Following up on such a rainy June, Bostonians and the flowers are eager to bloom out and explore the outdoors. Whether you prefer a seaside excursion, camp retreat, or staying in the city and basking in the Boston sunshine we’ve rounded up the most exciting things to do in Boston this July!
1. Take a magical sightseeing tour of the Boston Harbor
Sail aboard the Adirondack III, an 80-foot ship circa 1890. You’ll tour everything from Seaport to Charlestown. Reserve your spot on board to catch that summer breeze on a historic vessel this July!
2. Take a mystery picnic foodie adventure in Boston
Unlock a series of clues that guide you to your final destination! An intimate picnic awaits you as your final prize for uncovering all the clues! Take advantage of the gorgeous weather and reserve your mystery picnic!
3. Head to a Fourth of July comedy show in Cambridge
Fourth of July skeptics will enjoy Ain’t That America, a standup show featuring local comedy talent hailing from Cambridge and the Boston area. The show seeks to spotlight first-generation comics, adding both nuance and comic relief to the topic of patriotism.
Find it at Starlight Square, 84 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139 on Thursday, July 6 from 7pm to 9pm.
4. Enjoy a car-free stroll through Copley
Starting July 2 and lasting every Sunday through October 15, is Open Newbury! the popular street is closed off to cars and instead is filled with patio seating and vendor pop-ups to parous!
5. Dive into history with a Freedom Trail tour
With the Fourth of July coming up, it’s a great time to brush up on your high school U.S. history if need be. Learn more about Boston’s history on the Freedom Trail tour, which spotlights historic spots around the city.
Find more information on the Freedom Trail here.
6. Enjoy the sweet serenade of a Candlelight Concert
Sway to the soothing melody of a string quartet as they play some of your favorite tunes! Candlelight Concerts in Boston take place in stunning venues with decorated with thousands of glowing candles!
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Radiohead at the Gordon Chapel
- Candlelight: Songs from Magical Movie Soundtracks
- Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More
7. Soak up the sun on an outdoor patio
Lazy summer days are the perfect time to dig into some food and a cold drink at one of Boston’s many eminently Instagrammable patios. Check out some of our top patio picks here.
8. Ogle at fish at the New England Aquarium
Escape heat, humidity, or rain by spending a day exploring the New England Aquarium. A paradise for fish enthusiasts and the young at heart, the NEAQ is a perfect spot to spend an afternoon. Though you’ll need to reserve a time when you book your tickets, there’s no time limit for visits, meaning you can stare in awe for as long as you’d like.
Find it at 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
9. Take a buggy or Arctic Adventure (and more!) at the Museum of Science
For an air-conditioned day of fun and exploration, take the science enthusiasts and kids in your life to the Museum of Science. This expansive science museum is chock full of interactive activities, including and Arctic Adventure to help you cool off. Experience the Arctic chill with an ice wall and try your hand a navigating a glacier!
10… and while you’re there, catch a 4-D film
Explore a world beyond 3-D, here all of the senses get to have fun! The 4-D films engage feelings and scent while sharing fascinating educational stories of different creatures and habitats. This summer enjoy films on sea lions, aquatic exploration, and forest critters.
Find the Museum of Science at 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114.
11. Dine on a floating ship in East Boston
Tall Ship, a floating restaurant housed in a 245-foot ship docked at Pier One is the premiere summer hangout for Boston. Feast on oysters, shellfish, and sushi. Find more information on The Tall Ship here.
Find The Tall Ship docked at Pier One, 1 East Pier Drive, Boston, MA 02128.
12. Pay a visit to the Franklin Park Zoo
For a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of downtown, make a trip to the Franklin Park Zoo to get a glimpse of some incredible animals. You’ll see everything from pensive barn owls to laughing kookaburras to stately tigers.
13. Check out Concerts in the Courtyard
The Concerts in the Courtyard weekly concert series welcomes a new artist to the courtyard of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square every Friday. These hour-long shows (running at unique dates and times) are perfect for lunch break entertainment or families with children.
14. … and treat yourself to an afternoon tea at the library
The Boston Public Library’s Central branch is an impressive Renaissance-style building with plenty of architectural merit, as well as being home to a staggering collection of books and other public amenities. Perhaps even more impressive are the sequestered Courtyard and Map Tea Rooms for an elegant tea at the library!
Find the Central Boston Public Library at 700 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116.
15. Play tourist and take a Duck Tour
We know this one isn’t exactly a secret, it’s a tourist favorite for a reason, and something to experience at least once as a Bostonian! This tour, which takes place on a unique amphibious vehicle that drives on land and floats on water, leads guests past the city’s key historical landmarks. After finishing the driving tour, the “DUCK” drives into the Charles River, giving its passengers uninterrupted views of the Boston and Cambridge skylines. Find more information here.
16. Make some weekend plans
After diving into our definitive list of things to do in July, make sure you’re not missing out this weekend. Check out things you don’t want to miss in Boston for the weekend.
17. Captain your own boat on the Boston Harbor
Boston Electric Boats offers up an on the water experience unlike any other in the city! You can charter your own boat without a captain on board (aka you are the captain now)! Sail around and bring snacks on board for the ultimate summer excursion!
18. Take a helicopter tour of Cape Cod
Helicopter Tour Boston will fly you over the city or the Cape. The rides are an epic way to get a dazzling bird’s eye view. Plus, for the adrenaline junkie you can opt to fly “doors off.”
19. Awe at the magical floating umbrella sky in Newport
Over 500 umbrellas color the sky in Newport for the first-ever Umbrella Project installation to hit New England! It’s the perfect backdrop for images and afterwards make sure to check out the eclectic shops and restaurants!
20. Attend a Hawaiian Luau for charity
ALS One will host an incredible Hawaiian Luau for a good cause. All proceeds from the event go towards ALS research. The Luau takes place on July 10 at Quincy’s Granite Links Golf Club which stunningly overlooks the Boston skyline!
100 Quarry Hills Dr, Quincy, MA 02169 starting at 1:30 PM
21. Check out fresh films at the Roxbury International Film Festival
From June 28 through July 2, RoxFilm celebrates emerging film talent! From student films to intense dramas, you’ll find new genres and indie standouts at the film festival. The 25-year-old festival showcased over 1,500 films to over 35,000 attendees. The in-person screenings are June 20-28 and the online screenings run until July 2!
22. Catch a concert at Roadrunner
Speaking of emerging talent, Hayden Pedigo’s American tour lands in Boston on July 15! Catch him at Roadrunner live with Jenny Lewis! The lineup will include songs like The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored from Pedigo’s new album, “Mexican Summer.”
23. Take a yoga class on Nahant Beach
Waves of Peace is a local woman-founded yoga extravaganza that takes place on Nahant Beach every Sunday at 7 AM. The serene classes are directed by the instructor, Angela and are incredibly soothing. Learn more about the summer yoga series, Waves of Peace online! Classes are BOGO for new students with a drop-in price of $15.
24. Jam out to Brandi Carlile and Ziggy Marley and more at the Levitate Arts and Music Festival
Levitate celebrates a decade of music and art at this year’s epic festival! Taking place by the surf and skate shop of Marshfield, MA, attendees can expect pro skate exhibitions curated by Nora Vasconcellos, amazing food, and bewildering art installations.
The festival runs from July 7-9 in Marshfield, MA
25. Attend a Patriots training camp at Gillette
Catch the team up close and personal from July 26-28 at Gillette Stadium! Cheer on your favorite players and meet Pat Patriot in person.