10 Things to Do in Boston in January

January is the perfect month to explore nearly four centuries of history in the capital of Massachusetts through a handful of activities. Although there is much to see and do in Boston, by following this list you will discover the signature dish of the oldest restaurant, make the most of your tourist passes, and be surprised by the city's ghosts and myths. In addition, you can join in the winter sports that characterise Boston. Will you join me?

Arthur Kipps tried to erase the ghost stories of the Massachusetts capital from his memory on 1 January, according to Susan Hill's award-winning novel The Woman in Black. That woman being one of New England's infamous ghosts... what better time to take a ghost and gravestone tour in Boston?

Charles Dickens, Charlotte Cushman, Harvey Parker, and Andrew Lanier—The Lady In Black—are Boston's most famous ghosts, but they are not the only ones in this mythical city; a dozen others visit those interested in learning their stories, and on New Year's Eve, the lady in black takes centre stage.

Make a note of the ghost and spectre tour as one of the things to see and do in Boston at night: the haunted trams only run under the moonlight.

Practical information

• Address: in the vicinity of the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel on 200 Atlantic Avenue.
• Opening hours: the train will pick you up from 6 p.m. Monday to Sunday on the dates available with your operator.
• Price: from €41.
• Tour duration: 120 minutes.
• Important: this tour is truly impressive; it is not your typical haunted house. The ghosts and spectres are thrilling, not to mention the walk through the cemetery. The tour is rated PG-13 and is not suitable for children.

On the first Friday in January, you can enjoy an explosion of art and culture. Traditionally, a group of at least 200 artists, galleries, shops, and exhibition halls come together to welcome the public who love handmade designs, as well as those looking for a night of art, wine, cheese, and fun.

Although the event takes place every month, in January it coincides with Boston's Christmas markets, making it the best of the year.

If you like art, you should know that by purchasing the Go City All-Inclusive Pass tourist card, you will have free access and discounts at many of Boston's museums. Therefore, getting this card is a must if you are travelling to the capital of Massachusetts.

Practical information

• Address: 450 Harrison Ave, Boston, 02118
• Opening hours: check the calendar on their website, set aside an evening to take the tour of their exhibits.

Since 1975, Boston has welcomed the New Year with a special event: First Night/First Day.

The celebration takes place in Copley Square, where the People's Procession walks around Boylston Street and St James Avenue. The revellers are joined by ice sculptures, light displays, street theatre performances, fireworks and dancers, artists, live bands and much more.

If you want to learn all about the history of Boston, I recommend booking a guided tour of Boston: you will see the city's most iconic sights and an expert guide will tell you all its secrets.

Practical information

• Address: Copley Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. You can visit the city council website for more details.
• Price: free event.
• Tour duration: 11am to 2pm.

Walking through snow-covered streets can become tiresome after a while. Take a break and hop on the Old Town Trolley. These trams are one of the best ways to get around Boston, and I can't think of a better plan than taking a tour of Boston's Old Town aboard a Boston tourist tram.

On the Old Town Trolley, you can enjoy a nearly two-hour ride with more than 14 stops, including: Boston Aquarium, Charles Street, Quincy Market, Copley Place, the Tea Party Museum, Chinatown, North Station, North End, and Downtown Crossing.

Practical information

• Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
• Price: from €50.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Boston is synonymous with professional sports, and hockey is one of the most beloved. The venue is TD Garden, and I strongly recommend booking tickets for the Boston Bruins well in advance because they sell out fast.

The Garden is where Boston's big events are held, from games to large concerts, so it's a rite of passage to set foot inside, and in January, the Garden often hosts its version of NHL Fan Fair. It's a space where fans interact with their favourite team, the mascot and other activities planned for the occasion.

Even if you don't consider yourself a sports fan, the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the crowd will make you enjoy it to the fullest.

In Boston, you can continue to enjoy culture when it's cold outside, and indoor activities are excellent options this month. A tour of Boston's best museums is a good alternative in this cradle of American history. Among the museums that should not be missed are:

• Boston Museum of Fine Arts: home to an impressive collection of frescoes, textiles, sculptures and famous photographs. Works on display here include John Singleton Copley's portrait of Paul Revere, Van Gogh's Houses at Auvers, Renoir's Dance at Bougival and its colossal collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts.
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: this place exudes peace and harmony from the moment you arrive at its door. By the way, if your name is Isabella or it's your birthday, you can get in for free.
• Museum of Science: Better known by its acronym MOS, it is full of interesting and interactive exhibits that explain nothing less than the dynamics of living beings on Earth.

Remember that by purchasing the Go City All-Inclusive Pass, you will have access to these and other interesting museums in the city. Don't miss out on this opportunity!

The average temperature in January ranges from 3° to -4°, so everyone needs to warm up, and there's no better drink to warm up than a sweet cup of hot chocolate. From the sweetest to the spiciest, including vegan options and classic cocoa delicacies, Taza Chocolate offers all this and more. Find your favourite hot chocolate or chocolate bar and satisfy your taste buds with these delicacies.

Taza Chocolate is an ethically responsible family business. The cocoa used comes from Oaxaca, Mexico, where the farmers themselves send the raw material. In addition, this factory is famous for its stone-ground chocolate. It offers guided tours that highlight the multicultural value of the region and chocolate as a connector.

The tour includes samples of the house specialities. Children are delighted, and if you want to make the visit more entertaining, you can take the Taza Cacao Treasure Hunt tour for children, where the little ones have fun while learning about the manufacturing process.

Practical information

• Address: 561 Windsor St, Somerville, MA 02143.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
• Price: from €12.
• Tour duration: 60 minutes.

Every 17 January , Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is commemorated . City offices and public libraries will be closed, but there are two places in Boston where this tribute welcomes visitors with special events:

Museum of African American History

• The Museum of African American History dates back to the early 1800s and has the distinction of being the largest museum of African American history in all of New England. Its facilities house both the oldest black church building and the oldest black public school in the country.

The museum offers talks and interpretive tours that tell the story of the early advocates of justice and freedom, with Martin Luther King Jr. at the top of the list of honourees.

On 17 January, this museum usually offers various seminars and special activities with free admission upon reservation.

• Address: 46 Joy St, Boston, MA 02114.

Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art: offers a refreshing contrast to the myriad of ancient things. Like the MHA, this museum often stands out among :::link|text=Boston history tours|element=sc-30-1348::: for its impressive exhibition.

The ICA houses avant-garde pieces of all kinds, from sculptures to installations made with electronic devices or found objects that really must be seen to be appreciated. On 17 January, it usually adds musical performances, guided tours or symposiums to commemorate the date.

• Address: 25 Harbour Shore Drive, Boston MA 02210.

Carla's Tip

Purchase your Go Boston Card and enjoy these and 30 other attractions, including the Museum of Science, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and the Salem Witch Museum.

Modern music has its world-famous festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza, but despite being less promoted, folk music also has its great exponents, and they all come together at the BCM Fest.

During the Boston Celtic Music Festival, you will witness a display of artists specialising in Celtic art. Every year, during the last weeks of January, the Scottish, Irish, Cape Breton and other communities with deep Celtic traditions come together in song and dance that infects the audience.

Around the city of the Boston Celtics, both traditional performances and contemporary pieces are presented. This is an event for the whole family, both on and off stage. It will be an unforgettable weekend.

Practical information

• Duration: one weekend in January.
• Price: from €25.
• Timetable: check the calendar on their website.

In the middle of winter, ice skating rinks are the usual recommendation. However, how often do you get the chance to go snowshoeing? Such opportunities are few and far between, but in Boston you can do it in January.

A 20-minute drive from the Boston Museum of Science is Gore Place, an estate with more than 200,000 square metres of land available for you to dive into this adventure. When winter arrives, Gore Place allows visitors to strap on snowshoes to explore its grounds while getting some exercise. By the way, you can bring your own snowshoes, so you only pay the entrance fee to the grounds, and rent them once you are there.

The space is very beautiful, and you can breathe a different air while the family has fun. The little ones are the first to venture out and forget about video games for a couple of hours. Isn't that great? Make a note of this activity in your itinerary of things to see and do in Boston with children.

Practical information

• Price: from €16 for adults and €6 for children.
• Address: 52 Gore St, Waltham, MA 02453.
• Recommended if: you want to disconnect from the city, have a fun time, enjoy a different activity.

Before planning your trip, I recommend checking the weather forecast so you can be prepared for any unexpected events. In any case, I can tell you that during January, the second month of winter, snowfall intensifies.

With an average temperature of 3°C to -5°C, this month sees the lowest temperatures of the winter, and city dwellers take advantage of lower prices and even offers from hotels and tourist attractions.

If you prefer to travel in the low season and want to take part in the city's iconic activities and get the best deals, mark Boston in January on your calendar.

You should be prepared for constant rain and snow, so be sure to pack coats, thick gloves, snow hats, warmers, raincoats, scarves, and sturdy boots to insulate your feet from the cold temperatures.

Also, don't forget to pack sportswear, as you will be in the winter sports season.