Looking for fun things to do in Boston in November?
Winter fun begins this month as the weather grows colder, the days become shorter, and holiday lights begin to sparkle all over the city.
Weather this month can be changeable - so pack a warm jacket, a couple of sweaters to layer, and a warm scarf and gloves. An umbrellas is also a good idea.
With fall foliage, ice skating, Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, and holiday shopping, you can take advantage of crisp fall days and cozy evenings, and perhaps even experience the first real snowfall before the month is over.
Outside of the city, fall foliage is way beyond peak. But fortunately for foliage lovers, Boston's somewhat warmer microclimate means you'll usually still find plenty of color within the city during the first couple of weeks during November - sometimes even longer.
So stroll through some of Boston's parks and enjoy the last sight of crimson, gold, and even green while leaves still linger on the trees. My recommendations:
The Esplanade (shown above) - The contrast of golden and crimson leaves with blue water and sky can't be beat!
Boston Public Garden - Bring your camera and take spectacular photos of colorful leaves reflecting in the Lagoon; if your children are with you, bring a frisbee.
One of the coolest - literally - things to do in Boston in November is to go ice skating as the city's rinks reopen for the season while golden foliage lingers overhead.
Boston Common's Frog Pond traditionally opens for skating mid-month (although please note - if the weather is too warm, the rink's opening will take place later in the month - or even early December) and other rinks soon follow.
3. Watch Exciting Action on the Ice ... Or on the Court ... Or on the Turf
Get tickets for a Boston Bruins game at TD Garden and watch the real pros spin around the ice for an exciting evening. Or take in a Celtics game and watch them dazzle you on the court. Or head down to Gillette Stadium to see the Patriots play on their home turf. Because for Boston sports fans, November is a fantastic month and with three teams playing, there's no such thing as a night off.
Use this discount code for savings on Bruins, Patriots, and Celtics tickets:
Enter DISCOVERY 10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets
Boston Bruins TD Garden Schedule & Tickets for November
Or, buy something delicious at the Boston Public Market next to Haymarket, and take it over to the Greenway, where the plentiful tables make impromptu picnics a snap.
5. Weather Not Great? Head to the Aquarium or a Museum
Boston weather during November can sometimes be tricky - so in case of frigid temperatures, freezing rain, or unpleasantly strong wind, you always need a Plan B.
Fortunately, Boston is filled with world-famous museums - so don't let bad weather ruin your plans for fun.
You can get free museum admission when you have a Boston discount card - a sweet deal!
In addition to museums, these Boston discount passes also give you admission to lots of other Boston attractions, tours, cruises, and day trips - compare the savings!
Museum of Science Exhibits
Museum of Science Butterfly Garden - Photo credit: Ted
Special Exhibits
Project Vaccine - Learn more about vaccines and their development in the Museum's newest exhibition
Design Engineering Workshop - Design, build, and test solutions for everyday problems
Resilient Venice: Adapting to Climate Change - Learn how we can implement solutions in this new pilot gallery
Permanent Exhibits
With fascinating permanent exhibits for all ages, there's always something to see, do, and learn. Here are just a few of the most popular: Butterfly Garden (extra fee), Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff, Cosmic Light, Dinosaurs, Arctic Adventure, Hall of Human Life, Live Animal Care Center, Mathematica, Nanotechnology, Natural Mysteries, New England Habitats, The Light House - plus 17 more!
Where: Boston's Museum of Science When: Daily, 9am-5pm; open until 9pm on Fridays Admission: $29 general museum admission ($24 for kids). Buy online to skip the line. Get free museum admission when you have a GoBoston Discount card or Boston CityPASS card. Imax Theater and Planetarium: Additional fees apply
6. Make Thanksgiving Dinner Reservations
Celebrate this favorite American holiday the smart way - let someone else do the cooking!
Boston restaurants put on gala feasts of traditional classics and contemporary favorites.
If you enjoy shopping, one of the best things to do in Boston in November is to get a head start on finding just the right items for your holiday gift list. Head to one of the convenient in-town Boston shopping malls, or check out our favorite spots for accomplishing 1-stop holiday shopping in Boston.
November is a fantastic time to catch a show in Boston's Theatre District or a concert in one of the city's top music venues. Toward the end of the month, you may even see special holiday performances on the schedule. And don't forget comedy clubs! Whether you prefer improv, open mike, or standup, you can find lots of choices at our top-notch comedy venues.
Enter DISCOVERY 10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets
Boston Theatre District Shows:
Six The Musical - Emerson Colonial Theatre - Nov 9, 2022 - Jan 15, 2023
Did you know that some of the best Black Friday deals on offer are for travel? If you know where and when to look, you can find big savings on tours, flights, hotels, and tickets for shows, concerts, and sports events. Here's our Black Friday deals roundup for travel to Boston - but of course you can use many of them for U.S. or international city.
Best of all - you can get all these Black Friday deals online, so no need to fight crowds in the mall.
In addition to traditional campus tours booked through each school, you can join one of the fun "unofficial" student-led tours at Harvard and MIT to get an insider's perspective of the campus and student life as your guide shows you the most important buildings, provides tips about the school's history and architecture, and gives you a glimpse behind the ivy-covered walls.
Both schools are easy to get to: just hop on the subway's Red Line and get off at Harvard Square or Kendall Square (MIT) in Cambridge.
After your tour, you'll find plenty of casual spots to eat in both Harvard and Kendall Squares for a quick lunch and great people-watching.
Want suggestions? In Harvard Square: Felipe's Taqueria (21 Brattle Street), Saloniki Greek (24 Dunster Street), Flour Bakery (114 Mount Auburn Street). In Kendall Square: Shy Bird (390 Third Street), Cafe Luna (612 Main Street), Za Pizza (350 Third Street).
11. Think Ahead to Colder Days ... and Book a Cruise
November's cool days and chilly nights are a not-so-subtle reminder of the colder months ahead.
One of the most cheering things to do in Boston in November is to book a cruise from Bostonto warmer climes.
Imagine island-hopping in the sunny Caribbean . . . floating down the Yangtze river amid spectacular scenery . . . lying on the famed pink sand beaches in Bermuda.
Pre-planning in November leads to a very pleasant experience later in the winter! And remember to check out Black Friday travel deals after Thanksgiving.
Questions & Answers about Visiting Boston in November
