10 Things to Do in Boston in September

September in Boston is for many the best time of the year. The weather is still warm and the possibilities for indoor and outdoor activities are endless.

Verónica Álvarez

Verónica Álvarez

9 min read

10 Things to Do in Boston in September

Boston | ©stevehager

There are so many things to see and do in Boston that it's hard to choose. During the month of September in Boston you can do both outdoor activities, because the weather still allows it, and indoor activities. You can choose between visiting fairs, musical performances and even sporting events.

The options are many, for all ages and preferences, not in vain the city of Boston is one of the most visited cities in the United States throughout the year. I invite you to discover the 10 best things to see and do in Boston during the month of September.

1. Celebrate the last days of summer on a boat cruise around the seaport

Charles River Cruise| ©Brooks Payne
Charles River Cruise| ©Brooks Payne

In September the weather still makes boat trips in Boston possible. You can enjoy the last days of summer or the first days of autumn by sailing on a 3-hour cruise on the waterfront or on the Charles River. You'll have a great time on these cruises and enjoy the sights of Boston harbour.

You'll want to book your tickets early so you don't miss out on the chance to enjoy the cool September breezes aboard a wonderful cruise.

Book your September cruise in Boston here

2. Visit the Boston Arts Festival

Enjoying Art| ©SoWaBoston
Enjoying Art| ©SoWaBoston

If you are a fan of the visual arts, you can enjoy one of the most attractive art events in and around Boston, the Boston Arts Festival. This event only takes place during the month of September so make sure you visit. This celebration is the kick-off of the so-called Boston Open Art Studios season. During this festival, works by more than 70 local visual artists and artisans are presented.

In addition to the artwork on display, you can enjoy concerts by local musicians performing on the waterfront stage. This event is free and suitable for the whole family. It is estimated that the Boston Arts Festival attracts more than 50,000 visitors to Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park each year.

3. Attend a classical music performance by candlelight

Candlelight Concert| ©SebasFast
Candlelight Concert| ©SebasFast

If you are visiting Boston during the month of September, you will have the privilege of attending one of the shows I enjoyed the most during my visit to Boston. Every year a series of concerts, known as Candlelight, are held in some of Boston's most magical locations. You can calm your mind and experience classical music in a new light. These concerts invite you to relive the best works of classical music, from Vivaldi to Mozart as well as music by contemporary artists.

Candlelight in Boston's most iconic buildings creates the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the eclectic repertoire of the Candlelight Concerts. Don't miss this magnificent opportunity to witness one of Boston's finest cultural events.

These concerts run from July to September, but performances at the city's most iconic venues are generally reserved for the later dates of the event, which take place in September.

4. Be amazed by the WaterFire lighting event

WaterFire| ©WFProvidence
WaterFire| ©WFProvidence

The WaterFire event brings together art, music and bonfires in Providence, Rhode Island, near Boston. While the event runs from April onwards, the shows that take place in September are usually the most enjoyable thanks to the weather. The things you'll see at the Waterfire will amaze you with their display of music and colour.

While you're in Rhode Island for the WaterFire in Providence, you can also take advantage of the splendid late summer weather to tour the mansions of Newport, Rhode Island. There are day trips from Boston that are really worthwhile. Day tours to Newport last approximately 11 hours and are the ideal complement to the Waterfire in Providence, if you have enough time.

5. Take the opportunity to visit as many museums as you like on Museum Day

Sculpture and exterior of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.| ©Nektarios Karefyllakis
Sculpture and exterior of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.| ©Nektarios Karefyllakis

September is Museum Day in Boston. You can join Smithsonian Magazine and participate in Smithsonian Museum Day. Smithsonian Magazine offers free admission for two to museums across the country for this annual event and in Boston there are many museums participating.

Participating museums in Boston include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Harvard Art Museums, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, among others. Just choose the museum you would like to visit and check to see if it is included in the participating museums for Museum Day.

6. Stroll through SoWa Open Market

Boston SoWa Open Market| ©Mia Salazar
Boston SoWa Open Market| ©Mia Salazar

September is the best time to stroll through Boston's SoWa Open Market, which brings together local artists, farmers, chefs, brewers and musicians every weekend ending in early October.

September's weather makes it easy to wander through the many stalls at this market. You can eat, watch performances and buy art at the Sowa Open Air Market.

7. Visit the Davis Mega Farm Festival & Corn Maze in Boston

Davis Mega Farm Festival & Corn Maze in Boston| ©Matt
Davis Mega Farm Festival & Corn Maze in Boston| ©Matt

Early autumn in New England is synonymous with corn mazes and outdoor fun. At this fun festival you can show off your orienteering skills as you try to make your way through a tangled corn maze.

During this festival, there are activities for the whole family including football, mazes and archery. If you prefer, you can relax and listen to live music. The Davis Mega Farm Festival is a fun recreational activity for the whole family. The Davis Mega Farm Festival schedule will be available soon so you can plan your visit and purchase your tickets.

8. Join in the autumnal equinox celebrations at Revels RiverSing

Revels RiverSing| ©AnubisAbyss
Revels RiverSing| ©AnubisAbyss

Say goodbye to summer and welcome autumn at this free, family-friendly Equinox celebration at Herter Park Amphitheatre in Allston. There's plenty of music, fun, food and beer.

Enjoy family-friendly pre-show festivities that include lots of community singing and good energy at Revels RiverSing. Check out all the activities scheduled for the Revels RiverSing because you won't want to miss any of them.

9. Be part of one of the largest fairs in the United States the Big E

Boston Fair| ©Ray
Boston Fair| ©Ray

You can be a part of New England's fall tradition and the ninth largest fair in the United States. The Big E Fair is the best place to enjoy the sights, sounds and tantalising smells of the early autumn season.

While not exactly in Boston, the fair takes place an hour and a half west in the city of Springfield and is a wonderful day trip from Boston. Learn more about this event and choose which activities from the Big E Fair calendar you're interested in participating in during your trip to Boston in September.

Details of interest

  • When: 16 September to 2 October (dates change every year).
  • Where: New England Center
  • Price: from around 10 euros per person.

10. Hub on Wheels Bike Ride

Event Cyclists| ©Andrew Conway
Event Cyclists| ©Andrew Conway

If you are a cycling enthusiast and when you travel you like to participate in local sporting events, this is without a doubt the ideal activity for you. It's a bike ride where participating cyclists can choose between a route of around 7 kilometres and another of approximately 20 kilometres.

Grab your helmet and bike (if you don't have your own, you can rent one for the day) and ride through historic neighbourhoods and take in the beautiful views of the Charles River along the way during the Hub on Wheels Bike Ride.

The weather in Boston in September

Autumn in Boston| ©Werner Kunz
Autumn in Boston| ©Werner Kunz

The weather in Boston during the month of September is quite different from the previous month. The arrival of autumn is already beginning to be felt with cooler temperatures. The average daytime temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius with lows of 14 degrees Celsius.

Rainy days begin to increase as we get closer to autumn and during September there are an average of 12 rainy days in Boston, so you'll want to be prepared with rain gear and warm clothes. You can check the detailed weather forecast for September in Boston to find out what the weather will be like during your trip.

Are there many tourists in Boston in September?

Streets of Boston| ©Robert Kendall
Streets of Boston| ©Robert Kendall

The number of tourists in Boston is gradually decreasing as we approach the colder months of the year. While there are not as many tourists as in the summer months, there are still quite a few visitors during September. The presence of tourists at this time of the year is due to the fact that there are many seasonal events in the city during this month that attract mostly domestic tourism. For example, fairs and sporting events are held during the month of September to avoid the hottest days of the year.

However, you'll find that Boston is much calmer during September and you'll have less difficulty getting around and getting to the main attractions. However, if you're looking to get in quickly and avoid the queues at the city's highlights, you'll want to book your tours online in advance.

Are the prices in Boston in September too high?

Money in Euros| ©Pixabay
Money in Euros| ©Pixabay

As we leave the high season behind, prices in Boston tend to decrease, but they are still a bit high compared to the rest of the year. To save not only money but also time during your trip, you can buy a Boston Sightseeing Pass.

In addition to free admission to many places such as museums and exhibitions, you will get incredible discounts in restaurants, transport and shops. As if that wasn't enough, you also have the advantage of skipping the queue at several attractions if you show your card. The most popular tourist passes for visitors to Boston are the Boston CardPASS and the Go Boston Card.

Buy your Boston Sightseeing Pass

What to pack for Boston in September

Preparing your luggage| ©Marissa Grootes
Preparing your luggage| ©Marissa Grootes

Temperatures start to drop in September as autumn approaches. On the other hand, rainy days start to increase, so you'll need to pack warm clothes and rain gear. Overnight you'll notice an abrupt drop in temperature so if you're cold you'll want to pack a jacket and a sweater as well.

Although it's almost autumn, you may still find some warm days, so you should pack some light clothing too, especially if you plan to do a lot of walking. Footwear is also important, it's a good idea to pack shoes suitable for rainy days so you don't have to waste time looking for a shoe shop to buy them in a hurry because you didn't take them with you.

For a night out, clothes should not only be warmer, they should also be a little more formal. At evening events such as concerts, dinners or theatre performances, Bostonians tend to dress more formally, so it's a good idea to dress more formally yourself to feel in line with the dress code. Also remember to pack your electronic devices and all their accessories (chargers, stands, etc.).

Tips for travelling to Boston in September

Comfortable shoes| ©Bran Sodre
Comfortable shoes| ©Bran Sodre
  • Book your tours, cruises and tickets to the main attractions early and online, not only do you get better prices, but you also secure entry on the date you want and can in many cases skip the queues.

  • Buy a city tourist pass, you will save a lot of time and money during your stay in the city of Boston in September. It is estimated that the average tourist can save around 47% during their visit thanks to tourist passes such as the Boston CardPASS or the Go Boston Card.

  • When packing, remember to include warm clothes and footwear suitable for rainy days.

  • Also pack light clothing for your daytime strolls if you plan to do a lot of walking.

  • Try to use public transport- connections are excellent in Boston. By using public transport you will not only be saving money on fuel and parking, you will also be saving a lot of time.

  • If you don't speak English, downloading a translation app for your mobile phone can be very useful.

  • Don't forget to bring all your camera, mobile phone and laptop accessories and extra batteries, chargers and camera stands.

  • Always carry your passport with you in a safe place.

  • When you leave the hotel, always carry with you the details of the hotel you are staying at during your visit to the city.

  • Avoid going to places that are considered unsafe. Ask your hotel which places are best avoided for safety reasons.

  • If you want to eat at one of Boston's famous restaurants, book well in advance- most of the top restaurants have waiting lists of months to get a table.