Month guide · Boston · United States
Boston in May
What May is really like in Boston: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Boston. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 10°C (50°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 14.6 hours of daylight. Mild and green; college graduations from mid-May push hotel prices to their highest, so book early.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 14.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 11°C (52°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Boston: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 10°C (50°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with April (13°C (55°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:22
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:58
- Daylight
- About 14.6 hours
- Sea
- 11°C (52°F)
Spring (March–May). A slow, chilly start, then blossom in Back Bay, the marathon in April and graduation crowds in late May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum (usually Mother's Day, mid-May)
- University commencements (mid-to-late May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Museum · Fenway–Kenmore
Museum of Fine Arts
Look up in the rotunda and main staircase at the murals Sargent painted for the museum in the 1920s.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Fenway–Kenmore
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Isabella Stewart Gardner built a Venetian-style palazzo to display her Titian, Rembrandt, Botticelli and Sargent paintings around a glass-roofed courtyard that is in flower all year.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Couples
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
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Aquarium · Downtown and the Waterfront
New England Aquarium
Whale-watching trips to Stellwagen Bank take about three to four hours; take seasickness precautions if you need them.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Architecture · Back Bay
Boston Public Library, Central Library
Opened in 1895, Charles McKim's Renaissance-palace library on Copley Square belongs to the first large free municipal library system in the US.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- History
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 10°C and 12 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Boston?
One of the best months to visit Boston, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are June and September–October. Compare every month.
Boston in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Boston?
It is one of the best months to visit Boston. Mild and green; college graduations from mid-May push hotel prices to their highest, so book early.
+How warm is Boston in May?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Boston in May?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.