Goodbye, 2022! The new and awaited year has finally arrived, and it’s time to set some new goals for 2023, like having more fun in the Hub. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the most amazing and fun things to do in Boston this January. Start the year on the right foot and check these out!
1. Experience a real-life space simulation and land on the moon
You don’t have to travel all the way to space by rocket for the NASA experience! Under 30 minutes from the city, in Chelsea, MA you can travel to an awe-inspiring adventure akin to space travel! Immerse yourself in this limited-edition exhibit complete with over 300 original NASA items, a life-sized Lunar Module and Rover and a unique simulation of a Moon departure.
It’s the truest test of your inner astronaut skills!
Find it at 121 Webster Ave Chelsea, MA 02150
2. Brave the weather and check out some of Boston’s coolest outdoor winter setups
We’ve all trudged through the snow to get to work or class in the harsh New England winter — we’re seasoned winter adventurers. So don’t let a little snow or wind stop you from enjoying a fun (and safe) night out. Fire pits, igloos, cute greenhouses and snow much more await you at these charming Boston spots which are all decked out for the winter and will help you stay cozy all season long!
3. Enjoy the soothing sounds of classical music by candlelight
Calm your mind and experience classical music in a whole new light with these sensational concerts located in a historical Boston venue. Throughout this winter, the Candlelight Concert series will feature a wide variety of themed repertoires, from Queen B to Coldplay. Hosted at the Temple Ohabei Shalom, the venue will be illuminated with flameless candles, creating an unforgettable ambiance. Highlights of the concert series this month include:
Can’t decide which concert to go to? Get a Candlelight Concert gift card and redeem it for any Candlelight concert of your choosing! It also makes a lovely gift experience for birthdays and anniversaries!
Multiple locations
4. See massive, moving dinosaurs up-close at Dino Safari
Dino Safari is the perfect treat for any dino enthusiasts in your life, whether they’re young or older. In this immersive exhibition located in Faneuil Hall, you’ll be able to meet life-sized, moving dinosaurs up-close and learn everything about how they lived while on earth. With a huge gift shop filled with dino merch and a VR game close by, it’s a fun family adventure that over 33k have experienced and loved so far in Boston. Get your tickets here before they sell out!
Find it at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
5. Go ice skating around the city
January is the perfect time to show off your skills on the ice, and many (if not all) of the rinks in the city are now open! Check out our list of our favorite ice rinks to get some inspiration for your next skating session. Check out Frog Pond for Boston’s ultimate ice-skating experience or find a different rink in this list to skip the line!
6. Check out a local museum—for free
Museums are great places to visit on a snowy winter day, and Boston is home to some truly impressive museums. However, those museum admission fees can add up if you’re looking to experience them all. Luckily, if you time your visit right, you can get free or discounted admission to many of Boston’s world-class museums. Check out our guide to getting free or discounted admission for all the best tips.
7. Buff up your haunted history on a Boston Ghost Tour
Ghost tours are a signature Boston event for a reason, and they’re not only for October! And if you’ve never been on one before, then be sure to check out the Boston Ghost Tour, running every night throughout the winter. While walking the city streets after dark, you’ll learn the stories of haunted locations and ghosts that provide a different viewpoint on some of the real history hidden behind the city’s past.
Departure from 139 Tremont St
8. Enjoy some freshly-shucked oysters at America’s Best Landmark Restaurant…
Possibly one of the best Boston spot to enjoy freshly-shucked oysters, Union Oyster House is now officially North America’s Best Landmark Restaurant. The iconic North End enclave, which has been around since 1862, received the distinction from the World Culinary Awards, beating other emblematic U.S. nominees including NYC’s Katz’s Delicatessen and the only other New England entry and oldest restaurant in the country, Newport’s White Horse Tavern.
And if you like Boston Cream Pie, they have one of the best in the city!
Find it at 41 Union St
9. Or check out the U.S.’s oldest tavern instead!
Built in 1652, the historic White Horse Tavern in Newport, RI, has been welcoming hungry Americans since even before the US was born. The building is considered a National Landmark and it’s even among the 10 oldest restaurants in the world! And as you’ll notice here, the food itself is well worth the trip!
White Horse Tavern at 26 Marlborough St, Newport, RI 02840
10. Actually achieve that resolution to eat less takeout by freshening up your cooking skills
Get out of your kitchen comfort zone and take an Italian cooking class with your friends, family, or loved ones. Not only will you have fun and eat fantastic food, you’ll also be able to recreate the dishes afterwards as many times as you want.
Kitchen at 19 Kingston Street
11. Cozy up with these fireside dining options
Treat yourself to a warm and comforting dinner by a cozy fireplace at one of these 6 Boston restaurants. You’ll enjoy grate food and it even makes for a wonderful date spot! Some of our favorites include:
- Pammy’s- for farm to table dining in Cambridge
- Capo-for classic Italian in a rustic Southie setting
You can’t go wrong with any spot on this list!
12. …and if you’r hungry for more warm-up with a hearty bowl of ramen
There’s nothing quite like a bowl of hot ramen to warm you up on a cold winter’s day. If you’re looking to slurp down on a steamy bowl of noodles in a flavorful broth we know a few places you may want to check out. From creamy shoyu to 48-hour chicken broth all served with noodles cooked to perfection, here are some of our favorite spots to grab ramen in The Hub. And the best part? They’re all open for delivery!
13. Enjoy new movies on the big screen
We can’t wait to see the newest movie releases of 2023! And there’s nothing cozier than grabbing a few friends, a massive bucket of popcorn and venturing out to watch a new film in the ambiance of your favorite AMC! There are plenty of anticipated films, including The Mother and Creed 3. Get your tickets to the hottest films in Boston here with an exclusive discount.
14. Make your taste buds dance with a warm hot chocolate
Did you know that drinking hot chocolate can actually make you smarter? Not like we need another excuse to grab a cup of cocoa!
- For a super-rich cup go to L.A. Burdick in Back Bay
- For a classic cup check out Tatte, multiple location
- For unique cocoa varieties visit Cacao in JP or Newton
From Tatte to the Four Seasons and everything in between, we are loving grabbing hot chocolate at these shops to make winter a bit more bearable!
15. Take a self-guided walking adventure of the city
Courtesy AutoCampTake a private tour on your own time! Puzzling Adventures™ is a cross between a scavenger hunt, an informative self-guided tour, and The Amazing Race® with puzzles to solve, clues to find and a treasure for the reigning winner!
16. Take a walking Food Tour of the North End
You’re going to need the carbs for this fun yet in-depth tour of the North End! Get into the details of the Freedom Trail and one of Boston’s most historic districts while scoping out the best of Italian food in the entire city! You’ll finish the tour connected to the city in a brand-new way and most likely very very full.
17. Head to one of these New England ski towns
New England is full of beautiful skiing destinations all around. There’s nothing like a refreshing ski to make you feel grateful for the obnoxious abundance of snow the Northeast gets! Put that snow to good use and head to the slopes here in Vermont or New Hampshire at these nationally acclaimed skiing cities!
18. Or head to one of the nation’s best
Stowe, Vermont one five USA Today Readers Choice awards in December for skiing, ski resorts, ski restaurants and snow much more! It’s no wonder it’s one of Conde Nast Travelers favorite skiing destinations in the country! If you’re looking for the it town for New England skiing, book a trip to Stowe!
19. If you can’t ski snow tubing will do
You can have just as much fun tubing down one of these 11 lanes in Great Barrington! This destination was named one of the top ten snow tubing places in the entire country!
Find Butternut Ski Area and Tubing Center at 380 State Rd, Great Barrington, MA 01230
20. Hit refresh at this lovely spa
If the New Year calls for anything it’s a little self-pampering. This literal Haven outside of the city is offering all sorts of treatments featuring biodynamic and organic ingredients from local vendors. Get a facial, massage, or relax in its sauna to completely reset and refresh for 2023!
Find it at 14 Church Street Hopkinton, MA 01748
Multiple locations