10 Things to Do in Boston in October

During the month of October you can enjoy many of the best things Boston has to see and do and most of the activities are linked to the pumpkin, apple and other seasonal harvests. Beer also features prominently this month in Boston with the traditional Oktoberfest.

Halloween-related parties and events are also on the October calendar in Boston and tours specialising in occult or horror themes are the most sought after. Here are the top 10 things to see and do if you're visiting Boston in October.

The traditional beer festival, known as Oktoberfest, is celebrated in several locations around Boston. During the first two weeks of October, various venues organise activities with a common denominator: good music, lots of delicious food, dancing, entertainment and, of course, lots of beer.

In Boston there are several options for celebrating Oktoberfest, but two of the most popular ven ues are:

• Harvard Square: Harvard Square's Oktoberfest includes food, arts and crafts, live music and its traditional HONK parade. Location: Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
• Harpoon: Harpoon Brewery 's Oktoberfest includes tastings of various types of beer, music from new bands and lots of dancing. It's a must-visit festival if you like beer. Location: 306 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Bostonians take Oktoberfest very seriously with a series of exciting concerts and activities. You can check out the full Boston Oktoberfest calendar and plan which events you'll want to be a part of. And if you're left wanting more beer, taking a pub crawl around Boston is always a safe bet.

Interesting details

• When: During the first two weeks of October.
• Price: around €40.

During the month of October, Boston is a centre for sports in all the major sports in the United States. You will be able to watch the games of the 5 main sports teams in Boston:

• Red Sox (MLB)
• Boston Bruins (NHL)
• Boston Celtics (NBA)
• New England Patriots (NFL)
• New England Revolution (MLS)

While it is true that the games can be seen throughout the season, during the month of October, due to the calendar of the different championships, the games are usually followed by the fans because the positions are not yet defined and each game is a display of adrenaline.

If you want to secure a place in the stands, you should book your tickets in advance as they sell out quickly, especially for the NBA and MLB.

Interesting details

• When: dates change depending on the game.
• Price: depends on the game, the location in the stadium and how far in advance you buy your tickets.

The Head of the Charles Regatta, also known as HOCR, is one of the major events held in the city of Boston in October as the largest two-day regatta in the world. It brings together annually around 11000 sailors, 1900 boats and around 60 events related to the regatta.

The fun of the event is not limited to just being a spectator, but you can enjoy other related events such as the Weld exhibition, the rowing and fitness exhibition, etc., but you can also watch the race from the Eliot Bridge.

In addition, there is another point of interest in the city in the Reunion Village. This is a fair located on the Charles River bank on the Cambridge side of the river where the participants of the event come and where you will find stalls selling food, drink, exhibitions, etc. A must-visit meeting place during the Head of the Charles Regatta.

Details of interest

• When: last week of October (subject to change, please check the official Regatta website).
• Price: Watching the regatta is free of charge. Entrance to Reunion Village costs around €9 per person.

The Halloween holiday season invites a plethora of events. Almost every theatre offers a fun and scary show to revive the spirit of Halloween in Boston during the month of October. If you prefer movies, you can also attend film festivals dedicated to the holiday in the city. Tickets, in most cases, can be booked online.

But without a doubt one of the best Halloween activities is to book a ghost tour of Boston, such as the Ghosts and Gravestones tour, a 90-minute tour where you'll learn about the city's horror stories and visit two cemeteries and learn all about their histories.

This tour sells out very quickly, so book your tickets in advance and keep in mind that this is not a tour suitable for children and is not for the sensitive or easily impressed.

Details of interest

• When: every day at different times.
• Price: from €44.

The Fort Point Open Studios takes place during a weekend in October. Visitors can see and meet fine artists at the various live performances and even buy some great fine art pieces.

The programme is not limited to just fine art, but is also accompanied by music, live painting demonstrations, performances and art activities for children. If you're travelling with children, include this activity on your list of things to do with kids in Boston. They won't be bored.

Interesting details

• When: One weekend in October.
• Price: Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

The best way to get a true taste of the city's culture is to take a walking or cycling tour of Boston. October is the ideal time to do it because the weather is perfect for strolling and enjoying the spectacular landscapes that autumn brings to the city.

Tours with specialised guides are much more complete, as they will tell you all about the city of Boston and you can also choose from multiple options: from booking a bike tour of the most interesting places in the capital of Massachusetts, to visiting the Harvard campus with an expert guide or hiring an underground doughnut tour. There's something for everyone!

Choose one of the best guided tours of Boston and enjoy one of the many walking tours the city has to offer.

Interesting details

• When: every day at different times.
• Price: depends on the type of tour you choose.

The Boston Book Festival is one of the largest book fairs in the United States. It lasts two days and is packed with events, books and entertainment for the whole family. Throughout this literary festival, more than 150 renowned and Pulitzer Prize-winning writers are on parade.

Guest writers give presentations and discussions on a variety of topics. There are hundreds of books to choose from. You can also enjoy live music, food and various activities for children.

Details of interest

• Where: 32R Essex St, Suite 5, Cambridge, MA 02139.
• Price: Admission is free, so don't miss out.

Pumpkin picking is a great Halloween tradition in Boston. The pumpkin picking locations are farms that are located in the suburbs of Boston, making this a great activity to do during a day trip to the outskirts of the city.

You can choose the location you like best to organize this activity from your itinerary from an extensive list of pumpkin picking farms in Boston that usually have special events in the month of October.

Each farm offers different services and activities. Depending on your interests, you may want to explore the different options. Here are the contacts for two of the top farms offering the pumpkin picking experience.

Hanson:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 508-877-3058
• Address: 20 Nixon RD Framingam MA

Connors:

• Phone: (978) 777 1245
• Address: 30 Valley Road (Rt. 35) Danvers, Massachusetts 01923

The Boston Tea Party Museum documents the history of the city and its leading role in the independence and creation of the United States.

As one of the oldest cities in the United States, founded in 1630 and having been under British colonial rule for so long, the city of Boston has a lot of history to tell.

While this museum can be visited year-round, it's best to visit in October for two reasons: first, it's less crowded, so you'll be more at ease, and second, the weather is neither hot nor cold, which makes the experience more rewarding.

Interesting details

• When: open all year round.
• Price: from €32 for adults and €24 for children.

October, the month of Halloween and witches, is the perfect time to visit the Salem Witch Museum. Visit the Salem Witch Museum to learn all about the Salem Witch Trials and why it plays such an important role in the history of this town located about 15 miles outside of Boston.

The Salem Witch Trials took place in 1692 and resulted in the burning at the stake of many women who were considered witches. The Salem Witch Museum is one of the best museums in Boston.

You can take a virtual tour of the Salem Witch Museum. After viewing it online, you will definitely want to visit it in person.

Interesting details

• Where: 19 1/2 Washington Square North Salem, MA 01970.
• Price: from approximately 15 euros per person.

During the month of October, temperatures drop noticeably in Boston, but still remain at levels that make outdoor activities possible. The average October temperature in Boston is around 15°C during the day and 13°C at night. Lows of 8°C can be recorded, so a coat is a must.

Rain may be present for around 12 days of the month, but the sun still shines for at least 7 hours a day.

When you are planning your trip remember to check the Boston weather forecast to be prepared.

During the month of October, not only do the temperatures in Boston drop, but the number of visitors to the city also drops.

This is because many people have used up their holiday days over the summer months and also because most schools have resumed classes.

This is great news in some respects, because you will have many of the city's main attractions to yourself. Queuing times are also decreasing, although it is still better to opt to buy tickets online to skip the queues as it is not nice to have to queue in the rain or in the cold.

I have another piece of good news for you, prices also drop during the month of October, as a general rule. As we enter the low tourist season, prices tend to decrease. The drop is noticeable in some sectors such as clothing sales.

During the month of October you will be able to access great discounts in the shops, but if you really want to save as much as possible during your visit to Boston in October, the best thing to do is to buy a tourist pass.

You will save a lot of money on entrance fees as well as on transport, restaurants and shops in general.

Temperatures drop significantly in October with the arrival of autumn, so it's important to pack warmly. You can expect temperatures as low as 8°C so bring warm jackets, jumpers, hats, gloves and a scarf.

In terms of footwear, it's a good idea to bring warm shoes and waterproofs, as there's a good chance you'll encounter a rainy day. If you plan to go out at night, you should bring even warmer clothes because it can get very cold during October in Boston.

• Boston is best explored on foot and public transport is excellent. The option of renting a car is only justified if you plan to leave the city or go to the countryside.

• Bring comfortable, warm and rainproof clothing and footwear for walking while you enjoy the city.

• The city of Boston offers many free entertainment opportunities, from concerts to exhibitions. If you plan to stay for more than a week, you can buy a seven-day pass to get around the city's underground stations and buses - It is also advisable to invest in the Boston CityPass or the Go Boston Card, which will allow you to visit many attractions for free and save money on restaurants, shops, transportation, etc. - Buy your tickets in advance and online to secure your spot. By doing so you can also get better prices and skip-the-line tickets - Have fun, enjoy and see all that Boston has to offer in October.