11 places to see fall foliage in/around Boston [09/28/24]

2024 fall foliage in Boston is expected to peak in mid to late October. Each year, Greater Boston plays host to some of the most vibrant fall foliage colors in the entire world. Besides stepping foot outside your door, or heading to a local park, here are some prime spots around the city to peep fall foliage.

2024 fall foliage map for Boston: Head to newengland.com's peak foliage map to see when leaves are predicted to reach peak around Greater Boston.

1) Mount Auburn Cemetery

With over 5,000 trees representing 600+ species, Mount Auburn Cemetery is one of the best places to peep fall foliage in the Boston area. Open in Google Maps. (Photo by @matthewraifman)

2) Boston Public Garden

Built in 1837, Boston Public Garden was the first botanical garden in the United States. Naturally, the park turns into a foliage wonderland in October. Be sure to check out the adjacent Boston Common for bonus foliage. Open in Google Maps. (Photo by @kylekleinphoto)

3) Charles River Esplanade

With a population of 1,700 trees, the Charles River Esplanade turns all sorts of shades of red, orange, and yellow throughout fall. Open in Google Maps.

4) Commonwealth Avenue

The Comm Ave Mall (pictured) really steals the show as far as foliage goes in Back Bay. But the colors don’t stop there. You can peep spectacular foliage all throughout the Back Bay and its bordering neighborhood, the South End, in autumn. Look out for magnificent displays of pumpkins and gourds on residential steps in both neighborhoods. In the South End, check out Rutland Square and Southwest Corridor Park for all those foliage feels. Open in Google Maps. (Photo by @kylekleinphoto)

5) Chandler Pond

Hidden gem alert: The above photo might look like it was taken at a pond in a quaint Vermont town, but it’s actually Chandler Pond in Brighton, MA -- 6 miles from Downtown Boston. Open in Google Maps. (Photo by @jackdarylphotography)

6) Arnold Arboretum

The Arboretum's collection of almost 5,000 different species put on a fiery display throughout most of the month of October. Open in Google Maps. (Photo by @arnold_arboretum)

7) Memorial Drive Cambridge

Memorial Drive, which runs along the Charles River in Cambridge, becomes quite the fall fairyland every October. Bonus: Every Sunday from the last Sunday of April until the second Sunday of November, Memorial Drive is closed to traffic between Western Avenue and Mount Auburn Street, and open for leaf peeping. Open in Google Maps.

8) Acorn Street Boston

Perhaps Boston’s most visually iconic street, Acorn Street in Beacon Hill is the epitome of New England fall lined with cobblestones and historic brick homes. In the fall the brilliant autumnal colors make it look even more magical. Do note: the neighbors on Acorn Street can get a little worn out by the tourism so keep a respectful distance when visiting. Open in Google Maps.

9) Back Bay Fens

Stroll through the country’s oldest continuously operating Victory Gardens and a series of lawns and greenspace around the Muddy River carefully designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. You’ll still be in the heart of Boston, but it feels like you’ve left the city for a natural oasis. Open in Google Maps. (Photo by Andrea Monari on Flickr)

10) Harvard University’s Campus

You may recall the campus in its autumnal glory in 'The Social Network' when the Zuckerberg character gets dumped then runs across campus back to his dorm to begin coding Facebook for the first time. (The scene was actually filmed at Johns Hopkins University, but no worries, Harvard is still a fall foliage wonderland in October.) Come experience it for yourself! The bustling campus filled with fall foliage feels especially cozy in the autumn. Open in Google Maps.

11) Cedar Grove Cemetery

Located on the banks of the Neponset River in Dorchester, Cedar Grove Cemetery is a beautiful and carefully maintained map of gardens, ponds, and resting places. It’s also the spot where you can see the retro Mattapan trolley driving through a foliage-flooded track. Find the bridge nearest Adams Street and you'll see the MBTA trolley tracks running through the Cemetery. Open in Google Maps. (Photo by @bucketlistboston)

12) Charlestown

The streets surrounding Bunker Hill Monument are particularly vibrant. Bonus: many brownstones in the area are also decked out in Halloween decor.

Happy peeping 🍁👀

11 places to see fall foliage in/around Boston

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