Boston is the place to be if you want to experience the best of fall! Striking colors everywhere you look, crisp air, comfort food, and plenty of activities and fall-themed events are some of the things that make the fall season here so special. Fall in Boston offers a variety of options for unique pre- and post-event activities, and hands-on experiences to incorporate into your event. In this week’s blog we offer you six traditional New England activities to get you into the fall spirit and make your time in Boston truly unforgettable.
1. Apple Picking
In today’s hectic world, everyone can appreciate some time spent in the countryside, especially when it’s accompanied by hot apple cider and freshly-made apple cider donuts. And the best part: you don’t have to drive for hours! In this article, Boston Magazine provides you with a list of nine amazing apple orchards and all of them are less than an hour’s drive from Downtown Boston.
2. Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes
Whether you want to carve your pumpkins, bake them into a pie, or simply give your Instagram profile a fall makeover, Boston and the surrounding area has plenty of scenic pumpkin patches to choose from. Check out Mommy Nearest’s five suggestions (all of them are less than an hour away from the city).
And if you’re looking to get lost in an epic corn maze, this guide gives you 10+ options listed in order of distance from Downtown Boston.
3. Leaf Peeping
You don’t need to travel outside of the city to witness the famed New England fall foliage. There are plenty of spots in Boston and Cambridge that offer spectacular views and are easily accessible by foot or public transportation. Our top picks: Boston Public Garden, The Charles River Esplanade , Back Bay and Beacon Hill, Back Bay Fens, Arnold Arboretum, Mount Auburn Cemetery, and Harvard Yard.
And if you’re up for a short drive, consider visiting some of these gorgeous hiking spots and reservations: Blue Hill Reservation, Middlesex Fells Reservation, and more.
Also, check out this handy peak foliage map to make sure you catch the fall colors in all of their glory.
4. Visit Salem’s Haunted Happenings
Located about 17 miles outside of Boston, Salem is a prime Halloween destination for both New Englanders and tourists alike. Starting in September all the way through the first week of November, the city hosts the so called “Haunted Happenings”, a festive celebration of Halloween and fall in New England. Events include a Grand Parade, the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, Wicked Wednesdays family fun, film nights on Salem Common, costume balls, ghost tours, haunted houses, live music, and chilling theatrical presentations.
5. Boston Haunted Tours
As one might expect, Historic Boston is brimming with ghost stories and haunted locations, and Halloween season offers the perfect opportunity to explore the city’s chilling past. Boston has a number of highly-rated haunted tours ranging from family friendly to downright bone-chilling. Bostonguide.com rounds up some of the best ones here.
6. Brewery Tours & Events
And if spooky fall is not your thing, consider visiting one of the many Boston-area craft breweries and taste-testing some of their exclusive fall beers. We recommend Harpoon Brewery (a short 15-minute walk from BCEC) and Sam Adams Brewery (a legendary Boston establishment and one of the biggest beer producers in the country). Check out this article for more great suggestions.
Looking for more things to do in Boston? Check out our guide of What To Do for shopping, dining, arts & music, historic landmark, and sports & entertainment suggestions. Also check out our guide to the diverse neighborhoods of Boston.