Fall Weekend in Boston - Travel with Monisha
That slight chill in the NYC air is my annual cue to dive into all things fall before true winter sets in. It’s a time for apple picking, cozy festivals, spooky walking tours, and long foliage walks. And what better place to embrace the season than New England!
This year, my fall adventures took me to explore the Downtown Boston area.
Spoiler: it didn’t disappoint.
Meet Monisha ~ My dear friend,Graybellion Collaborator and Brand Strategist
Monisha’s take on Boston in the fall!
Location: Boston Common / Downtown Area
Nestled among the cluster of college campuses, Boston Common and the surrounding downtown area are the heart of Boston’s bustling theatre district, government offices, top-rated hotels and restaurants, and shopping district.
Travel / Places to Stay:
Boston Common is 3.8miles from Logan Airport, 0.7miles from South Station (Amtrak), and easily accessible from the “T” (subway lines), making it easy and affordable to get around.
As with any City Centre, hotels in Boston can be a little pricey depending on the season, but you’ve got options for every budget:
Mid-range favorites: DoubleTree Boston, Moxy, W Hotel
Luxury stays: The Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton
Budget-friendly picks: Airbnbs and hostels throughout
Boston Common / Boston Public Garden:
Established in 1634, Boston Common is America’s oldest public park, rich with history and character. With a deep history of political gatherings, protests, and public gatherings, the Boston Common (and neighboring Boston Public Garden) is the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll, enjoy the greenery, listen in on a talk, or take the dog for a walk. Everyone from Martin Luther King Jr., Charles Lindbergh, Barack Obama, Pope John Paul II, Gloria Steinem, and more have spoken at the Common, some from the famous Parkman Grandstand.
Things to Do: Depending on when you go, some popular events are Holiday Tree Lighting, New Year’s Eve fireworks, Frog Pond Ice Skating, Swan Boat Ride at the Boston Public Garden, and Japan Festival.
Downtown Boston:
A short walk from Boston Common leads you to the shopping, dining, and theatre trifecta of downtown. You’ll find everything from Primark and Nordstrom Rack to Macy’s, which sits on the historic site of Boston’s first department store, Jordan Marsh (est. 1841).
Love the stage? Catch top-tier productions like Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, or The Nutcracker (upcoming) at venues such as the Emerson Colonial Theatre, Cutler Majestic Theatre and Citizens Bank Opera House.
Newbury Street:
My personal favorite- a walk down Newbury Street. A mile-long stretch of boutiques, cafés, galleries, pop-ups and brownstones that perfectly blend old charm with new energy. It’s where locals, students, and travelers mingle over coffee or vintage finds.
I recommend any of the various scheduled “Strolls”- I’m excited to explore the Newbury Holiday Stroll.
The Boston Common/Downtown area is just one slice of this vibrant city, but it captures so much of what makes Boston special: its history, charm, and endless energy.
If you’ve never been, I highly recommend it. And if it’s been a while, now is the perfect time to go. Trust me, Boston in the fall is pure magic.