Photo: Andrew Swaine

Kings

Get active and enjoy 16 alleys of 10-pin bowling at this Back Bay entertainment complex that also features billiards, shuffleboard, skee ball, air hockey, a full-service bar and a restaurant serving pizza, burgers, sandwiches and more. There’s even special events and promotions every day, including team trivia on Mondays and ladies night on Thursdays.

50 Dalton St., 617-266-2695, kingsbowlamerica.com

Something Rotten!

The hilarious, Tony Award-nominated comedy about two struggling playwrights in the 1590s who attempt to outdo the Bard himself by creating the first musical makes its Boston debut January 17–29. 

Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., 800-982-2787, broadwayinboston.com

Boston Wine Festival

Chef Daniel Bruce hosts the 28th annual event, the longest running festival of its kind in the nation. Enjoy winemaker-hosted dinners, seminars, receptions and brunches January 13–March 31. 

Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, 888-660-WINE, bostonwinefestival.net

River Bar

Outdoor dining in the winter? You bet, thanks to the fire pits, as well as warming cocktails, at this hot spot at Assembly Row overlooking the Mystic River that specializes in craft libations and unique takes on international street food. 

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, 617-616-5561, river-bar.com

Frog Pond Ice Skating Rink

Since 1998, this venue in the heart of Boston has hosted thousands of eager ice aficionados, offering skate rentals, sharpening services and the Frog Pond Café, serving hot cocoa as well as snacks. The Skating Club of Boston Skating Academy even hosts private, semi-private and group skating lessons starting at $40.  

Boston Common, 617-635-2120, bostonfrogpond.com

Community Ice Skating @ Kendall Square

Kendall Square, Cambridge’s high-tech playground, boasts daily skating, as well as skate rentals and weekly lessons. Sign up for the fourth annual Ice Bocce Tournament on January 10. 

300 Athenaeum St., Cambridge, 617-492-0941, skatekendall.com

Shear Madness

The longest-running play in U.S. history, the Boston edition of this hilarious, interactive whodunit is still going strong. Help solve a murder mystery in a wacky salon along with the talented cast. 

Charles Playhouse Stage II, 74 Warrenton St., 617-426-5225, shearmadness.com

Peabody Essex Museum

Footwear fanatics should head up to Salem for this venerable institution’s latest red-hot exhibit, Shoes: Pleasure and Pain, which showcases creative wearables, both contemporary and historic, from around the globe. 

East India Square, Salem, 866-745-1876, pem.org

TD Garden

Both hoop fans and puckheads can get their fix of live sports action at the home of both the Boston Celtics—who take on the Jazz (Jan. 3), Pelicans (Jan. 7), Knicks (Jan. 18), Rockets (Jan. 25) and more—and the Bruins, who face off against the Oilers (Jan. 5), the Flyers (Jan. 14) and the Blackhawks (Jan. 20), among others. 

100 Legends Way; Celtics: 866-4CELTIX, nba.com/celtics; Bruins: 617-624-BEAR, bruins.nhl.com

City Tap House

The Fort Point dining scene continues to sizzle with the recent opening of the first Northeast location for this 6,000-square-foot tavern, which boasts 100 beers (with 60 on tap), upscale pub fare and a rustic/industrial décor accented with reclaimed wood and exposed steel beams. 

10 Boston Wharf Road, 617-904-2748, boston.citytap.com