What's the weather like in Boston in March
Temperature
March brings some improvements on the weather front, the average temperature is looking much higher in Boston, although it can still be cold, wet and even snowy. Check the local weather report for up to date information. The average high is double that of February, at 7.4°C on average, with the average low a bearable -0.5°C. Temperatures improve considerably as the month goes on, with the average high only 5.3°C at the start of March and the average low -2.6°C. By the end of the month, that has risen to an average high of 9.9°C and a low of 1.9°C. The lowest ever March temperature recorded was -12°C on March 11, 1953. Relative humidity in Boston in January is 63.1 per cent on average, compared with a yearly average of 65 per cent.
Rain and snow
Although the temperatures are improving throughout the month, the chances of you getting caught in the rain are higher than in January and February, as March is the wettest month of the year in the city. Boston receives an average of 110mm/4.3 inches of rainfall in March with an average of 13 days when it is rainy. Snow is still possible, although less likely as the month goes on, with average monthly snowfall 20.3 centimetres. Snow patterns in March are highly unpredictable and can range from five to 27cms of fresh snow. There will be 2.5cms of snow on the ground for six days of the month and it can reach 13cms or more in depth on two of these days.
Sunshine Hours
March is when the sun starts to make its presence in Boston, after the dark months of winter. Average daily sunshine rises to 6.8 hours and in daylight hours the sun's rays reach the ground 57 percent of the time (on average), in March. The skies are clear for an average of eight days, meaning cloud cover is 30 per cent or less. The days are getting longer too, with almost 12 hours of daylight on average. March 1 is the shortest day with 11 hours and 15 minutes of daylight and by March 31 this has stretched to 12 hours and 42 minutes.
Wind
Boston is the windiest city in the USA for five months of the year on average and has the country's highest average wind speed, ahead of Oklahoma City and Buffalo, New York State. You can expect anything from a stiff breeze, to a gale whenever you visit. March is one of the windiest months of the year, with average wind speeds of 13.6mph, although it has reached in excess of 90mph in March on rare occasions when late season storms from the North-East have struck.
Dress Code
In March the weather is in transition, so the advice is to prepare for anything. Snow, rain and high winds are all possible, as is warmer weather. A warm coat and scarf and waterproof jacket are still essential. At the other end of the scale, the weather can be unseasonably mild, but shorts and t-shirts will not be necessary! For a good indication of what to expect, check our 14-day forecast for Boston before you start packing.
Boston Hotels in March
The Lenox
Dark wood, leather sofas and log fires are a feature of The Lenox, a warm and inviting hotel next to the USA's first public library, Boston Public Library. Nearby are the art galleries, shops and restaurants of downtown Boston and back at the 214-room hotel, there are three choices for dining, including the Irish-themed restaurant Solas, a fitness centre, bike rental and for the keen runners Boston's Back Bay jogging routes are right outside.
The Buckminster
A hotel with a scandalous history going back more than 100 years, The Buckminster, three miles north of Downtown Boston, was where one of the biggest sporting scandals in USA history was plotted. The 1919 Boston Black Sox match fixing scandal made world headlines and led to eight players being banned for life. The hotel was also the site of the first ever national radio transmission and hosted Billie Holliday and Louis Armstrong at its famous Storyville jazz club. Just 600 feet from Fenway Park, breathe in the hotel's history at its Fenmore Grill restaurant or burn off the pounds at the fitness centre. Ask for a room overlooking Fenway Park.
Renaissance Boston Waterfront
It's hardly surprising that great ocean views are standard at The Renaissance Boston Waterfront, a lively hotel popular with tourists and business people alike. In addition to ocean view rooms (there are city view rooms too) there is regular live music in the hotel's cocktail bar, a restaurant and plenty more to see, do, eat and drink right outside the door. There's a modern fitness centre with gym, lap pool and sauna; if you need excursion advice, the hotel also has it's own 'in-house navigator' to help you make the most of your stay.
Aloft Boston Seafront
Just steps from the Boston Convention Centre, a colourful reception area sets the tone at the Aloft Boston Seafront, in a fantastic central location in the Seaport district. The hotel prides itself on being child (and pet) friendly and for adults there is regular live music and a lively WXYZ Bar to relax in. Across the street, the hotel's Lawn on D offers games, food trucks and entertainment for all the family. There's also a gym and saline splash pool and if you lose your keys, you can open your door using the hotel smartphone app.
Bars and Restaurants
Oak Long Bar + Kitchen
Voted Boston's best bar in 2017, the Oak Long Bar & Kitchen provides a place to eat and drink, in an atmosphere of understated luxury, with ornate chandeliers and roaring fires. Try one of their signature cocktails or draught Boston beers and tuck in to no-nonsense steaks and seafood. The bar serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, at its central downtown location.
Charlie's Kitchen
No visit to Boston is complete without sampling one of its atmospheric bars. These 'dive bars' were in danger of dying out, to be replaced by more trendy establishments, but have been rediscovered by a new generation. Charlie's Kitchen has been catering to locals and tourists alike for more than 40 years and is as popular as ever. The crowd is a mix of tourists and Boston characters and there's a beer garden and 50s-style diner serving everything from cheeseburgers to lobster.
Eastern Standard
The Eastern Standard is regularly hailed as Boston's best bar and is rated among the best in the USA. Always busy and with a great range of beers, wines and cocktails, there is also a French brasserie offering first class food and service in a laid-back atmosphere. Centrally located as part of the Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square, it's great for people watching over oysters and a glass of fizz.
The Brendan Behan
A legendary Boston Irish pub, the Brendan Behan in Boston's Jamaica Plain is named after the Irish writer and hell-raiser and has been voted Boston's best Irish bar four times since opening in 1988. It was used as the set for a scene between Richard Harris and Harrison Ford in the film Patriot Games and is suitably snug and dark with some outstanding beers and weekly Irish music sessions. Cash only accepted at the bar.
Things to do in Boston in March
The weather starts to improve in March, just in time for one of the major events in the Boston calendar, as the city raises a glass (or several) to its Gaelic roots. It's possible to watch the world go by as you enjoy your food and drink outside too, as many bars provide fire pits and patio heaters to keep the chill off.
St Patrick's Day
Boston's links with Ireland are plain to see wherever you go in the city and St Patrick's Day is a big deal here, as celebrations go on across the city involving music, theatre, food and or course drink! The centrepiece of the events is South Boston's famous St Patrick's Day Parade when more than 600,000 people cram the streets for a loud and colourful celebration of all things Irish. Not to be missed.
Boston Flower & Garden Show
If you are of a green-fingered persuasion, then head for one of the USA's premier horticultural events, The Boston Flower and Garden Show from March 13-17 at Seaport World Trade Centre. Packed with garden displays, floral arrangements, lectures and demonstrations by experts and a huge plant and garden products market, there will be plenty of ideas and inspiration to take home.
Dine Out Boston
March is a great month for food lovers to visit Boston, as Dine Out Boston, formerly known as Restaurant Week, celebrates the city's culinary excellence while offering great discounts at hundreds of restaurants across the city, excluding Saturdays. Participating restaurants offer discounted, fixed price menus for lunch and dinner and all you have to decide is which cuisine to choose from.
Boston Symphony Hall
Boston is as treat for culture vultures and even if you are not taking in one of its concerts, Boston Symphony Hall is worth a visit. Opened in 1900, it is now home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra and its excellent acoustics make it one of the world's best auditoriums, with 250 concerts being staged annually.
Boston Tea Party Museum
A vivid reminder that Boston was the cradle of the American Revolution is at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, which is frequently voted the No1 tourist destination in the city. It relates the events that led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773 and sparked the American Revolution.
