The Best Things To Do In Boston In The Spring

Springtime always brings out the best of Boston. After a harsh New England winter, the days are warm, the coffees are iced, and the cherry trees are all in full bloom. While there are plenty of ways to spend a spring day in Boston, we give you a list of the best.

Pay a visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Building, Museum

‘Eccentric’ is always the word du jour at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Ms. Gardner’s private art collection is an amalgam of eras, styles, and mediums that continues to confuse and delight onlookers over a century later. Walking through the maze of rooms, you’ll find pieces by artists from Rembrandt to Vermeer. Take a few minutes in the museum’s private garden courtyard and admire the brief-blooming nasturtium vines that signal the arrival of spring. If you can, visit the museum on ‘Third Thursdays’ – an artsy evening cocktail party that takes place the third Thursday of every month.

Go Boating on the Charles River

Boston’s location along the picturesque Charles River makes it the perfect place to spend a day kayaking or canoeing. Rent a boat from Charles River Canoe & Kayak and spend a few hours paddling around the river and its estuaries. If you’re feeling fancy, take a sailing class at Community Boating, Inc., and learn to raise a jib like a pro. Reward yourself with a refreshing dip in the river – we promise it’s clean.

Charles River Canoe & Kayak, 1071 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA, USA +1 617 965 5110

Community Boating, Inc., 21 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA, USA +1 617 523 1038

Image Courtesy of Charles River Canoe & Kayak

Rent a Bike

If you get tired of exploring the city on foot, why not acquire two wheels? Grab a 24-hour pass from Hubway and pick up a bike from one of 155 stations throughout Boston. Feel the wild wind in your hair as you ride the historic Freedom Trail or bike on the Esplanade alongside the Charles River. Or, go for a few loops around one of the city’s many parks. Just don’t forget a helmet.

Catch a game at Fenway Park

Stadium, Park

The start of baseball season brings a whole new level of buzz to this sports-crazy city. The historic Fenway Park officially opened on April 11, 2016. No worries if you missed the opening game – you’ll have plenty more opportunities to join the crowds in singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ and downing Sam Adams like there’s no tomorrow. Red Sox tickets can be pricey, so be sure to check Vivid Seats for discount resale tickets.

Grab a Bite in Davis Square

If there’s one thing hipsters do right, it’s outdoor dining. Venture across the Charles River to Somerville’s hipster Mecca; here you’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars with fun patio dining spaces. Be sure to stop by Boston Burger Company for outrageously good burgers and shakes or Posto for gnocchi and meatballs. If you still have room for more, head to the Burren for a pint of Guinness while you dance to traditional Irish tunes.

Boston Burger Company, 37 Davis Square, Somerville, MA, USA +1 617 440 7361

Posto, 187 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, USA +1 617 625 0600

The Burren, 247 Elm Street, Somerville, MA, USA +1 617 776 6896

Shop on Newbury Street

Shop

Newbury Street is Boston’s outdoor shopping central. The mile-long street is lined with quirky shops and cafés that are always bustling when the weather is warm. Here, you’ll find everything from the luxurious to the consigned – Newbury’s mix of high-end retailers and vintage boutiques means that there’s something for every kind of shopper. Once you’ve shopped until you’ve dropped, find a cozy seat in Trident Booksellers & Café and treat yourself to a boozy brunch after browsing the books and knickknacks.

Find a Food Truck

There are a million and one food trucks in Boston, especially in the springtime. Hunt down local favorites like Clover Food Lab for vegetarian fast food, or head over to Roxy’s Grilled Cheese & Burgers – home of the decadent ‘Nicki Minaj Burger’ – for delicious, all-day eats. Truck locations change frequently so be sure to check websites before setting out. If you can’t track down a particular truck, most vendors have brick and mortar locations as well.

Browse a Farmers’ Market

What better way to celebrate spring than with nature’s bounties? With warm weather comes tasty produce, so head to a farmers’ market for the freshest crops spring has to offer. Support local growers by picking up seasonal favorites like artichokes, strawberries, and rhubarb from one of Boston’s 26 farmers markets. Visit Boston Farmers Markets’ website for information on market locations, dates, and hours of operation.

Wander the Boston Common and Public Garden

Park

Boston, Massachusetts at the Public Garden in the spring time.. Image shot 04/2012. Exact date unknown.

Walk through the beautiful Boston Common and Public Garden. Many an Instagram photo has been snapped at these iconic downtown locations. The colorful rows of tulips and daffodils make a pretty background for any photo, regardless of ‘gram-ability. If you’re feeling extra touristy, go for a ride on a swan boat while listening to Boston buskers – nothing says springtime like swan boats and smooth jazz.

Brewery Hop

Boston, bless its drunken heart, is home to many a top-notch brewery. Start at Harpoon in the Seaport District for IPAs and the cheesiest pretzels Boston has to offer. Next, head to Samuel Adams in Jamaica Plain for lagers and seasonal brews that will satisfy even the most dedicated of hop-heads. Round it off with a visit to Trillium Brewing Company for Boston-themed ales that vary by location (we recommend the rye and pale ales). Happy brewing.

Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA, USA +1 617 456 2322

Samuel Adams, 30 Germania Street, Boston, MA, USA +1 617 368 5080