Summer may have taken it’s sweet time to start here in Boston, but boy oh boy—it’s here now! This past weekend, Boston officially had its first heatwave. Meteorologically speaking, a heatwave is defined as three or more days in a row with temperatures above 90 degrees; today’s weather is considered the third day of heat. What a great way to kick off America’s birthday celebrations than with a steamy start to the week! Some may find it crazy, but on days when the city become almost unbearably hot and most of its residents head to the shores of the Atlantic up and down New England, we find it the most welcoming. The main tourist attractions within the city boundaries become ghostly desolate, they feel like sights to be seen by the lucky few who choose to stay.

Here are some of our favorite shots from this weekend to inspire you to visit your nearest city in the throws of summer.