Who doesn’t love fall in Boston?! With cooler temperatures, cozy sweaters, beautiful leaves, and a variety of autumn adventures in store, Boston is at its best each autumn! Whatever you’re in the mood for, we’ve got you covered with 25 things to do in and around Boston this fall!
1. Go leaf peeping
You could adventure all over New England to view the fall foliage, but some of the best spots are right here in our own Boston backyard. I love visiting Boston Common, the Public Garden, and the Arnold Arboretum every autumn for my leaf-peeping fix.
2. Take a hayride
Many farms near Boston run hayrides each fall — some spooky and some tame. The Smolak Farms hayride is one of my favorites, and it runs every weekend in September and October.
3. Spend a day at a classic fall fair
The Topsfield Fair is your classic fall fair — with all the fair food, petting farms, rides, entertainment, pig races, and contests you can handle! Kicking off October 4 and wrapping up October 14, this fair is a popular one, so grab your tickets ahead of time and avoid the long lines.
4. Go apple picking
Is it really fall without apple picking? Orchards all over New England open up their farms every fall for all sorts of fall activities in addition to apple picking, like petting zoos, pedal carts, pumpkin bowling, bounce houses, and more!
5. Bike along the Charles River
Fall is the perfect time to bike the Esplanade! Check out this handy clickable map, then make stops at the many playgrounds, art installations, gardens, and historical sites as you bike around.
6. Get lost in a corn maze
Test your navigation skills at one of the many corn mazes near Boston! There’s a “mega maze” at Davis Farmland, and excellent mazes at Connors Farm and Honey Pot Hill Orchards.
7. Get spooked in Salem
There’s nothing like Salem in October. There are historic sites, museums, quirky shops, and “Hocus Pocus” landmarks. Then there’s the legendary Salem Haunted Happenings, a festival throughout October with events for the whole family, including a parade. Be prepared for massive crowds and tricky parking, though!
8. Visit a pumpkin patch
Many of the farms that offer apple picking also have pumpkin patches. Tyngsboro’s Parlee Farms grows more than 13 acres of pumpkins!
9. Watch the Head of the Charles Regatta
From October 18-20, stand at the edge of the Charles River and watch the world’s largest three-day rowing competition — since 1965, it has attracted hundreds of thousands of rowers!
10. Check out New England’s biggest fall fair
It’s New England’s biggest fall fair, and The Big E has tons of entertainment, food, animals, and rides from September 13-29.
11. Light up your night at Boston Lights
The Franklin Park Zoo is hosting its Boston Lights event through November 3 — and this year it’s bigger and brighter than ever. Spend the evening wandering through the zoo’s dazzling lantern displays, immersive walkthroughs, and enchanting interactive exhibits.
12. Get thyself to King Richard’s Faire
New England’s Renaissance festival — King Richard’s Fair — is entertaining for the whole family. There’s entertainment, rides, games, and signature food and drinks through October 20.
13. Explore the Boston Common
This city gem is so easy to take for granted. But it’s a true treasure for area families — all 50 acres of it! Pause for a picnic in America’s oldest public park and take in the colors of the changing leaves. Enjoy the many sculptures and memorials, and let the littles run free in the fields or at the playground!
14. Take a hike
What’s prettier than a hike with views of fall foliage? The best part is, you don’t have to go too far from home! These 10 family-friendly trails are all within two hours of Boston.
15. Stroll the Greenway
The Rose Kennedy Greenway covers 1.5 miles of park area that curves through Boston. The park is beautifully landscaped, with food trucks, a beer garden, and art exhibits along the way.
16. Go sky-high for the best views of Boston
View Boston is a 360-degree observation deck on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower. It offers breathtaking panoramic views no matter where you stand — what a way to view Boston’s changing fall leaves! Plus, there’s a restaurant and bar up there, too.
17. Pick up fresh apple cider donuts
You’ll find apple cider donuts at many New England apple orchards, but you can get this local delicacy at many Boston-area bakeries, too! Wilson Farm, Kane’s Donuts, Pizzi Farm, and Union Square Donuts all have delectable offerings, along with other seasonal delights.
18. Catch a football game at Harvard Stadium
If the thought of heading to Gillette with your family is daunting, consider catching a local Harvard football game right in Allston! Harvard Stadium is America’s first and oldest intercollegiate concrete stadium. Youth tickets go as low as $5 for some games, and there are many other promotions to make these games accessible to all!
19. Enjoy the spooky festivities at Six Flags
Take a ride out to Agawam and experience spooky fun for all ages at Six Flags Boo Fest from September 21 to November 3. There’s trick or treating, family-friendly rides, lawn games, pumpkin decorating, crafts, and more. Or, for the real thrill seekers, try the Fright Fest, with haunted houses, scare zones, and rides in the dark from September 21 to October 27.
20. Soak up local history in Plymouth
Fall is the perfect time to explore this outdoor interactive museum in Plymouth. You can get a feel for what life was like in a 17th-century English village, then visit historic Patuxet along the Eel River to learn about the Native peoples who have lived there for over 12,000 years.
21. Wander through historic Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill, nestled between the Charles River and the Boston Common, looks like a picturesque autumn New England postcard. Stroll along the cobblestone streets, admire the historic brownstones, or venture down Charles Street to pop into the many shops and restaurants. Be sure to stop in the cozy Beacon Hill Books & Cafe while you’re there.
22. Hop on a Ghosts and Gravestones Tour
While aboard this “trolley of terror,” you will hear stories about Boston’s spooky history, visit some of the city’s oldest graveyards, and explore Boston’s most haunted locations. This activity is not recommended for children under the age of 13.
23. Have a not-so-spooky Halloween adventure
If your family is looking for a less spooky Halloween event for the family, head over to Rocky Woods in Medfield on Saturday, October 26. There will be nature crafting, a full-moon hike, and s’mores around a campfire. Costumes that are safe for hiking are encouraged!
24. Sip on seasonal beer at Harpoon Octoberfest
Find a babysitter and head to Harpoon Brewery on October 4 and 5 for their 34th annual Octoberfest. There will be flowing taps, live music, pretzel-eating contests, and more under the open-air tents. For a family- and dog-friendly option, try their Dogtoberfest on October 6.
25. Cozy up with a cup of clam “chowda”
As the weather cools, warm up with a quintessential bowl of New England clam chowder. There are many restaurants with superb chowder on their menu, such as Union Oyster House, which has the distinction of being America’s oldest restaurant. Union Oyster House is located just outside Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and this creamy soup has been a mainstay on their menu since the 1800s.
