7 Things to Do in Boston in Winter
Most people visit Boston in the fall. Fair enough, it’s lovely. But winter is when the city quietly gets better. The crowds vanish, hotel prices drop by a third or more, and the old brick streets look like a Christmas card after a snowfall.
In this guide
- 1. Go ice skating on the Frog Pond
- 2. Wander Beacon Hill after a snowfall
- 3. Spend a cold afternoon in the Boston Public Library
- 4. See the courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- 5. Catch the holiday lights at Faneuil Hall
- 6. Eat chowder at the Union Oyster House
- 7. Go to a Bruins or Celtics game
- What to pack for Boston in winter
- Common questions
It’s cold, I won’t pretend otherwise. January highs sit around freezing and the wind off the harbor bites. Dress for it and Boston is a great winter city, compact enough that you’re never more than a short walk from somewhere warm. Here are seven things worth doing.
1. Go ice skating on the Frog Pond
The Frog Pond on Boston Common turns into an outdoor skating rink from roughly mid-November to mid-March. It’s the classic Boston winter thing, and it’s genuinely fun, with the State House dome glowing over the trees and the city skyline all around you.
You can rent skates on site. Go on a weekday evening if you can, because weekend afternoons get packed with families. Afterwards, walk across the Public Garden next door. The famous swan boats are put away for the winter, but the lagoon and the little bridge look beautiful under snow.
2. Wander Beacon Hill after a snowfall
Beacon Hill is Boston’s prettiest neighborhood any time of year, but it’s at its best in winter. The narrow streets are lit by gas lamps, the townhouses get wreaths on their doors, and the window boxes are full of evergreens.
Walk up Acorn Street, the steep cobbled lane that’s in every Boston photo, then wander down Charles Street at the bottom of the hill. It’s lined with antique shops, small cafes and cozy little restaurants. Honestly, it’s the best place in the city to warm up with a hot chocolate.
3. Spend a cold afternoon in the Boston Public Library
Here’s a tip that most visitors miss. The Boston Public Library in Copley Square isn’t just a library, it’s one of the most beautiful buildings in America, and it’s free.
Head into the 1895 McKim Building and up the grand marble staircase to Bates Hall, the main reading room. It’s huge, with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and rows of green lamps on long wooden tables. There’s also a quiet Italian-style courtyard and a cafe. Free art and architecture tours run most days.
While you’re in Copley Square, step into Trinity Church across the plaza. Its interior is covered in rich murals and stained glass.
4. See the courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
If you only do one museum in Boston in winter, make it this one. Isabella Stewart Gardner built a Venetian-style palace to hold her art collection, and it’s packed with Rembrandts, Titians and Sargents, displayed exactly as she left them.
The best part is the central courtyard. It’s glassed in and filled with flowers all year, so in the middle of January you get palms, orchids and blooming plants in warm, damp air. After a morning in the cold, it feels wonderful.
A small FYI: if your name is Isabella, you get in free. The Museum of Fine Arts is a ten-minute walk away if you want a second museum the same day.
5. Catch the holiday lights at Faneuil Hall
From late November through December, Faneuil Hall Marketplace puts up a giant Christmas tree and strings lights across the whole area. There are carolers, street performers and a festive buzz, and the tree lighting in late November is a big local event.
Inside Quincy Market, the long food hall, you can warm up with a bowl of clam chowder or a lobster roll. It’s touristy, but in December it’s fun. For a more local holiday market, try Snowport in the Seaport, with its rows of little wooden huts selling gifts and hot drinks.
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6. Eat chowder at the Union Oyster House
The Union Oyster House, just behind Faneuil Hall, has been serving food since 1826. It’s the oldest restaurant in America that’s still running in its original spot, and it looks the part: low ceilings, creaky wooden booths and an oyster bar where the shuckers work right in front of you.
Order a bowl of chowder and a dozen local oysters. The food is solid rather than amazing, IMO, but on a snowy night, it’s hard to beat the atmosphere. If you’d rather skip the history and focus on the food, Neptune Oyster in the North End is the better plate, though there’s usually a wait.
7. Go to a Bruins or Celtics game
Boston is a sports town, and winter is hockey and basketball season. A game at TD Garden, right above North Station, is a brilliant night out even if you don’t follow the sport. The crowd is loud, passionate and very Boston.
Tickets for the upper levels are reasonable for weeknight games against less popular teams. Afterwards, head into the North End for a late plate of pasta and a cannoli. It’s a five-minute walk.
What to pack for Boston in winter
Bring a proper warm coat, a hat, gloves and a scarf. Waterproof boots with good grip matter more than you’d think, because the sidewalks get icy and slushy after a storm. Layers work best, since you’ll be going from freezing streets into overheated shops and museums all day.
Snowstorms do happen, sometimes big ones. They rarely shut the city down for more than a day, but build a little flexibility into your plans.
Common questions
Is Boston worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you like cities. It’s quieter and cheaper, and the museums, restaurants and historic streets are all still there.
How cold does Boston get in winter?
Daytime highs are usually in the mid-30s Fahrenheit in January and February, with nights in the 20s. Wind chill makes it feel colder.
Can you still walk the Freedom Trail in winter?
Yes. It’s outdoors, but the stops are close together, and several of them, like the Old State House, are indoors.
When does Boston usually get snow?
Mostly January and February, though December and March can see storms too.
Do I need a car?
No. The T, the city’s subway, covers everything here, and parking in Boston is expensive and stressful.
