7 Activities To Make The Most Of Snow Days In Boston
With the season of the sticks, snow, and slush upon us, it’s easy to succumb to laziness when cold weather creeps in. Our daylight in Boston is often limited in the winter, sometimes making our days feel short and as if there’s not enough time to do everything you’d like to do. Therefore, as a seasoned professional in spontaneous activities, I’m here to cure the winter blues and help you make the most of the winter season.
1. Visit the MFA
The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is practically on Northeastern’s campus and offers free admission to all Northeastern students. When the weather is betraying your hair and outfit, it’s the perfect place to seek shelter from the wind and cold. Inside the MFA, you’ll find carefully curated paintings, statues, sculptures, and seasonal exhibits. One of the coziest things you can do on a snowy day is bring a good book or a couple of friends to the museum and hang out in an exhibit for a while.
2. Go on a dumpling crawl in Chinatown
When I mentioned I was going on a solo dumpling crawl in Chinatown, my best friend looked at me like I was speaking Greek, but it’s a real thing! A dumpling crawl is when you go to a bunch of different restaurants to try dumplings and perhaps other cuisines, and Chinatown is the perfect place to do it, as it boasts some of the most authentic Chinese food in the state. Plus, Chinatown is super easy to get to from Northeastern because the Orange Line stop at Ruggles is right in the center of campus. My top restaurants are as follows:
Best sit-down restaurant: Empire Garden
When you first arrive at Empire Garden and go upstairs, you’ll be shocked at how big the restaurant is, considering many Boston restaurants are tiny. Empire Garden stands out as it looks like the inside of a vintage opera house, but with dumpling carts rolling around.
Best fusion food: Shojo
Shojo offers a modern ambiance and an experimental menu. Though it's not a dumpling, one of my favorite dishes is the Shojonator, which is a burger on a Bao bun. It’s unlike anything else I’ve ever tried in Chinatown.
Best quick restaurant: Nan Xiang Express
Boston may not have Din Tai Fun, but we have Nan Xiang Express. This spot is a self-service, casual restaurant that offers a nearly identical menu to Din Tai Fun. I highly recommend the cucumber salad, classic shrimp dumplings, and the chicken rice cake dish.
3. Take a workout class
Boston is the city of workout classes. From pilates to boxing, we have it all. One of my favorite ways to feel productive on a chilly day is to take an exercise class and then head to the Marino Recreation Center afterwards to relax in the sauna. If you prefer to stay close to campus, you can even sign up for workout classes at Marino for a more affordable price than independently-owned studios in the city. Northeastern makes it super easy and affordable to take group fitness classes, as you can pay $50 during the fall and spring semesters to access unlimited classes at Marino.
4. Catch a movie at the Coolidge Corner Theater
The Coolidge Corner Theater is an independent, non-profit cinema located just a short train ride from campus. The theater shows new movies, indie films, and old classics for nostalgia’s sake. The inside of the theater is absolutely stunning, having been built in 1906 and now an “Art Deco treasure,” as the theater describes. For a quick bite after a film, I recommend checking out Maruichi for some Japanese eats, the Brookline Booksmith for new and used stories, and Buffalo Exchange for second-hand treasures.
5. Spend time with sealife at the aquarium
The New England Aquarium is one of my favorite places to go to decompress. Something about the sea creatures is so soothing that it makes me forget I’m in the midst of winter. The aquarium offers a $5 student discount, but you can see the seals for free just by being outside the building if you’re not afraid of the cold. I fully believe the aquarium is a worthwhile visit, as you can see animals such as penguins, touch sharks and stingrays, and learn more about ocean conservation. In short, the aquarium is the perfect way to immerse yourself in a summer beach-like atmosphere in the middle of winter.
6. Ice skate at the Boston Common Frog Pond
For just $12, you can ice skate outside at the Boston Common Frog Pond. In my opinion, this is one of the must-do winter activities in Boston, as it makes you feel like you’re the main character in a holiday movie. To make it an even more character-like experience, ice skate at night when the rink is lit up with its festive lights.
7. Warm up with hot chocolate at one of Boston’s cute cafes
Obviously, snow days mean hot chocolate with too much whipped cream. Boston has cafes on nearly every corner, meaning there are places to warm up pretty much wherever you are. My personal favorite place for hot cocoa is L.A. Burdick because their hot chocolate is European-style and deliciously thick. Nonetheless, there are tons of good cafes, and to find more of them, check out this article from Boston Magazine.
The bottom line
Boston is a city where you can go pretty much anywhere and find something fun to do. Between my recommendations, escape rooms, bowling alleys, indoor mini golf courses, and painting classes, there truly is something for everyone here. The important thing to remember is that winter doesn’t mean your fun has to wait until the snow and ice thaw. Instead, let snow days be the time you embrace the city of Boston. After all, two days during a weekend simply isn’t enough time to explore all Boston has to offer.
