A snowy scene in Boston

Things to do in Boston in December

By Ian Packham

One of the oldest European settlements in North America, but no enemy of the contemporary, visits to the Massachusetts state capital marry revolutionary history with a great mix of modern sights.

Not even wintry New England weather forecasts can dampen the gaiety of Boston in December. The chance of snowfall and its open-air ice rinks makes it one of the most festive destinations this side of Santa’s workshop at the North Pole.

A great alternative to the crowded sidewalks of New York, Boston has no end of charm leading up to the festive and New Year celebrations. Not convinced December is a good time to visit Boston? Check out all the things to do in Boston in December right here.

Check out the historic harbor

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If you’re looking for the heart and soul of Boston, you’ll want to turn your attention to its expansive harborside. Etched with creeks, rivers and wharves, its waters were the ignition point for the American Revolutionary War when protestors poured an entire shipment of tea into it – an extraordinary insult to any Englishman. Reenactments take place at Old South Meeting House on December 16.

A different view of harbor life can be had at Boston’s New England Aquarium on Central Wharf. Spanning the globe’s seas and oceans, it’s home to a fascinating variety of life usually hidden beneath the waves, be that the sharks, turtles and corals of the magnificent 760,000 liter Caribbean habitat or the octopus of the Pacific Northwest tanks.

Cross by the artworks dotting Rose Kennedy Greenway and you’re just a couple of streets away from Faneuil Hall Marketplace. A shopping precinct that has been serving Bostonians since 1743, it hosts a popular December holiday market, but is better known for its street performers.

Do some last minute shopping

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Faneuil Hall certainly isn’t the only market in town, with options ranging from European-style Christmas markets serving up steaming mugs of mulled wine and gingerbread to authentic New England craft fairs where you’ll find knitted hats, gloves and other handicrafts.

Out of the city center, Harvard Square Holiday Market in Cambridge and Kilroy Square Market in Quincy are ones to keep a close eye on.

Swapping Cambridge Massachusetts for Boston’s Cambridge Street you’ll be only a few hundred meters from the Charles River Esplanade and the Cheers Bar. Used for the exterior shots of the 1980s sitcom, and containing a replica of the program’s bar, it also has a charming location overlooking the city’s Public Garden and Common.

Fill up on Christmas cheer

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Right at the heart of Boston’s Christmas festivities, Boston Common is the location for the annual switch on of the city’s lights by its mayor, with a decorated Christmas tree forming the backdrop for the evening.

Elsewhere in Boston the arching trellises of Christopher Columbus Park twinkle with fairy lights whilst Blink! back at Faneuil Hall Marketplace usually boasts the northeast’s largest Christmas tree. Around 24 m (or seven stories) tall, it sits alongside more than a quarter of a million individual LEDs.

If that wasn’t enough, the common’s Frog Pond becomes something like a scene out of Frozen. Skaters can take a turn on the ice before cheering on the Bruins ice hockey team at The Garden Arena. And although it’s not baseball season, it’s still possible to take a tour of one of the most famous ballparks in America – the Red Sox’s Fenway Park.

Line up the snow day activities

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The mildest month of the Boston winter, average temperatures are still less than balmy with highs of 5°C and overnight lows of -2°C. With rain, sleet and snow all possibilities, it’s wise to mix up any Boston December itinerary with indoor and outdoor alternatives.

Thankfully, Boston has an extraordinary array of museums to lose a few hours – if not a few days – in. Top of the list has to be the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. One of the largest galleries in the world, its artworks are by greats from Claude Monet to Andy Warhol.

History buffs won’t want to miss the historic ship USS Constitution and its next-door museum. Forming part of Boston’s Freedom Trail, the museum details the vital role the ship lovingly known as ‘Old Ironsides’ (despite having a wooden hull) played during the War of 1812 against the British. She technically remains on active service with the US Navy more than 200 years after her construction.

Keep the kids entertained

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It’s multitude of waterways, parks and museums makes Christmas in Boston a perfect treat for the kids. The dinosaur skeletons and taxidermy animals at Harvard Museum of Natural History provide an excellent introduction to the natural world. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston will delight and inspire young minds whatever the weather may be doing outside.

To give them a bird’s eye view of all the city has to offer, head to the observation deck on the 26th floor of the harborside Marriott Customs House Tower, or climb the 294 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument. A Washington Monument in miniature, it was built to commemorate the first battle of America’s Revolutionary War.

New Year Events in Boston

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As well as a whole host of Christmas events, Boston sees in the new year with equal amounts of aplomb. Known as First Night, the celebrations of December 31 include a mini-fireworks display at 7PM so younger children don’t have to miss out on the fun. This is followed by a grander display over the harbor at midnight, only rivalled by those of Independence Day on July 4.

Copley Square hosts its own pyrotechnic display, and a People’s Procession takes place down Boylston Street from Copley Square to Boston Common from 6PM. Gala concerts take place in venues big and small to ensure the new year starts as it means to go on.

Save on December Boston attraction admission

No one wants to have to skimp when on vacation. There’s no worse feeling than wanting to do something but knowing you can’t really afford it. Explore with Go City and this feeling can be a thing of the past!

How so? We work hard with attractions to allow you the freedom to do what you want, when you want, whilst making incredible savings.

Ian Packham
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do in Back Bay, Boston

Back Bay is one of Boston's most affluent districts, with plenty of places to go and things to see. So, if you're visiting Boston and thinking of staying in the area, you'll want to know what's good. Well, we'll tell you what's good. Right here, right now. Read on, and discover the best things to do in Back Bay, Boston! Including: Trinity Church Boston Public Library The Mapparium Boston Marathon Survivor Memorial Places to eat and more! The Holy Trinity (Church) Let's start this shindig with something holy. If you want to explore a fascinating holy place, whether you're religious or not, check out Trinity Church. Even from the outside, its ornate design is mesmerizing. But step inside, and you'll be treated to a feast for the eyes. Practically every inch was handpainted, and the whole thing was overseen by prominent American artist John La Farge. From the pre-Raphaelite windows to the awe-inspiring murals, it's a great place to visit in Back Bay. The church itself does lots of community outreach, so if you're in the area on a Sunday, feel free to go to one of their services. Words are worth it Libraries are the spine of our nation. That was a book pun, and no, we won't apologize. Wordplay is one of life's many joys. And if you like wordplay, books, and libraries, then you'll love Boston Public Library! What a terrible segue! This labyrinthine monument to learning is a frequent hang spot for students and researchers. Visitors will often find students at their laptops, staring at empty word documents with tears in their eyes. But never mind them, they made their bed. Instead, get lost in its many, many aisles. You'll likely find any book you're looking for within its massive walls. But if that wasn't enough, there are also regular talks and readings held there throughout the year, and you can even get a tour of the place if you're too overwhelmed by all the learning. Map it out Mary Baker Eddy was a special person. Not only did she overcome the adversity that came with being a female academic in the 19th-century, but she wrote a groundbreaking book that kicked off the movement that we now know as Christian Science. So, why not find out more about this fascinating woman at The Mapparium? You'll walk across a bridge through the three-story, stained-glass Mapparium globe, enhanced with music and special lighting effects. It will give you a whole new perspective of Earth's geography, thanks to the concave, mirror-imaged view it offers. Explore the library, which has artifacts from her life you won't see anywhere else. You'll learn how The Mapparium was built and take a guided tour of The First Church of Christ. In the original 1894 church building, you'll find one of the world's largest pipe organs too! Image courtesy of Jesse Costa/WBUR To those we lost The Boston Marathon bombing was an event that shook the world. If you would like to pay your respects, you can visit the Boston Marathon Survivors Monument. The artist worked diligently with the families of the deceased in its design, ensuring it captured their spirit and personality. The two installations on Boylston Street are 20ft tall bronze spires that contain light-emitting glass tubes, ensuring the people taken in the bombing will be remembered forever. Where to eat You may need a bite to eat after all that sightseeing. Thankfully, Back Bay has some fantastic eateries that will welcome you with open arms. These are our favorites! If you're looking for interesting Far East dishes, then Uni will fit you like a Japanese glove. This contemporary izakaya restaurant offers a host of street food-inspired plates, as well as Japanese favorites like Sashimi and Nigiri. Take a seat beneath the dim lighting, explore the expansive menu, and find a new dish to add to your favorites! If American seafood dishes are more your thing, don't you worry. Select Oyster Bar brings New England Seafood to your table, with a Mediterranean twist to boot. While you're free to stop by for a glass of wine and some oysters, you'll be missing out if you don't hunker down for dinner. The Maine Lobster Salad is something else, and for a fish joint, they even do a mean rib eye! Speaking of rib eye, if steaks more you scene, Grill 23 is one of the best in the country. This award-winning steakhouse is the go-to site for local business meetings, so bear that in mind if you're thinking of heading there on a weekday. But never mind the white-collar hollering, sit down, stare at their table until they relent, and enjoy some of the juiciest steaks around. Where to drink Let's end this with a look at the nightlife. If you're looking for a drink or three to see out the evening, then Back Bay has many delightful watering holes, no matter your desire. Want something casual? Try The Pour House. This sports bar contains a whopping 17 TV screens, showing a variety of games throughout the week. You'll also find a wealth of affordable beers, bar food, and your standard cocktails. It may be a no-frills kind of place, but sometimes, that's exactly what you're looking for. In the mood for something slightly fancier? City Bar is an elegant watering hole located in the century-old Lenox Hotel. And, given the likes of Babe Ruth and John Travolta have graced its elegant tables at one time or another, it's the kind of pedigree that guarantees you a great cocktail and a great time. Combine that with a hefty wine list, romantic lighting, and swanky decor, and it's the perfect date spot if you're looking to impress that someone special. And finally, if you're looking for something a little louder, then you have to hit up the Bukowski Tavern. Named after famed author Charles Bukowski, who penned the likes of Factotum and Ham on Rye, among many other novels and poems, this is a Boston bar through and through. You'll find a huge selection of delicious beers, brewed both locally and abroad, some high-quality bar bites, and the kind of larger-than-life atmosphere that makes Boston the city it is! And that's our list of the best things to do in Back Bay, Boston!
Dom Bewley
Harvard Museum of Natural History
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10+ Things to Do in Boston When it Rains (Popular Indoor Activities)

Boston is known for its changeable weather, so it's always helpful to have some activities up your (rain jacket) sleeve for surprise showers.
Casey Makovich
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Things to do in Downtown, Boston

Downtown. Things will be great when you're Downtown. No song has ever been truer than Petula Clark's classic. Boston's Downtown area is one of the city's best, with plenty to do, see, and experience. It's dripping with history that dates all the way back to the War of Independence, so why not go and discover its greatness for yourself? There's no need to take our word for it; we'll show you why. Right now. Read on, and discover the wonders of Boston's Downtown district. Here are our recommendations for the best things to do on your vacation! Including: New England Aquarium Chinatown Freedom Trail Fenway Park Museum of Fine Arts See life Let's start our tour of Downtown under the sea. See sea life like never before at the New England Aquarium! Perfect for kids and big kids alike, this fantastic aquarium is one of Boston's crown jewels. Go nose-to-nose with seals, waddle to the penguin enclosure, be mesmerized by the giant Pacific octopus, and much more! There are a number of exhibits worth checking out at the moment, such as the Amazon Rainforest, where you'll discover piranhas, anacondas, and poison dart frogs! Or, stop by the Indo-Pacific Coral Reef. Here, you'll go on a journey through the waters of the Pacific, seeing coral catsharks, unicorn tangs, blue-striped cleaner fish, and all the beauty these natural habitats exude! Easily one of the best things to do in Downtown, this is one Boston attraction that you cannot pass up on! Eastern Promise Switching gears to something on dry land. Boston is one of many American cities that is fortunate enough to have its own Chinatown - the third biggest of its kind in the country! For those that don't know, the US we know and love today wouldn't have been possible without Chinese immigrants. So go give them some love, and indulge in some of the finer things while you're at it. Step over the threshold of the remarkable Chinatown Gate, and you'll be transported to a world of great food, great people, and plenty of knickknacks, clothes, and jewelry to purchase. And if your vacation happens to land on Chinese New Year, you're in for a sumptuous treat of performance, lights, and fireworks! Freedom is free Want to explore the nation's history, and walk in our forefathers' footsteps along many historical monuments to American Independence? Then take a historical tour of the Freedom Trail. Beside your fancy guide, replete with authentic accent, language, and costume, you'll explore Boston's famous red brick path and learn about over 250 years of American history. You'll see many historic sites, including Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, the Boston Massacre Site, and King's Chapel. And, you'll hear from patriots like Josiah Quincy and Phillis Wheatley as they tell you their own stories and share lively anecdotes about the places, events, and drama of the American Revolution and beyond. Easily one of the best things to do in Downtown if you're taking a vacation in Boston. If you miss out, maybe you're a red coat after all. Homerun fun Are you a sports person? Does the thought of people getting together and competing against one another excite you? Do you like balls? Well then, you must be a fan of the old baseball. Right? Boston is home to one of the most recognizable teams on the planet, the Boston Red Sox. Their socks? Red. Their arena? Fenway Park. So why not take a tour of this historic stadium and learn more about the stadium's history, the players that stepped into the diamond, and the team's highs and lows throughout the years. For a whole hour, you'll go behind the scenes at Fenway Park, exploring the ground, it's history, and the story of arguably the greatest baller of all time, Babe Routh, who called Fenway Park home. Keep your eyes peeled for Pesky's Pole, named after contact hitter Johnny Pesky, and the Red Seat, where the longest home run ever hit landed at Fenway Park. Given it's the longest-running ballpark on the planet, you best go while the getting's good! Get arty Boston is one of the country's oldest cities, with its own rich history and culture. But it's not the only culture you'll find there. In fact, one of the biggest Art Museums on the planet calls the city home. We're talking, of course, about the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Inside, you'll find over half a million works of art. Yes, really. 500,000 art pieces lie within its myriad galleries and buildings. Spanning millennia, you'll find works from ancient civilizations as well as more modern marvels from the likes of Monet and van Gogh. One unmissable exhibit currently showing is The Art of the Americas. Spanning two continents and encompassing 3000 years of culture, it takes a deep dive into works from ancient American civilizations like the Mesoamericans, all the way to prominent New York artists. The exhibit is a work of art itself, taking years to compile and curate. It really has to be seen to be believed, and is easily one of the best things to do in Boston's Downtown. But after all that wandering and wondering, you might be feeling famished. Never mind that, because the museum's got some great onsite solutions to your hunger problems! If the weather outside's fine, head to the Calderwood Courtyard and sample the delights at The Garden Cafeteria, where you can pick up small bites like pizza slices, subs, burgers, and even desserts. Or, if something small won't cut it, then the New American Cafe will sort you out. Their curated menu of filling dishes will hit the spot. And that's our list of the best things to do in Downtown, Boston! Looking for anything else Boston-related? If you're visiting from out of state or across the sea, check out our picks for the best places to stay. Looking for more of Boston's amazing culture? Check out our museum guide. Just want to learn more about the city? Check out some fun facts!
Dom Bewley

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