Favorite time of year for Boston?
 

I'm thinking about a trip to Boston sometime this year (actually I'm thinking about a lot of trips, but the house needs new carpet, so I'm trying to at least keep it domestic! :) ). My work schedule is quite flexible, so really I can go just about any time. I was thinking sometime in May - is that generally one of the better times to go?

Since budget is a consideration, do Hotwire/Priceline work fairly well for tourists in Boston, or is it best to book directly? I've used Hotwire quite successfully in other cities, but I know with the zones they tend to work better in some cities than in others.

Depending on friends' schedules and budgets, this may end up being a solo trip. I'm assuming the touristy parts of Boston are pretty safe, even at night (assuming I use common sense)? Longer days are another attraction of going in May.

Any other suggestions are very welcome - I'm definitely at the brainstorming stage! Mostly trying to get a handle on budget and how long I could stay. Interests include photography, history, music (more rock/folk than classical), generally fun things. This would be my first trip, so I'd be doing the Freedom Trail and all the typical things, but would love other ideas as well.

Hi jent103,

NO to May - simply because dozens (and I mean DOZENS) of colleges hold commencements in May. You'll be fighting for hotel rooms with tens of thousands of parents/grandparents/relatives etc of graduates! Hotel rooms go as high as $300-400/n during graduation season, and that includes Hampton Inn!

The BEST time to come is early June. College students are gone, tourists aren't quite here yet, schools aren't out. It'll be relatively quiet which means you won't be running into hoards of tourists. Weather is nice in June too - not too cold and not too hot.

I also like the first couple weeks of September. It's cooler but not cold, and not packed with leaf-peepers.

For the best bang for your buck, however, you can consider coming in Feb or early March. It'll be cold and dark, but hotel rates are probably half of what they are in the summer/fall months.

Pretty much all hotels in the Quincy Market, Faneuil Hall, Downtown, Back Bay areas will be safe for a single woman.

Thanks so much, yk - I was hoping you'd see my post! I would never have thought college graduations would make so much of a dent in such a large city, but I trust you're right. May is out! :) Early June would actually be great with my work schedule anyway (my job is flexible, but there are some times that are better to be away).

I'll be honest - as a cold-despising native Southerner, Boston in the winter scares me! I'll check out flights and prices for March, though. I went to Chicago once the first weekend in March and was thoroughly miserable while walking around, even though I was layered up - it barely got to freezing while we were there. We still had fun, but I'd much prefer warmer weather if I can manage it!

Thanks so much for the hotel areas - that was basically what I was figuring, so I'm glad to know I'm on the right track.

because of the sudents' grad, all the restaurants get booked
I'd wait for warmer weather when a walk along the Charles River is a treat more than some of the Freedom trail sites.
And in the warm weather all the outside cafes are in bloom
so, sit down and watch the passing parade,

March can be nice or horrible. I would go in late September early October, myself.

having lived in Boston all my life I like summer. I'm now in Cambridge, where it doesn't matter what season, everything is going strong.

Also prefer summer. Priceline should work for some sections of Boston, although their definitions of areas does not quite match what those from Boston would call them. Back Bay, Copley, Faneuil Hall, Downtown areas work - but Waterfront and South Boston/South End are a littly odd in their geography.

If you hated Chicago in March, do not even consider coming to Boston before May. Summer in Boston finds many free things to do - but also higher hotel prices - so a trade-off. Also be aware that this year Boston is planning an even huger than usual July 4th celebration - to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 (which we lost - so I find it odd - but also because USS Constitution is here). Tall ships, Naval vessels - hotels will be scarce and expensive - but lots going on.

As I have advised all visitors, but especially a woman alone, be really careful about hotel "bargains" - they are usually not. Hotel deceptively label themselves in certain areas and while they technically are, transportation to/from can be difficult or sketchy. Post a specific hotel name here or do a search to see what those of us from the area have to say about location. I would shorten my trip to afford a decent hotel location rather than the opposite. And you won't want or need a car, so that saves some money.

I was kind of joking about coming in Feb/March. True, hotels will be very cheap but the weather really isn't conducive for walking the Freedom Trail, or simply being outdoors for more than 10 minutes!

If hotel rates in June are too high, I would also suggest late April (AFTER Boston Marathon/Patriots Day). It's not freezing cold then, and I absolutely LOVE that time of year because of all the blooming trees and flowers around town.

gail, I figured I'd avoid the Fourth just because I assumed it would be crazy - even more so now! Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely post here before booking a specific hotel - thanks for the bidding zone advice!

cigalechanta and yk, thanks for the input. I had thought about April as well. I have a friend who seemed really interested in joining me, and it might be better for her to go after the school year (so, early June), but that's not a definite at all. This is a great starting point!

jent103, here's a link to the dates of local graduations: http://www.bostonzest.com/2011/11/bo...ring-2012.html so you can plan around them.

Of course, some schools have much more of an impact than others. And do check Travelzoo for hotel deals as you get closer to the date. Friends got a great deal there two years ago for the Nine Zero Hotel and that was the third week of May.

October probably has the highest hotel prices, or at least that used to be the case. Lots of foliage tours and college parents weekends, football games, Head of the Charles race, etc. I think September may be the best time of the year but May through to September are good too. Don't avoid summer necessarily--it's a great time to visit and the city is less crowded when the college students are gone and people are on summer vacation.

P.S. For Gail--the U.S. didn't lose the War of 1812. Many look at it now as a stalemate though it was seen for years as a victory.

Thanks so much for the tips, cw! Those will be really helpful. Early summer is looking attractive, but I think its main advantage over September in my head is that it's sooner. ;)

Agree with June or September. Weather is usually very nice and there will be lots to do - great time to walk around and explore.