As the temperature drops and the leaves change colors, Boston is looking positively picturesque at this time of year. And with Halloween just around the corner, there are tons of activities to take part in around the city this October!
From festivals to nature walks, here are our recommendations for plans this month:
1. Enter a magical forest inspired by the wizarding world at Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
A woodland trail inspired by the Forbidden Forest from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series is set to open in NY’s stunning Hudson Valley this autumn — and tickets are now on sale! After announcing its U.S. debut in Leesburg, VA, it will be arriving in Westchester County on October 22 to take fans on a journey that will quite literally illuminate some of their favorite Forbidden Forest moments.
Only three hours from Boston at the expansive Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Westchester County, NY, the incredible experience makes for a perfect getaway if you’re looking to escape the city. Get your tickets here!
2. Trek through a dino safari
Dino Safari is a larger-than-life dinosaur exhibition showcasing over 20 animatronic creatures right here in Boston! Get transported to the Mesozoic Era as you explore every historically accurate detail of these dinos. The exhibit is equipped with virtual reality simulations and a Draw Alive Drawing Game where you can color in creatures and watch them breath to life on the big screen!
Get your tickets here to go on the ride of your life at Dino Safari.
Find the Dino Safari at Faneuil Hall Marketplace from Oct 26, 2022 to January 2023
3-4. Light up the mood with a candlelight concert
Imagine sitting in the warm glow of a thousand candles, with a live orchestra softly strumming classic tunes in an ornate historic building. Candlelight Concerts mesh the magic of live performance with a multi-sensory musical experience for a jaw dropping performance! October brings two unique Candlelight experiences to Boston.
- If you’re in for a spine-chilling musical performance, check out the Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics!
- If you’re a fan of The Chain or Landslide, you’ll love the Candlelight tribute to Fleetwood Mac
These limited-edition Candlelight experiences only take place in October! Tickets are selling out fast for showtimes, so make sure to secure a seat!
5-8. Go apple picking at a tranquil orchard
Apple picking is the quintessential fall activity in New England. What’s better than exploring picturesque apple orchards, picking your own, and taking a bag home to enjoy in a homemade apple pie or just by themselves? Our list of the ten best orchards will definitely get you motivated to plan a weekend excursion outside the city.
- Brooksby Farm in Peabody
- Boston Hill Farm and Smolak Farms in North Andover
- Lookout Farm in Natick
- Dowse Orchards and in Sherborn
If you want a pick at some of the best apples in the country, according to USA Today, then head to this farm in Northborough, MA!
9-10. Explore Massachusetts’ spookiest town, Salem
Just 17 miles north of Boston sits the small, quaint town of Salem: a place known for its ghosts, mysterious energy and, of course, its famous witch trials. From haunted spots and historic sites to magic shops, we’ve come up with a few magical Salem spots to explore and bask in the city’s witchy spirit. Check out our full guide to exploring Salem here.
You can also try your own stay in the Sanderson Sisters’ cottage starting on October 12; read more about that here!
11. Catch the fall foliage at the best rated spot in Massachusetts
Planning a trip to the countryside to catch the leaves changing colors this fall? Lenox, MA should be on your itinerary. According to Reader’s Digest, this Berkshire town has some of the most vibrant fall foliage in the country. Starting in late September, the area’s landscapes are ablaze with reds, yellows, and greens. Read more here.
12. Or explore a hidden waterfall in Vermont, surrounded by changing trees
Tucked away in Warren, VT, these falls are the perfect natural spot to escape the leaf-peeping crowds. A wild swimming spot may not sound like the most appealing fall destination but hear us out. If you’re looking to escape the throngs of leaf-peepers currently exploring the New England wilderness but still want to bask in the glorious fall foliage of the area, this is the place for you this fall. Details here!
13-17. Get lost in a corn maze
Before escape rooms were all the rage, corn mazes were (and still are!) the best places to have fun and solve a massive outdoor puzzle with your friends. Bring family and friends for a day of trial and error as you navigate your way through fields of corn as far as the eye can see at a corn maze close to Boston.. Here are some ideas:
- Hanson’s Farms in Framingham
- Marini Farm in Ipswich
- Connors Farm in Danvers
- Sauchuk’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Plympton
- Davis Mega Maze in Sterling
See the rest of the best corn mazes in Boston here!
18. Cheer on the Head of the Charles athletes
It’s been two years of modified racing, but the Head of the Charles regatta will be finally back in full force October 21 this year. It’s a fun spectacle to cheer on the rowers from these five iconic HOCR viewing spots.
19-24. Go on a beautifully haunting hike through an abandoned ghost town
A spookier alternative to the classic autumn nature walk is exploring one of Massachusetts’ ghost towns. As our state is home to some of the first settlements in the United States, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of ghost towns around. Whether the original inhabitants abandoned the villages over decades or were forced to leave, there’s plenty of interesting history remaining for you to explore on a hike through ages past.
Check out the eerie magnificence of these towns:
- Dogtown
- Catamount
- Quabbin Reservoir Towns
- Long Point
- Whitewash Village
- Davis
View our full itinerary of Massachusetts ghost towns for a solidarity staycation.
25-31. Go glamping in the great outdoors
Fall weather can be unpredictable, but you can bet that a glamping experience is sure to be a comfortable getaway in nature this fall. Glamping (glamorous camping!) provides all the beautiful scenery of the outdoors without sacrificing modern amenities. Luckily there are tons of glampsites around New England such as:
- Getaway in Epson, New Hampshire
- Normandy Farms in Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Maine Forest Yurts in Durham, Maine
- Tops’l Farm in Waldoboro, Maine
- Sandy Pines Campground in Kennebunkport, Maine
- Huttopia White Mountains in Albany, New Hampshire
- Autocamp in Cape Cod
While some require long car rides away from the city, the trek will absolutely be worth it. Check out our top picks for glamping outside of Boston for a lovely fall getaway.
32. Thrift shop for some seriously spooky Halloween costumes
Want to assemble a perfectly spooky Halloween fit? Look no further than your local thrift stores—thrifting is one of the best options to shop for Halloween costumes without breaking the bank, and Boston has no shortage of super-cool thrift shops where you can browse around. Our list of 9 Boston thrift stores includes boutiques and chains of all price ranges and styles, but no matter where you go, you’ll be certain to leave with a Halloween costume that’s completely unique.
33-34. Try out a new restaurant
There’s a plethora of new spots opening in Boston this fall. Our favorites:
- Coquette, a flirty and fancy coastal-French restaurant
- Bar Enza, an Italian eatery with a Michelin-star chef
Both of these brand-new spots promise delicious foods in lovely settings that will whisk you away from Boston into a flavorful world of gourmet innovation!
35-40. Or revisit a classic: the Apple Cider doughnut
It’s that time of year when local orchards and bakeries start serving those steaming hot, cinnamon-dusted delicacies we call apple cider donuts. When you’re craving a fresh-baked doughnut, you don’t have to travel too far to satisfy your cravings. Check out our list of the best places in in the city to get one (or a dozen), including:
- Blackbird Doughnuts
- Kane’s Donuts
- Wilson Farm
- Union Square Doughnuts
- Volante Farms