Where to Trick or Treat Around Boston
Here are the best places in Boston and the surrounding area to take your kids for trick or treat.
Halloween is almost here, that spectacle of the spooky and macabre. As you finalize your costume, make the most of this fun night by trick or treating at some of the greatest places in the Boston area or taking the T to spooky neighborhoods outside of Boston.
Where to Trick or Treat in Downtown Boston
Sometimes, you want to trick or treat near your home to get the experience of connecting with your neighbors and community residents. Downtown Boston has some amazing areas for trick or treating, where you can capture that real local community feel while going door to door with your friends or family members. Here are our top picks for trick of treating near DTX.
Beacon Hill – Just a short walk across the Common from downtown Boston, Beacon Hill is a great place to go trick or treating. Why? The homes are fabulous, the treats are generous, and the neighborhood is extremely safe. Some of Beacon Hill’s streets, including Pickney and Mount Vernon, close to traffic. Walk your children through the area to capture the sort of trick or treating you remember fondly from childhood. Then share a king-sized candy bar on the walk home, as this neighborhood is extremely generous with candy giveaways.
North End – This historic neighborhood is a great place to visit at any time of year, but it can be particularly fun to go trick or treating there. Many of the local businesses give out candy, so you will get a long of bang for your buck. And, you will be wandering near some of the most historic (and potentially haunted) cemeteries in Boston. How appropriate for Halloween!
South End – Are pets more your thing than children? Then head to the South End where critters of all species dress up to celebrate the holiday. The South End’s large, well-lit streets are safe for revelers, while the neighborhood’s festive and friendly atmosphere make it a fun neighborhood to head to that’s also close to downtown Boston.
Brookline – Friendly Brookline is a safe and family-friendly place year round and a great nearby place to go with little ones. Add a bit of history to your trick or treat by heading to Brookline’s Beals Street, where you can visit JFK’s birthplace and grab a treat without having to dodge cars. Then take the Green Line back to Park Street when you’re through.
Top Suburbs for Trick or Treating
Salem – Salem is pretty witchy year round, and gets even more so during the month of October. Head to Salem via Commuter Rail on Halloween night to go trick or treating in the small town’s spooky atmosphere, or visit any time during the month of October to explore the haunted side of early colonial life and learn more about the Salem Witch Trials. Salem Haunted Happenings has a calendar of spooky events including events, mystical and psychic attractions, things to do, restaurants, and more. Make it a fun outing for the whole family on Halloween night or before.
Scituate – Round up friends and relatives and take the Commuter Rail to the South Shore to visit Scituate’s Minot Beach. The Halloween in the Harbor event takes place from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. on October 31. During the event, Scituate Harbor businesses are open for trick or treating. If you have little kids and are looking for a safe space to take them out for the holiday, this could be the perfect place to go.