When is the Best Time to Visit Massachusetts?

Unlike other states in New England, there are actually two seasons that qualify as the best time to visit Massachusetts! The summer and fall are considered the most beautiful time to visit the state, and that’s because of the wide range of activities that are available in Massachusetts.

Summer in Massachusetts is beautiful because of the state parks and incredible beaches, especially on the Cape. In fact, a lot of the Cape is actually closed for tourists for most of the year (at least a lot of the popular restaurants are), which is why it’s best to visit there during the summer months.

On the other hand, the western part of the state, in addition to the city of Boston, is most breathtaking during the fall season. The Berkshires come alive when the leaves start to change color, while Boston gets into the spooky vibes for Halloween.

So, if you’re wondering what the best time to visit Massachusetts is, it’s between June and October! Temperatures in summer tend to be around 80°F while they dip to the 60s in the fall.

Are you curious about what it’s like to visit during other times of the year? Check out the sections below to see what to do during each specific season in Massachusetts.

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Best Things to do in Massachusetts in Winter

Go on a Holiday House Tour in the Berkshires, one of the best spots for a festive holiday in Massachusetts! You could also see a show with the Berkshire Theatre Group.
Take a trip to a Massachusetts Christmas farm and either purchase a tree or get lost in the beauty of the trees! Don’t forget to go on a hayride or even try some hot cocoa.
Attend Naumkeag’s Winter Lights! This is one of the best things to do in Stockbridge, MA, at Christmas.
Enjoy the beauty of Boston in winter. Go ice skating downtown, stroll through Back Bay, or even warm up with hot chocolate at Max Brenner.
Be charmed by a Massachusetts small town like Great Barrington, Oak Bluffs, Lenox, or Hadley. These towns are the most beautiful in winter!
Have a cozy weekend away in a Massachusetts cabin. They’re located all over the state and are incredibly cozy during winter months covered in snow!
Enjoy a serene and peaceful Nantucket winter retreat. December in Nantucket has great Christmas festivities, but do be aware that many places close January-March on Nantucket.

Best Things to do in Massachusetts in Spring

People running in the Boston Marathon — Editorial credit: Belikova Oksana / Shutterstock.com

Spend a weekend in Boston and enjoy all of the spring activities. Go to the Fenway Victory Gardens, see a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, or even cheer on runners at the Boston Marathon.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Boston! See the parade and stop by some of the local Irish bars and pubs.
Visit a Martha’s Vineyard beach in late spring right before the area gets super busy. Catch the sunrise, dip your toes into the water, and more!
Head to some beautiful Massachusetts lighthouses and snap a photo. You could even make a road trip out of it!
Go swimming, fishing, or boating at a lake in Massachusetts. Consider going to Lake Attitash, Laurel Lake, or even Lake Boon.

Best Things to do in Massachusetts in Summer

Cool off at a Cape Cod ice cream shop! There’s Katie’s Homemade Ice Cream, Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium, or even Lewis Brothers Ice Cream.
Walk the Boston Freedom Trail, either on a tour with a local or on your own. Be sure to grab a map, so you know more about the history as you go!
Go on a whale watching tour! Believe it or not, but there are many places to go whale watching in Massachusetts, like Gloucester, Plymouth, and Provincetown.
Spend a week in a Massachusetts beach town and catch some rays. Some popular beach towns include Rockport, Nantucket, and Wellfleet.
Have a blast and try some New England favorites on a Boston food tour! Be sure to pick one with seafood.
Visit a Massachusetts state park and go hiking to explore the great outdoors. There’s Bash Bish Falls State Park, Canal Heritage State Park, and Joseph Allen Skinner State Park, among others.

Best Things to do in Massachusetts in Fall

Get lost in a Massachusetts corn maze like Marini Farm Corn Maze in Ipswich or Nessralla Farm in Halifax!
Take a trip to a pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin to bring home and carve. Some great options include Honey Pot Hill Orchard or Westward Orchards Farm Store!
Go apple picking at an apple orchard! Consider going to Red Apple Farm, Tougas Family Farm, or even Cider Hill Farm.
Head to Boston and get spooked on a ghost tour! These are generally at night and include a lot of the city’s history.
Explore the state by visiting some of the most beautiful Massachusetts fall destinations, like Mount Greylock State Reservation, Lower Berkshires Waterfalls, and Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation.

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Amy Hartle

Amy Hartle is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of New England With Love, a comprehensive resource for travel in the New England region. Amy has been exploring New England since 2001. She lived in Vermont for many years and is a graduate of Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Amy has been writing about travel for over a decade. On this site, Amy aims to share her love of New England and help you to have the best possible adventures!

Amy has been a full time blogger since 2012, and is also the publisher of Two Drifters, where she writes about couples travel and relationships, as well as Let’s Adventure Baby, a family travel site. When not traveling the world or creating epic blog content, Amy can be found cuddling with her husband, son, and cats, & drinking a maple latte.