22 Best Things to Do in Winter in Boston
While all Bostonians may moan and groan come wintertime, we know some fun ways to get over the winter blues. We love skiing and snowboarding our way through the season, in fact, you’ll find us at Stowe or Sugarbush most weekends. There are also tons of local ice-skating rinks and sledding spots so everyone can enjoy playing outside in the snow. For Bostonians who would rather embrace more of an après-ski scene, check out our best restaurants with fireplaces. For other ways to get cozy beyond the confines of your apartment, grab a steaming hot bowl of the best ramen in Boston or snuggle up at one of the best cocktail bars in town.
1. Hit the slopes with a ski trip
The great thing about Boston is it is just a short drive from tons of skiing and snowboarding options. Stay close by and head to the White Mountains, Blue Hills Ski Area or Nashoba Valley Ski Area for some after-work skiing. Nashoba also offers tubing! Take a day trip to Mount Sunapee or Crotched Mountain. Or plan a full weekend trip to world-renowned ski resorts like Stowe Mountain Resort, Killington, or Sugarloaf.
2. Enjoy some slopeside meals
Winter in New England is not for the faint-hearted. The cold days, long nights, and howling winds take their toll on all of us. But if you ask any local, they will tell you that you just need to lean into it and try to enjoy the season. One of the best ways to do this is to get outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty that our region is blessed with—just be sure to wear a warm jacket! Heading up North for a ski trip is one of the best ways to stay active in the wintertime and these days there are plenty of activities to keep the non-skiers/boarders busy as well! Stowe, Vermont in particular has so much to offer everyone this year.
3. Go ice skating on Frog Pond
A Boston classic! Once the weather gets cold, Frog Pond in the Boston Common is frozen over and open for skating. Admission is for anyone over 4’8” and free for anyone under. Adult skate rentals are and kid rentals are . They also have a season pass option for people who want to go regularly.
4. Get some thrills by snowboarding
There’s nothing quite like feeling that biting winter wind against your face as you shred down a slope of fresh powder on your snowboard. Fortunately, Boston offers pretty ready access to a selection of snowboarding spots that are only a couple of hours away from downtown. These areas cater to boarders of all skill levels, from beginner to basically pro. You’ll find lessons and great facilities, too, so there’s no reason not to go for it.
5. Sip a hot cocktail with friends
Fight the cold with some hot chocolate this winter. Lots of Boston restaurants are getting creative with fun takes on this classic drink. Whether it’s after a day of shoveling snow or just following the brisk walk from your place to the bar. Round up your friends (for added warmth) and grab these hot drinks to beat the bitter cold and just chill out.
6. Have tea at the Boston Public Library
Another hidden sanctuary from the cold, the Map Room Tea Lounge at the Boston Public Library is a great spot to warm up when the weather gets frosty. They host parties of up to 5 guests at one of the three 90-minute dining experience times. Book reservations here.
7. Enjoy a quiet walk at the Arboretum
We all love to take a good walk in a winter wonderland, and the Arnold Arboretum is the perfect place for a picturesque stroll this time of year. While this botanical park is open year-round, it just looks so much more peaceful and pristine when coated in a blanket of freshly fallen snow. Listen to the crisp powder crunch beneath your feet and breathe in the cold air—all while admiring its assortment of trees, which impress even when they’re bare.
8. Cozy up by the fire with a hotel getaway
No cozy weekend is complete without a crackling fire. A number of hotels throughout New England offer the ultimate winter luxury of ensuite fireplaces. Whether it’s for warming up after an afternoon of outdoor sports, setting the mood for a romantic night in, or simply staying snuggly on a snowy day, these spots feature in-room fireplaces that not only offer function but also an ambiance you can’t get with just any weekend away.
9. Visit the White Mountains
Majestic views of Mount Washington, world-class skiing, amazing dining, and hotels, what’s not to love about winter in New Hampshire’s White Mountains? New Englanders know that to survive winter you need to embrace it, and one of the best places to do that is just a 2.5-hour drive from Boston. In the White Mountains, there is a little something for everyone, from world-class skiing and snowboarding to tubing and snowshoeing. Aside from outdoor activities, the White Mountains are packed with so much worth discovering this season.
10. Channel your inner kid and go sledding or tubing
Perhaps the most nostalgic winter pastime is spending a day whizzing down a hill on a sled again and again and again. Whether you’re a parent who wants to let the kids run wild outside or an adult who’s looking to indulge your inner child and slide down a hill yourself, there are plenty of places for sledding and tubing near Boston. Grab your sled of preference and head to one of these spots for a carefree outdoor outing.
11. Eat by the fire at local restaurants
When the winter winds are whirling, it’s easy to opt for take-out or delivery. But several restaurants around the Boston area promise to warm you up to the idea, enticing chilly guests with their roaring fireplaces. What could be cozier than dining next to a warm fire? Next to nothing—so check out these spots.
12. Go to Blue Hills for cross-country skiing
Just outside of the city is the 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation. While avid skiers won’t be wowed by its modest downhill runs, it’s the perfect place for cross-country skiing. More than 100 miles of trails allow plenty of opportunity to have a heart-pumping trek through a snowy forest. There are loops of varying degrees of difficulty, from 1—4 miles, so skiers of all levels can enjoy.
13. Dine in the great, heated outdoors
Al fresco dining in winter is possible here in Boston, thanks to heated patios, terraces, and rooftop igloos. Local restaurants have introduced a number of warm options that’ll let you eat, drink, and snuggle outside, even in the dead of winter. Put on those thick layers of clothing and outerwear and cozy up at one of Boston’s best restaurants with heated outdoor dining.
14. Take a stroll and warm up with gourmet hot chocolate
There’s no better way to warm up after playing in the snow than a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Luckily, our city has plenty of spots where you can enjoy this rich treat. Whether it’s classic hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream or a French-style drinking chocolate, there’s a cup of cocoa that’ll please everyone’s palate. Find a variety of ways to sip this comforting winter drink with our list of the best hot chocolate in Boston.
15. See SIX at Emerson Theater
Coming to Boston for the first time, SIX is a two-time Tony Award-winning musical following the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives. Playing from November 9 – December 31, tickets start at . Reserve here.
16. Rent a cozy cabin for a weekend away
When winter descends upon Boston, too many of us commit to confinement within our apartments when we could be cozying up in some of New England’s most picturesque cabins available on Airbnb. Check out these cabins near Boston that you can rent, and in no time, you’ll be unwinding in front of a fire and cooking up comfort food—or going for a brisk hike and swishing down slopes if you’re the active type.
17. Embrace the season with a day trip
If you’re looking to get out of the city for the day—whether it’s to embrace the chilly weather with an outside adventure or simply cozy up indoors to admire the snow from afar—there are plenty of places worth a visit. Explore all that New England has to offer, including quaint, historic towns and shoreline stops, as well as gaming destinations and, of course, buzzing hubs for outdoor activities situated in the beautiful mountains.
18. Christmas in Boston
This holiday season will look unlike any other, but still, after all, it’s that time of the year when we stay in with the family (or book in at one of the best restaurants in Boston for a feast prepared by someone else—more on that below). Looking for things to do in Boston over the holidays, as well as places to eat and play? We’ve got you covered.