10 Things to Do in Boston in July

July, in the height of summer, is the perfect time to enjoy the dozens of outdoor activities that take place annually in the city of Boston, from concerts to gastronomic events.

Verónica Álvarez

Verónica Álvarez

11 min read

10 Things to Do in Boston in July

Boston | ©Moe Homayounieh

If you're visiting Boston during the month of July, you're in luck, because it's one of the best months to visit the city, not only because of the wonderful weather but also because there are so many events available.

From concerts to pizza festivals, there's something for everyone in July, and Boston never ceases to amaze its visitors. There are many things to see and do in Boston throughout the year, but July is for me the best time to visit the city.

1. Enjoy one of the many free concerts at the Hatch Shell

Concert at the Hatch Shell| ©Garrett A. Wollman
Concert at the Hatch Shell| ©Garrett A. Wollman

Throughout the summer, Boston hosts a series of wonderful concerts at the famous Hatch Shell along the Charles River esplanade. Every Wednesday in July, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra offers free concerts at the Hatch Shell for everyone to enjoy.

Bring a blanket or some chairs for a family picnic, as the city of Boston has everything ready for you to have a wonderful evening of entertainment and great music on the banks of the Charles River.

The Landmarks Orchestra's July concert line-up in Boston is not to be missed.

Interesting details about this event

  • When: Every Wednesday in July.
  • Where: on the banks of the Charles River at the Hatch Shell.
  • Price: it's free.

2. Take part in one of more than 200 events during Boston Harborfest

Boston Harborfest| ©Robert Kendall
Boston Harborfest| ©Robert Kendall

Boston Harborfest is an annual festival celebrating Boston's maritime and colonial history.

You can enjoy over 200 different events taking place throughout the week in Boston's historic downtown and waterfront districts, as well as major events taking place in City Hall Plaza.

Typically, the event kicks off at Faneuil Hall with a giant patriotic cake and extends throughout Independence Day weekend at Boston's historic sites with hundreds of different activities.

These family-friendly events are part of one of the largest Fourth of July festivals in the country. Choose which of the Boston Harborfest activities to participate in.

Activities vary from year to year, so check the official event website for the different options that are announced.

Book a Boston history tour

3. Make the most of the good weather and take a guided walking tour of the city of Boston

Beacon Hill Road| ©Javi D
Beacon Hill Road| ©Javi D

Boston is a very walk able city and you can find things to do in many areas to suit all tastes, all ages and all budgets. July is an ideal month to explore the city on foot, as the weather is very pleasant.

You can opt for one of the many guided tours available in the city to get to know it in depth. If you don't know where to start looking, you can start by taking a look at the top 10 guided tours in Boston and choose the one you like best.

Don't forget to bring a hat and sunscreen, the weather is nice but the sun is very strong this time of year.

Book a guided walking tour of Boston

4. Attend the Chinatown Main Street Festival

Chinatown Main Street Festival| ©Leonardo March
Chinatown Main Street Festival| ©Leonardo March

The annual Chinatown Main Street Festival in Boston takes place in early July. This event is fun, festive, family-friendly and admission is free.

This initiative is several years old and arose as a response from Chinatown merchants to a crisis in the neighbourhood. The intention of this festival is not only to raise awareness of Chinese culture in the city, but also to attract tourists and boost trade in the area.

During this festival, you will be able to enjoy demonstrations of martial arts, traditional Chinese dances and Asian handicrafts. You will also be able to enjoy delicious Chinese food.

Follow Chinatown Main Street on Facebook for all the activities available for the month of July.

Details of this activity

  • When: First week of July.
  • Where: Chinatown, Boston.
  • Price: it's free

5. Attend a Red Sox game at Fenway Park

At Fenway Park| ©Joe Passe
At Fenway Park| ©Joe Passe

To try to understand the fanaticism that Bostonians feel for their local baseball team, the Red Sox, there is nothing better than going to a game at Fenway Park.

Season tickets sell out easily so it's best to secure yours and buy online in advance.

During the month of July the weather is optimal for attending games, usually at night so temperatures are not scorching hot and not cold either, making the experience that much more enjoyable.

Buy your ticket to watch the Red Sox

6. Have a late night picnic and enjoy a movie

Boston by Night| ©Robert Kendall
Boston by Night| ©Robert Kendall

During the warm summer months, Bostonians make the most of the outdoors and often have picnics while watching free movies.

During the month of July, outdoor movies are shown at various locations in Boston at night. This is a great activity to do as a couple if you're a romantic person.

There's nothing better than sitting on a blanket in a moonlit park watching a movie. If you are travelling with children this is also a good alternative to spend some relaxing family time.

You can watch outdoor movies in Boston at various parks and squares. Check the calendar of outdoor movies in Boston and choose the one you like best.

You can explore other activities to do at night in Boston and have different experiences.

7. Pick your own blueberries at a local farm

Blueberry Plantation| ©Fernando Z
Blueberry Plantation| ©Fernando Z

With the summer heat, there's no better and more refreshing way to keep the kids entertained than picking fruit. It's the perfect season to pick fresh, juicy blueberries at one of the many farms around Boston.

Taking a trip to a farm is a great way to teach kids where their food comes from while keeping them active and entertained.

There are many great places to pick blueberries near Boston with the kids in the summer. See how much fun a visit to a farm in Boston can be to pick fruit with your kids.

If you're not convinced about going to a farm to pick blueberries, there are plenty of other activities to do with kids in Boston, but if you're up for it, here are a few places where you can do it.

Boston HIll Farm

Lookout Farm

  • Address: 89 Pleasant Street South Natick, MA 01760.
  • Telephone: (508) 745-3697.

8. Cruise the Charles River

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

One of the favourite activities for locals and tourists during the month of July in Boston is to embark on a cruise and enjoy the day on the Charles River. The weather in July is the best of the year for cruising, the waters are calm, it' s not as windy as in other months and the temperature is ideal.

You can spend a few wonderful hours, in a natural and peaceful environment, while seeing the city of Boston and its surroundings from a different angle.

Cruises on the Charles River are a great experience for the whole family and introduce the little ones to boating activities.

Book your Charles River cruise in Boston

9. Fridays in July are free fun days in Boston

MIT Museum| ©John Phelan
MIT Museum| ©John Phelan

During the month of July, the Highland Street Foundation offers you the opportunity to visit over 100 Boston area venues for free, including museums, theatres, shows, etc. through its popular Free Fun Fridays programme.

Every Friday you will have the opportunity to visit up to 10 of these ven ues for free.

This programme has already been used by thousands of visitors to get to know interesting places in the city. Get to know the mission of the Highland Street Foundation and take part in the activities offered for free during the month of July in Boston.

10. Enjoy Boston's Pizza Festival

Eating Pizza| ©Fatima Akram
Eating Pizza| ©Fatima Akram

The Boston Pizza Festival is much more than just eating all the pizza you can eat, you can also enjoy live entertainment and games.

This event is a two-day outdoor festival with live music, food and prizes. Vendors serve all kinds of pizzas, gluten-free, vegan, Neapolitan, and more.

If you're not in Boston during the two-day festival, don't worry. If you're passionate about pizza, you'll still be able to sample it on an exclusive food tour of Boston.

Useful information about Boston

  • Where: City Hall Plaza
  • When: usually held during the first or second weekend of July, from 11am to 10pm.
  • Price: from around $15 ($20 if you buy your ticket at the box office).

Book a Boston Pizza Tour

Temperatures and weather in Boston during the month of July

Summer in Boston| ©Harry Lipson III
Summer in Boston| ©Harry Lipson III

July is one of the hottest months of the year in Boston. Temperatures can reach over 26 degrees Celsius during the day. While it's true that overnight temperatures drop sharply, to around 16 degrees Celsius, it's also true that at times during the day the heat can be scorching.

When planning your trip, check the weather in Boston during the summer to see what the weather will be like during your visit to the city.

Boston's July tourist arrivals

New England Aquarium| ©Beyond My Ken
New England Aquarium| ©Beyond My Ken

July is one of the busiest months of the year for visitors to Boston. It can be difficult to get tickets to attractions if you don't book in advance.

It can also be difficult to find a seat at the busiest restaurants if you don't book in advance. If you want to secure your spot at some of the major attractions, such as the Boston Aquarium, you may want to buy tickets online.

Another great advantage of buying your tickets in advance is that in many cases you will be able to skip the queues and save not only a lot of money but also a lot of time.

Buy your tickets to the Boston Aquarium

Prices in Boston during the month of July

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

July is not only the busiest but also the most expensive month in Boston. There are many free activities to do in the city during July, but the city's main attractions continue to be fee-paying.

To cut the cost of travelling to Boston in July and enjoy the city in one of the best months of the year, it's a good idea to buy one of the city's tourist passes.

Both the Boston CardPASS and the Go Boston Card will save you a lot of money during your trip. Many tickets are free if you are a holder of one of these cards, in other cases you can get discounts of around 50% on tickets. You'll also get discounts at restaurants, transport and shops.

Buy your Boston Sightseeing Pass

What to pack for Boston in July

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

If you're visiting Boston in the middle of summer, don't forget your swimming costume, sunscreen, sunglasses and sandals for a day at the beach or your hotel pool.

When touring the city, make sure to bring cool clothes and comfortable, ventilated shoes if possible.

Remember that, although it's summer, temperatures drop quite a bit at night, so bring a jacket.

If you plan to go out in the evening to a restaurant, theatre or concert, it's a good idea to dress a little more formally as this is what Bostonians tend to wear in these venues at night.

Tips for visiting Boston in July

Comfortable Shoes| ©Bran Sodre
Comfortable Shoes| ©Bran Sodre
  • Plan your trip ahead and prepare your itinerary in advance by buying as many tickets as you can online. During July many events are sold out at the box office due to the massive influx of people. Also, take advantage of the fact that buying tickets online often gives you the option of skipping the queues.
  • It is advisable to have the transfer from the airport to the hotel and vice versa already arranged to avoid carrying luggage during the transfer and to be able to come and go without worrying about driving. Check Boston airport transfer options and book in advance.
  • If you plan to eat at one of the city's famous Michelin-starred restaurants, for example, be aware that many of them have a waiting list of months to get a table, so book as early as possible.
  • Take sunscreen, after-sun balm and UV-filtering lip balm with you on your outdoor activities, especially if you plan to go sailing. The sun can be very scorching in July in Boston.
  • If you're travelling with children, avoid the hottest part of the day for outdoor activities and bring a bottle of water for them to keep them entertained if they get bored. It's also a good idea to pack a snack in case the little ones get hungry between meals. As the weather is very hot, fruits and juices are the best options.
  • If you plan to do a lot of walking, as well as comfortable shoes, bring several bottles of water for you and your group.
  • If you're travelling to Boston for the first time, avoid getting separated from your group and if you do, be sure to take all your hotel details with you when you return.
  • As in all major cities in the United States, there are neighbourhoods that are not a good alternative for sightseeing, check with your hotel which are the dangerous areas of the city and avoid going near them.
  • Opt for public transport- the underground and bus networks are excellent in Boston and save you not only gas money but also the stress of driving around the city.
  • Buy the Boston cardPASS or the Go Boston Card. These are two different types of tourist passes that give you free access to many places and significant discounts at others. It is estimated that holders of either of these two passes save an average of 47% on their activities in Boston, and if you add to that the fact that you also get discounts at various restaurants and shops, the savings can be even greater.
  • Prepare your camera, mobile phones, laptops and all their accessories in advance, many times in the rush before leaving we forget the chargers and it can be a considerable setback to go out and look for compatible chargers.