Trip to Boston-What to do?

[Flight]

We are going to Boston next week.

A great city to do and see things outside. But how about in the winter? I imagine there are holiday events indoors, but is there anything outside with the cold weather around Christmas and New Years?

 

[golfgal]

Well, keep an eye on the news. The east cost is expecting a HUGE storm over the next couple days with the possibility of 2 FEET of snow in some places. If that happens they won't be dug out by the time of your trip

 

[JESW]

Please tell us more information such as WHO you are - adults? kids? ages? Lots of historic places in Boston if that is an interest. Boston is a great walking city but this probably isn't the best time to do that!

Jill

 

[C.Ann]

If it were me, two places I would not want to miss would be the JFK Library/Museum - as well as the New England Aquarium.. If you have kids, there's an awesome Children's Museum as well.. I've never been to that, but DD and her DH took my DGD there and she really enjoyed it..

 

[Flight]

I will be taking my teenage kids with me. We are all in shape, so walking is not an issue, but 2 feet of snow is!

 

[dizluvah]

You can ice skate at the frog pond in Boston Common - not quite Rockefeller Center but it is a nice tradition, you can always walk the freedom trail in any type of weather - you can pop into various historical landmarks/churches, etc to warm up when you need to. Explore the North End and sample cannoli's, have a nice Italian lunch. Stroll down Newbury Street and check out all the stores and restaurants. Indoors check out the Prudential - head to top of the building for a fabulous view and lots of informational tidbits about the city.

Have a wonderful trip

 

[debster812]

Well, keep an eye on the news. The east cost is expecting a HUGE storm over the next couple days with the possibility of 2 FEET of snow in some places. If that happens they won't be dug out by the time of your trip

I will be taking my teenage kids with me. We are all in shape, so walking is not an issue, but 2 feet of snow is!

Well, since they're calling for the snow to start Saturday and go into Sunday, I think by next week we'll be plenty dug out. Especially since we'll likely only get a foot or so here in SE Mass/Boston area.

Lots of cool stuff to do indoors as well. Aquarium, Science Museum, MFA, Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market. Dress warm, lots of layers, and enjoy our city!

 

[pyrxtc]

Fanueil Hall and Quincy Marketplace are a must for teens. Science museum is a lot of fun too. Don't know if you can do it in the winter but they do tours of Fenway park on non-game days.

 

[xCourxCorex]

If your kids like Harry Potter, the HP exhibit is up now at the museum of science!

 

[kirbydog48]

If you're going to be there New Year's Eve, First Night is a lot of fun. The snow will most certainly be dug out by then! We're only forecast to get about a foot. No prob!

http://www.firstnight.org/

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Star Trek is playing at the IMAX Theater at the NE Aquarium.

 

[daisax]

If Boston gets a foot of snow overnight Saturday and into Sunday everything will be back to normal by Monday morning.

I believe they just set up a skating rink inside Fenway Park -- you need special tickets to skate there, though, and I assume they're gone or hard to get. Because of this they may not be running the usual tours.

I'd choose the Museum of Science before the Aquarium. Duck boat tours are great, too.

 

[dakcp2001]

Fenway has an ice rink for the upcoming winter classic hockey game, you can ice skate there on certain days, but it is expensive! BUT it would be cook to ice skate near the green monstah! I also reccomend the Museum of Science!

 

[Flight]

I wanted to visit the homes of John Adams, but the National Park Service site shows the homes closed for tours this time of year.

Does anyone know if you can walk the grounds and get up to the houses, or is there security that would prevent that?

After reading David McCullough's book, John Adams, this is something that would be of great interest.

 

[englishteacha]

Indoor places I enjoy are the Science Museum (I really wanna go to the Harry Potter exhibit!!!!) and the Aquarium. I haven't been to the aquarium since I was a child, and would like to go back very much. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is also lovely.

I've never been in winter to know about activities outdoors this time of year. I like walking the Freedom Trail, visiting Boston Common, and walking by the Holocaust memorial near Faneuil Hall.

I love live theater and there are usually some good shows going on, too.

 

[Flight]

Thanks so much for all the replies!

For sure we are going to walk at least part of the Freedom Trail. Since we all love Harry Potter, it will be a bonus going to the Science Museum. I am wondering if trying to go to the Aquarium the same day will be too much.

The people we are visiting are invited to a private party, so Boston's First Night may be the way to go for us.

I did not know about the Holocaust memorial, so we will add it to our list.

Now I just need the New England weather to behave itself.

 

[pyrxtc]

see if the people you are visiting can get you passes to the museums from your library. It knocks at least 50% off the entrance fee for up to 4 people on most passes. Some of the passes make it free entry. I'm using some on Monday the 28th to go to the Museum of Science. Most MA libraries have these passes, you have to book them in advance but it doesn't have to be the person who booked them to use them.

 

[3boymthr]

I haven't been to the Adams houses, but oldest DS has. He said you have to go to the visitor center (which is open year round), then after to you pay for admission you have to take a bus to first house do the tour, then you get in another bus and go to the second house.

 

[3boymthr]

Thanks so much for all the replies!

For sure we are going to walk at least part of the Freedom Trail. Since we all love Harry Potter, it will be a bonus going to the Science Museum. I am wondering if trying to go to the Aquarium the same day will be too much.

The people we are visiting are invited to a private party, so Boston's First Night may be the way to go for us.

I did not know about the Holocaust memorial, so we will add it to our list.

Now I just need the New England weather to behave itself.

IMO - The Freedom trail and Science Museum are both all day excursions - especially since the Science Museum has added activities like laser light shows and the omni theater (make sure you catch the electricity show where they operate the Van de Graaff generator - so cool). The Aquarium only takes a few hours and is very expensive for what you get.

Also be prepared if you will be there between Christmas and New Years, both the Museum and Aquarium will be EXTREMELY crowded as all the parents who are home with the kids will be looking for things to do that get them out of the house and out of the cold. The Freedom trail on the other hand will be very easy to do.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

My 1st choice would be Skating on The Frog Pond on Boston Common and on New Years Eve (during the daytime) you can watch the artist carving the Ice Sculptures for First Night.
Dress warmly...it's freezing around here these days ... Happy planning!