Summer. The best of all. The motivation to get through our hellish winters. The reason we live here.
And it has arrived!!
This guide is lengthy… we have never met a daytrip we didn’t love! But there are also so many things to enjoy in Boston if you’re visiting the city//already live here and just aren’t interested in leaving it.
If there are other towns or regions you’re wondering about, let me know and I’d be happy to send along any tips I might have xx
First Fridays at the ICA. The mister and I stumbled upon this a couple summers ago, and we swear it is the hidden gem of Boston. We already knew the Institute of Contemporary Art was a great museum, but the first Friday of every month, they host a party, and the summer Fridays are really the time to enjoy it:: The back deck is open with live music, oysters, dranks…
Take a drive up on the North Shore to Newburyport. This is the perfect town for a daytrip– close, but you feel so far from the city.
Visit the Brimfield Antique Fair. Am I going overboard by saying it’s a rite of passage for any New Englander? Even if antiquing isn’t your thing, this is still a sight to see, and so many treasures to be found. It happens three times per year, this year’s dates being May 12-17, July 14-19, and September 8-13.
Drive over the bridge to Cape Cod. A place so special to us and you’ll never run out of things to do here. I have guides+ideas for Truro // Welfleet // Chatham // Nauset, but it’s hard to go wrong with any town down the Cape. And now that the MBTA is running the CapeFLYER on weekends, it’s even easier to get there.
Take a Boston Harbor Cruise. Whether you’re spending a day on one of the Boston Harbor Islands, taking the ferry to Provincetown, or enjoying one of their cruises [we love their brunch cruise!], this is such a good excuse to sail around the Boston Harbor.
Hop on the Woods Hole ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. Our favorite vacation spot, and you could visit for a day or a month. Full guide here!
Shakespeare on the Common. One of the coolest things Boston has to offer in the summer. Runs July 22-August 9 with FREE performances Tuesday-Sunday evenings, and this year’s play is King Lear.
Spend a Sunday at SoWa. Running May through October, this is the South End’s open market, where you can find everything from fresh produce to food trucks, and modern art to antiques.
Take a sunset sail aboard the Liberty Clipper. Another spontaneous decision of ours one night a couple summers ago, and SO worth it.
Other summer favorites? Have drinks on the roof at Legal Harborside, do your grocery shopping at Haymarket on Fridays and Saturdays, go to a North End feast in August, catch an outdoor movie at the Boston Harbor Hotel on Friday nights, and for the love of God please forget the crowds and experience at least one Fourth of July in Boston. There is nothing like that show, and the Boston Pops never fail to give me the chills.
I could go on forever, but I’ll leave you with that. Happy summertime friends!
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love it!
TAKE ME BACK.
Sigh… This is making me homesick. Such beautiful photos, girl!
Love this, bring on summer!!
Great ideas. Am a fan of many here. I would add the free movies – if still in existence at the Hatch Shell. Those are great evenings too!
You’re so right– we always opt for the ones at the Boston Harbor Hotel, but much easier to get a place on the lawn at the Hatch Shell! Coolidge Corner Theater is also doing a series on the Rose Kennedy Greenway this summer I just found out 🙂
Oh thanks for the tip – I live outside of the city and had not heard!