Boston in the Fall: Where to See Leaves In (and Outside) the City

Boston in the fall boasts some quieter forms of entertainment for those not watching a Red Sox game at historic Fenway Park or catching a Bruins or Celtics game at TD Garden. As the cool breeze returns in September and short sleeves change to sweatshirts, a certain type of tourist—the “Leaf Peeper”—is known to creep north to catch the changing seasons. “Leaf Peeper” is the popular term for travelers who flock to see changing fall foliage in picturesque regions of the U.S., particularly northern New England and the upper Midwest. (Leaf-viewing hobbyists commonly refer to their gatherings as leaf peepshows.)

New England’s fall foliage turns from mid/late September through October and often extends well into November. You can travel the whole Northeast in search of breathtaking fall foliage, but Boston is an ideal spot to see the kaleidoscope of autumnal colors without ever leaving town.

Keep in mind: The look of fall foliage is weather reliant, so color and brightness can depend on the time of year, precipitation and overall climate. Plan ahead and you should be fortunate enough to catch nature’s botanical pyrotechnics. Below, check out some great spots for your own leaf-peeping in Boston in the fall.

Hotels near Boston, MA: 17

Visit the Historic Boston Public Garden

Boston’s first public botanical garden is an excellent spot for fall foliage photography in the later months of the year.

One of the best spots for viewing Boston fall foliage is the Boston Public Garden, just off Charles Street in the city center. Covering more than 24 acres with more than 1,700 trees, the Public Garden is a prime spot to see Boston fall colors up close. The Public Garden is considered the first public botanical garden in America, and when fall peeks its head around the corner, the greenery slowly turns to yellow and reddish autumnal hues—providing excellent photography and viewing spots.

Enjoy the Shady Trees of Charles River Esplanade

Charles River Esplanade is five acres of tree-covered parkland, hosting a full calendar of events in the fall.

The Charles River Esplanade, a state-owned park established in the early 1900s in the Back Bay area, was initially criticized for lacking several amenities for its visitors, including enough trees for shade. Today, the park features a plethora of colorful trees flourishing across five acres with a busy calendar of recreational events, making the park a scenic—and fun—waterside spot to view the changing leaves.

Take a Stroll Through Beacon Hill

Victorian row houses lit by antique lanterns are the perfect complement to the changing fall leaves in the Beacon Hill neighborhood.

Get lost while admiring the foliage in one of Boston’s most picturesque neighborhoods. Beacon Hill’s steep streets are lined with Federal-style and Victorian brick row houses lit by antique lanterns, as well as an abundance of trees to marvel at as the seasons turn. Grab a pumpkin spice latte from one of Beacon Hill’s many cafes and take in the neighborhood’s 105 acres of foliage. Once you’ve explored Beacon Hill, you can walk across the Longfellow Bridge to see the skyline of Boston in the fall—from the Cambridge side of the Charles River.

Get Out of the City for More New England Foliage

For even more New England foliage, just follow U.S. 93 north out of Boston for a 56-mile tour of the colorful countryside.

While there are plenty of spots to view the changing leaves in Boston, to see more of nature’s stunning fall display, try a broader New England foliage trip. Getting out of the city is easy enough, and once you’re on the highway, you can simply look out your window to see forests of magnificent oak and maple trees with orange-yellow, red and purple leaves. Driving up U.S. 93 North from Boston, take drive along the Kancamagus Highway through Lincoln, New Hampshire for scenic New England views along a satisfying 56-mile foliage trip.

Watching the New England leaves change color among weathered churches, colonial-style houses and quaint towns is certainly a great way to spend the day. If you’re looking to stay outside of Boston for a day or two, you’ll find plenty of Choice Hotels in nearby New England cities.

Hotels near Lincoln, NH: 5