10 Things to Do in Boston in Fall

The city of Boston is one of the favourite cities for international tourists to visit in the United States throughout the year. In fact, its history, culture and nightlife make it one of the most visited cities in the country.

During the autumn, you'll have plenty of activities and things to see in Boston. From concerts and fairs to harvest festivals, Halloween celebrations and much more. If you're a sports fan, you'll also have the chance to catch games of the city's iconic baseball and football teams - there's everything to do in Boston in autumn!

Sports for Bostonians are part of everyday life. When it comes to baseball, one of America's national sports, Bostonians are big fans of their home team, the Red Sox.

During the autumn in Boston you can book a National League Baseball game with the Red Sox as the home team and with the great advantage that the weather will allow you to endure the game outdoors, something that during summer or winter is not very advisable because of the weather.

It is best to get to know the Red Sox and the rules of baseball before you go to the game so you can enjoy it better. You will find that once you understand the rules, baseball is a very interesting sport.

Bostonians, like most Americans, also love football and especially their local team, which they idolise. The city's team, the New England Patriots, hosts a home game every autumn.

These fall football games draw thousands of people to Gillette Stadium every year and are warm-up games for the season that fans look forward to.

Enjoy these sporting events like a local but remember to book your New England Patriots tickets well in advance because they sell out fast.

It's impossible to pass through Boston in the fall and not book a ghost tour if it's Halloween or close to it. This type of guided tour takes in all the major locations in Boston that have scary stories to tell. Many of the stories are really spooky, but they are worth knowing.

Please note that these tours are not suitable for minors or people who are easily impressed by the content of the tour. It is also customary to use adult language, so children are not allowed to participate in this type of activity.

On this tour, you will walk through the main points of the city that have some macabre history to offer. The tour is mostly outdoors so it's a good idea to bring a warm coat as it can get quite chilly at night in Boston during the autumn.

The city of Boston is one of the most densely landscaped cities in the United States and that makes it very attractive, especially in autumn.

As the long, hot, sweltering days of summer are replaced by the short, pleasant, cool nights of autumn, you begin to see the colourful changing leaves of the trees in Boston's streets, squares, parks and gardens.

This is an ideal time to enjoy the flora of Boston Common and the ever-changing colours of the Boston Public Garden. You can also enjoy Boston's greenery when you book a cruise, as viewing the fall foliage from the water is a different experience.

The city of Boston is beautiful all year round, but in autumn it takes on an off-the-beaten-path charm that can be felt in and around every corner of the city. One activity that can be done all year round but is even more appealing in autumn is a trip to the island of Martha's Vineyard.

Spending the day on the island, wandering around in the cool breeze and taking in the dazzling autumn colours of the vegetation is an experience that I highly recommend. Also, the atmosphere on the island is relaxed at this time of year, as there are not as many tourists as at other times of the year.

You'll come back refreshed and your batteries recharged after enjoying such tranquillity and beauty. Booking a Martha's Vineyard Island tour will usually take about half a day.

Autumn in Boston is the perfect time to visit local farms and go apple picking. The New England area is known for the quality and variety of its apple orchards and also for the culinary delights they make from these fruits.

There are countless orchards around the city, each offering different varieties of delicious apples to try. Some companies also offer free fruit farm tours and activities.

End the day with delicious apple dishes such as Boston's famous apple cider donuts, apple cobbler, irresistible apple crisp and one of the city's specialities, hot spiced cider.

Boston HIll Farm

• Address: 1370 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA, 01845.
• Telephone: (978) 681-8556.
• E-mail: bostonhillfarm@verizon.net.

Lookout Farm

• Address: 89 Pleasant Street South Natick, MA 01760.
• Phone: (508) 745-3697.
• Email: They do not make reservations by email.

Veronica's Traveller Tip

You can view the approximate fall apple picking schedule for Boston farms and plan your visit.

Since 1965, the Head of the Charles Regatta has attracted thousands of rowers every year to the Charles River to compete in the world's largest regatta for 3 full days.

This is a highly anticipated event by Bostonians and rowing enthusiasts from around the world. You can enjoy the Head of the Charles Regatta in comfort, because the city of Boston prepares very well for this autumn event.

The Head of the Charles Regatta, held annually in October, has drawn an estimated 225,000 spectators, but if you prefer to watch the event in a quiet location, head to Eliot Bridge or Reunion Village, a fairground located on the Cambridge side of the Charles River.

During autumn in Boston, if you like beer, you'll have plenty of fun and special activities. Major local beer brands, such as Sam Adams and Harpoon, organise interesting brewery tours and autumn events for their annual product launches.

Also on the occasion of the autumn festivities, many breweries make special product packages for you to buy and enjoy back home.

Harpoon

Harpoon organises its own Oktoberfest. You'll want to book your visit to Boston' s breweries in advance to secure your spot.

• Address: 306 Northern Avenue Boston, MA 02210.
• Phone: 617-456-2322

Sam Adams

Hosts its now-traditional "Bostoberfest" where you can enjoy live music and interactive games while drinking the brand's beers from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave.

• Address: 30 Germania St, Boston, MA 02130.
• Phone: 617-368-5080

When autumn arrives, it's also fair time in the small towns surrounding Boston. There are fun fairs with parades, circuses and games. Some of the main ones are organised in the towns of Hopkinton, Deerfield and Topsfield.

All of these fairs follow the strict tradition of New England fairs, featuring lots of farm animals, games, giant vegetables, pig races, magic shows, treats, shows, music, animal contests, cooking contests, tastings and dancing.

For event dates and locations check out Massachusetts Fairs and Festivals.

The city of Boston also has activities for the whole family. There is a tour (especially for families with children aged 6-12) called Boston by Little Feet.

This is a walking tour, lasting about 3 hours, which takes you around the city's most important historical sites, recalling the city's most important landmarks through interactive role-playing games.

Although this activity is available from May, I recommend doing it in autumn for weather reasons. The three-hour walk during the summer months can be overwhelming for the little ones, so it is much better to do the walk in the fall.

Boston's autumn weather can be quite warm during the first few days of the season and also quite cold during the last few days of autumn, just before winter. Keep this in mind when packing your bags.

There may also be rainy days. I know it can be uncomfortable to carry rain gear in your suitcase, but it may be necessary. If you don't want to bring it from home, it's the perfect excuse to browse the shops in Boston and do some shopping.

You'll want to pack a jacket if you're going out at night because temperatures drop considerably and it's best to be prepared. It's also a good idea to wear comfortable shoes as many of the activities are outdoors.

In most places for tourists in Boston during the autumn there is no set dress code. The idea is to be comfortable so that you can do all the activities comfortably.

But keep in mind that some activities tend to require a bit more formal dress than others. Therefore, if you plan to go out at night to the theatre or to a cultural event such as the ballet or a concert, it is better to wear more formal clothes.

It is not necessary to dress up if the dress code does not require it, but it is customary in Boston to go a little more formal to these types of events.

The city of Boston, like other major cities around the world, has a system of passes to visit the city's main attractions. These passes are very convenient for saving money on visits, as they give free entry to many activities and important discounts.

There are also benefits on various means of public transport in the city. And if you're planning to attend cultural events, buying the Boston Sightseeing Pass is an excellent idea because you'll also get discounts.

These cards can be purchased online, which makes things much easier. The card is priced from 47 euros and gives you free entry to over 40 different attractions, including the city's major museums.