Cold weather is no reason to hibernate—take advantage of these red-hot destinations and activities, both indoors and out
Kings Dining & Entertainment
Bowling, billiards and more keep the whole family engaged at this locally based chain for upscale frivolity (pictured), while the more sedentary can enjoy hearty, scratch-made fare from the kitchen and a variety of libations from the bar.
Various locations, kings-de.com
TD Garden
Witness the surging Bruins and Celtics light up the city’s marquee arena against top competition, including the Oilers (January 4) and Penguins (January 16) for the Black and Gold, and the Lakers (January 20) for the Boys in Green.
100 Legends Way, 617-624-1000, tdgarden.com
ArcLight Cinemas
The Hub’s latest state-of-the-art movie emporium debuted this fall, offering local chef-crafted popcorn, a bar, exclusive events and ad-free previews along with the latest blockbusters, cool indie films and limited-release revivals.
60 Causeway St., 323-615-2550, arclightboston.com
Snowshoe tours
Take a guided nature hike in the snow January 18 at Mattapan’s Boston Nature Center, or get your fill of snow-bound art on a guided tour at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum on Saturdays beginning January 11.
500 Walk Hill St., 617-983-8500, massaudubon.org/boston; 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln, 781-259-8355, decordova.org
Outdoor dining
Yes, you can still eat and drink al fresco this time of year. Several local eateries—including Legal Harborside and The Envoy Hotel’s Lookout Rooftop in the Seaport; Somerville’s River Bar; and South Boston’s Publico Street Bistro & Garden—offer patios or rooftop lounges with either retractable roofs, warming heat sources like fire pits and outdoor heaters, or even toasty, pop-up igloos for adventurous diners.
270 Northern Ave., 617-477-2900, legalseafoods.com; 70 Sleeper St., 617-338-3030, theenvoyhotel.com; 661 Assembly Row, Somerville, 617-616-5561, river-bar.com; 11 Dorchester St., 617-622-5700, publicoboston.com
Weston Ski Track
This cross country ski specialist only 15 miles west of the city offers terrain for all levels as well as trails for snowshoeing.
190 Park Rd., Weston, 781-894-4903, paddleboston.com/skitrack
Franklin Park Zoo
Celebrate Lunar New Year January 18, and defrost at the balmy Tropical Forest enclosure—home to gorillas, lemurs and more—anytime.
1 Franklin Park Rd., 617-541-5466, zoonewengland.org
Arnold Arboretum
The botanical garden hosts guided tours, including winter birding (January 5) and an evergreens-themed family hike (January 19).
125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, 617-524-1718, arboretum.harvard.edu
Outdoor skating
Strap on the blades and get yourself moving at popular spots like the Boston Common Frog Pond, the rink at the Seaport’s Snowport Winter Village, the Skate @ Canal District Kendall in Cambridge and the Jack Kirrane Ice Skating Rink in Brookline.
Boston Common, 617-635-2120, bostonfrogpond.com; Snowport Winter Village, 65 Northern Ave., bostonseaport.xyz; 300 Athenaeum St., Cambridge, 617-492-0941, skatekendall.com; Larz Anderson Park, 23 Newton St., Brookline, 617-879-4998, brooklinerec.com/152/Kirrane-Ice-Skating-Rink
Downhill skiing
Locals don’t have to travel far for slope side action—the Blue Hills Ski Area is a mere 18 miles south of Boston, while Wachusett Mountain farther west is accessible via the MBTA’s Ski Train, which departs on weekend mornings from North Station.
4001 Washington St., Canton, 781-828-5070, bluehillsboston.com; 499 Mountain Rd., Princeton, 978-464-2300, wachusett.com
