The most exciting things to do in Boston in July move outdoors as beaches, cruises, walking tours, outdoor dining, and Red Sox games define summer in the city.
And as a bonus, some of the best things to do in Boston in July are free. Enjoy the greenery or a picnic in Boston's many gorgeous parks, catch the July 4th Boston Pops virtual concert and fireworks online, and soak up sun on a city beach.
Hot July days and warm nights make this one of the best months of the year in Boston to head to the beach or have a picnic in a park.
For more choices, check out the Boston Event Calendar for July and Boston's Best Summer Activities.
Top photo: Cooling off on a July day at the splash pool on Boston's Greenway near Faneuil Marketplace
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1. Cruise around Boston Harbor
Tour Boston by boat - the best way to see the city! Check out these fun sightseeing, music, and entertainment Boston Harbor cruises on the Yacht Northern Lights and Schooner Adirondack III:
Popular Cruises on the Northern Lights:
- Northern Lights Sunset Cruise - Grab a refreshments from the bar and then relax as you watch the sun set on this sail around the Harbor, just in time to catch the USS Constitution fire its cannons as the sun dips down past the horizon
- Brunch Cruise on the Northern Lights - Savor a delicious 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing cruise around Boston Harbor
- Boston Harbor Cruise on Northern Lights - Soak up Boston's unique sites and rich history on this comfortable sightseeing cruise around the Harbor - perfect friends and family experience! Food and beverages available for purchase at the bar
Sailing on the Adirondack III:
- Adirondack III Day Sail - Enjoy cool breezes and the afternoon sun on this relaxing sightseeing sail around Boston Harbor and the Inner Harbor Islands
- Adirondack III Sunset Sail - Relax as the setting sun turns the sky brilliant colors
- Adirondack III 90-Minute Mimosa Day Sail - Soak up the sun on this afternoon sail through the Inner Harbor and Harbor Islands with drinks available for purchase at the bar
Fall Foliage Cruises - Starting October 5
- Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Enjoy a tasty gourmet brunch, fall foliage, and panoramic views as you cruise around Boston Harbor
- Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Sip hot cider as you enjoy lunch on this relaxing fall foliage cruise to celebrate seasonal colors
2. Relax on a Boston Beach
Did you know that even though Boston's main waterfront is a harbor, you can reach several nice city beaches as easily as hopping on public transportation?
From Revere Beach where a huge sand-sculpting contest takes place this year in August (moved back a bit from its usual July) to Pleasure Bay Beach next to Castle Island, these beaches are perfect for a quick visit.
For a day trip from Boston, head to Rowes Wharf and board the fast ferry to Provincetown.
For other water adventures, check out Boston whale watching cruises.
More Fun Boston Activities for July
Whale Watching Cruise Tickets
Join one of the exciting 3-hour Whale Watching Cruises departing from the Downtown Boston Waterfront, and experience the thrill of spotting whales off the coast of Boston.
You'll see magnificent creatures such as Humpback and Finback whales close-up from the deck of your ship, and spot White-Sided Dolphins frolicking in the waters.
These cruises sell out quickly, so don't wait to get your tickets now for this iconic Boston experience!
3. Tour Boston - By Land or Water
A Boston tour or cruise gives you a fun way to see parts of Boston you might not see on your own.
An inexpensive option is the 15-minute ferry ride to the Boston Harbor Islands. Once there, you can explore, hike, take photographs, swim, bird watch, go on free tours led by the Park Rangers, picnic, and much more. You can even take another ferry to several smaller islands. You'll feel like you're in a different world - and you are!
Check out more options for Boston cruises.
You can also do a self-guided Freedom Trail tour, or check out one of the popular city bike tours.
Easy Ways to Save BIG in Boston
Find out more about Boston discount cards, and how they give you big savings on top attractions.
4. Cheer the Red Sox at Fenway Park
Winning or losing, the Boston Red Sox put on the best show in town. If you're visiting Boston and love baseball, attending a home game at Fenway is a "must do."
No matter which team you root for, being in Fenway Park on a balmy evening is one of the best things to do in Boston in July.
If attending a game is the focus of your trip, you may even want to stay in one of the hotels near Fenway Park.
You'll also find a great range of Fenway restaurants for a bite before or after the game, plus of course the famous Fenway bars and nightspots near the stadium.
Get Schedule & Tickets
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Find All Red Sox Tickets for Fenway Park during July
Find Red Sox Tickets for the rest of the season
5. Go to a Summer Concert
Check out all the fun concerts in Boston this July:
Concert Schedules & Tickets
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Top Boston July concerts include the Foo Fighters and Blink 182 at Fenway Park, the annual July 4th Boston Pops Independence Day free concert at the Hatch Shell, and lots more top artists to be announced:
- Blink 182 & Pierce the Veil - Fenway Park - July 23
- Earth, Wind, & Fire, Chicago - Xfinity Center - July 27
- Limp Bizkit - Xfinity Center - July 31
- Candlelight Concerts - Multiple dates in July at various locations
Boston Concerts during other months
6. Immerse Yourself in a "Friends" Experience in Boston
The FRIENDS™ Experience, a new immersive space in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood lets you relive all your favorite scenes from the iconic TV sitcom with Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, Ross, Joey, and Rachel as you move through a series of sets.
You'll visit re-creations of Monica's kitchen, Joey and Chandler's apartment, and even the stairs where Ross's new couch gets stuck on the way up to his apartment as he yells, "Pivot!"
You can also see replicas of the actors' clothing and props, watch video clips from different episodes from the show, and view a timeline showing everyone each of the "friends" dated during the show's lifetime.
Location: 343 Newbury Street, Boston
7. Enjoy Shakespeare Under the Stars
Boston's most popular free outdoor theater event is the annual production of Shakespeare on the Common.
Bring a blanket, buy something yummy to eat from one of the gourmet food vendors who arrive for the event, and enjoy the bard under the stars.
More about Shakespeare on the Common.
Hotels near Boston Common
More Shows in Boston's Theatre District in July - Schedules & Tickets
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Check out the Boston theater schedule for July with its exciting mix of acrobatics and comedy:
- The Queen of Versailles - Colonial Theatre - Through Aug 18
- Shakespeare on the Common: The Winter's Tale - Free on Boston Common - Through Aug 4
- Cirque du Soleil: OVO - Agganis Arena - July 19-28
- Blue Man Group - Charles Playhouse - Multiple shows all month
More Boston theater shows - other months
8. Immerse Yourself in Digital Art, Light, & Color
Escape the sometimes-steamy July by immersing yourself in the interactive exhibitions at WNDR, Boston's premier digital art experience.
As you pass through a series of rooms, you'll become part of a different world - one filled with light, color, and interactive surfaces which will immerse you in a series of 20+ experiences created by artists, technologists, designers, and collaborators - and in some installations, you.
After you soak up all the colors and sensory experiences at WNDR, continue escaping the heat with a couple of other indoor activities. Walk a few blocks to the nearby Charles Playhouse and catch an entertaining show by Blue Man Group, or head down to Boston's nearby waterfront and hop on a whale watching cruise to let breezes cool you off while you enjoy the thrill of spotting whales, dolphins, and other marine life.
WNDR Location: 500 Washington Street, Downtown Crossing, Boston
Nearest T station: Downtown Crossing
Find out more about WNDR Boston
9. Tee Up at Puttshack
Looking for something fun and active to do indoors?
Head to Puttshack in Seaport (58 Pier 4 Boulevard) for tech-infused mini golf, tasty brews, and good vibes.
Try all four courses, summer cocktails, and DJs on the weekend.
If you're in the suburbs, you'll find a second Boston area location in the Natick Mall.
More information: Puttshack's website
10. Cool Off At An Outdoor Movie
July days can be steamy - so escape the heat at an outdoor movie under the stars.
Cool off on Friday evenings at Free Friday Flicks on the Esplanade. Bring a blanket, a snack, and relax while watching family-friendly favorites.
Find details for all on the Boston Events Calendar for July. Also, check out indoor Boston movie theaters - the perfect refuge on a rainy or hot and steamy summer day.
11. Cruise to Bermuda
For a quick change of scenery from Boston during mid-summer, consider Bermuda.
Bermuda cruises from Boston depart weekly from April through September.
Boston's cruise port, the Flynn Cruise Terminal located in the South Boston Waterfront neighborhood, is so easy to get to, plus you can leave your car in their parking lot while you're away - or even better, get there on the T's Silver Line.
You have a couple of days each way to enjoy the amenities and ocean views from the 11-deck Norwegian Spirit cruise ship, plus 3 days on land in Bermuda to explore the famed pink-sand beaches, great shopping, and other fun activities.
Boston Hotels with Outdoor Swimming Pools
- Verb Hotel next to Fenway Park (shown in photo) - Find Lowest Rates
- Colonnade Hotel near Prudential Center - Find Discount Rates
- Revere Hotel in the Theatre District -Find Discount Rates
Find more Boston hotels with outdoor swimming pools
12. Head to Gillette Stadium - and Shop Nearby
You'll find New England Revolution games as well as some of the biggest concerts of the summer at Gillette Stadium, just 22 miles south of Boston.
Patriot Place, where Gillette Stadium is located, is packed with interesting shopping, nice restaurants in all price ranges, the only Bass Pro Shop in New England, a cool sports museum, a theater, and much more. You can stay over at the spectacular Renaissance Hotel right next to the stadium.
Wrentham Village Premium Outlets are nearby - shop enough, and your savings can pay for the whole weekend!
Gillette Stadium & Tickets
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Tickets
See Gillette Stadium games & concerts schedule
13. Celebrate Independence Day
The July 4th Pops Concert and Fireworks Spectacular is Boston's biggest July event - as well as being the biggest Independence Day celebration in the country. If you're visiting Boston for this holiday, you'll have a memorable experience.
On July 4th, Conductor Keith Lockhart leads the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in playing familiar favorites and rousing patriotic music, complete with real cannon fire, on the Boston Esplanade, a grassy embankment along the Charles River.
As soon as the concert finishes, a spectacular display of fireworks light up the sky above the Charles River. It's the quintessential summer experience in Boston, and if you've seen it broadcast on television - well, it's even more wonderful in person!
Top Hotels near July 4th Fireworks & Pops Concert
More hotels close to Boston's July 4th fireworks
14. Kick Off the Summer at Boston Harborfest
Harborfest gets bigger and better every year as more and more events and participants join this gala celebration of Independence, Boston, and summer.
With numerous events each day, you'll find something going on almost all the time.
Highlights include Chowderfest, musical performances, and fireworks over Boston Harbor.
Find out more about Boston Harborfest events and daily schedules
Best Boston hotels for Harborfest
15. Play Games & Relax at Lawn on D
Lawn on D, a playground for adults (kids are welcome too but this is primarily an adult venue) located behind the Convention Center in the South Boston Waterfront, offers interactive installations, foodie-friendly bites and drinks, community events, and, of course, fun lawn games.
Look for Kaleidoscope Garden, a new light garden filled with illuminated disks that glow like fireflies, Urban Grove with shaded nest seating under a canopy with hue-changing lighting that glows after dark, and FitFest, free fitness classes taking place on select Saturdays.
You'll also find giant Adirondack chairs, pickle ball courts, and other spots to relax, hang out, and have fun.
Live music and other free events take place through October.
Hours: 7am - 11pm, with pickleball courts open from 9am - 9pm. Food/drink concessions are open from 3pm - 10pm on Wednesdays, and 12 noon - 10:30pm on Friday - Sunday.
Rules, in case you're wondering: No dogs, no outside alcohol, no outside food during concession hours.
Lawn on D occasionally closes to the public due to private events (always check their website before going).
16. Relax in A "Secret" Garden in Fenway
Lawn on D, a playground for adults (kids ar
More Articles about What to Do in Boston in July
- Find Fun Boston Events for July
- Spend a day at a Boston beach
- Traveling with children? Find suggestions for Boston kids activities
- Soak up sun at one of the wonderful outdoor cafes in Boston's beautiful Back Bay neighborhood
- On a budget? See our favorite free things to do in Boston
- Plan ahead: Fall foliage cruises from Boston
Need a Boston Hotel or Apartment?
Use this handy map from Booking.com to find the perfect place to stay. Just enter your dates to find what's available, see the best rates, and make your reservations.
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