Plan out your February in Boston with our picks for the best things to see and do around town
February in Boston brings some dark days and cold temps, but at least there's spring to look forward to. Now more than ever, everyone wants to get outside and moving whenever they can, so make plans to check out the best ice skating rinks, snowboarding destinations and skiing spots near Boston. As with any February in The Hub, you might get a little stir crazy, so maybe you'll want to consider one of the best winter day trips from Boston. Check out one of the best museums in Boston, or bring your crew to see the best holiday lights in Boston.
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As the city's premier artistic hub, the 450 Harrison building is a veritable hive of artistic activity in the back of the South End. Find the perfect gift on Sundays from 11am-4pm, when the city's coolest vintage market features a rotating roster of vendors specializing in curated collections of fashion, jewelry, art, furnishings and more.
Head to the MFA to check out a pair of particularly timely exhibits. “Women Take the Floor” challenges the dominant history of 20th century American art by focusing on the overlooked and underrepresented work and stories of women artists, while “Black Histories, Black Futures,” which was curated by young scholars as part of the MFA’s new partnership with local youth empowerment organizations, focuses on works by 20th century artists of color.
On the first Friday of every month (Feb 5), head to the 450 Harrison building in the the South End for a blast of art and culture. Many artists open their doors for open studios events where they greet locals and visitors. In normal times, more than 200 artists, galleries, shops and showrooms welcome everyone from art aficionados to afterwork activity-seekers for an evening of art, wine, cheese and mingling.
If you need some fresh air and are aiming for more than just a stroll, get out and hike. (Just wait for a day when it's not freezing out!) Serious local hikers may head farther afield to the White Mountains or the Appalachian Trail, but when you just need a little bit of nature, there are plenty of worthy hikes near Boston that are easy to get to. Whether it’s climbing a lung-busting hill or exploring trails through scenic wooded preserves, these Boston hikes fit the bill.
One of the many delights of living in Boston is that day skiing is a breeze. While no one can predict the traffic, many ski areas are within a two-hour drive. While the region’s most in-demand slopes are farther out from the city—in other words, more in line with the best winter day trips from Boston—these ski spots offer well-groomed trails for all skill levels, plus terrain parks, lessons, and good base camp facilities. (Some have tubing, too.)
These snowboarding spots offer options for all skill levels, from beginner to shredder. You'll find lessons and great facilities, too.
In normal times, the Hub’s cultural calendar is relentless, with plenty of noteworthy shows and events taking place across the city. Still, there's plenty of cool things to do around the Hub.
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