Spring in Boston means open spaces abloom, not just with flowers, but with vibrant festivals; al fresco dining paired with a view and an ocean breeze; the electric finish of the Boston Marathon on Boylston Street and the roar of the crowd at Fenway Park; and, of course, the warmer weather we’ve all been waiting for. Here’s how to experience the very best of spring in Boston.
Take in the City's Spring Blooms
There’s only one way to describe Boston in the spring: absolutely gorgeous! Get outdoors and treat your senses to the city at its most radiant. Here are the top places to see spring blooms in Boston:
- Mount Auburn Cemetery
- Boston Public Garden, Boston Common & Commonwealth Avenue Mall
- Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
- Rose Kennedy Greenway
- Kelleher Rose Garden & Back Bay Fens
- The Emerald Necklace
- The Charles River Esplanade
- Arnold Arboretum
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Celebrate with a Festival
It’s festival season in Boston!
Plan a visit during some of the city’s most iconic spring celebrations, including Saint Patrick’s Day, the Boston Marathon, and Patriots’ Day, or immerse yourself in culture at the Japan Festival, Juneteenth celebrations, and the Boston Dragon Boat Festival.
Celebrate Pride Month with the Boston Pride for the People Parade and Festival in downtown Boston.
This June, Boston will come alive like never before as the city hosts the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Fans from around the world will descend on the city to experience the games, the energy, and the FIFA Fan Festival at City Hall Plaza. Don’t miss out on experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime event!
Browse our curated list of top Boston festivals to find the festival or celebration that’s perfect for you.
Explore Along the Charles River
Every spring itinerary deserves a stop along the Charles River. Winding its way through Boston and Cambridge, this urban oasis offers something for everyone. Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, cruise the water on a Boston Duck Tour, picnic along the Esplanade, attend a concert or fitness class at the Hatch Shell, or grab a drink at a seasonal beer garden.
Catch a Game
Spring and sports go hand in hand in Boston. From the return of the Red Sox at historic Fenway Park to the Bruins and Celtics battling for playoff spots and the New England Revolution taking the pitch at Gillette Stadium, the city’s spring sports scene is nothing short of legendary. Discover the upcoming matchups in Boston this spring. With the National Women's Soccer League back in the region, don’t miss Boston Legacy FC in action at Gillette Stadium.
Want to learn more about Boston’s sports scene? Visit The Sports Museum at TD Garden or take a Fenway Park tour.
Experience True Nostalgia on a Swan Boat Ride
Few experiences are as quintessentially Boston as a ride on a Swan Boat in the Public Garden. Enchanting locals and visitors since their first ride in 1877, the Swan Boats offer a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle and remain an enduring part of Boston’s cultural fabric. And with tickets priced at just under $5, it's one of the city's most affordable experiences, too!
Don’t miss Boston’s annual Duckling Day, a family-friendly celebration of the beloved children’s classic Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey.
Embark on a Walking Tour
Warmer and longer days are perfect for exploring Boston on foot. Follow the Freedom Trail along its iconic red brick path, stopping at the historic sites that shaped the last 250 years of America. Discover stories of struggle and perseverance along the Black Heritage Trail, or explore Boston’s innovative spirit on the Innovation Trail.
Upcoming celebrations like Women’s History Month, Saint Patrick’s Day, and Pride Month make spring the perfect time to wander the Women’s Heritage Trail, Irish Heritage Trail, or Equality Trail.
For a different perspective, try a Haunted Boston Ghost Tour through our historic streets, savor a Bites of Boston Food Tour or Off the Beaten Path Food Tour in the city’s tastiest neighborhoods, or explore one of Boston’s most unique tours.
Want to cover all of your bases on one tour? Hop on an Old Town Trolley Tour of Boston.
Score Tickets to a Show
Kick off spring with a night at the theater for an upcoming production from Broadway in Boston or the Boston Ballet. For music lovers, the city’s 72 music venues heat up almost every night of the week.
Looking to shake off the winter blues with laughter instead? Boston’s comedy clubs will have you laughing out loud.
As the weather warms, Boston’s outdoor music venues reopen for the season. Get tickets to a concert at Leader Bank Pavilion in the Seaport, take a short drive south to the Xfinity Center, or scream your lungs out under the stars at the Fenway Park Concert Series, where some of today’s biggest artists take the stage at historic Fenway Park.
Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
In spring, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s courtyard blossoms with cascades of nasturtiums, hydrangeas, Virginia sweetspire, and delphiniums.
Once the home of American art collector, philanthropist, and patron of the arts Isabella Stewart Gardner, this museum remains one of the most unique and beautiful in the world. Modeled after a 15th-century Venetian palazzo and centered around a stunning indoor courtyard garden, it houses one of the world’s most remarkable art collections, featuring works by Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Raphael, Degas, and Sargent. And, with the seasonal blooms filling the courtyard, there’s no better time to visit than this spring.
Dine Outdoors
There’s something about dining al fresco that makes everything taste better, right? By May 1, patios and rooftops across the city begin to reopen, so take your pick from Boston’s many restaurants offering outdoor dining.
Looking for something truly unique to Boston? Head to Sullivan’s on Castle Island, a South Boston landmark that has been serving locals and visitors for generations. Order a classic hot dog or cheeseburger, fried clam strips, a raspberry lime rickey, and, of course, a milkshake.
Sip a local brew under the sun at one of Boston’s breweries with outdoor seating, including Samuel Adams Boston Brewery in Jamaica Plain and Trillium in Fenway or Fort Point. Or toast the season at one of the city’s beloved outdoor beer gardens.
Cheer on the Marathon Runners
The city’s most iconic spring event, the Boston Marathon, takes place each year on Patriots’ Day. As one of the world's most famous road races, it draws more than 30,000 runners and 500,000 spectators, filling the city with undeniable excitement and pride.
Claim your spectator spot along the course, cheer runners on as they make their way to Boylston Street, grab a celebratory drink, and soak in the energy of Patriots’ Day in Boston.
Explore 2,300 Acres of Green Space
With nearly 300 parks and open spaces in and around the city, there's plenty of room to experience spring in all its glory. Stroll through the nation’s first public park on Boston Common, ride a Bluebike along the Charles River Esplanade, admire blooms in the Back Bay Fens, or wander through Franklin Park. Don’t miss Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum, a springtime favorite.
Looking for a day trip? Venture beyond the city to hike the Blue Hills Reservation, climb at Quincy Quarries Reservation, or take in coastal views along the World’s End Trail in Hingham.
