What's the Weather like in Boston in September
Temperature
The temperatures are heading south in Boston, USA, in September as autumn replaces summer. It is still warm during the day and can still get extremely hot, although it be get chilly in the evenings. The average temperature for Boston in September sees a high of 22.4°C, with an average low of 14.1°C, a 25 per cent fall on August. The average daily maximum for most Septembers is between 21 to 24°C and the minimum is usually between 13 and 15°C. The warmer weather is on the way out by the end of September and temperatures are on average 5.5°C lower than on September 1. Temperatures above 36 °C are rare in September, but they have happened, most notably on September 8, 2015 (36°C), September 11, 1983 (37°C) and September 2, 1953 (38°C). A low of 4 °C happens about once in every ten years. To be sure of what lies ahead, always check the local weather report before you set off.
Rain and snow
Boston has low rainfall in September, with an average of 85mm/3.2 inches, with 10 rainy days on average. This can vary between 53 to 113mm, or two to four inches in half of the years. On 50 per cent of month, the city can receive anything from 44 to 117 mm of rain in September. Snow is highly unlikely.
Sunshine Hours
September in Boston is far less sunny than the months of May to August, with average monthly sunshine of 232 hours across the month, or 7.7 a day. This compares with Miami, which as 270 hours on average in September. The sun reaches the ground on 63 percent of daylight hours on average and skies in Boston are clear for an average of seven days. The sky is mainly clear for ten days of the month, with at most 30 percent cloud cover.
September days get shorter as the month goes on, with a monthly average of 12 hours and 26 minutes a day. The longest day of the month, with 13 hours and 7 minutes of daylight, is September 1 and daylight hours fall to 11 hours and 46 minutes by the end of September on average.
Average relative humidity in Boston is higher than previous months, at 72 per cent, with a high of 82 per cent in the morning a low of 59 per cent by early afternoon.
Wind
The average wind speed in Boston remains light in September, at an average of 11.2mph. Thunderstorms do happen on rare occasions, but major storms are almost unheard of in September.
Dress Code
You will need to pack a more mixed bag for travel to Boston in September, combining summer wear and swimming costumes with some warmer clothing, such as jumpers and a good jacket or coat. A waterproof coat is also a must. Check our 14-day forecast for Boston before departure.
Boston Hotels in September
Global Luxury Suites
For the more independent-minded travellers, Global Luxury Suites offer a range of self-catering apartments across Boston to suit all tastes and most party sizes. They include central Boston locations close to all the action, ranging from studios, to three-bedroom apartments. All have separate living, dining, and sleeping areas, fully-fitted kitchens, Wi-Fi, cable TV and starter kits comprising basic provisions and household items. Some locations also have pools and fitness facilities on site.
Hotel 140
Hotel 140 is a budget hotel right in the middle of Boston's sightseeing and shopping area of Copley Square. Overlooking Clarendon Street in a 1920s building, the 65 guest rooms and one-bedroom apartments have all mod cons and there's a restaurant in the lobby offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nearby attractions include the Freedom Trail, the Public Garden and Boston Common.
Hilton Boston Downtown
The Hilton Boston Downtown is an art deco classic located in a 1920's skyscraper near Faneuil Hall. It has recently been renovated and is just a block from the waterfront and most of the city's major attractions. There's a fitness suite and an added bonus is the hotel's Fin Point Oyster Bar and Grille serves New England seafood classics. There is also a popular bar that's open until late.
Elliot Hotel
The old worlds meets the 21st century at the European-influenced The Eliot Hotel, which offers versatile accommodation that has been lauded among the world's best by travel experts. There are 95 guestrooms and suites and the award-winning Uni Japanese restaurant, overseen by executive chef Ken Oringer and hailed as one of the city's finest.
Bars and Restaurants
Toro
You will have to book a long way in advance to get into tapas restaurant Toro, but it will be worth the effort, judging by its rave reviews. There are Barcelona-inspired tapas dishes for all palates, from vegetarian to a surf and turf special teaming seafood and charcuterie. There's caviar and foie gras too if you want to push the boat out. It has been such a success that it has expanded to three new locations.
Mike's Pastry
Pastry lovers should beat a path to one of Boston's most famous bakeries, Mike's Pastry in Boston's historic North End. Founded in in 1946 by Michael Mercogliano, who arrived from Italy aged 12, he created cannoli that draws Bostonians and tourists alike to this day. The bakery is now run by his stepson Angelo Papa, serving everything from biscotti to lobster tails in the bakery's signature blue and white boxes.
The Banshee
If you are missing the Premier League or any other league of football, head for The Banshee and your cravings will be satisfied. This Dorchester pub has a large and loyal crowd of regulars and you will definitely bump into some fellow Brits here. There's Gaelic football too and NFL games. There are breakfast specials for early morning European kick offs and an all-day menu offering pizzas, burgers, steaks and light bites.
Things to do in Boston in September
Boston Octoberfest
The 23rd Harpoon Brewery Oktoberfest has beer, bratwurst and live music from Oompah bands on three stages across two days. Previous years have seen chicken dancing, keg bowling and a chocolate eating contest. But the main attraction is the beer and food and there is plenty to choose from, mainly with a German pedigree. Payment is cash only at the door for over 21s only.
Take a tour
Autumn in Boston and New England is a beautiful time of the year, full of the dark colours of nature. This is good time to take a tour out of the city and discover the beauty of the coast and countryside that surrounds it. You can take your pick from a coach or boat trip or hire a car and set off on your own voyage of discovery. See picturesque harbours, rugged cliffs and stop at quaint towns, such as Kennebunkport.
Revels Riversing
The annual Revels RiverSing welcomes the autumn, or 'fall' as Americans call it, with a free equinox celebration for all the family by the Charles River and in Harvard Square. Festivities start in Harvard Square's Winthrop Park, before everyone parades to the river, where music, poetry, acrobat and circus displays and eating and drinking gets under way.
Museums & galleries
It would be easy to overlook the plethora of museums and art galleries dotted around Boston, but that would be a shame as they are some of the finest in the USA. The Museum of Fine Arts with its huge collection and ever-changing lectures and exhibitions is a good place to start. Try The Institute of Contemporary Art for a more modern twist or soak up American history at the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.