date published:
February 27, 2006
HIT
THE ICE
This year we've missed out (well, some of us haven't missed it at all)
on an abundantly arctic Hub winter, but low snow totals doesn't mean missing
out on strapping on some skates, gliding around on ice and giggling like kids
while you try to keep your ankles from giving out. Ice skating in Boston is
guaranteed, even on warmer days, since Boston Common's Frog Pond
is equipped with an underground refrigeration system. Though the season is
winding down, you may still be able to hit the ice at Brookline's Larz
Anderson Park, considered by some to be one of Boston's most
romantic destinations, and the Charles Hotel Skating Rink in
Cambridge, which offers upscale, rink-side refreshments. Refer to listing.
THE
SLEIGH'S THE WAY
If there does happen to be a ton of snow, forget the MBTA-the best way
to travel is by sleigh. A trip roughly 45 minutes west of Boston will earn you
a ride in a horse-driven sleigh at Bobby's Ranch in Acton
(978-263-7165) or at Hollow Brook Farms in Brimfield (weekends
only, 413-245-9325). For the more adventurous, head even further west and try a
dog sled ride at Northern Exposure Outfitters in Brookfield
(508-867-4396). Tours are $250 for two adults, and unlike T conductors, your
canine guides may even let you scratch their bellies.
TRY
ON SOME NEW SHOES
Ever wish you could combine winter sports and fine art appreciation?
Consider that wish granted-rather than leaving the DeCordova Museum and
Sculpture Park for fair-weather art connoisseurs, visitors can
snowshoe while perusing the pieces. On March 5 , staff from
Eastern Mountain Sports provide visitors with equipment and instruction and
then a museum guide leads a tour of the park. Beginners are welcome and free
snacks are available afterwards in the café. Refer to listing.
LAUGH
AWAY WINTER
If that exercise sounds a bit too vigorous (and cold!) for you, work
up a sweat with a good guffaw or two taking in standup comedy, the perfect cure
for the wintertime blues. Boston has some of the best comedy clubs in the
country, including the Comedy Connection in Quincy Market. In
addition to regular nationally-known headliners, every Thursday the Connection
hosts Frank Santos, The R-Rated Hypnotist, who might be able to make you
believe that it's already June. Or keep the laughs coming at Improv
Asylum 's new show "Monkey Trial & Error.Or, You Say You
Want An Evolution." Hey, what isn't funny about intelligent design? Refer to listings.
TOUR
SYMPHONY HALL
Sure, Boston's got some amazing buildings-but it's much warmer to
check them out from the inside. Luckily, you don't always have to be outside to
enjoy good architecture. Visitors are invited to take free guided tours of
venerable Symphony Hall (home of the Boston Symphony
Orchestra) on March 4 at 1:30 p.m., and March 1 & 8
at 4:30 p.m. William Tudor called Boston the "Athens of America," and the grand
hall of symphony is lined with Greek statue replicas to prove it. Afterwards,
lounge in Symphony Hall's original leather seats from its opening in 1900 and
listen to the BSO perform works by Schoenberg and Beethoven (March 1-4). Refer to listing.
LIVE
THE LIFE AQUATIC
Mingle with those who love the cold at the New England Aquarium
. There, the staff lets animal lovers play with the harbor seals behind the
scenes, or even be a sea lion trainer for the afternoon (call 617-973-5206 for
reservations). Or just watch 2005's biggest cinema sensations-the
penguins-march about their famous habitat, which holds 143,000 gallons of
chilled and filtered Boston Harbor seawater. Refer to listing.
SLEEP
THROUGH BREAKFAST
If it's too cold to get out of bed, simply wait it out until it's time
for brunch. Then try Zaftig's in Brookline (335 Harvard St.,
617-975-0075), where they ask you to let them be your Jewish mother and serve
knishes, blintzes and borscht along with award-winning sandwiches. Or sample
everything from goat cheese salads to delicious crepes stuffed with jam, fruit,
meats or whatever you fancy at 33 Restaurant and Lounge (33
Stanhope St., 617-572-3311). Finally, get great food, entertainment and a view
all in one stop at the Skyline Sunday Brunch at the Museum
of Science served at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (refer to listing). Food by Wolfgang Puck Catering is served in the sixth-floor dining room
with river views and is followed by a show at either the cozy planetarium or
Omni Theater.
FIND
THE PERFECT COCOA
Nothing makes a cold day better than a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
But forget Swiss Miss-Paris Creperie in Beacon Hill (326
Cambridge St., 617-589-0909) makes their hot chocolate with Nutella, the
delectable Italian chocolate and hazelnut spread. And on the off chance it's
too warm for your chocolate to be hot (figure that one out), try the oxymoronic
frozen hot chocolate (regular or white) at L.A. Burdick's in
Harvard Square (52-D Brattle Street 617-491-4340).
DINE
BY A FIRE
Ever since caveman days, sitting down to dinner before a roaring fire
has been a can't-miss way to shake off the cold. Options in Boston include The
Fireplace (634 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-975-1900), which serves
classic New England cuisine. Hungry i (refer to listing) takes it to the next level with fireplaces on all three floors to go with
their hot French dishes. And if you must have steak, in addition to the fire,
to warm your bones, try Smith & Wollensky's (101 Arlington
St., 617-423-1112), located in the Castle near the Park Plaza Hotel.
FIGHT
THE CHILL WITH THE GRILL
Replace your scarf with a bib at Redbones BBQ (55
Chester St., Davis Square, Somerville, 617-638-2200). They'll make you forget
what it's like outside with down-home Southern cooking and 24 fresh microbrews
on tap. Recent Harvard Square arrival Phatt Boys (50 Church
St. 617-354-2005) conjures up memories (real or imagined) of summer in Kansas
City, Louisiana and other BBQ hotbeds with tasty ribs, chicken, steak,
jambalaya and more. If you like your BBQ rowdy, go to Boston's famed dive bar,
Dick's Last Resort (Quincy Market, 617-267-8080) for raucous
service and buckets of ribs.
TEA
TIME
Tea is intrinsically linked with Boston history and is also a hot and
delicious winter refreshment. At the Boston Athenaeum (refer to listing) you can take in early Boston newspapers, George
Washington's book collection and portraits by Boston-bred artist John Singer
Sargent-and on Wednesdays, wash it down with the tradition of Athenæum Tea,
which was revived in 1984. Or, live it up like it's the Victorian Era with a
cup at the Ritz-Carlton (15 Arlington St., 617-92-3355). A
harpist plays during Afternoon Tea, Wednesday through Sunday, while you sip
your tea and watch the Newbury Street crowd walk by. Reservations are
recommended for both.
THE
LION (AND OTHER CREATURES) IN WINTER
Winter in Boston is definitely nothing like the Serengeti, but some
zoo animals were made to handle it, like the reindeer at the Stone Zoo.
Others, like Christopher the lion at the Franklin Park Zoo,
need the help of a heated rock to encourage them to stay out and mingle with
visitors. On a guided tour of Arnold Arboretum, you can see
hardy flowers like the winter witch hazel and white willow. And even though the
Public Garden isn't in bloom, it's still good for a winter stroll.
Geese are still in the pond, just waiting (like the rest of us) for spring to
arrive. Refer to listings in sights of interest and wildlife.
GET
IN SHAPE INDOORS
A jog along the Charles River Esplanade may only
appeal to the most hardcore jogger or rollerblader, but that's no excuse not to
start shedding those extra winter pounds, because there are plenty of places to
workout inside. At The Ring Boxing Club (971 Commonwealth Ave.
617-782-6946), you're put through the training of a professional boxer. (But if
you're more Gerry Cooney than Mike Tyson, don't worry-you only have to spar if
you want to.) Beginners are welcome and first-timers can take advantage of a
free trial lesson. If you're of the more traditional type, try the ancient art
of yoga at Bikram Yoga Boston (108 Lincoln St., Loft 1A,
617-556-9926). Bikram yoga is performed in heated rooms to burn more calories,
flush out toxins, promote relaxation and fight Old Man Winter.
CANDLEPIN
BOWLING
Have fun with a New England tradition. The skinny pins, small balls
and the fact that no one has ever gotten a perfect score keep things
interesting. Go into a time warp and play at The Milky Way Lounge &
Lanes (403-405 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-3740)-originally
the JP Bowl (founded in 1914), now a retro/sci-fi/outer-space basement fully
equipped with a 1950s wooden ball return. Or check out Sacco's Bowl Haven
(45 Day St., Somerville, 617-776-0552) where they proclaim "we've got small
balls, but we're big on fun."
PAMPER
YOURSELF
It's easy to take it slow in the summer, but sometimes in winter we
forget to. Let go of the cold and stress with spa treatments like a therapeutic
hot stone massage and hot lava mud manicure at Le Pli Day Spa (5
Bennett St., Cambridge, 617-547-4081). Or bask in the Chocolate Delight Package
with a chocolate body mask and chocolate body oil massage at Violet
(257 Newbury St., 617-262-7546).
back to homepage