When most people think of Boston in the winter, they might picture a magical landscape covered in glistening white snow… and frigid temperatures. While those, in fact, may be true (the city averages 44 inches of snowfall each year and the average high temperature in January is about 36 degrees, but most locals will say that those two things don’t bother them… unless you steal their parking spot!), the snow and cold doesn’t stop the fun in Boston. There are actually a number of things that you can ONLY do in winter in Boston, check out some of our favorites below.
Boston Winter presented by Berkshire Bank
This brand new holiday destination opened to the public on December 2. Located at City Hall Plaza, Boston Winter boasts a custom-designed, 11,000 sq. ft. Skating Path (open through the last week of February) and a Holiday Shopping Market (open through New Year’s Eve). The Skating Path will not only include public ice skating ($10 admission for adults), but will also play host to special events and ice skating lessons. The Holiday Market brings together over 40 specialty retailers and artisans with a wide range of goods, plus ticketed attractions like wine tastings, chocolate tastings, and Santa’s House. There is also the Urban Lodge, Boston’s latest and greatest beer hall. In addition to a (newly) locally iconic marquee Boston sign, a pedal-powered 20-foot-tall Christmas tree also offers an visitors an ideal selfie opp.
Ice Skating at the Boston Common Frog Pond
Sitting in the heart of Boston Common, the oldest park in the United States, is the Frog Pond. In the winter this pond becomes an ice skating rink with public skating, skating lessons, and skating programs for students. Skating is available November through March, seven days a week ($6 admission fee for those over 58-inches).
Celtics Basketball Game at TD Garden
In the same state where basketball was invented, catch a home game of the Celtics for as low as $18. There’s nothing like getting out of the cold and warming up with an adult beverage while watching the Celtics duel it out on the court.
Museum of Fine Arts
Spend a chilly evening (Wednesday-Fridays) or afternoon getting lost in the halls of Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). For $25 (adults), you can enjoy countless hours of exploring on your own or with a friend, plus your ticket will grant you one repeat visit within 10 days. This winter the MFA will have “Memory Unearthed, The Lodz Ghetto Photographs of Henryk Ross” from March 25 to July 30, and “Matisse in the Studio” from April 9 through July 9. They will also begin an exhibition of revival jewelry, beginning on February 14 and ending on August 19, 2018.
Shows At Boston Opera House and the Boch Center
While Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker ends on December 31, there are many more shows coming to Boston this winter. See Something Rotten at the Boston Opera House from January 17 to January 29, Circus 1903 from March 8 to March 28, and Rent from April 11 to April 23. Plus many, many more events, including children’s performances, comedians, film screenings, dance tours, concerts, and much more.
Brewery Tours at Samuel Adams and Harpoon (and many more!)
There are breweries abound in the Greater Boston area right now. The most iconic of them all are Samuel Adams and Harpoon, both with breweries directly in the city. For a $2 suggested donation, visitors can get a tour and samplings at Samuel Adams (Monday through Saturday). At Harpoon, tours and tastings are offered seven days a week for $5. Samuel Adams does not have a full taproom, but Harpoon does (and it’s often quite lively). Check out this list of all Massachusetts breweries, should that be your thing!
Looking for more things to do in Boston? Check out our guide of What To Do for shopping, dining, arts & music, historic landmark, and sports & entertainment suggestions. To give you a better idea of Boston’s make-up, also check out our guide to all the neighborhoods of Boston.