Boston

Boston is the place to walk through colonial and Revolutionary history, then see Harvard across the river or catch a game at Fenway Park.

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Boston is the capital of Massachusetts, on the Atlantic coast of the northeastern United States. Many of its best-known sites date to the colonial period and the American Revolution. The Freedom Trail is a marked route of about 2.5 miles through downtown. A red line painted on the sidewalk guides you from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown, passing historic sites along the way.

Boston suits first-time visitors who want to walk and see history, universities and sports on one trip. Harvard is across the Charles River in Cambridge, and Fenway Park sits a short ride west of downtown. The city is compact, but where you sleep still decides how much of each day goes to getting around. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for walking. Two to three days is enough for the core sights at an easy pace.

Boston in five

Walk the Freedom Trail in a morningThe red line on the sidewalk links 16 historic sites over about 2.5 miles, from Boston Common to Bunker Hill. Start early and pick the sites you want to enter.Boston in 3 days
Take the T from Logan AirportThe airport is close to downtown, and the Blue Line and Silver Line buses both link it to the center. Check the MBTA site for current fares and payment options before you land.MBTA
Base in Back Bay or downtownBack Bay suits shops, the Public Garden and the Green Line; downtown and the waterfront put the Freedom Trail and North End at the door. Book early for graduation weeks and foliage season.Where to stay in Boston
Go in May, June, September or OctoberFall foliage and early summer are the sweet spots. Winters are cold and snowy, and August is hot and humid.Best time to visit Boston
Approve your ESTA before a Logan arrivalBoston Logan is a common first US stop, and airlines check ESTA approval at check-in abroad. Visa Waiver Program passports need it; other passports need a visa.Visa checker

Things to do in Boston

See all attractions in Boston

Garden · BostonTrillium Garden at Boston Harbor Hotel

Sight · BostonMassachusetts Hall

Gallery · BostonCopley Society of ArtCheck the current exhibition before you go, as shows change over time.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BostonPut the places you like in Boston on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Boston Logan (BOS), about 15–25 min to downtown by Blue Line
Getting there: Fly to Logan; Amtrak from New York takes about 3.5 to 4 hours
Getting around: Subway (the T), buses, commuter rail and walking
Best base: Back Bay or downtown
Time needed: 2 to 3 days; add more for day trips

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh3°Low-4°Cold, snow
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-3°Cold, snow
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low0°Raw, late snow
AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Marathon week
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Mild, graduations
JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Warm, long days
JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Hot, July 4th
AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Hot, humid
SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Clear, mild
OctoberRain10 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Fall foliage
NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°Cool, quiet
DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-2°Holiday lights

Average daily high and low in Boston, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Best time to visit Boston

Right now in Boston

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 14°
Humidity: 35%
Wind: 16 km/h
Chance of rain: 2%

Boston

03:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today21°5°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 2%.
Tue23°8°9%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 9%.
Wed23°10°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu22°13°39%Thursday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 39%.
Fri18°15°58%Friday: Rain. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 58%.
Sat17°12°58%Saturday: Rain. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 58%.
Sun16°9°24%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 24%.

Updated 12:12 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Boston

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

JulNewport Folk FestivalNewport, a day trip
AugNewport Jazz FestivalNewport, a day trip

Day trips by train

Salemabout 30 to 45 min by commuter railWitch trials history, a museum and a harbor walk.
Cape Codabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carBeaches and harbor towns; a summer ferry reaches Provincetown.Read the guide
Concord and Lexingtonabout 30 to 60 min by car or trainRevolutionary War battle sites and a national historical park.

Before you go to Boston

Freedom Trail walking toursGuided history walks by the hourCompare tours

Hotels and rentalsCompare areas and ratesCheck availability

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USAUS medical care is costlyRead the guide

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Rules for Boston, checked

Most visitors from visa-waiver countries need an approved ESTA before flying to the US. Check eligibility on the official CBP ESTA site (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) before you book.Source
Domestic flights in the US require a REAL ID-compliant card or a passport. Check the accepted IDs on tsa.gov before you go to the airport.Source
Tipping is expected in restaurants, bars and taxis, and it is part of staff pay. Ask the staff or check the bill if you are unsure how much to leave.
Use a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket on MBTA subways and buses, and tap on when you enter. Check current fares and passes at mbta.com before you ride.Source

All Boston guides

When to goBest time to visit Boston: seasons, foliage, snow and crowdsChecked Oct 1, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Boston: four bases for first-time visitorsChecked Oct 1, 2026

ItineraryBoston in 3 days: Freedom Trail, Back Bay, Cambridge and a day tripChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Boston

Acadia National Park

A Maine park about 5 hours north by car

Read the guide Cape Cod

Beaches and ferries south of the city

Read the guide Providence

South by train, with RISD and WaterFire

Read the guide South Shore

Plymouth and harbor towns toward the Cape

Read the guide All of the USA

Parks, cities and the rules every visitor needs

Read the guide

Boston FAQ

How many days do you need in Boston?

Two full days cover the Freedom Trail, Back Bay and one museum or Cambridge. Three days add Fenway or the Seaport and a half-day trip. Four or more makes sense if you add Salem or Cape Cod.

Is Boston walkable?

Yes. The Freedom Trail, North End, Beacon Hill and Back Bay are all within walking distance of each other. Use the T for Cambridge, Fenway and the airport.

Where should I stay in Boston for the first time?

Back Bay for a central, polished base, or downtown and the waterfront for the Freedom Trail and North End. Cambridge is calmer and cheaper but farther from the main sights.

Is Boston expensive?

Hotels are among the priciest in the US in peak weeks such as graduations and fall foliage. Book early, check rates for midweek stays and consider Cambridge or hotels just outside the center.

Do I need a car in Boston?

No. Parking is costly and streets are tight. The subway, buses and commuter rail cover most trips, and a rental car only helps for Cape Cod or Maine.