A perfect wintery pursuit is to go ice skating on Boston Common’s Frog Pond, where you may even spot the Boston ice skating team practising. For a livelier skating scene, head to the outdoor plaza of Faneuil Hall, where there’s late-night skating on Fridays and Saturdays. For first-time Boston visitors, make sure you walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which links 16 sights of historical and colonial importance. Stroll at your own pace or, as My blog did, with a 19th century costumed guide. There’s also the option of a Historic Holiday Stroll, including a tour of the festive lights and Christmas trees.
You can also take a lovely walk through the Public Garden, America’s first public park, dotted with statues. Our favourite was the Make Way For Ducklings statue from the beloved children’s picture book of the same name – they were dressed in Christmas jumpers when we were there! Watching a performance of The Nutcracker at the Boston Opera House will get you into the festive spirit, or enjoy the Boston Holiday Pops Concert at the Symphony Hall. Art lovers should visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, with its picturesque courtyard brimming with tropical trees and exotic plants. If your trip coincides with the first Friday of the month, head to the Museum Of Fine Arts for a late-night viewing.