1. Tour Fenway Park
Fenway Park is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and a staple when visiting Boston! The hour long guided tour takes you around Fenway, sharing the history and stories behind this National Landmark. We had been to games at Fenway before but there is something so cool about seeing it empty and getting a peak behind the curtain. It costs $25 and is the perfect activity for any sports lover visiting New England. Get your tickets here: Fenway Park Tour*.
2. North End Food Tour
The North End is an Italian foodie mecca, and for good reason! Known as the city’s little Italy, it is one of the few places in the US frozen in time and rich with culture. If you’re a gourmand, you don’t want to miss a food tour of the North End while in Boston. We have visited the North End countless times – but even as a local, this food tour introduced us to some new hidden gems! You can book this tour here: North End Food Tour*.
3. Flight Club
While Flight Club is not unique to Boston, it made the list because we have always had so much fun when coming here! If you’re looking for a night out with friends that doesn’t revolve around drinking at a bar – get competitive by throwing some darts with 7 different games. Not good at darts? Doesn’t matter! There are different lines to throw from and they even keep automated scores for you so there’s zero hard work involved. We highly recommend making reservations in advance, especially on weekends. (You can also find Flight Club locations in Atlanta, Chicago, DC, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and even some cities in the UK & Australia!) Book your reservation here: Flight Club.
4. Mt. Washington Cog Railway
If you find yourself in NH for a day, or even the weekend, we also recommend checking out the Mt. Washington Cog Railway. Probably most famous in the autumn to see the foliage, but not to be slept on in the Winter either. The scenic 1-hour train ride takes you halfway up Mt. Washington (as it’s too dangerous to completely summit in the Winter) and stops at Waumbek station to allow you time to enjoy 360 views of the famous White Mountain range. They provide complimentary hot cocoa & marshmellows for roasting at their fire pit so you can stay warm while enjoying the views. On a clear day, you can see as far as Vermont! Tickets cost $49 for an adult and $35 for a child. For more information, check out: Winter at the Cog.
5. New Hampshire Ice Castles
Located about a 2 hour drive from Boston are New Hampshire’s magical ice castles, in Woodstock near the White Mountains! This was our first year visiting the castles and we were surprised by how large they were. There’s a variety of things to do at the ice castles, such as: explore caves, walk through a lit up forest, grab a hot drink at a concession stand and even go snow tubing! Check out our previous post to learn more: Are the Ice Castles Worth it?
6. Just Smash It
Have some pent up anger or frustration you need to get out? We know a spot! Just Smash It is located in Avon, MA. Pricing ranges from $55 – $100+ depending on your group size and package. They provide you with protective gear, equipment and bottles to smash! You can throw the bottles, hit them with bats (my favorite) or even a golf club. It’s truly an incredible way to blow off some steam – plus they keep the tunes bumping! To reserve your room visit: Just Smash It.
7. Afternoon Tea
If you’ve been following our blog, you know that we love afternoon tea and are constantly chasing the high of it from our trip to London. Massachusetts has a variety of tea rooms that have filled the void for us over the years and offer a cozy afternoon tea experience. This is a perfect winter date, girls day or even family outing. Who doesn’t love catching up over some warm scones & cute finger sandwiches? Check out our top 5 favorite tea places in our previous post here: Best Afternoon Tea in Boston.
8. Boston Celtics Game
In the Winter, both the Celtics & Bruins call TD Garden in Boston home for their seasons. While both are a great option, we are more basketball fans so wanted to add this to our list of recommendations. There is something electric about being at a live-sports event. And if you know anything about Boston sports fans, you know it’s going to be a good time! For more information about tickets visit: Boston Celtics.
9. Boston Historic Trolley Tours
Whether you’re a tourist in Boston or a local, the Historic Trolley Tours are the perfect way to learn about the city, while getting around! This is different than a typical tour because the trolley’s operate like a hop-on-hop-off bus so you can choose which stops you want to explore and then hop back on the trolley to continue on. In the Winter, the trolley visits each stop every 30 minutes between 9:00am-4:00pm. There are 18 stops on the trolley tour, giving you access to the whole city! During our day in Boston we got off the trolley at the North End, the Prudential Center, Copley Square & the Tea Party Ships – but there’s so many more to choose from. It costs $49.83 for an all day-pass for the trolley and you can purchase your tickets in advance here: Historic Trolley Tours.
10. View Boston
Looking for the best 360 views of Boston? Be sure to visit the top of the Prudential Center with View Boston where you have access to 3 floors (including an outdoor observation deck), as well as a bar & restaurant. Even as locals, we had a great time pointing out the most iconic sights of the city from above. A standard ticket* costs $30, but you can upgrade for a variety of package levels depending on what you want.
11. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
The Boston Tea Party Ships are the perfect stop in Boston for any families visiting the city! While this is less of a museum in the formal sense and more of an interactive experience, it’s perfect for kids who are studying US History and want to re-live that famous night. From experiencing the meeting where everything was planned, to actually throwing tea into the harbor from the ships – your visit is guided by actors in revolutionary outfits. They truly bring you on a journey of what the Boston Tea Party was actually like! Tickets cost $34 per person and can be purchased in advance online here: Boston Tea Party Ships.
12. Moki Sauna
If you’re looking for a wellness activity in Boston, look no further than Moki Sauna – a pop up winter experience located near Rowe’s Wharf. We fell in love with sauna culture during our trip to Helsinki last year so this brought back a lot of fantastic memories. They have 3 wood-fire saunas and a cold plunge barrel so you can heat up & cool off. They also provide lockers to store your things, showers to rinse off, bathrooms, a towel and slides. For a 2-hour visit, it costs $55 (or you can grab a weekday deal for $35 for an hour). Moki Sauna will be open until early April so be sure to secure your tickets before winter is over. (Though it sounds like this pop-up will be returning next Winter “bigger & better”!) For ticket information visit: Moki Sauna.
13. Goat Hike
Did you know you can go on a hike with goats in Georgetown, MA? This is an activity any animal lover will be sure to enjoy. Goats to Go offers a variety of activities involving the goats on their farm (including hikes, yoga & snuggles). We chose the hike so we could be active with the goats and had a blast! On the hour long walk through the woods, you’re given a bag of treats to feed them and if you’re brave enough you can let them hop onto your back! If you’re traveling with children, we recommend the hike with little goats (which is the one we chose) but you can also go with the big goats too. Tickets cost between $32-$38 per person depending on ticket type & hike. For more information & to reserve your spot visit: Goats to Go.
14. Spa Day
During our weekend trip to Vermont, we had the most relaxing morning at Essex Resort & Spa! What better way to beat the winter blues than to cozy up in a plush robe and enjoy some self care. Their couples massage was fantastic and the masseuses asked a few questions before to cater the massage to our needs. We also took advantage of all their amenities, including their large indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, relaxation lounge and outdoor jacuzzi. If you’re staying at the hotel, you’ll have access to the spa, but if you’re not, you can also purchase a day pass for $50 to visit! Steal our itinerary for a getaway to Vermont in our previous post here: The Perfect Weekend at a Vermont Spa.
15. Cooking Class
While staying at the Essex Resort & Spa, we were also able to participate in one of their onsite cooking classes! We love participating in these types of classes since you tend to bring home a new skill & recipe. Luckily for us, we attended their Friday night class and had a smaller group compared to their Saturday class (#protip). The theme was German food so we made schnitzel, spaetzle and rotkraut (a stewed cabbage dish). It was truly one of the most delectable meals we’ve had and we’re already talking about recreating it. For their full calendar of upcoming cooking classes, check out: Cook Academy.
16. Candle Pin Bowling
Sacco’s Bowl Haven has been around since 1939 and still maintains its vintage feel! We love this spot because it’s the perfect outing for friends or family (the smaller balls makes it easier for kids + they have bumpers). You can order American Flatbread pizzas & drinks straight to your lane. It costs $39 per lane, per hour (+ an additional $4 per bowling shoe rental). Pro Tip: You can only make reservations for a lane during the week, so if you’re a planner, this would be our recommendation. Otherwise, you should factor in time to grab dinner and drinks while you wait for a lane to be ready. The weekend wait time can be quite long! For more information or to reserve a lane visit: Sacco’s Bowl Haven.
17. Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village is a living museum showing visitors what life was like in an 1830’s rural New England town. There are over 40 historical buildings to explore so it’s perfect for any history lover. It’s important to note that many of the buildings were brought in from across New England to recreate this town so it’s a recreation. Throughout the village, you can find costumed historians working on tasks of the past to show you what life was truly like then. While this activity involves a lot of walking outside (dress warm) if you visit on select days in February & March, you’re able to experience their Maple Days and observe how maple sugaring was done in the 19th century! (You may also get to see some lambs depending on when you go). Tickets cost $27 for an adult and $12 for children when purchased in advance online. For more information, check out: Old Sturbridge Village.
18. Fireplace Feasts
Fireplace feasts is a fantastic way to spend a night out in the winter! Located at the Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield (a little over an hour from Boston) you can find this 1700’s style feast. When you first arrive, you’re greeted with warm mulled cider or wine and can take a horse drawn carriage (or sleigh if there’s snow) around their property. Then you get to spend sometime watching your food get cooked over an open fire. Fun Fact: The Salem Cross Inn is home to the only known authentic roasting jack still operating in America! You also get to watch them cook the fresh seafood chowder over the fire as well. After all the food has been prepared, head upstairs to their gorgeous barn to enjoy the meal. Be sure to stay for dessert where you can enjoy a BIG scoop of their homemade whipped cream on top of warm apple pie. Tickets cost $89 per person and must be booked in advance (these dinners sell out). Tickets go on sale every September and the feasts are offered Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights from November to April. For more information visit: Fireplace Feast.
To wrap up, this has been one of the most fun winter’s we’ve ever had! Adventure doesn’t mean you have to go far so we encourage you to be tourists in your own backyard. Be sure to save this blog post for inspiration on beating the winter blues in New England!
