Boston in the spring is such an underrated time to visit. There are gorgeous blooms that spread color throughout the city, hotels tend to be cheaper, and it’s typically a quieter time to visit – meaning fewer crowds at popular attractions. So many of the top things to do in the city are just as enjoyable in the spring for all these reasons and more!
Today, I’m so excited to share my Boston spring travel guide with you, which I’ve put together after numerous trips to the city this time of the year. From the cherry blossoms and magnolia trees, to fun afternoon tea excursions, to can’t-miss Boston attractions, you’ll be able to plan the perfect spring trip after reading this post.
And with that, let’s get started!
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What Boston Is Like In The Spring – Is It A Good Time To Visit?
Spring in Boston is typically one of the quieter times to visit, as summer and fall tend to be high tourist season. Therefore, I usually experience fewer crowds at top attractions, and have an easier time getting reservations at restaurants. I also find really awesome deals at hotels in the spring, which is a nice perk. I’ve been able to stay at 5-star luxury hotels at a fraction of their summer and fall rates!
However, this also depends a lot on when you visit in the spring, as late March/early April will be pretty different from early June, for example. The further along in the spring season you visit, you’ll begin to notice hotel prices go up, and experience more crowds around the city.
Boston Weather In The Spring
Much like New England as a whole, Boston’s spring weather is unpredictable, and kind of all over the place. You could get unseasonably warm and sunny days, and you could also get freezing rain. It’s also not out of the question to get snow in April, but that’s more of a rarity.
The weather tends to be most rainy in late March and through April, and gets nicer in May and June. However, as with all my New England travel guides, I always recommend that you check the forecast a few days before your trip to get the best idea of what the weather will be like for your exact dates.
Generally speaking, though, here are some averages to expect during each spring month:
Boston April Weather: High around 57°F, low around 44°F, with 9 rain days
Boston May Weather: High around 68°F, low around 54°F, with 8 rain days
Boston June Weather: High around 76°F, low around 63°F, with 8 rain days
Best Spring Month To Visit Boston
The best spring month to plan your visit really just depends on what you’re looking to do in the city, as each month offers something different than the others.
Boston In April
April tends to have the worst weather of all the spring months, as it’s the coldest and most unpredictable. And as mentioned, this is the month you’re more likely to get that chance of some snow (although, it’s not common).
However, April can go in either direction. Having been in April in several times, I’ve had warm and sunny days where I didn’t even need a jacket, and I’ve had freezing rain, and needed to wear a winter coat.
That said, April is such a great time to visit because you’ll get to see the Yoshino cherry blossoms and magnolia trees in full bloom, which tends to happen in mid-April. You’ll also see daffodils bloom in early-mid April, and blooming pear trees around the city, which is really beautiful. While exploring the Public Gardens, you’ll also notice the famous swan boats opening for the season for rides around the lagoon in late April.
April is very much worth visiting to see these early spring blooms, but you do have to know that weather is the most unpredictable around this time. However, you’ll find the best hotel rates in April, too 😉
Two exceptions to the cheaper hotel rates is the Boston Marathon weekend, which is usually the third Monday in April, and Opening Day at Fenway, which is usually early April. You’ll usually see a spike in hotel prices for these events, and more people gathered around the city that weekend. However, I’ve noticed that hotel prices usually only go up in early April at the hotels closer to Fenway – I can still find awesome deals around the rest of the city that weekend.
Boston In May
May is when the city really starts to feel more lively again, as the weather begins to feel consistently nicer. You’ll still have days with rain, of course, but you’ll have a better chance at higher temperatures (but just to reiterate, the weather can still be pretty chilly on some days!).
May is also when the tulips in the Public Gardens are in full bloom, and the Duckling Day Parade takes place for Mother’s Day weekend. Lastly, May will end with Memorial Day commemorations, and the Boston Calling music festival over Memorial Day weekend.
In mid-May, you can also experience the wisteria in bloom in certain parts of the city, which I’ll go more into later in the post 😉 And if you missed the early cherry blossoms in April, you can still catch the Kwanzan cherries in early to mid May.
May is also the month where restaurants will begin to open their outdoor patios, too, which is a nice perk of visiting this time of the year.
Boston In June
June is the spring month that feels most like summer, and this is when you can expect the biggest crowds and highest hotel prices throughout this particular season. However, you’ll experience the best weather, too.
While most of the iconic spring blooms are usually done by June, you can still catch some beautiful flowers around the city, including roses and rhododendron. While these aren’t plentiful in Boston, I’ll share more about where to find them later in the post.
The first Monday in June is also the June Day Parade, which has continued in Boston since 1638 (yep, it’s never missed a year since then!). This is the largest military parade on the East Coast, and they march from Faneuil Hall to Boston Common. So, if you happen to visit on this day, you’ll want to be aware of this.
Where To Stay In Boston
Boston Harbor Hotel: An amazing luxury option, this hotel is right along the waterfront, and each room is beautiful. Amenities include on-site dining, spa services, a full swing golf suite, fitness center, indoor pool, and helpful concierge.
🌸 Click here to check spring rates & availability at the Boston Harbor Hotel
Hotel Commonweath: You’ll be steps from the blooming magnolia trees during your April stay at this hotel, and you can often find really nice rates in the spring. The rooms here are spacious by city standard, updated, and also include a smart TV with streaming.
🌸 Click here to check spring rates & availability at Hotel Commonweath
The Godfrey: Centrally-located in the theater district, you’re just a short walk to the Boston Common and Public Gardens to enjoy spring blooms, and many attractions around the city. Rooms here are modern and updated, and this tends to be very well-priced in the spring season for more budget-conscious travelers.
🌸 Click here to check spring rates & availability at The Godfrey
Spring Blooms In Boston – Breakdown
1. Cherry Blossoms
The cherry blossoms in Boston come in two waves: the Yoshinos in mid to late April, and the Kwanzans in early to mid May.
The most popular cherry blossoms are the Yoshinos, which are the very light pink ones that sometimes look white. You’ll find these along the Charles River Esplanade, the Public Gardens, and various locations around the city.
The Kwanzan cherry trees are a more saturated, deeper pink, can also be found around the city, but Christopher Columbus Park has some especially pretty displays of them.
Psst! I have an entire guide on where to see cherry blossoms & magnolias in Boston, with more specific information 😉
2. Magnolias
Also in mid to late April, the magnolias will bloom along with the Yoshino cherry blossoms around the same time, which makes for a very special time to visit the city.
The magnolias are especially beautiful in the Back Bay neighborhood, specially along Commonwealth, Beacon, and Marlborough. But you can also find them in Beacon Hill and the South End neighborhoods.
3. Pear Trees
Throughout the entire city, you’ll see streets lined with blooming white branches, and these are the pear trees. Pear tree blooming is typically around mid April, and lasts through the rest of the month, depending on the year.
These trees are truly all over the city, and you’ll find an especially picturesque one at Cedar and Acorn Street in Beacon Hill. However, you’ll find pear trees all over Beacon Hill, the South End, and also Charlestown. I really like these trees in Charlestown because you can take some cool photos using them to frame the Bunker Hill Monument – and there are some gorgeous streets in this neighborhood, too.
4. Tulips
As mentioned, the tulips are usually in full bloom in early-mid May, and begin to bloom as early as late April. This works out really well, as peak tulip blooms will often coincide with Mother’s Day weekend.
You can experience the tulips at the Public Gardens, which typically sees upwards of 25,000 tulips bloom, which creates such a magical experience in the park.
5. Wisteria
While wisteria isn’t as abundant around the city as the cherry blossoms or tulips, it’s definitely a spring flower you want to look for during your trip!
The wisteria typically blooms late April through early May, and there are a couple of great places to see it. The first is the most famous spot, which is Louisburg Square in Beacon Hill. The wisteria covers the beautiful, historic building at 22 Louisburg Square, making for a beautiful sight to take in.
You can also find wisteria on the Christopher Columbus Park archway along the waterfront, which also makes for a great photo spot.
6. Rhododendron
Much like the wisteria, the rhododendron aren’t as abundant around Boston as other spring plants, but this is such an iconic mid-spring flower that’s worth scouting out during your trip.
The best place to see rhododendron is at the Arnold Arboretum, but you can also see a few at the Public Gardens. These are typically in bloom in late May or early June.
7. Roses
Roses are a beautiful late spring bloom, and you can definitely see some during your trip to Boston! Roses in the city tend to bloom in early June, depending on the year. And peak blooms will typically last about three weeks, allowing you a good chunk of time to enjoy them.
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a great spot to see some blooming roses, as well as the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden. The Kelleher Rose Garden has some really pretty rose archways that are especially lovely.
8. Hanging Nasturtiums At The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Lastly for spring flowers, a unique option to consider is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which is an indoor art museum with a central courtyard full of year-round plants.
However, every April, they install the hanging nasturtiums in the courtyard, with each vine being up to 20 feet long. These amazing orange flowers create such a dramatic display, and are only in bloom for about three weeks. The exact installation date changes slightly from year to year, so be sure to check out the museum’s website here for details.
This museum is also one of the best to see in the entire city, and is one of the most unique museum experiences to have. The interior was designed like a Venetian palace, and the artwork is displayed exactly as Isabella Gardner placed it years ago – it’s actually a requirement she stipulated before her passing that the artwork must always stay as she intended it.
The museum was also the home of the largest art theft in history, and you can watch an excellent Netflix documentary on it as well.
Fun Things To Do In Boston In The Spring
After catching all the gorgeous spring blooms, here’s a list of fun things to do around Boston in the spring to enjoy this transitional time of the year.
9. Be The First On The Swan Boats
The Public Garden lagoon swan boats are an iconic landmark of the city, and they’re only open seasonally. April often marks opening day for the boats, and it’s such a fun thing to do when the weather is nice outside to enjoy spring weather.
The boats, shaped like swans as I’m sure you’ve gathered 😉, take you around the lagoon for lovely views of the Public Gardens, and each ride lasts for about 10-15 minutes. Tickets are purchased at the dock, and cash and cards are accepted.
10. Enjoy Afternoon Tea
While afternoon tea in Boston is one of my top-recommended things to do in the city year-round, there’s something about the spring season that just fits so well with this experience. Being indoors on a chilly spring day, eating dainty finger foods while sipping on a cozy cup of tea just feels perfect.
One of my favorite places for afternoon tea in Boston is at the Public Library Courtyard, and I especially love their Cozy Copely tea – an Earl Grey with steamed milk, infused with lavender and vanilla, which is honestly so perfect for the spring season.
However, there are various places around the city that offer afternoon tea, including:
→ Silver Dove
→ Beacon Hill Books & Café
→ The Langham Hotel
11. Take Mom On A Brunch Cruise For Mother’s Day
If you’re planning a Mother’s Day getaway to Boston this year, a brunch cruise is such a fun way to spend the afternoon together. Cruise around Boston Harbor on a 1920s style yacht, while dining on yummy food and sipping on mimosas.
While this is a great idea for Mother’s Day, it’s honestly a fun experience for any occasion. So even if you’re just looking to get out on the water during your spring trip, this is an exciting option, and available throughout the entire season.
🌸 Click here to check rates & availability for the brunch cruise
12. Head Out On The First Whale Watch Tours Of The Season
In addition to brunch cruises, the first whale watch tours open for the season in the spring, making this a fun activity to plan during your visit.
The first sails of the year typically head out around mid May, and depart from Long Wharf along the waterfront area. This tour is aboard a catamaran, and heads out to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, which is known as being the top destination for active marine life in the New England area. It’s very likely you’ll see wildlife, including humpbacks, minke, and finback whales.
🌸 Click here to check rates & availability for whale watch tours
Pro Tip: You’ll definitely want to bundle up for your spring whale watch tour, as it’ll be much colder out on the water than on land.
13. Enjoy An Afternoon Indoors At The New England Aquarium
If you happen upon a rainy afternoon on your spring trip, the New England Aquarium is a fun place to warm up in and explore. Inside, you’ll get to see penguins, a giant Pacific octopus, seals, sea lions, jelly fish, and so much more.
The Aquarium is also along the waterfront, allowing you to explore that area before or after your visit. Also, it’s not far from Christopher Columbus Park, if your visit aligns with the blooming wisteria or Kwanzan cherry blossom trees.
14. Pick Up Seasonal Treats At Tatte Bakery
Tatte (pronounced like latte 😉) is one of the more popular cafés in the city, and for very good reason. They’ve now expanded to various locations around Boston, which means you’re not likely to be far from one at any given moment.
Their interiors are so picturesque and make the experience a special one, and they offer some fun seasonal spring treats that are worth picking up this time of the year.
On their spring menu, you’ll usually find hot cross buns, lemon and raspberry pavlova, lemon mint tarts, and easter egg cookies, in addition to awesome drink specials.
15. Enjoy Spring In Beacon Hill, Back Bay & The South End
While I’ve talked a lot about the blooming trees around the city, it’s worth mentioning that these three neighborhoods are worth wandering around to enjoy the spring ambience. Between the blooming pear trees lining the streets, the cherry blossoms, and magnolias, it honestly just feels magical in these specific places.
Because the streets in these neighborhoods are already so beautiful and postcard-worthy, the spring blooms just enhance that for an extra special experience.
16. Get Tickets To A Show Or Concert
On the chillier spring evenings in the city, it’s a great idea to get tickets to a performance of some kind. Whether it’s the Boston Ballet, Candlelight Concert series, or the Boston Symphony Orchestra, there’s always an amazing show to take in.
But in addition these suggestions, you can also check to see what broadway shows or musicals are in town, stand-up comedy shows, and so much more. Of course, these all change seasonally, and are dependent on the year, but it’s so worth looking into what your options are during your visit!
17. Head Out On A Food Tour
Boston is an incredible culinary destination, and one of the coolest ways to get acquainted with the city’s food scene is with a food tour.
Between seafood and the Italian restaurants in the North End, there’s so much to discover. But to make it easier for you, I have an entire round up of the best Boston food tours, which you can check out.
18. Visit The City’s Museums
While I’ve already touched on my favorite museum in the city – the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – there are so many more incredible places to check out in Boston. Here are some museums that are worth visiting during your spring trip:
→ Museum of Fine Arts
→ Boston Children’s Museum
→ Museum of Science
→ Boston Tea Party & Ships Museum
→ USS Constitution Museum
→ Institute of Contemporary Art
19. Opening Day At Fenway
Of course, you can’t talk about springtime in Boston without mentioning opening day at Fenway – the oldest baseball stadium in the U.S.!
The Boston Red Sox’s first game of the season is always in early spring, and opening day is quite the event in the city. If you’re a huge Sox fan (or fan of the team they’re playing against that day 😉), this is a really cool event to check out.
But of course, if your visit doesn’t align with opening day, there are tons of games throughout spring to catch.
Spring Day Trips & Getaways From Boston
Looking to explore the Greater Boston and surrounding areas in the spring? There are so many fun things to do and experience out of the city just a short distance away, and here are my recommendations:
20. Tulip Mania
In Wellesley, just outside of Boston, you can experience the famous Tulip Mania event at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
Showcasing rows of tulips in their field that add up to at least 75,000 blooms, Tulip Mania is also a U-Pick tulip event, making this both an amazing spring photo spot and flower-picking experience.
Tulip Mania usually begins in late April with the early-blooming tulips, and continues through May until the fields are picked over.
21. New England Botanic Garden At Tower Hill
The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston is only about an hour outside the city, and makes for a very fun day trip this time of the year.
The star of the show in the spring is their sprawling daffodil field, which is home to over 25,000 daffodils, and is so beautiful to see in person. But throughout the gardens, you’ll enjoy other spring plants like magnolia trees, Virginia bluebells, tulips, hellebores and more.
There’s also a nice little café and walking trails at the gardens, so you can have lunch and make an afternoon out of your visit.
22. Nantucket
While Nantucket may be known as a top summer destination, it’s also worth visiting for their very fun Daffodil Festival weekend, which is usually the last weekend in April.
Throughout the weekend, you’ll enjoy exciting events like the antique car show and tail gate, dog costume parades, a flower crown party, hat decorating contest, and so much more.
Plus, with daffodil-themed decorations and over 2 million daffodils in bloom around the island, it’s pretty much impossible to not get into the spring spirit during your visit. The festival can be done as a weekend getaway or a day trip, too.
Psst! I have an entire guide on the Nantucket Daffodil Festival, if you need more info 😉
23. Newport, RI
About 1.5 hours from Boston is Newport, another beautiful coastal city in New England. And they also just so happen to celebrate spring with their own Daffodil Days in April. While Newport doesn’t have as many official events as Nantucket, you’ll get to enjoy gorgeous daffodil fields all over the Newport area for the perfect spring vibes. In fact, the city sees 1,465,000 of them in bloom every April!
During your spring day trip or getaway to Newport, I recommend:
→ Seeing the daffy fields along the Cliff Walk and at Dunlap Wheeler Park.
→ Enjoy the magical grounds at Blithwold Mansion in Bristol, which has 50,000 daffodils, and also a wonderful afternoon tea service.
→ Rent a bike (or bring your own) to do the East Bay Bike Path in Bristol.
→ Enjoy free admission in April to The Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame
→ Attend the Newport Beer Festival
24. Provincetown
Most popular in the summer season, but an absolute delight in the springtime! The ferry service from Boston Harbor to Ptown begins in mid-May, and it’s so much fun to visit before the big summer crowds begin to set in.
The ferry to Ptown takes about 1.5 hours, so it does make for a longer day trip (or you can do it for an overnight or weekend getaway). But between all the gorgeous oceanfront scenery, shopping and dining along Commercial Street, and the stunning beaches on the National Seashore, Ptown is always a good idea!
🌸 Click here to check the spring schedule & rates for the Provincetown/Boston ferry
25. Lexington For Patriot’s Day Reenactments
Last on my list is a day trip to Lexington, which is about 30 minutes outside of Boston, and perfect for history-lovers.
The town celebrates Patriot’s Day every April, which commemorates the first battles of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. Celebrated on the third Monday in April, it features battle reenactments on the Lexington Green, a festive parade, and historical events. Visitors can witness colonial militia drills, guided tours, and patriotic ceremonies, all of which bring history to life.
However, it’s good to know that sometimes, events can take place the Saturday prior, so it’s best to check before planning a special trip out there.
More posts you may enjoy:
That’s A Wrap On How To Enjoy Boston In The Spring!
And there you have it – my spring in Boston travel guide. Hopefully you’re feeling more prepared to plan your own spring trip to the city, and are filled with exciting ideas on what do during your visit. Whether you’re looking forward to snapping photos with the cherry blossoms, seeing the tulips in the Public Gardens, or touring the museums on a rainy day, I know you’ll have blast. Happy planning!
