Top 7 Things To Do In Boston In The Winter
Boston in the winter is a true winter wonderland. Cobblestone streets dusted in snow. Holiday lights strung amongst the city. Steaming hot chocolate flowin’ from the local cafes. What’s not to love? I mean, maybe minus the few single-digit temperature days we get from time to time. Despite the cold, the winter season in Boston is an incredible time to embrace the city. From ice skating and holiday festivities to visiting the city’s many museums, there’s an endless supply of things to do in Boston in the winter. To help you create your winter bucket list this season, we’ve compiled a list of 8 of the best things to do in Boston in the winter. So, check out these winter activities and start adding them to your list! And, don’t forget a jacket!
Photo by Andrew Spencer on Unsplash
Best Things to Do in Boston in the Winter
Ice Skating at the Boston Common Frog Pond
If you’re looking for things to do in Boston in the Winter, ice skating at the Frog Pond is a can’t-miss activity. From mid-November through March, the ice-covered Frog Pond, located in the iconic Boston Common, welcomes city-goers for an incredible ice skating experience. It makes for a great date night, an activity to do with friends, or a fun winter outing for families in the winter!
Boston Common Holiday Tree Lighting
Another Boston winter activity that takes place in the city’s iconic park is the annual Boston Common holiday tree lighting. Drawing over 25,000 spectators, the event includes the lighting of the tree’s over 7,000 lights, music, entertainment, and more wintertime fun. It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season in the city.
Enjoy Festive Flavors in the City
One of our favorite things to do in Boston in the winter is to fully embrace the seasonal flavors that fill the restaurants, cafes, and other eateries throughout the city. A walk along the city streets and you’ll find coffee shops with peppermint hot chocolates, restaurants with winter-inspired fare, and bakeshops serving up warm spiced sweets. We loved embracing the season here at New City Microcreamery, where we introduce winter ice cream flavors like eggnog, peppermint stick, and oatmeal raisin cookie dough. This winter, make sure to stop on by our Cambridge scoop shop to embrace the flavors of the season!
Outdoor Igloo Dining
Who says outdoor dining has to end when the cold New England weather rolls in? Throughout the city, you can find restaurants and bars that offer igloo dining, which makes for a fun and unique winter experience. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants that welcome outdoor dining all year round, with heaters, tents, and firepits to keep you cozy and warm. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best spots that offer outdoor dining that you can enjoy this winter.
Lookout Rooftop and Bar
Short Path Distillery
River Bar
Porto
Toro
The Bowery Bar
Bow Market
Snowport Winter Village in the Seaport
Each winter, the Seaport turns into “Snowport”, which features over 60 small businesses in their open-air winter market. Additionally, you can enjoy an array of delicious festive foods and drinks, along with iceless curling and other classic winter games. They even have their own tree lighting to kick off the season in the city’s waterfront neighborhood. It’s a Boston winter activity that you should definitely add to your winter bucket list this year!
Ski Trip at the Blue Hills
Although not actually in Boston, the Blue Hills Ski Area is just a quick 20-minute drive and makes for an incredible winter day trip. Located in Canton, the Blue Hills Ski Area offers 60 acres full of slopes for skiers and snowboarders to explore.
Visit One of the City’s Museums
We know, the winter season here in Boston can get a bit chilly. Therefore, you may be looking for some winter activities in Boston that offer a reprieve from the cold outdoors. One great option is to take a visit to one of the city’s many museums. Below, we’ve outlined some can’t-miss museums that you can enjoy this winter season.
Museum of Fine Arts
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Museum of Science
Boston Children’s Museum
USS Constitution Museum
The Paul Revere House
The Institute of Contemporary Art
From enjoying the flavors of the season to kicking off the holidays with one of the city’s many tree lightings, there is an expansive collection of things to do in Boston in the winter that can’t be missed. Whether you head indoors to warm up, perhaps visit the city’s iconic museums, or embrace the chill for some ice skating, you’re sure to find some winter activities in Boston that you’ll enjoy. So, start writing out your bucket list and planning your winter season here in the city!
