12 Things to Do Around Boston During the Winter
During the summer, warm weather makes it easy to make plans or find things to do. Colder temperatures certainly make our avoidance of boredom more difficult. Rest assured, Dwell360 is here to help! Browse our list below to get some ideas of how to get out of the house and enjoy Boston this winter.
1) Ice Skate on the Frog Pond: In the heart of Boston Common, bring the whole family for ice skating fun on the Boston Common Frog Pond. Whether you’re an experienced skater or never laced up skates, this a great activity for all. Rentals, lockers, skate sharpening, and skating aids are all available in addition to classes offered on site. Those under 58 inches tall get in for free, and all those over pay a fee of $6 admission. Additional costs apply for rentals and other services. Find more information on the Boston Frog Pond website.
2) View skylines from the Prudential Center: What better way to see the snow falling on Boston than from above all the buildings? With the adult $17 ticket purchase you’ll also gain access to the Audio Tour, Dreams of Freedom Museum, and multimedia theater at the Skywalk Observatory.
3) Tour local architecture: Visit the Boston Public Library to learn about the building’s architecture and art by renowned artists. If you are attending with less than 8 people, reservations are not required. Any more than this and private tours will need scheduling. Visitors should plan ahead using the library’s website as tours are not offered on certain holidays. Find more information on the Boston Public Library website.
4) Participate in the Boston Tea Party: While the historic Freedom Trail might be a bit too brisk for winter, there is no reason why Boston visitors cannot experience the city’s in depth history! At the Boston Tea Party Museum, visitors learn through interaction as live actors, authentically restored tea ships, and engaging exhibits lead you through the dumping of tea overboard on December 16, 1773. After your tour, stop by Abigail’s Tea Room and Terrace for a spot of tea and a scone, muffin, cookie, or one of the many items from their menu served fresh by colonial tea ladies.
5) Warm Up with Some Hot Chocolate: Visit the Harvard Square or Back Bay location of L.A. Burdick, the local chocolate experts whose hot chocolate is rumored to be rarely rivaled. Whether you’re looking to stay for a spell or take your drink to go, the chocolate shop and tea room at either location offers a variety of coffee, cappuccinos, and lattes, as well as dark, white, and milk hot chocolates. Get a hazelnut orange cake or seasonal tart to go with it and you’ll be feeling toasty in no time!
6) Tour a Local Brewery: Boston is home to two notable breweries: Samuel Adams Brewery and Harpoon Brewery. At each, you’ll be able to tour the facility as well as taste some of the beers brewed on site. Samuel Adams suggests a $2 donation, the proceeds of which go to local charities. Harpoon tours cost $5 for the tour and tasting. At Harpoon, if you feel you’d like to sample some more beers or hangout for a while, pull up a stool at their in house bar for a pint and pretzel. As alcoholic beverages are served, brewery tastings are limited to those 21+ with a valid ID.
7) Engage in Local College Sports: Whether you’re rooting for Harvard, Boston University, Boston College, or Northeastern, the local college hockey teams can be an inexpensive, adrenaline pumping experience for game goers. Tickets for games typically range from $10-15, depending on the school and games run well into late February depending on the individual team’s division standing. A great night out for the family that won’t break the bank while still getting the heart pumping drama that an NHL game would induce!
8) Explore the Bunker Hill Monument: Another Boston historical icon, the Bunker Hill Monument remembers the Battle of Bunker Hill fought on June 17, 1775, now known as one of the first major battles of the American Revolution. The 221 foot granite obelisk can be climbed by visitors who are greeted with a view of the city and harbor at the top. Admission is free, but visitors should be aware that the monument closes whenever there is ice or snow on the steps to reduce the risk of slippage.
9) Get Your Blood Pumping on the Walls: Just because sidewalks are iced over, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to get your exercise! Many rave about the benefits and fun incurred by indoor rock climbing, something kids and adults alike are able to enjoy. The Boston Rock Gym is one of the largest rock gyms in the Boston area with more than 60 ropes and a variety of routes. Both single day passes and memberships are offered, depending on what fits your schedule best.
10) Take in Art Culture at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston: Home to nearly 500,000 works of art, the MFA Boston is arguably one of the most comprehensively varied art museums in the world. Open 7 days a week with the exception of certain holidays, adult admission is $25 with free admission Wednesday nights after 4pm. Check back to the MFA Boston website to see what visiting exhibits are on display and what can be expected in the future.
11) Learn About How Chocolate is Made: Taza Chocolate in Somerville offers stone ground chocolate direct from fairly traded cocoa beans. Traditional Mexican stone mills grind the cacao and help to produce their wide variety of chocolate products. Public tours are available 7 days a week and cost $6 per person. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult for safety reasons. You can book your tour online at the Taza website!
12) Take in a Movie: The Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square is an independent theatre showing classic, foreign, art-house, and cutting-edge films that you won’t find at your local Showcase. Around the holidays, you can get tickets for viewings of films such as It’s A Wonderful Life or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. With tickets starting at $8, this is a low cost activity that you won’t want to miss.
What do you like to do around Boston during the winter? We’d love to talk about it with you.
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