by everending

Created on: January 10, 2009

Boston loves the winter. From the first snow until the April showers, the city embraces the cold. Horse-drawn carriages stroll down the streets, the sound of hooves and bells ringing between skyscrapers. Bostonians don't hibernate; they come alive in the winter months. You really don't have to look very far to find things to do in Boston during the winter, as long as the chill doesn't get to you.

CULTURE

Boston has always been a seat of history. In a sense, America was born on the city streets, and that Revolutionary air still lingers. Trolley tours and Freedom Trail hikes don't end just because the sun sets earlier; visitors to the city can still experience every piece of living history, just with a little snow on top.

For those looking for a more modern cultural experience, the Theatre District is the perfect stop. From the Wang Theatre to the Opera House, Boston offers an extensive selection of Broadway musicals and local productions. As a college city, many performing arts departments also inhabit local stages, and these shows are rarely available during the summer months. The Boston Ballet's rendition of the Nutcracker is not to be missed, and the Rockettes even make an appearance around Christmas time.

ENTERTAINMENT

If theatre and history are not your style, fear not. Boston's not called the Hub of Sports for nothing. Red Sox Nation may snooze during the winter, but the Celtics and the Bruins are just beginning to get into the swing of things. The new Boston Garden is a contemporary venue that is home to both of these professional organizations. However, the Garden is also the site for the hottest concerts in town, not to mention numerous local college athletic tournaments and even Disney on Ice.

If you don't have tickets to a game, simply explore one of Boston's many bars or pubs. With its Irish roots, Boston is definitely the place to go for a true communal experience. With countless local breweries on tap, most bars and pubs in the city can keep residents and tourists alike warm and content during the winter months. And while Lansdowne Street may be no more, there are still plenty of clubs around for dance-crazed men and women.

COMPANY

Above all, Boston is a social entity. While some may complain about the Boston attitude, it's an attitude well deserved. Bostonians are a tight-knit bunch, but they're always willing to share an opinion. There's nothing more beautiful than a night spent in the snow-covered Common, hand-in-hand with a loved one or engaged in laughter with a group of friends. It'll give you a chance to experience both the heart of the city and its soul: the people who call it home.

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