The Best Winter Activities In Boston MA

Boston’s temperatures run between 19 degrees in January to highs of 30s to mid-40s from December through February. However there is still a lot to keep you entertained during your visit. New Englanders know to dress in layers, and that’s the key to enjoying outdoor activities, so pack with that knowledge beforehand. If that’s not your thing, there is still a huge variety of activities that take place indoors. Here are but a few:

Play in the Snow

Snowport
It’s New England, and it snows here: January and February bring 12-14 inches of the white stuff, giving snow bunnies and the hearty folks among us lots of choices to stay busy and enjoy the city. Boston Seaport, between the waterfront and the historic Fort Point district, transforms into Snowport, offering curling as well as ice skating on a 3,000-square-foot ice rink. 

Gore Place
Gore Place is a nonprofit country estate located roughly nine miles outside the city. Here, you can try out snowshoeing on 50-acres of pristine countryside complete with a farm and a historic mansion. Rentals are available at the Carriage House.

Try out skating or sledding in the oldest public park in the country
Boston Common Frog Pond is open from November through March. It’s open daily, check the website for times. Skates are available to rent, as well as Bobby the Skating Seal, a skating aid. Short people get special treatment: for anyone 58’ or less, admission is free!
Also at the Common is Flagstaff Hill, one of the best-known sledding destinations in the city.

Get out and about

The Art of the Brick
LEGO artist extraordinaire Nathan Sawaya has recreated the world’s most famous art masterpieces like Michelangelo’s David, Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, in brick! A CNN Top 10 ‘global must-see exhibition,’ you’ll see one million LEGO bricks transformed into more than 70 sculptures and replicas of some well-known works of art. With a minimal investment of time, 30-60 minutes, there’s still hours left to continue on your Boston adventure. The exhibit is closed on Tuesdays, and runs through Sunday, April 23. 

Start a Revolution
The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum offers an Interactive Tour Seven days a week. Learn about the historical event that gave rise to the Sons of Liberty as you throw tea into Boston Harbor. This is a “multi-sensory experience that includes live actors, interactive exhibits, and full-scale replica 18th-century sailing vessels!” Listen to Tea Talks, an in-depth series on the Myths, Truths, and Untold Stories of the Boston Tea Party.

Treat your taste buds with chocolate!
If chocolate is your passion, Boston has something unforgettable. Taza is a chocolate factory specializing in “rustic, organic dark chocolate that bursts with bright, bold flavor and texture.” Tours run daily and are more suited for adults; however, at 10 am on weekends there is a Cacao Scouts Scavenger Hunt for kids 10 and under. Make your reservation at least a week in advance.

To escape the cold, hot chocolate is just the thing a chilled visitor needs.  L.A. Burdick Chocolate offers handmade chocolates and is considered to have some of the best hot chocolate around. 

Boston Public Library events
With multiple locations throughout the city, the Boston Public Library features numerous fascinating activities for all ages. With virtual programming as well as live events, there’s a lot to entertain everyone. The website details all it offers: talks on archaeology, Boston’s history, science activities for kids, film screenings and more.

Cheer for the Home Team at a Celtics or Bruins game
Catching a game at the TD Garden is one of the most exciting things to do in Boston in winter. 
With 3.5 million visitors every year, this popular sports and entertainment venue is the largest of its kind in New England. With three private restaurants and more than 200 events per year, there’s something for everybody.

Stay Overnight in Style
Given this large list of winter to do's, a weekend hotel stay is definately in order. Book a room at the Battery Wharf Hotel Boston Waterfront to put yourself in the center of it all.