10 Things to Do in Boston in Winter

Boston's parks are often covered with snow in the winter and this makes them look splendid. Some like Boston Common have ice skating rinks inside, one of the most frequent winter activities in this city.

Of course, there are also activities where you won't need to show off your sports skills, such as going to the Faneuil Hall Marketplace and marveling at their Christmas tree. Here are some more details about the activities you can add to your list of what to see and do in Boston during the winter.

There's no doubt that ice skating is one of the most fun activities you can do in Boston during the winter. And that passion carries over to professional sports in ice hockey.

The sport is beloved by Bostonians, so it might be a good idea to buy tickets to the Boston Bruins, Boston's star team, and experience the excitement in the stands.

They are a team with over 90 years of history and are so beloved that tickets for their games are sold out 6 months in advance, especially in the winter. The season starts in October and ends in March or April, with tickets starting at $100.

Boston is a city with many chocolate stores. These stores sell all kinds of products made with this delicious ingredient, but in winter there is one product that is one of the best sellers and that you can't miss: Boston-style hot chocolate.

It is so popular that many locals and tourists say it is the best in the country. To drink your first cup, it is best to go to L.A. Burdick, a chocolate brand with several stores in different cities in the United States.

In the Boston store you can accompany your cup of hot chocolate with a delicious portion of their cakes or some chocolate cookies. In addition, for the Christmas and New Year's season they prepare special products. If you want to taste more of the city, I recommend you to book a gastronomic tour of Boston and get to know the best places.

The Boston branch of Legoland features a considerable amount of special activities during the winter. But, first of all, to get started on this experience you need to buy your ticket to the park in advance.

If you go with children, there are three options you should not miss: taking pictures with the iconic Lego characters, immersing yourself in the universe of bricks in MINILAND and watching the best movies in the 4D movie theaters.

On the other hand, I remind you that in Boston's Legoland park there are the adult nights, an event created and developed just for those people who are enthusiasts of the Lego brand. It will be the perfect time to remember your childhood and participate in the building contests and the Kingdom Quest challenge with fabulous prizes.

Practical Information

• Where: The park is located on Assembly Row in Somerville.
• How to get there: to get there by public transportation from downtown Boston, the best option is the orange line that stops in Somerville.
• Price: around $25 with considerable discounts on children's tickets.
• Hours: between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• Extra facilities: also includes dining areas and a store with a variety of Lego products.

Snow tubing is a recreational activity that consists of sliding downhill sitting on an inner tube or tire. Naturally, you get a lot of speed and it is a lot of fun.

In and around Boston, there are areas specially prepared for this activity. Some of them are:

• Beastly Snow Tubing Park
• Bousquets (recommended for families)
• Butternut Ski & Snow Tubing (also recommended for family groups)
• Ski Ward

Practical Info

• Age: children must be over 5 years old to be able to do this activity.
• Price: varies according to the day of the week, but starts at 27 € for two hours.
• Recommendation: the number of tickets sold daily is limited, so you must buy them in advance on the website of each company.

If you never had the opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year, then if you visit Boston in winter you have to join the big celebrations that take place in different parts of the city.

Boston has its own Chinatown, so the Chinese community has an important presence in the city. The celebrations usually last several days and many families wear traditional costumes to continue their traditions.

The celebrations begin on the first day of the lunar month (it can be between January 21 and February 18). There are lions, dragons and other characters in the streets. In addition, there are markets with kiosks offering typical foods and selling gifts for this celebration and dance groups that offer a colorful show.

The Envoy Hotel is a hotel that offers several outstanding services, but there is one in particular that arouses the curiosity of many people. On the highest floor of the hotel, called Lookout Rooftop, there is a bar and a wonderful view of the city.

Small igloos are installed there during the winter that serve as private spaces that are reserved by groups to chat, have more sophisticated drinks and enjoy snacks.

This service is only offered in winter (during the summer tables and bar chairs are installed) and reservations must be made through the hotel's website in advance, as the igloos are in high demand.

Practical information

• Where: 70 Sleeper Street, overlooking Boston Harbor.
• Price: Prices to book an igloo start at €100 (not per person).
• Hours: between 11:00 am and midnight, although there may be some changes depending on the day of the week.

The nature reserve called Blue Hills (with 2400 hectares) is not exactly inside the city of Boston, but it is located very close to it. So, if you visit Boston in winter and you like skiing, this ski resort will be ready to welcome you.

The ski resort offers group ski lessons (from 55€) and personal ski lessons (from 110€), ski camp for children and ski equipment rental.

These are basic prices, but for more details you should check the Reservation Blue Hills website.

Practical Information

To travel from Boston to Blue Hills, there are several transportation options. Some of them are:

• Train: go to South Station where there are train lines that will take you to Route 128, where you will have to take a cab. The fare starts at 14 €.
• Rent a car: from 100 € per day.
• Cab: from 50 €.

Boston in winter would not be the same without the possibility of ice skating. Such is the importance of this fun activity that there are numerous places with rinks to do it.

• Frog Pond: number one on my list. It is located in Boston Common Park and is the most famous rink in the city. It has an excellent location (in the center of the city) with easy access from different geographical points of Boston. I recommend you to go early since **in the middle of winter it is a very popular ride and activity.
• St. Charles Hotel: perfect if you prefer a more private track. Although it is within the facilities of a hotel, it is open to the general public and has a large extension.
• Kendall Square: with very complete facilities and services such as a gastronomic area, skate rental and parking.

If you don't know how to skate, don't worry. It's just a matter of starting slowly and letting yourself be carried away by the fun. In addition, some skating rinks offer group or individual lessons.

The official start of the Christmas season comes with the lighting of the Christmas trees around the city shortly after Thanksgiving.

One of the most important is the one at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This is one of the largest and tallest trees in the northeast region and its lighting is accompanied by a blinking light show (Blink) that is repeated next to the Faneuil Hall Christmas Marketplace.

Another tree lighting worth seeing is the one at Boston Common Park. This tradition began in 1941 and has been going on ever since. The park looks beautiful in winter, particularly when it is snowy.

Visiting Boston's best Christmas markets is the perfect opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts for family and friends, as well as decorations for this time of year.

• Boston Hall City Plaza is the largest market and is characterized by its adorable white stalls that look like little houses. You will find all kinds of items and you can make a toast in a mug filled with the typical mulled wine that is prepared for these celebrations.
• Sommerville Flea: it is a very picturesque market with many stalls selling used items but in very good condition. In addition, you can taste the best snacks, listen to music with live bands and drink a very good tea or coffee during your walk.
• Craft Boston Holiday Show: you will find a huge Christmas market full of crafts created by the most renowned artists not only in the United States, but also in the world.

Despite the very cold weather in Boston during the winter, visiting Boston in the winter season offers several advantages. For example, sports and recreational activities can only be done when there is snow.

On the other hand, cups of hot chocolate, a specialty of the city, are best enjoyed when the temperature is very low. In addition, there are very attractive celebrations that take place during the winter months, so you can take advantage of your visit to participate in one of them.

It is imperative that you pack your suitcase with warm clothing. Naturally, it is important to check the weather forecast for the days you will be in the city, but keep in mind that it is always very cold in winter in Boston.

On the other hand, if you want to do any of the activities in the snow, even if you rent specialized equipment, it is essential that you bring warm accessories such as socks, hats and gloves to protect you from the cold and wet.

Layering is the best style of dress, so you can take them off when necessary (in a museum, restaurant, pub or other enclosed space), as they usually have good indoor heating systems.