14 best places in Boston to see foliage and gorgeous fall colors

The Public Garden, America’s first public botanical garden, is a natural oasis in the center of the city. As fall arrives, the leaves in the Public Garden are some of the first to change. The garden’s Japanese maples tend to turn a fiery shade of red early on in the season. With such a diverse array of trees throughout the garden, leaves of the different species have their own time to shine, so you’re sure to see something different each time you walk through.

Across from the Public Garden is the Boston Common, a perfect spot for an after-work stroll—especially as the air becomes crisp. Oak, chestnut, maple and beech trees pop with stunning fall colors here, providing beautiful accents for the shining State House in the background. When you’re ready to warm up, take a walk up the hill and duck into one of the bars on Beacon Hill for a mug of spiked hot cider.

Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum is both a botanical research institution and free public park, maintaining a world-class collection of trees. Each season offers a different experience, and fall might just be the best time to visit, putting a full spectrum of foliage on display. Free guided tours to the most brilliant areas are offered regularly, though we recommend doing the self-guided “Fruits of Autumn” walk.

Ever charming Beacon Hill—with its row houses, cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways—is perennially photogenic. (You can’t miss the near-constant engagement shoots on Acorn Street). But in the fall, the historic neighborhood becomes even dreamier as the leaves change color. Make an afternoon of it and peek into hidden gardens while sipping a latte from Tatte and browsing neighborhood boutiques and cafes.

Located just outside of Boston, the Blue Hills Reservation is a 7,000-acre state park with a vast network of hiking trails—and impressive views around practically every bend. The best spot for  fall colors is the famed Great Blue Hill, where you can climb to the top of Eliot Tower to see Greater Boston spread out before you. (Take the challenging three-and-a-half mile Skyline Loop to get there for some heart-pumping exercise.) There are also lovely views from the top of Buck Hill, a gentler three-mile in-and-out hike that will take you past picturesque lake vistas.

As Boston’s largest open space, Franklin Park is the crown jewel of the city’s Emerald Necklace. Its 485 acres contain woodsy walking trails, playing fields, playgrounds, a pond, a golf course, and more. You’ll see a range of colors and trees on your visit, and you’ll want to make it a point to stop at the historic Bear Cages, an abandoned part of the former Franklin Park Zoo. The cages themselves are no longer there, so you can stand down in the bear dens and see the park from their point of view.

Harvard University’s campus is a top tourist destination year-round, and in the fall, it’s a beautiful place to pause and take in the foliage. There are plenty of paths meandering among mature red, yellow and orange trees, as well as benches for sitting and admiring it all. While you’re there, you can also visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History to explore its collection of glass replicas of more than 3,000 plant species.

The Back Bay Fens is made up of community gardens, walking paths, ball fields, and a hodgepodge of other green spaces. To get the best glimpse of foliage here, head toward the Victory Gardens and nearby Kelleher Rose Gardens in the Fenway. You’ll see not only late-season roses blooming, but a range of colorful trees reflected in twinkling fountains.

Founded in 1831, this 175-acre wooded area features rolling hills and contains a wildlife sanctuary, arboretum and public park—plus a historic burial ground. Stroll amongst more than 600 species of trees and keep an eye out for migrating birds and wildlife, like foxes and wild turkeys. The cemetery hosts walking tours to view the best of the fall foliage.

At this park in Dover, which is part of the Trustees of the Reservations, you’ll find trails crisscrossing a scenic natural sanctuary. See the beauty of New England in fall by exploring the area’s woodlands and ponds, as well as a former mill site. Then climb to the top of Noanet Peak, which offers views of the Boston skyline framed by flashy, fiery fall leaves.

Immerse yourself in both nature and local history by heading out to the lovely, leafy town of Concord. The well-heeled suburb’s historical sites, like Minute Man National Historical Park, are flooded with leaf peepers every autumn, so plan for crowds or go on a weekday. To get the complete experience, take a stroll around Walden Pond, then venture over to the legendary Concord Bridge.

The banks of the Charles River provide the perfect backdrop for a charming, colorful stroll. Just meander along the Esplanade as it winds from Beacon Hill to Back Bay and take in all of the yellow, red and orange colors creating gorgeous reflections in the water. For an iconic city snap, cross over to the Cambridge side and take a pic of the Boston skyline in all its autumnal glory.

You could drive up to New Hampshire or Vermont for a taste of fall—or you could relax on Classic Harbor Line’s 1920s-style yacht, the Northern Lights, in Boston Harbor. On board, you’ll enjoy a brunch buffet, a cash bar, and sweeping views of the foliage on the Harbor Islands.

This public park cuts across downtown Boston where an elevated highway once stood. Go here to linger in plazas, beside fountains, and in landscaped gardens, all while taking in some beautiful foliage. You’ll catch a whiff of salty sea breezes, too, as the Greenway is a stone’s throw from Boston Harbor.