Looking for the best places for sunsets in Boston? After living in the city for almost 10 years, we have seen our fair share of sunsets and wanted to share our list of favorite Boston sunset viewing spots to help you plan for your upcoming trip.
Also, if you’re planning a trip here, check out my Boston Travel Guide for places to stay, best things to do and our favorite restaurants.
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1. Boston Sunset Cruises
If you want hit two birds with one stone, you could take in a sunset while boating around the inner harbor. Enjoy a guided boat tour from around the months of April to October (depending on the weather). If you want something more intimate, try a Boston Harbor cruise on a classic Schooner or a sunset yacht cruise.
2. The Esplanade
The Esplanade runs along the Charles River and is the perfect spot for the sunset. In the summer and fall, P and I love to pack a picnic or grab a pizza pie from our neighborhood cafe and head to the floating docks on the Esplanade. If you enter the Esplanade via the Mass Ave Bridge on the Boston side, make a left and continue to walk for about 15 minutes, you’ll see a few stairs going down towards a large floating dock. You can go a bit early just to lay out on the dock or dip your feet into the river and soak in the last few bits of sun before it begins to set. You have a lovely view of the Cambridge side, the famous MIT dome building, and the Mass Ave Bridge. If a picnic isn’t your thing, you could rent a kayak and watch the sunset right on the water.
3. Mass Ave Bridge
You probably wouldn’t be able to have a picnic here but the Mass Ave bridge has been a great pit stop to enjoy the sunset with a view of the famous Citgo sign as a backdrop. P and I always happen upon the sunset on our summer evening strolls, and it never gets old.
4. Boston Public Gardens
Boston is best explored by foot and the Boston Public Gardens is a must visit especially at sunset. P and I often walked from our studio in Kenmore Square down to the gardens almost every day in the summer to take in the views and people watch. And the sunset here is stunning!
5. Piers Park in East Boston
If you want to venture out to East Boston, Piers Park has been dubbed the secret gem of Boston which only Easties seem to know about. It provides a gorgeous view of the Boston skyline and is generally less crowded. To get to the park via public transportation, get off at Maverick Station on the blue line and walk along Marginal Street for about 10 minutes.
6. Corey Hill in Brookline
Another sunset spot a little bit outside of downtown Boston is at the Corey Hill Outlook in Brookline, only a short subway ride away on the Cleveland Circle green line. Get off at Summit Ave stop and climb the steep road up to the top. The climb, though torturous, will be worth it.
Happy sunset viewing!
2 responses to “The Best Places for Sunsets in Boston”
[…] For an overall appreciation of the the city, walk the Freedom Trail (starting at the State House) or take a Duck Tour (both are super touristy, but you have to do it once if you’re in town). Visit one of many museums (my favorite are the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the ICA). Love penguins? Check out the New England Aquarium. Take a peek into the Boston Public Library (it’s gorgeous), and while you’re at it, admire Copley Square from the library steps. If you’re a baseball fan, take a tour of Fenway Stadium. Have a picnic and watch the sunset from the Esplanade (read more about the best places for sunsets in Boston here). […]
Brings back so many great memories of living in Boston. Thanks for stopping by my blog.