Fall Foliage in Boston

Boston Common

Boston Common, established in 1634, is the nation's first public park and a cherished landmark of Boston. Boston Common features ballparks, a playground, several monuments, including the Embrace, Soldiers and Sailors, and Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment monuments, and plenty of green space for your next picnic, study session, workcation meeting, or family outing. If you're looking to book tours, buy souvenirs, or get general information on Boston, the Boston Common Visitor Center is open daily on the Tremont Street side of the park. And if you're interested in walking The Freedom Trail, the starting point is just outside the visitor center.

Learn more about the Boston Common here.

Boston Public Garden

Founded in 1837, adjacent to Boston Common, is the country's first public botanical garden. The Boston Public Garden features ornate fencing, meticulously groomed flower beds, an 1860s bridge over the lagoon that's perfect for your next Instagrammable moment, tree-lined pathways with benches, and public art, including the Duckling Sculpture, a statue of George Washington, the Ether fountain, and more.  Like the Common, the Garden's location makes it the perfect stop whether you're exploring the streets of Beacon Hill, shopping on Newbury Street in the Back Bay, or dining in the North End. Just steps from the Public Garden, you can stroll through the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, a 32-acre French boulevard-style mall that links the Public Garden to the Back Bay Fens. 

Learn more about the Boston Public Garden here.

Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum, a jewel in the Emerald Necklace, was the first public arboretum in the United States.  Through a partnership with Harvard University and the City of Boston, the Arnold Arboretum's 281 acres in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale act as a living museum dedicated to woody plants. In fact, the Arboretum's 15,000 trees, shrubs, and vines are one of the most comprehensive and well-documented collections of temperate woody plants in the world. 

Learn more about the Arnold Arboretum here.

Jamaica Pond

Nestled within the diverse Jamaica Plain neighborhood, you might forget you're in a city after visiting Jamaica Pond. A kettle lake formed by an ancient glacier, Jamaica Pond was once a summer resort area for the wealthiest Bostonians in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Today, the 68-acre pond is accessible to all Bostonians and offers a boathouse with facilities for sailing and rowing, a 1.5-mile path perfect for joggers and walkers, and fields ideal for a picnic with family or friends. 

Learn more about Jamaica Pond here.

Franklin Park

Connecting the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, and Roslindale, Franklin Park is the perfect stop as you explore Boston's 23 diverse neighborhoods. Featuring miles of hiking trails, recreation facilities, and attractions like Scarboro Pond, the 99 Steps and Ellicott Arch, old Franklin Park Zoo Bear Dens, The Wilderness, and the William J. Devine golf course, the park is a must-visit whether you're a local or a visitor. The park's most beloved attraction is the Franklin Park Zoo, home to hundreds of exotic animal species like the African Lion, Western Lowland Gorilla, and Spotted Hyena. 

Learn more about Franklin Park here.

Rose Kennedy Greenway

Born out of the Big Dig, the Rose Kennedy Greenway is one of Boston's newest public parks. Stretching along the path of the old elevated Central Artery, the Greenway is a testament to urban revitalization, transforming a six-lane highway into a lush green space running from Chinatown to the North End. The 1.5-mile-long string of parks has become a hub of cultural and social activities, including rotating public art, the Greenway Carousel, fountains, multiple Farmers' Markets, the Greenway Food Truck program, and events throughout the year. 

Learn more about the Greenway here.

Christopher Columbus Park

Just a short walk from the North End along Boston's waterfront is Christopher Columbus Park. The park features grassy lawns perfect for picnicking and a playground that the kids will love.

Learn more about Christopher Columbus Park here.

The Charles River Esplanade

The Charles River Esplanade is arguably one of Boston's most Instagrammable spots. Stretching three miles on the Boston side of the Charles River, the Esplanade provides picturesque views of the Boston skyline, Charles River, and Cambridge. The park features three unique playgrounds, multiple murals, recreation facilities, and plenty of green space and paths perfect for your next walk, bike, run, or outdoor fitness class. If you're looking for a unique location for a picnic in Boston, the Hatch Shell and the Esplanade's five docks are the perfect spots! 

Learn more about the Charles River Esplanade here.

Back Bay Fens

Originally created as part of the Emerald Necklace as a way to replicate the natural ecology of this tidal marsh, the Back Bay Fens is now a green escape close to some of Boston's leading cultural institutions - Fenway Park, Museum of Fine Arts, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The Fens is home to several attractions including the Kelleher Rose Garden, a hidden gem with over 200 varieties of rose bushes, the Fenway Victory Gardens, a community garden that is the only remaining continuously-operating World War II Victory Garden in the nation, the Korean and Vietnam War memorials, ball fields, a playground, and numerous paths for you to explore. The Fens are also home to an unusual range of bird species, making it the perfect place for bird watching.

Learn more about the Back Bay Fens here.

Mount Auburn Cemetery

Founded in 1831, the 175-acre Mount Auburn Cemetery is America's first garden cemetery. Located in Cambridge, Mount Auburn was designed not only as a resting place for the deceased but also as an attraction and pleasure ground for Victorian-era tourism. Today, the cemetery acts as a public park, arboretum, and wildlife sanctuary that features over 5,500 trees, shrubs, and plants from around the world, peaceful ponds, numerous statues, breathtaking mausoleums, and awe-inspiring views of Boston and Cambridge. As you explore, be on the lookout for famous graves of notable figures like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Julia Ward Howe, and Charles Sumner.

Learn more about Mount Auburn Cemetery here.

Cambridge Common

What was once the site of George Washington's first troop camp during the Revolutionary War is now a public park next to Cambridge's bustling Harvard Square. This beloved local park welcomes over 10,000 pedestrians and cyclists to its paths each day and is an urban sanctuary for locals and tourists looking for a spot to grab lunch outside, relax under a tree, or take the kids to the playground. The Common features notable monuments, including a plaque representing where the "Washington Elm" once stood, three abandoned cannons dedicated to Revolutionary War figures, and the Irish Famine Memorial. 

Learn more about Cambridge Common here.

Concord & Lexington, and more

For a sublime day of recreation, consider hiking or biking the Minuteman Trail, a ten-mile stretch that passes through towns with rich literary and Revolutionary War Era history. Hop on the Liberty Ride trolley and learn the history of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, narrated by tour guides in colonial costumes. The 90-minute tour will take you to notable landmarks, such as the Concord Museum and Emerson House. Consider booking a fall foliage and history day trip from Boston with New England Trips or a half a day trip with Don Quijote Tours to experience the beauty of these historic towns. Stay the night at the Inn at Hastings Park and treat yourself to a phenomenal dining experience at their on-site restaurant, Town Meeting. Spend the day leaf-peeping on Nashua River Rail Trail in Groton and rest up at the Groton Inn. Continue a little farther west to Wachusett Mountain for big events and festivals such as AppleFest and the Fall Food Truck Festival.

Explore more destinations West of Boston here.

Salem

With Halloween around the corner, it's the perfect time to visit Salem. Check out the popular Salem Witch Museum and learn how the town earned its aptly named moniker Witch City. If you're visiting in October, plan to attend Salem's annual Haunted Happenings. Widely regarded as one of the largest Halloween celebrations on Earth, from Halloween balls to ghost tours, and their Grand Parade, this event brings a plethora of events to enjoy daily. Book a highly sought after day trip to Salem with FTI Coach to experience Salem’s Haunted Happenings with ease. Tickets stop selling mid-September so be sure to plan ahead. Arrive by boat, as the early settlers did, on a Boston Harbor City Cruise and learn the true story behind the peculiar happenings of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. If you’re looking for a shorter trip, consider a half a day trip with Don Quijote Tours, exploring both Salem and Marblehead. Art and culture aficionados will want to spend time at the Peabody Essex Museum to peruse its collections highlighting three centuries of maritime history and Asian trade.

Explore our day trip to Salem guide for more ideas on things to do in Salem and how to get there.

Gloucester & Rockport

Escape the hustle and bustle of Boston for a day in the harbor town of Gloucester, America’s oldest seaport renowned for commercial fishing and whale watching. Stop by the Hammonds Castle Museum and enjoy the beauty of the castle grounds and rocky Atlantic coast. Book a Don Quijote Tour and spend the day exploring the North Shore, including Marblehead, Salem, Gloucester, and Rockport. Stay the weekend at the Beauport Hotel, a boutique waterfront setting on Cape Ann. Hop aboard the luxurious dinner ship, the Beauport Princess, and spend some time cruising the Historic Gloucester Harbor. Nearby is the charming seaside town of Rockport, home to one of the oldest art colonies in America. Known for its quirky galleries on Main Road and Bearskin Neck, Rockport has inspired artists since Winslow Homer.

Quincy

 If you’re heading south of Boston, consider a stop in Quincy. There are a variety of things to do in this picturesque city by the bay. Stroll around Marina Bay and catch a glimpse of the beautiful Boston skyline from afar or walk Wollaston Beach to savor the last traces of summer. Drive inland towards Adams National Historical Park, the homes of two past Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Perfect your game at Granite Links, a semi-private golf club located in the scenic Quarry Hills. Take some time to explore the scenic trails and stunning skyline views of the Blue Hills Reservation. Afterward, enjoy a comfortable stay at the Quincy Marriott, conveniently located just a five-minute drive away, and end your evening at the Hull and Mason Restaurant and Bar located within the Marriott.

Plymouth

Just a few miles farther south is Plymouth, the site of the first pilgrim settlement in the country. Find out how Native Americans and Pilgrims lived at Plimoth Patuxet Museums in a detailed walking tour through a re-created 17th-century village. If you get a chance, take a leaf peeping, casual stroll through the charming Brewster Gardens, located in Brook, Plymouth. The garden is filled with lush plants, statues and rolling lawns with a picturesque trail running alongside the stream. Reserve a Plymouth Day Trip with New England Trips and embark on a journey through time as you explore numerous historical sites in the charming South Shore cities and towns, including Quincy, Weymouth, and beyond, until finally reaching “America’s Hometown” Plymouth MA. Opt for a shorter adventure and book a half-day trip with Don Quijote Tours to explore Plymouth Rock, the Plantation, and more. Seaport lovers will also appreciate New Bedford, a city lined with historic squares, cobblestone streets and intriguing attractions such as the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Palmer’s Island Lighthouse, and Battleship Cove.