10 Things to Do in Boston in Winter

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

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

There's no doubt that ice skating is one of the most fun things to 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 for the Boston Bruins, Boston's top 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 costing from €100.

Boston is a city with many chocolate shops. These shops 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 a must-try: Boston-style hot chocolate.

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

In the Boston shop you can accompany your cup of hot chocolate with a delicious slice of their cakes or some chocolate biscuits, and they also prepare special products for the Christmas and New Year's season. If you're still hungry for more of a taste of the city, I recommend booking a food tour of Boston to get to know the best places to eat and drink.

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

If you're going with kids, there are three options you shouldn't 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 theatres.

On the other hand, I remind you that at Boston's Legoland Park, there are adult nights, an event created and developed just for those who are enthusiasts of the Lego brand. It will be the perfect time to reminisce about 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 transport from downtown Boston, the best option is the orange line stopping at Somerville.
• Price: around €25 with considerable discounts on children's tickets.
• Opening hours: between 10:00 and 17:00 hours
• Extra facilities: Also includes a food court and a shop with a variety of Lego products on offer.

Snow tubing is a recreational activity that consists of sliding downhill sitting on an inner tube or tyre. Naturally, you get a lot of speed and it's 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 take part in 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've never had the chance to celebrate Chinese New Year, then if you're visiting Boston in winter you'll want to join in the big celebrations taking place in different parts of the city.

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

Celebrations begin on the first day of the lunar month (which can be anywhere from 21 January to 18 February). There are lions, dragons and other characters in the streets. In addition, there are markets with kiosks offering traditional foods and selling gifts for this celebration and dance troupes put on a colourful show.

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

Small igloos are set up there during the winter and 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 (tables and chairs are set up at the bar during the summer) 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).
• Opening hours: Between 11am and midnight, although there may be some changes depending on the day of the week.

The Blue Hills Nature Reserve (2400 hectares) is not exactly within 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 is 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 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 need to take a taxi. The fare starts at €14.
• Rent a car: from €100 per day.
• Taxi: from €50.

Boston in winter would not be the same without 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 centre of the city) and is easily accessible from different geographical points of Boston. I recommend you to go early as it is a very popular ride and activity in the middle of winter.
• St. Charles Hotel: perfect if you prefer a more private track. Although it is inside a hotel, it is open to the general public and has a large area.
• 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 have 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 at Boston Common. 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 characterised by its adorable white stalls that look like little houses. You'll find all sorts of goodies and you can make a toast in a mug filled with the typical mulled wine that is prepared for these celebrations.
• Sommerville Flea: This is a very picturesque market with many stalls selling used but in very good condition. You will also be able to taste the best snacks, listen to music with live bands and drink a good cup of tea or coffee during your stroll.
• 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, there are sports and recreational activities that can only be enjoyed in the snow.

. On the other hand, cups of hot chocolate, a speciality of the city, are best enjoyed when the temperature is very low. There are also 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 essential that you pack your suitcase with plenty of warm clothing. Naturally, it is important to check the weather forecast for the days you will be in the city, but bear 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 specialised equipment, it is essential that you bring warm accessories such as socks, hats and gloves to protect you from the cold and damp.

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.