Head of the Charles Regatta

October is one of the most visually striking months in Boston and across New England. Trees in parks, along streets and beside riverbanks change color, air temperatures drop just enough to feel crisp and many of the region’s most anticipated outdoor events take place.

The Head of the Charles Regatta is the centerpiece of the month in the city. Rowing teams from across the United States and around the world gather on the Charles River to race along a three mile course from near Boston University’s boathouse to the Eliot Bridge in Cambridge. The course includes challenging turns and narrow bridge passes that make for dramatic viewing. Spectator areas along both shores resemble open air festivals, with tents, vendors and team supporters. Bridges offer some of the best vantage points, but a simple walk along the river path will still bring you close to constant race action.

Salem, to the north, transforms into one of the country’s most famous Halloween destinations through its Haunted Happenings program. Costumes, themed markets, seasonal tours, haunted houses and special museum exhibits draw visitors from across the region and beyond. The combination of seventeenth century history and modern Halloween imagery is unique, but the popularity of the event means commuter rail, roads and sidewalks can be quite crowded, especially on weekends.

Fall foliage day trips are easy to arrange from Boston. You can ride commuter rail or drive to Concord, Lexington and other towns that combine Revolutionary sites with tree lined streets and conservation land. The North Shore offers coastal views framed by autumn colors. Within the city, walks through the Arnold Arboretum, along the Emerald Necklace or beside the Charles River deliver a strong sense of the season without leaving Boston’s limits.

ExploreBoston.com tips for October

• Use our Head of the Charles guide to identify viewing areas near Red Line and Green Line stations, and review our suggestions on layering clothes for several hours by the river.
• Visit the ExploreBoston.com Salem and North Shore page for guidance on whether to stay overnight in Salem or use Boston as a base, along with suggestions for weekday visits that avoid the busiest crowds.
• Check our foliage planner for sample itineraries that combine history and color, including half day and full day routes that link Concord, Lexington and nearby towns with a return to Boston by evening.