A sunset at the Esplanade in the fall delivers twice as many colors. | Photo via @oschapov
If you’re patiently awaiting crisp autumn breezes and sweater weather, this round up is for you.
We are still over a week away from the first official day of fall (save the date: Thursday, Sept. 21) but we can start playing I Spy for fall foliage around the Greater Boston area.
According to experts like Yankee Magazine + The Old Farmer’s Almanac, peak foliage will happen in early-to-mid October. That doesn’t mean we won’t see splashes of fall colors very soon. Long story short — due to our extremely wet and humid summer, local trees are experiencing some stress, which can cause leaves to start turning early.
If a road trip to Vermont or on the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire isn’t on your fall agenda, here are five places to peep the changing leaves locally.
🍁 The Esplanade Exploring the three-mile path along the Charles River will provide a colorful stroll, especially from Beacon Hill to Back Bay. While you’re in the area, don’t miss a photo opp along Acorn Street or on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
🍁 Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway Save the date for an Autumn in the Arboretum tour on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The event will celebrate the autumn colors + educate guests about the leaves + unique seeds and fruits appearing on the branches.
🍁 Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge This location is perfect for leaf peeping during spooky season. It’s a National Historic Landmark + the first rural cemetery in the US.
🍁 Harvard Yard, 2 Kirkland St., Cambridge Visiting the Cambridge campus during fall will give new meaning to the Harvard Crimson.
🍁 Blue Hills Reservation, 725 Hillside, Milton Take a hike through the Blue Hills right outside of Boston (~30 minute drive) to explore the 7,000-acre state park.
Events
Monday, Sept. 11
Our Story: Cultural Legacies of Japanese American Incarceration | Monday, Sept. 11 | 6-7:30 p.m. | John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston | Free | Listen to a panel discussion and contemporary musical performances in partnership with Boston Lyric Opera, the Japanese American Citizens League, and the Japan Society of Boston.
Chunky Knit Blanket Party | Monday, Sept. 11 | 6-8 p.m. | Dorchester Brewing Company, 1250 Massachusetts Ave., Boston | $85 | Tickets include one draft beer while you make your ivory, grey, or dark purple knit blanket.
Introduction to Babywearing | Monday, Sept. 11 | 6 p.m. | Upstairs at Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville | $30 | Register for this hands-on workshop for families with newborns.
Tuesday, Sept. 12
Gallery Night Tuesdays | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 6-8 p.m. | Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles St., Boston | Free | Support the local art scene while viewing artwork by Michael Yurkovisky + enjoy complimentary local cheeses.
Ted Lasso Trivia | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 7-9 p.m. | Thirsty Scholar Pub, 70 Beacon St., Somerville | Free to attend | Gather your team and test your knowledge of the sports comedy for the chance to win a $50 gift card.
Wednesday, Sept. 13
Book Club | Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 6 p.m. | Porter Square Books, 50 Liberty Dr., Boston | Free | Join the local bookstore team for a Boston Edition Book Club.
September 11. The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund will host the annual commemoration at the State House. Ceremonies will begin at 8:30 a.m., and include a moment of silence + reading of the names of the 206 victims who were Mass residents or had ties to the Bay State.
Development
MIT intends to use ~167,000 sqft of the new eight-building development as an “innovation space” for life sciences and tech companies. This area was originally intended for a coworking space. (Boston Business Journal)
Community
A statue of the the founder of the July Fourth Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular show was unveiled on Saturday. Family and colleagues of David Mugar dedicated the new 8-ft bronze statue of the philanthropist near the Hatch Memorial Shell. (WCVB 5)
Sports
The Patriots celebrated “the Greatest of All Time” yesterday at Gillette Stadium. Tom Brady helped ring in a new tradition, ringing the bell on the newly renovated lighthouse. Additionally, the QB will be inducted in the Patriots Hall of Fame on June 12, 2024.(Boston.com)
Transit
Boston Harbor Islands officials have changed the fall ferry schedule. Due to safety concerns, the marina on Spectacle Island has closed and ferry service to Georges Island will continue through the fall. View the ferry schedule and book tickets for your upcoming island adventure.
Edu
The University of Massachusetts Amherst received $30 million to support the new environmental research center dedicated to Indigenous sciences. The Center For Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science aims to highlight the traditional knowledge of Native tribes across the country + address climate-related problems. (WBUR)
Arts
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department will host the ParkARTS Watercolor Painting Workshops again this fall. Registration is required for the free workshops, which run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Arts
See Captain Kelley in West Roxbury
New mural for local veteran
The mural was funded by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture. | Photo via City of Boston officials
We’ve spotted a new mural to add to our guide. Next time you find yourself strolling through West Roxbury, you’ll want to know who this man is.
City of Boston officials, veterans, and Roxbury community members helped unveil a new mural honoring Captain Tom Kelley and named Sept. 7 as “Captain Thomas Kelley Day.” Captain Kelley, who grew up in West Roxbury, served for 30 years in the US Navy in various roles and received the Medal of Honor from President Nixon in 1970. Local residents reached out to the city’s neighborhood liaison to request a tribute honoring his service and dedication.
The mural is located on the side of the Boston Ale House on the corner of Centre + Hastings streets. It was completed by local artist Laura DeDonato Wiatt and features Captain Kelley and the not-yet-built USS Thomas G. Kelley, a missile destroyer.
Is there anything better than solving a whodunnit-style murder mystery? Today, you can participate in one at PKL with its Murder Mystery Dinner at 7 p.m. Head to the Southie venue for an intimate evening solving the crime while enjoying dinner and drinks. Tickets start at $40.
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