What's the weather like in Boston in April
Temperature
The arrival of spring indicates an improvement in the weather in Boston, USA in April, although there is a still a high chance of rain throughout the month. The biggest improvement is in temperatures, with average temperature for the city more than double that of March. The average high is 13.1°C, falling to an average low of a relatively comfortable 4.8°C overnight. The average high on March 1 is 10.1°C and the average low 2.1°C, but by the end of the month, it can be t-shirt weather, with an average high of 16°C and an average low of 7.3°C.
It is a safe bet that daytime temperatures will stay above freezing in April and even in extreme cases, will not drop below 4 °C. On three days of the month temperatures can be above 20°C and on rare occasions it can reach 27 °C. Temperatures rarely dip below 0 °C, although it can go as low as -8 °C once every ten years on average. Always check the local weather report before you travel to see what lies ahead. Despite the rising temperatures, Boston's beaches are worth visiting, but not for swimming as the average sea temperature is a chilly 5°C. Relative humidity in Boston in January is higher, but still bearable, at 63 per cent, peaking at 71 per cent in the mornings and falling to 55 per cent in the afternoon.
Rain and snow
There is still a high chance of rain in Boston in April, with average rainfall of 95mm/3.8ins and an average of 12 rainy days, compared to only 7 days in Miami. The risk of snowfall recedes, with an average of 5.1cms in April, compared to 20.3cms in March.
There is no fresh snowfall in Boston in April in most years, but the city has had 2.5cms, or one inch, of snow or more on occasions with fresh snow on the ground on one day of the month.
Sunshine Hours
Boston is a brighter place in April, with average daily sunshine of 7.4 hours, or 222 for the whole month. Skies are mainly clear for seven days of the month with 30 per cent cloud cover or less and the sun reaches the ground for 56 per cent of daylight hours. The UV index for Boston starts to climb in April and the average is five. The highest UV index of eight is in June, July and August. The days continue to get longer too; the shortest month is April 1 with 12 hours and 45 minutes or daylight. By April 30, this has increased to more than 14 hours. By comparison, June 21 is the longest day of the year in Boston, with the sun rising at 5.07am and setting at 8.24pm, giving daylight of 15 hours and 17 minutes.
Wind
The wind speed in Boston falls slightly in April, to an average of 13mph, although there is still the risk of storms which can bring stronger gusts, heavy rain and on rare occasions, snow in their wake. The north-westerly winds that do most of the damage in winter are rarer in April.
Dress Code
It is still worth bringing some warm clothing, but not as much as you would require in the first three months of the year. T-shirts and shorts could make their debut too, but wet weather clothing, such as a waterproof coat and umbrella, should still be packed, as Boston can be rainy throughout the year. Check the 14-day forecast close to departure to help with your packing decisions.
Boston Hotels in April
April is a busy month for hotels in Boston, as the temperatures rise and the Boston Marathon brings thousands of extra visitors to the city. Booking well ahead is strongly advised if you want to secure your ideal location at a budget that suits you.
Taj Boston
The classy Taj Boston was built in 1927 and sits in one of Boston's most exclusive areas close to the theatre district and with art galleries, boutiques and most of the city's historic sites within easy reach. It has the added benefit of overlooking the beautiful Boston Public Garden and Boston Common. With the look and feel of a Boston townhouse, it has 273 rooms including 44 suites, a bar with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Public Garden and popular restaurant The Café, serving a mix of traditional American and spicy Indian dishes.
You can also take afternoon tea in The French Room, or a rooftop brunch. The hotel guest services team can arrange spa treatments, dinners, tickets and tours on request and there is a fitness centre with massage facilities.
The Westin Copley Place
Another hotel with a great outlook is the award-winning The Westin Copley Place in Back Bay, offering a dizzying choice of things to do in downtown Boston. With all the facilities you would expect from a top hotel, there are several bars and restaurants including brunch and breakfast at The Huntington Boston and the Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão. The hotel has a newly-refurbished fitness studio, a wellness programme offering classes including yoga and a pre-planned series of running routes for keen joggers.
Yotel Boston
Long queues for check-in are a thing of the past at the modern and affordable Yotel Boston in Seaport Boulevard with airport-style self service facilities allowing you to get to your rooms, or 'cabins' as they call them, faster. With superfast Wi-Fi, this is a destination for technology addicts and all rooms have the latest technology, including smart TVs. The terrace has great views of the city and is ideal for casual dining and coffee and up on the 12th floor, the Sky Lounge has indoor and outdoor seating.
Hyatt Regency
Also in downtown Boston The Hyatt Regency is an ideal base to explore the city's museums, theatres, universities and restaurants. Enjoy cocktails and dinner at the hotel's Avenue One restaurant and lounge, take a dip in the 52-foot heated indoor saline pool or join in some of the free weekly activities for guests, including yoga sessions, guided walks and runs. There is also a 24-hour gym and for a nightcap or pre-theatre drink the
Lobby Bar serves beers, fine wines and cocktails.
Bars and Restaurants
Legal Harborside Roof Deck
As the weather improves, there are glorious views of the waterfront to be had over drinks from the Legal Harborside Roof Deck and a great seafood restaurant to enjoy in the same building. With retractable walls and ceiling to make the most of its harbour views this is a popular Boston meeting place. Owners Legal Sea Foods started out as a fish market in 1950 and now offer a no-frills restaurant with shareable seafood plates, sushi, pasta and pizza made in an open kitchen. There are up to 14 varieties of oysters on offer daily and you can see where they arrived at Boston Fish Pier, the oldest in the country.
The Intermission Tavern
Theatre lovers should keep the dramatic theme going and head for The Intermission Tavern in the heart of the theatre district. Get in the mood before a show or round off an evening with drinks and a late bite at this family-friendly bar. Show posters adorn the walls of the theatrical-themed tavern, which opens from 11am-2am offering a pre and post-theatre menu including soups and salads, sandwiches and wraps and burgers and steaks.
The 21st Amendment
Away from downtown in the Bunker Hill area, The 21st Amendment is the place where politicians have gone for years to unwind and journalists to lurk in the hope of a scoop. Apart from a great atmosphere, it is reputed to serve some of Boston's best burgers. The extensive menu also offers wood-fired pizzas, snacks and salads and speciality sandwiches, including buffalo chicken wraps and tuna melts. The ideal place to eavesdrop and unwind after touring the nearby national park and climbing those monument steps.
Row 34
Seafood doesn't get any fresher than at Row 34 a trendy oyster bar in up and coming Fort Point that has won rave reviews from food critics. A sister restaurant to the Island Creek Oyster Bar it offers a host of fresh seafood in addition to oysters, washed down with local beer or wine. Be sure to book well in advance as tables are in huge demand. If you do get in, try the lobster rolls with mayonnaise and hot butter, crispy oysters or seared monkfish. Steak and chicken dishes are also available.
Things to do in Boston in April
The Boston Marathon
The main event of the month in Boston and one of the year's major spectacles is the 123rd Boston Marathon, on Monday, April 15, claimed to be the world's oldest. Even if you're not running, there is plenty for spectators to enjoy, as more than 30,000 runners tackle the undulating Boston course from rural Hopkinton to Copley Square in the downtown district, battling hills and the mercurial Spring weather along the way. It attracts huge crowds, so bag your seat at a bar or restaurant along the route and soak up the atmosphere.
Patriots' Day
If marathons are not your thing, the Boston Marathon falls on the national holiday of Patriot's Day and a 25-minute car journey from Boston, the annual celebrations in Lexington mark the battles of Lexington and Concord, the first engagements of the American War of Independence against the British which followed the Boston Tea Party. Events start at the crack of dawn with a re-enactment of the Battle of Lexington, followed by breakfast, marches, a road race, tours, concerts, ceremonies and a 2pm parade in Lexington.
Boston Jazz Week
Boston comes alive to the sounds of jazz every year in late April as Boston Jazz Week gets under way. The event was resurrected after a 24-year gap in 2007 and celebrates the city's rich jazz heritage with live performances across Boston at more than 100 venues. Many are in the city's bars and restaurants, so you can enjoy some great music with your drinks and dinner.
Fenway Park
April is a busy month for the city's baseball team, the Boston Red Sox. Book ahead and soak in the unique atmosphere of a game at the 38,000 capacity Fenway Park, home of the Sox since 1912. The quirky stadium is the oldest in Major League Baseball and has hosted the World Series on ten occasions, with the Sox winning on five of those. It is a ground steeped in baseball history and even if you're not a baseball fan, it's a must for any Boston visit.
