A Guide To Boston in Fall

If there is one destination I recommend going to during fall, it would be Boston. For the people who watch Gilmore Girls, this one is for you! Although the show does not directly take place in Boston, it does play a role in the show. One of my favorite seasons is Fall, and watching Gilmore Girls during this time is a must! Boston is the place to be if you like quaint small towns, but still city if you know what I mean. Every corner of this city is filled with enchanting brick buildings and the cutest coffee shops! Taking a walk in the park is a must because you get to see all the fall foliage. If you enjoy grabbing a cup off coffee and taking a stroll through the park and admiring brick buildings, this is the place for you. The best part is that the city is pretty walkable and you don't need to rent a car if you want to explore the city. I put together a guide to Boston in fall to maximize your time if it's your first time visiting!

Before You Go

Best time to go

Some things to note before you book your flight. If you want to see peak Fall foliage, I recommend going late October/November. I went in the middle of October and not all the leaves had changed colors yet, but it's still enough that you can snap some cute photos! I will go into more detail on the best spots to capture the foliage. 

Weather

Although wearing coats and sweaters is perfect for the season, it was pretty warm when I was there during October. The morning was a bit chilly, but by the afternoon, it was hitting mid to late 70s and I ended up taking my coat off.

Getting Around

If you're thinking of renting a car, I would say it's not necessary because most places are pretty walkable, especially if you're staying downtown. Most places were within a 30 min walk, but if you want to go a little further out of the city, I recommend using Uber. You can also take the subway, but I haven't used it so I can't speak give any tips or suggestions there unfortunately.

Accommodations

I stayed at The Revolution Hotel which was a boutique hotel right in downtown and was easily accessible to all my destinations. One thing to note is that they have shared bathrooms which you share with other hotel guests unless you specify that you want a bathroom in your room which is a bit more expensive. I chose the room that had an in unit bathroom, so I can't tell you the experience of using the shared bathrooms, but based on reviews from other guests, the shared bathrooms are pretty clean and they have one on each floor, so it's easily accessible. 

I shared a room with my sister, and one thing to note is that their rooms are a bit small. We had two luggages and after unpacking, the only space we would use was the bed after unpacking our luggages. Aside from the tight space, the bed was pretty comfortable and the bathroom was spacious. If you're looking for an accommodation that doesn't break the bank, I recommend The Revolution Hotel. 

Favorite Cafes and Restaurants in Boston

Saltie Girl

If you're a fan of raw oysters or even just seafood in general, Saltie Girl is a must try! It's located on Beacon Hill and is a super cute brunch spot to chill at. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, my sister and I were seated outside. The weather is really nice in the morning as it's not too hot or chilly. Since it's located downtown where there Beacon Hill shops are, you get a pretty nice view as well. It's the perfect spot to grab some food and relax before you start the day. My favorite were the oysters because they were so fresh and the sauce for it was so good. We also ordered clam chowder which was pretty good as well.

Row 34

If you visit Boston, you must try their famous lobster rolls! I went to Row 34 which is located in Seaport and ordered a buttered lobster roll and Ethel's creamy lobster. Both were really good, but I preferred the buttered lobster roll more. We had to wait about 20 mins to get seated since we didn't have a reservation. O
verall, the food was really good and if you're looking for a good restaurant to try lobster rolls, I recommend this spot.

Blackbird Doughnuts

If you like doughnuts, try Blackbird Doughnuts! We tried the Boston cream and the vanilla glazed. They have a wide assortment of flavors and have coffee as well. I haven't tried their coffee so I can't speak on that, but if you are a sucker for donuts, I recommend checking this place out. They are open pretty early around 8AM, so it's a good spot if you want to grab breakfast. 

Ogawa Coffee

This is hands down my favorite coffee shop in Boston! They are a Japanese coffee chain and they also make matcha and hojicha. I ordered the hojicha and my sister got their vanilla latte. Their space is pretty big, so it's a good place if you want to study or work. This place can get pretty packed in the morning. When we arrived around 7AM, there was already a line outside before they opened.

Must Visit Spots in Boston

Boston Public Garden

The Boston Public Garden is a must visit when going to Boston. It's the perfect spot to take a stroll and admire the trees during Fall. When I went, not all of the leaves have changed yet, but there was still a good amount that you can capture some nice photos and still enjoy the scenery. It's the perfect spot for first timers who don't want to venture out of downtown. It was only a 15 min walk from The Revolution Hotel. I went to this park almost every morning after picking up some coffee. It's such a nice and peaceful stroll to enjoy the morning.

Acorn Street

You can't say that you've been to Boston unless you walked down Acorn street. This street gets pretty crowded in the afternoon, so if you want to get the best photos, I recommend going earlier in the morning. However, this is a residential area, so you do have to be mindful when walking around here. You will also notice signs as you walk through the neighborhood to keep the noise level down. I loved walking through the street and admiring each building. Each house had it's own unique charm and brought the neighborhood to life with the Fall decorations on each doorstep.

Wilsons Farm

This one is a bit out of the way from the city, but if you like pumpkin patches, I recommend checking out Wilson's Farm. This is the perfect spot if you are traveling with kids and want to plan some fun activities for them to do. The farm also has a market where you can buy a bunch of gifts and fresh fruits. It's about a 30-40 min drive out of the city, so I recommend booking an Uber if you want to visit. However, the drive down to the Farm was very scenic. You will get a good view of the Fall foliage on the highway.

Brattle Bookshop

For all the bookworms, I would highly recommend going to Brattle's Bookshop. They have an outdoor area where you can buy discounted books, and their selection is pretty big. The shop is located downtown and is pretty close to the public garden. The shop is pretty small and cozy, it definitely makes me feel like picking up a book and cozy up with a good cup of coffee. 

Harvard

If you want to relive the moment in Gilmore Girls when Lorelai and Rory went to visit Harvard, then you should add this to your list. It's located in cambridge and takes about 15 mins by car from Boston. The campus is extremely beautiful, especially in Fall and if you love admiring architecture, then you will definitely fall in love with the campus.