. You can start by booking a guided tour of the city and then, once you know the basics, you can delve deeper into the places that caught your attention the most.

As a general rule, prices during the summer months tend to be higher in all major cities, and Boston is no exception. A good way to save money during your trip to Boston is to purchase a discount card for the city.

With these tourist passes, many of the attractions will be free and others will offer significant discounts. You will also receive discounts at restaurants, shops, and on transport.

Remember to pack comfortable, lightweight clothing for daytime tours. Don't forget to bring comfortable shoes if you plan on doing a lot of walking. There are many beaches and water parks to visit, so don't forget to pack your swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. Temperatures drop considerably at night, so you should also bring a coat.

For daytime tourist activities, there is no established dress code, so it is advisable to be as comfortable as possible. However, for evening activities such as the theatre, concerts or dinners in restaurants, it is better to wear slightly more formal clothing.

• Plan your trip in advance, as there are many things to see and do in Boston during the summer months. It is best to be proactive and plan your activities.
• Book the tours and activities you plan to do in Boston during the summer in advance. There is a large influx of tourists during these months, and it is best to secure tickets to attractions to avoid disappointment.
• Purchase a tourist pass. By purchasing atourist pass, you will be able to save a lot during your trip, as prices in Boston increase during the summer.
• If this is your first trip to Boston, it is a good idea to book a guided tour of the city to see the highlights. After this introductory tour, you can then explore the places that interest you most in more depth.
• When purchasing tickets for the various activities you plan to do, choose to do so through companies that specialise in selling these types of products.
• If you do not speak English, download a translation app to make your interactions with locals easier.
• Keep an eye out for seasonal sales that many shops hold in the last month of summer. You can find great deals on a wide range of products, from clothing to technology.
• As with any city you visit for the first time, avoid separating from your group during visits, and always carry a card with your hotel address and contact telephone number.
• At night, avoid going to places you don't know. As in all large cities in the United States, there are neighbourhoods that are not a very good option for walking around at night. It is a good idea to ask your guide about this to avoid entering dangerous areas.