10 Things to Do in Boston in Summer

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

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

Independence Day is the most important day in the country and all major cities have calendars of wonderful events to celebrate, Boston is one of those cities. The events usually start a few days before and usually culminate with an incredible fireworks display.

Throughout the week of the 4th of July, there are numerous Independence Day activities at Boston's best monuments, these events are family-friendly.

You can attend the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall Plaza, followed by a parade to the Granary Burial Ground, where wreaths are laid at the patriots' graves. After that, the parade continues to the Old State House. Activities include the annual opening ceremony at Faneuil Hall, historical reenactments, live entertainment and more. See what Boston Haborfest 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 variety of musical performances that will be 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 explore Newbury Street is during the summer due to the weather. Newbury Street is Boston' s outdoor shopping centre, so you'll need good weather to get the most out of your visit. This avenue, which is about a mile long, is lined with quirky shops and cafes that are always bustling with people when the warm summer weather arrives.

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

After all that walking and shopping you can find a quiet spot to rest and indulge in one of Boston's famous brunches at one of the many cafes in the area. You can explore Newbery Street virtually before your trip to see what's available.

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 of the owners wait for the good weather to start the season. 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 mouth-watering dish fit for the most demanding carnivorous palates, you can look for Roxy's Grilled Cheese & Burgers, author of the famous "Nicki Minaj Burger", which you can eat all day long.

Truck locations change frequently, so it's best to check the websites before you head out. If you can't find the particular truck you're looking for, don't worry, most vendors also have physical locations. Check here for a schedule of food trucks in Boston.

Summer weather is optimal for visiting one of Boston's many beaches. As a coastal city, Boston has plenty of beaches, both within the city limits and along the coastline 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 you consult the official information about Boston's beaches, so you can better plan your visit.

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

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

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

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

In the summertime it gets very hot in Boston, so nearby water parks become popular destinations for splashing and cooling off. Kids of all ages love to slide and play on a hot summer day at these quintessential Boston destinations.

For younger children, sometimes all it takes is a local water park or pool to brighten their day. Boston has plenty of places in the city where kids can cool off and enjoy the water. One of Bostonians' favourite spots is the Frog Pond paddling pool, but there are plenty more to choose from.

The city of Boston has a large number of public pools to keep cool and have fun all summer long. If you want to plan ahead for your visit to the water parks you can consult this guide to the water parks in and around Boston where you will find the characteristics of each one of them and the updated prices.

While we're on the subject of summer and ways to cool off, who doesn't love an ice cream cone? The city of Boston has plenty of ice cream parlours, some of which have been around for generations.

During the summer in Boston, there is a great event for those with a sweet tooth, the Boston Ice Cream Fest. This unique Boston event gives locals and visitors with a sweet tooth the opportunity to consume as much ice cream as they wish. Another virtue of this event, in addition to satisfying your gluttony, is that it is held for charity, with all proceeds going to the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund.

When you've finished sampling the amazing variety of ice cream, you can also vote for the best flavour from the 30 choices, many of which are truly original. Plus, there's nothing in the rules that says you can't come back every day of the event. Take advantage and enjoy this sensational event, find all the details of the Boston Scooper Bowl Ice Cream Party.

If you're a boating enthusiast, the city of Boston is ideal for you. Along the Charles River harbour, Boston offers a wide range of boating opportunities.

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

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

During the summer, more specifically during the month of July, many of Boston's activities are centred on Independence Day and the history of America's road to freedom. One such activity focusing 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 not to be missed. By walking the Freedom Trail, you'll delve into the historical events leading up to Independence and experience more than 250 years of history in a single day.

You'll get to explore Boston's iconic Red Line and also enjoy special programmes and activities at the Freedom Trail's 16 official historic sites. Most tours are led by guides dressed in 18th-century costume. Boston breathes history, so I recommend you take a look at the best history tours in Boston to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Boston's summers have a fairly pleasant climate compared to other cities in the United States. Temperatures tend to 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's hard to know what kind of weather you'll experience. August is known to be the driest month, as it tends to have the least rainfall of the year.

During the hottest days, it's best to get out of the city and head for the beach - the ocean is at its warmest, but it can still be quite chilly for those who aren't used to it. Evening temperatures are pleasant at this time of year, hovering around 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

As Boston is a coastal city, the summer season is usually very busy. The city's many water sports and beach options make Boston a very attractive summer destination 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 as much or as little as you want during your stay in the city. If you don't, you run the risk of selling out. You can start by booking a guided tour of the city and after getting to know the basics, you can go deeper into the places that caught your attention.

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 buy a city discount card.

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

Remember to pack light and comfortable clothes for the day's walks. Don't forget to bring comfortable shoes if you plan to do a lot of walking. There are plenty of beaches and water parks to visit so don't forget to pack your swimming costume, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Temperatures drop considerably at night so it' s a good idea to pack warm clothes too.

For daytime sightseeing activities, there is no set dress code, so it is advisable to be as comfortable as possible. However, for evening activities, such as theatre, concerts or restaurant dinners, it's best to wear more formal clothing.

• Plan your trip ahead, there are many things to see and do in Boston during the summer months. It's best to plan ahead 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.
• Buy a sightseeing pass card. By purchasing a tourist pass you will be able to save a lot during your trip as prices in Boston increase during the summer.
• If it's your first trip to Boston , it's a good idea to take a guided tour of the city to see the highlights. After you've done this preliminary reconnaissance tour, you'll be able to go deeper into the places you're most interested in.
• When it comes to buying tickets for the different activities you're going to do, choose to do so through companies specialising in the sale of this type of product.
• If you don't speak English, download a translation app to make your interactions with the locals easier.
• Keep an eye out for seasonal sales in the last month of summer, where you can find great deals on a wide range of products, from clothing to technology.
• As in any city you are visiting for the first time, avoid getting separated from your group during visits, and always carry a card with the address of the hotel and a contact telephone number.
• At night, avoid going to places you don't know. As in all major cities in the United States, there are neighbourhoods that are not a good option for night-time sightseeing. It is advisable to ask your guide about this to avoid going into dangerous places.