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Written by Kaelie Piscitello
This winter, I’m headed back to my hometown, or really my home city away from home: Boston, Massachusetts! Boston is one of the most festive cities in the world around the holidays, and this winter proves no different. Ice skating, strolls in the snow, and a trip to the Seaport’s Snowport Christmas market makes Christmas feel like a blast.
Furthermore, Boston serves some of the most warming foods, including a plethora of hearty Italian options in the North End and steaming buns and hot pot that warm everyone in Chinatown. Plus, the city’s award winning basketball team, the Celtics, is in full swing of their season at this time of year, and no one should miss the chance to go to a game in TD Garden. This winter, sample the sights in Boston and come home with me for a weekend of cheer.
The Snowport
Boston’s Snowport is a jolly take on European Christmas markets and quickly became a beloved city tradition in 2022 when it first opened its doors. Massachusetts residents and other New Englanders flock to the Seaport to experience the delicious, but expensive treats, and browse the many goods vendors sell here.
It hosts many events throughout the holiday season, including photos with Santa, a drag brunch, curling, and a Yeti cocktail crawl around the local bars. The best time to attend the Snowport is in the evening hours for fun drinks and the best vibes all day.
This year, the Snowport opens from November 7 to December 28. Make it before it ends this year!
Eat in the North End
I always recommend the North End as one of the must-see spots in Boston because of its history dating back to Paul Revere in the Old North Church and rich Italian American ancestry. However, the winter is one of the best times to go because its warming food pairs best with the frigid winter months.
Dine at the original Regina Pizzeria and stop for some traditional pastries at Mike’s Pastry. Then, wander over to Faneuil Hall for some street shows and finish out the day at a cocktail bar. The North End’s cobblestone streets contribute to the neighborhood’s allure and makes everything feel more Christmassy.
Boston Commons is also nearby, so if the weather does not feel too cold, wander over to this famous park and explore the beautiful greenery. Can you find the Make Way for Ducklings statues? The park always dresses them according to the time of year, so this winter, they will surely wear cozy hats and scarves.
Eat Hot Pot in Chinatown
Boston has a large Asian population and the Chinatown is just about as authentic as it gets in these parts. Many Chinese immigrants live in the Chinatown and have opened Chinese bakeries teeming with delicious treats and opportunities to practice your Chinese if it suits you.
My two favorite restaurants in Chinatown are Liuyishou Hot Pot for my favorite mushroom broth and meatballs and Hei La Moon, a traditional family-style Cantonese place with dim sum! I recommend hot pot for dinner during the winter and Hei La Moon for lunch.
Visit a Museum
Boston has lots of museums for all ages, and its a Massachusetts resident rite of passage to visit the Science Museum and Boston Aquarium at least once on a school trip as a child. Both spots have lots of activities and shows to attend, including an electricity show at the science museum where a person stands in a human-sized bird cage that gets zapped by a giant bolt of lightning.
Boston also has its own Museum of Fine Arts and has recently built the Institute of Contemporary Art in the Seaport, so art freaks have a place to explore their creative side.
Of course, no one should miss the site of the iconic Boston Tea Party near South Station, one of Boston’s main train stations, for a bit of history. It sits at the head of the Freedom Trail, making a great starting point for anyone looking to waltz down the tourist route.
