From springtime favorites like walks through the park and outdoor dining to exciting events like hidden garden tours and gin & tea parties, read on to find all the fantastic things to do in Boston this spring.
1-8. See spring flowers in bloom at 8 local spots
While most flowers will start to bloom in mid-April, if you look closely, you can see the first sprouts of spring flowers now. Soon enough, Boston will be in full bloom, so check out our guide on 8 places that’ll you’ll be guaranteed to see flowers this spring, including:
- The Gardner Museum: if it’s still too early for spring flowers outdoors, you can see dazzling orchids inside their courtyard.
- Back Bay neighborhood: from early to late April, you’ll find magnolias in every shape, size, and color
- Arnold Arboretum: with a beautiful selection of trees year round, it’s a popular spot in early May when the lilacs bloom.
9. Go down the rabbit hole at the Mad Hatter’s Gin & Tea Party
Let a little storybook magic into your life at this Alice in Wonderland-inspired Gin and Tea Party in Boston. At this tipsy tea party extravaganza, you’ll join the Mad Hatter, Dormouse, and The March Hare, in a 90-minute long, cocktail-crafting session. With whimsical cocktails in a completely surreal environment, it’s the perfect event for springtime fun. Limited seats are avaiable at the Mad Hatter’s table, so make sure to book your tickets soon!
10-11. Learn all about making maple syrup
For a little bit longer, you can experience this classic New England end-of winter experience. Appleton Farms in Ipswich hosts hands-on family maple sugaring workshops every weekend from now until March 27, and Old Sturbridge Village is hosting their Maple Days events throughout the month, too.
12. Bring home your own piece of spring with a bouquet of flowers
We can’t wait to tiptoe through the tulips when they start to bloom outdoors this spring, but you can also take a little piece of spring home with you when you stop by a local florists’ shop! The iconic Rouvalis Flowers already has their spring display out, so you don’t have to wait for flowers to bloom outdoors to get your own colorful blossoms.
13-19. Dine al fresco on a patio when the weather’s nice
Springtime weather can be a bit of a gamble in Boston, but later in April and May, you can expect many restaurants to be opening their patios and terraces to the public for some delightful outdoor dining opportunities. You can check out our favorite spots from last year in the meantime, and keep your eyes peeled on your favorite restuarant’s social media pages for the return of patioi seaosn!
20. Tour the hidden gardens of Beacon Hill
Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood hosts a tour once a year of the houses’ gardens, and the Hidden Gardens tour is set to return this year on May 19. Whether rain or shine, you’ll have access to see the fabulous private gardens of the Beacon Hill Garden Club, and they’re certainly a sight to behold. Get your tickets and more information about the event at their website.
21. Visit the MFA during the ‘Art in Bloom’ Event
Spring is just around the corner, and to celebrate one of the prettiest times of the year, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston will be showcasing dozens of massive floral arrangements inspired by the paintings in their own collection. Returning for the first time since 2019, the Art in Bloom event will take place this year from Friday, April 29, to Sunday, May 1. You won’t want to miss this multi-sensory artistic experience!
22-27. Take a walk in one of Boston’s lovely public parks
Whether you’re scoping out locations for a picnic or a new jogging path, check out our picks for the best parks in Boston. From Fenway to the South End to the Back Bay, Boston’s green spaces are a perfect backdrop for a springtime walk on a warm day.
28. Catch the Red Sox home opener at Fenway Park
On April 15, our beloved Red Sox make their return to Fenway Park. Whether you’re in the stands or watching at your favorite sports bar, you’ll be sure to have a good time enjoying America’s favorite pastime.
29-33. Take a ride on a scenic bike path
A bike ride around Boston is a simple and peaceful activity for locals and visitors alike to enjoy while the weather is nice. There’s a bike path for everyone – whether you’re looking for a beginner-friendly path, Instagrammable views of the city, or historical landmarks. You can bring your own bike or rent a Blue Bike from one of the many docking stations around the Hub.
34. Visit an outdoor bookstore
Boston has a great selection of indie bookstores, but during the warmer moths, you’ll defintely want to check out Brattle’s outdoor book stalls, filled with good reads and great deals. Located near Boston Common, Brattle Book Shop is one of America’s oldest and largest used book shops. Be sure to check out Brattle’s two full floors of used books indoors too!
35. Stargaze (for free!) at BU’s observtory
If you’ve ever wanted to take a closer look at the night sky above us, look no further than Public Open Night at Boston University’s Coit Observatory, located on top of the Physics Research Building. Every Wednesday, as long as the weather is clear, BU’s astronomy department hosts the observation nights from 8:30pm during the spring and summer months. You’ll be able to see the night sky and learn about astronomy along the way!
36. Have a tea party inside the Boston Public Library
Did you know that one of the classiest tea rooms in the city is located inside the Boston Public Library? The Courtyard Tea Room has all the tiny cakes and crumpets that you could desire, and the location is killer too. You can make a reservations at their website.
[featured image: Unsplash / Kelly Sikkema]