Best 8 Things To Do In Boston In The Summer
Thinking about seeing Beantown this summer? After spending 3 months in Boston in the summer of 2022, I have lots of recommendations and local secrets! I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the east coast last summer. It was so fun to learn more about the rich history of the city and experience their culture firsthand. Plus, the warm weather was a huge bonus!
Keep reading for my personal top 8 favorite things to do in the city. And don’t forget to click the button below to save all these spots to your Google Maps!
This post may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission for purchases made at no additional cost to you. I make sure to only link products and retailers that I use myself and recommend. Thank you for your support! Learn more.
The Back Bay is such a nice area; walking around here is a must! Tom Brady himself used to own a condo just a block away from Newbury Street. There are hundreds of cute boutique shops, brand name stores, coffee shops, dessert spots, restaurants and more lining the street. The 19th century brownstones (the building style as seen in the pic below) are gorgeous, and are a must-see while you’re in Boston.
2. Watch a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park
Boston fans go HARD when it comes to supporting Boston sports teams, and especially America’s favorite ballgame: baseball. Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox, is the oldest active ballpark in the US! It also has the only remaining manual scoreboard in left field.
Boston fans can get pretty rowdy, so watch out if you’re rooting for the opposite team! At our first Red Sox game, my friend Danny and I got these big green pins that said “My 1st Game!” We also got to meet Tessie, one of the mascots (see middle pic below). We had so much fun!
Bonus points for going to Bleacher Bar (featured in the 3rd pic)! This unique bar is located below the stands in center field, and gives fans a direct view of the game. It basically feels like you are on the field and part of the game, which is really fun. Definitely recommend checking it out either during or after the game!
3. Hang out at Christopher Columbus Park
Christopher Columbus Park is a public park just a short walk from the North End. They have this really pretty gazebo you can walk through and take photos in. You can then sit out by the water and have a picnic, relax, and watch the boats! There is also a little rose garden you can walk through. This is the perfect spot for a lowkey afternoon.
4. Watch the sunset at Chestnut Hill Reservoir
This is a bit further away from downtown Boston, but right at the end of the Green Line. Check out MBTA’s site for the current schedule and map. There is a beautiful 1.5 mile loop around the reservoir that is perfect for a sunset walk. Check out these views!
Afterwards, you can grab a nice bite to eat in Chestnut Hill or Brighton. The Shops at Chestnut Hill is an upscale shopping center, that has a lot of fantastic dining options. I recommend stopping by if you are already over in the area.
5. Get a lobster roll at James Hook
Let me tell you something; I tried a LOT of lobster rolls from many different restaurants over the 3 months I was in Boston. And James Hook & Co was BY FAR my favorite. Located on the waterfront, this is a great spot to stop for lunch. They have a retail store, where you can purchase fresh lobster and seafood, and a food truck outside where you can get lobster rolls!
6. Climb up to the Observation Deck at Independence Wharf
After grabbing a lobster roll and James Hook & Co, you can walk across the street to the Independence Wharf. This is a well-kept secret, but was one of the coolest places I visited over the summer so had to share! On the weekends, you just need to knock and security will let you inside and upstairs to the observation deck. Just check out these views of the harbor and the city!
7. Sip a cider at Downeast Cider House
I came here with my friend Mary on my last weekend in Boston and we had a blast! We took the Blue Line from downtown and came over to Piers Park. This is another great spot to watch the sunset, by the way! You can see the entire city skyline, it’s pretty incredible. During the warmer months, Downeast Cider House has an outdoor pop-up bar, serving their ciders on tap. It was a very popular spot, and we even made some friends here. The pop-up closes on the earlier side, around 8pm though, so make sure to get here early!
8. Grab a bite to eat at Quincy Market
Last but not least, the popular favorite Quincy Market! It originally opened in 1826, and is basically a giant food hall with over 50 different eateries and vendors. They also have a photo booth, if you are a fan of memorializing your Boston trip with an iconic photo strip.
Honestly, there are so many more spots in Boston you should make sure to check out while you’re there. Be sure to save down my Google Maps Collection to make it easier to see where everything is as you explore the city. Comment your favorite spot in Boston!
mariss
