Fall in New England is absolutely breathtaking and Boston cannot be beat in terms of the variety of places to see the changing leaves without having to drive for hours.
There is always a lot to do in Boston any time of year but most locals would agree that late October is an amazing time to be here. Peak color tends to set in from mid to late October through mid November so the next few weeks will be a great time to pair some leaf peeping with other iconic Boston sights. We have compiled just a few of the many locations to enjoy the foliage.
Boston Common
Let’s face it, no trip to Boston is complete without a visit to the Common! It was established in 1634 and is considered to be America’s oldest park. The Common is a 44 acre plot home to hundreds of trees and is a great place to watch the leaves in action. It has been the site to many historic events and marches over the years and is part of the Freedom Trail. You can stroll, bike, or visit the playgrounds. Not far away is the Public Garden, the first botanical garden in America. Both of these parks are part of the Emerald Necklace; nine linear parks and parkways running about seven miles connecting the Boston Common all the way to Franklin Park. If you are ambitious and wish to walk the entire trail you will also get to see our next favorite place for Fall colors.
Arnold Arboretum
Located in Jamaica Plain, Arnold Arboretum is 281 acres and features over 15,000 different trees along with bushes and shrubs. The city of Boston owns the land and Harvard University curates the collection of plants which are available for researchers to study and they maintain the grounds. It was also designed by Frederick Law Olmsted to make sure it fit with the rest of the Emerald Necklace parks. One of the best features of the arboretum is their collection of maples. They have over 100 different types of maples and the Fall is the best time to see their changing leaves which are said to be breathtaking.
Mount Auburn Cemetery
A cemetery might seem an odd choice for leaf peeping but Mount Auburn Cemetery may be one of the best places in Boston to see the foliage. They have a diverse collection of trees and the colors are absolutely gorgeous. If you are planning a trip to Boston during spooky season, a visit to Mount Vernon will give you some bang for your buck. Dating to 1831, this is not just any cemetery—Mount Auburn changed how and where Bostonians were buried and attempted to change how they thought about death and the afterlife. By having such a beautiful place to visit their deceased loved ones, the creators of Mount Auburn offered solace to the living. Located between Cambridge and Watertown, this cemetery is a great place to visit not just for foliage but to also feel inspired and connected to the cycle of life and death.
Foliage Cruise
Another great way to see some leaves while also getting on the water and enjoying the sites of Boston Harbor is to take a harbor cruise. The Classic Harbor Line offers a few different leaf peeping adventures from brunch boats to lunch cruises—even private chartered boats. It can be a bit windy on the water this time of year but never fear, they have blankets and hot cocoa on board. A lot of people don’t know that Boston’s waterfront also has amazing fall colors besides the parks and gardens which can become very touristy and crowded. If you want to see some colors in a different way and see famous Boston Harbor, the Classic Harbor Line may be perfect for you. Check out their website for tickets and more info.
Take a Walking Tour with TopDogTours in Boston
Many neighborhoods in Boston are known for their leaf peeping, particularly Beacon Hill, the North End, and as we just mentioned—the waterfront. Top Dog Tours offers a variety of different options throughout the city and this time of year you will definitely see some amazing colors. We have a historic pub crawl, a Beacon Hill true crime tour as well as a waterfront and seafood tour. For those who came to Boston to eat some good food—look no further than the North End Little Italy tour to see some of the best Italian markets Boston has to offer and see some amazing fall colors along the way. We offer both small group and private tours; there is something for everybody!
