My husband and I are planning a three day trip to Boston in February. According to weather.com the average temperature in February is right around 39 degrees. That means it’ll be a bit nippier than the 80 degree weather we had the pleasure of experiencing on our last weekend trip together to Key West, Florida. Nevertheless it’s our planned destination. So I was wondering if anyone had ideas on must see places to visit and eat in the area. We’ll only be there for 2 1/2 to 3 days, so we don’t have a ton of time, but we definitely want to explore while we’re there.
if the historical society is giving tours of the freedom trail, starting in boston common, TAKE IT. it was hands down the best tour i've ever been on–informative, funny, and really interesting. and I don't even like history and it was pouring rain the entire time! i think tours were $12 each or so. WELL WORTH IT.
the freedom trail winds its way to boston's north end and little italy, which has amazing food (esp. desserts–try Mike's Pastry for the cannoli!!).
it will be very very cold in Feb–it was 50's and windy and rainy when i went in August! as a consequence of the awful weather, i spent a lot of time in their museums–the museum of science is AWESOME and the museum of fine arts is also good. i highly recommend both. their T system is very good and safe, as well.
Hooray, you're coming to Boston! I agree with Sense, the Freedom Trail is pretty awesome, though if you're walking it, you're going to be mighty cold. We've also got some awesome museums (Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Art, Institute for Contemporary Art) if you'd like to stay inside to keep warm. Also a good wintertime activity (outside) is skating at the frog pond (http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org/) which is fun and kinda romantic, especially if you have to hold onto each other for warmth!
Let me know what else you might want to do…I've lived in and around Boston now since 2002, so I like to think of myself as knowledgeable about these sorts of things!
@sense & graduatedlearning – Thanks for the great ideas! We're actually heading up to a basketball game @ Boston College. @Sense did you go to school there? I saw a recent post where you described a trip back to Boston and had a picture of a brick college building, but I'm not familiar what the buildings look like since I've never been there. Any suggestions on dealing with the cold weather?
Hi! Nope, I didn't go to school there. The pic you saw of my college is in my home state, in the south, not too far from where you live and where your beach house is, I'm guessing!
I went to Boston in August for the first time ever. I was only there for 4 days and it rained the entire time and was cold (OK, ~55 F or so, but NOT august temps!), but I still really loved the freedom trail and boston itself. I don't have much advice for cold temps–i've only lived in the South, southern california, auckland, and a tropical island in my life!! š
hope your trip to boston is awesome!
I have lived in and around Boston my entire life, and I must say 55 in August is not normal! But yes, there is a good chance that it will be frigid here in February.
My stay warm if your doing touristy things tips:
1. Boston is very walkable…in nice weather I'd say you can avoid cabs altogether. But if you're not used to the cold, hop in a cab rather than let the weather ruin your day. The city is small enough that a trip across town shouldn't cost you too much.
2. Long underwear on your legs!
3. You need a hat that covers your ears, and gloves/mittens.
4. try to find clothing/jackets that cut the wind. The wind chill is what's really bad.
Things to do:
1. if your at Park St/the common and need a break/warm up, don't go to Bean Town pub. Around the corner is a small place called Silvertone that is way cuter/cooler
2. ride the subway between Park St and Boylston (and beyond) and marvel that it is the oldest stretch of subway in the country. Stand in the very front of the first car so you can look down the tunnel as you move through.
3. Fanueil Hall is super touristy…but it's cool because it was the first use of space like this in the country (old mercantile building transformed into mixed use shopping/food center with open air)
4. Go to Cambridge and Harvard Yard. Wander down the smaller side streets to the North and east of the T stop and poke into cool shops.
5. If you have time and rent a car go out to Lexington or Concord to get a feel for the revolution…and frankly understand how cold the patriots must have been at the time!
6. In the Faneuil Hall area walk down Blackstone street and consider that Ben Franklin, John Hancock and lots of other historically relevant people walked on those same cobblestones.