Looking to get outside during the October three-day weekend? Haven’t had your fill of fall foliage? Here are some suggestions for touching grass — or leaves, as the case may be.
MIT Outing Club trip on 10/12/26
If you want to hike with others, you can join the MIT Outing Club on a trip to Mt. Flume and Liberty on Monday 10/12. Find the trip details/signups on their site (sign up by Oct 7 at 6pm). You must have scrambling/climbing experience to join this trip.
Foliage on your own schedule
There are also a number of ways to check out the beautiful autumn leaves whenever you like. For a laid back experience, you can easily experience stunning New England fall foliage around Greater Boston entirely by public transit, foot, or bike.
Within Boston & Cambridge (Accessible by MBTA / Walking)
- Mount Auburn Cemetery (Cambridge)
- Details: Part historic cemetery, part botanical garden and arboretum with a massive variety of maples, oaks, and beeches turning brilliant reds and golds.
- Access: Take the MBTA Red Line to Harvard Station, then take a short bus or walk up Mount Auburn Street.
- Cost: Free admission.
- Arnold Arboretum (Boston / Jamaica Plain)
- Details: Harvard’s 281-acre historic landscape features magnificent specimen trees, tree-lined paths, and sweeping hillside views bursting with autumn color.
- Access: MBTA Orange Line to Forest Hills or Ruggles, or Commuter Rail (Franklin/Worcester lines to Forest Hills).
- Cost: Free admission.
- Chestnut Hill Reservation (Brighton/Chestnut Hill)
- Details: A gorgeous 1.5-mile paved loop around the reservoir framed by mature trees reflecting in the water.
- Access: MBTA Green Line (B line to Chestnut Hill or C line to Cleveland Circle).
- Cost: Free.
- Memorial Drive (Cambridge)
- Details: This scenic stretch along the Charles River is closed to motor traffic every Sunday (from late April through early November) between Western Avenue and Mount Auburn Street, making it ideal for walking or biking among turning trees.
- Access: Red Line to Central or Harvard Square, then walk to the river.
- Cost: Free.
Day Trips by Commuter Rail (No car needed)
- Historic Concord
- Details: A 40-minute train ride from North Station drops you near town. Walk through the colorful, heavily wooded Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to Author’s Ridge, or head to Walden Pond (a short local rideshare or energetic bike ride from the station).
- Access: MBTA Fitchburg Line from North Station to Concord Station.
- Cost: Commuter rail tickets cost roughly $7.00–$8.50 one-way depending on the zone.
- Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary (Lincoln)
- Details: Mass Audubon working farm and wildlife sanctuary featuring walking trails through vibrant New England fields and woods, plus farm animals.
- Access: MBTA Fitchburg Line from North Station to Lincoln Station; the farm entrance is less than a mile walk from the platform.
- Cost: Adult admission is approximately $10.00–$12.00.
