18 Must-do Activities Before the End of Summer in Boston
When:
Friday, Aug 23, 2024 8:00a -
Monday, Sep 30, 2024 9:00p
Friday, Aug 23, 2024 8:00a -
Monday, Sep 30, 2024 9:00p
Where:
Boston
Surrounding areas
Boston, MA
Admission:
$Varies
Categories:
Drinks, Farms, Festivals & Fairs, Food, Nature, Outside, Seasonal
Bostonians cherish the summer, the few bright months of sunshine before fall and winter blanket the Boston Common. To make the most of our last few weeks of the season, check out these spectacular end-of–summer activities. While you’re at it, prepare to hunt for treasure during Allston Christmas, Boston’s biggest moving day when folks leave everything from couches to canned goods on the Allston sidewalks.
1) Roller skate for free in Kendall Square
When: Weekly Wednesday to Sunday through 9/29
Where: Kendall Square
Info: Enjoy FREE roller skating and free skate rentals every week at Rollerama in Kendall Square. They have food and drink vendors on-site and offer regular events like live DJs and Drift & Drag Skate.
2) Watch the sunset over Boston
When: Daily
Where: Around Boston
Info: Boston is always beautiful but there’s something especially magical about the city at sunset. Enjoy the golden hour glow from parks, beaches, hilltops, and more spots around Boston.
When: Thursday 8/22 to Sunday 8/25
Where: North End
Info: North End Feast season is one of the best ways to enjoy the historic Italian neighborhood. Saint Anthony’s Feast, one of the biggest of the month, features a parade, live entertainment, and all the red sauce you can eat. There’s also the San Gennaro Feast in the North End and an Italian feast in Cambridge in early September if you miss this one.
4) Attend an Open Newbury Street
When: Sundays 8/25, 9/8
Where: Back Bay
Info: Wander along Newbury Street during the car-free Sundays when local vendors pop up on the street, musicians perform under the summer sun, and ice cream tastes extra sweet.
5) Enjoy an outdoor movie night
When: Through 10/11
Where: Around Boston
Info: There are dozens of free, outdoor movie screenings during the summer. If you haven’t been to one yet, now’s your chance to snack on popcorn under the stars while watching a classic.
When: Through 9/30
Where: Boston Harbor
Info: Get around in summer style by taking a free or cheap water ferry to East Boston, Seaport, Charlestown, or Everett across the Boston Harbor.
When: August through Mid September
Where: Greater Boston
Info: The sunflower bloom in Greater Boston is set to peak in early September this year and there’s almost nothing that says end of summer quite like a gorgeous field of yellow sunflowers. Stroll through the flowers at these farms close to Boston.
8) Pick your own flowers & produce at a farm
When: Daily through the end of October
Where: Greater Boston
Info: Pick your own flowers, berries, apples, and more at scenic farms in the Greater Boston area. Everything tastes better when you’ve harvested it with your own hands.
When: Daily
Where: Boston & Beyond
Info: Before it gets too chilly to be in the water take a dip in one of these pools in and around Boston. Some of them offer day passes or you can splurge and turn it into a summery staycation.
When: Daily
Where: Around Boston
Info: There are so many fun ways to get on the water around Boston, from kayaking down the Charles River and cruising the Boston Harbor to taking a sailboat to the waters of Jamaica Pond.
11) Ride a swan boat
When: Daily through September 2
Where: Back Bay
Info: Take advantage of this classic Boston experience while you can. The historic swan boats float around the Boston Public Garden pond offering a relaxing way to view the park.
When: Weekly
Where: Around Boston
Info: Outdoor markets flourish in Boston during the summer months. Shop local businesses, artists, and vintage vendors at weekly markets like Fenway Flea, SoWa Open Market, and more.
13) Enjoy a concert in the courtyard at the Boston Public Library
When: Wednesday & Friday through August 30
Where: Back Bay
Info: Listen to free, live music twice a week in the gorgeous courtyard at the Boston Public Library for the whole month of August.
14) Take an outdoor fitness class
When: Daily through October
Where: Around Boston
Info: Break out a sweat during an outdoor fitness class and take advantage of that blue-sky summer weather. Most are free and they span the spectrum from yoga and meditation to HIIT and weight training. Beach yoga is particularly summery to make the most of the season.
When: Daily
Where: Around Boston
Info: There’s still time to soak up that sun! There are tons of beaches accessible via public transit here in Boston so you can have a classic beach day without needing a car.
16) Sip drinks at a boozy garden
When: Daily
Where: Around Boston
Info: Sip a cocktail or mocktail under the summer sun at these beautiful, boozy gardens around the city. Many of them also offer live entertainment, food options, and lawn games. Depending on your tastes, there’s also plenty of beer gardens and scenic rooftops to visit as well.
When: Daily
Where: Greater Boston
Info: Take advantage of the $10 MBTA Weekend Pass and explore coastal communities near Boston. Stroll beaches, take in local history, and eat loads of local seafood.
18) Jam out at Summer Rooftop DJ Weekends
When: Fridays & Saturdays through October 5
Where: Downtown
Info: Jam out to beats spun by live DJs on the rooftop of the Sam Adams Boston Taproom overlooking the city.
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Photo by @eziquio
