When the weather turns chilly, this state offers plenty of amazing opportunities to make memories and explore new places. From snow tubing hills to magical gardens filled with lights, there’s so much to do around every corner. Here are some of our favorite cold-weather adventures and winter day trips in Massachusetts. Which will you do first?

1. Ride a horse through a snowy Christmas tree farm.
Ridge Valley Stables, 286 Upton St, Grafton, MA 01519, USA
Ridge Valley Riding Stables
Even if you’ve never ridden a horse before, this winter horseback riding experience through a Christmas tree farm in Grafton is the perfect unique weekend excursion. You’ll avoid bumpy or muddy paths and be guided along by gentle horses and experienced guides. Rides are normally between an hour and 90 minutes long. Click here for more information.
2. Walk through an enchanting garden of lights.
Heritage Museums & Gardens, 67 Grove St, Sandwich, MA 02563, USA
Flickr/Michelle Callahan
Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich will fill you with holiday cheer. This spectacular display stretches across 12 miles of walking paths and fills the stunning gardens with twinkling lights. It’s great for families, dates or anyone looking to inject a bit of magic into their week. This event runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November through December. Click here for more information. A little late (or early) this year? No worries - there's always next year!
3. Get breakfast at an old-fashioned sugar house.
Gould's | Maple Sugarhouse, 570 Mohawk Trail, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370, USA
Facebook/Gould's Maple Sugar House
Stop in for pancakes at Gould's Maple Sugar House in Shelburne Falls this season for a taste of true local flavor and tradition. Gould's has been tapping trees and producing delicious maple products since the 1960s. It's the perfect place to fill up on waffles and syrup on a frosty morning. Don't forget to takes some of their famous pickles home! Click here for more information.
4. Take this easy and gorgeous winter hike.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Refuge Rd, Newbury, MA 01951, USA
Flickr/Jesse Marks
This wintery boardwalk hike is located in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newbury. It's one of the most beautiful and accessible trails on the North Shore and offers sea views, wildlife watching opportunities and plenty of peace and quiet. Click here for more information.
5. Visit a gorgeous frozen waterfall.
Bash Bish Falls, Mt Washington, MA 01258, USA
Flickr/Jean Gaziz
Bash Bish Falls becomes a gorgeous icy sculpture when the temperature drops. What better time to hike to the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts than when the summer crowds are gone and the air is clear and crisp? The sight of this lovely, frosty cascade will take your breath away. Click here for more information.

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6. Go tubing at this massive snow park.
Nashoba Valley Tubing Park, 179 Great Rd, Littleton, MA 01460, USA
Facebook/New England Sports Park
Snow tubing is quickly becoming one of the most popular winter sports in New England, and it's no wonder why. Stop by New England Sports Park Amesbury or Nashoba Valley Tubing Park in Littleton for a ride down a massive snowy hill on an inflatable tube. It's like sledding turned up to 11. Click here for more information.
7. Visit a cozy and classic New England town.
Concord, MA, USA
Flickr/MOTT
Concord is one of the oldest towns in the state and it transforms into a winter wonderland each year. With comfortable inns, charming lights, a buzzing main street and plenty of historic sites to explore like Walden Pond and Minute Man National Park, you won't run out of things to do here on a frosty afternoon. Click here for more information.
8. Warm up with a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.
485 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02134, USA
Facebook/Roxy's Grilled Cheese
There's no better way to ward off the winter chill than with a hot and gooey sandwich, and Roxy's Roxy’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese has you covered. With shops in Allston, South Boston and Lynnfield, this sandwich joint specializes in amazing flavor combos like Muenster, burger patty, crispy onions, Grillo's pickle and house made thousand island, not to mention Vermont cheddar, fontina, north country bacon and Mike's hot honey. Click here for more information.
9. Explore a magical holiday shop in the country.
1 Northwest Road, Spencer, MA 01562, USA
Facebook/Oakwood Farm Christmas Barn
The Oakwood Farm Christmas Barn will send visions of sugarplums dancing through your head. Located in Spencer, this charming holiday shop stocks all manner of handmade decorations, toys and ornaments in a historic and beautiful setting. Click here for more information. This one is seasonal, so always double-check the hours before you go!
10. Get lost in an enchanted wand shop.
127 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
TripAdvisor/Elizabeth R.
When the winter wind drives you indoors, there's no better way to wile away the time than perusing the magical wares at Wynott's Wands in Salem. This shop sells handcrafted wooden wands and is filled to the brim with mystical items and Harry Potter memorabilia. Click here for more information.

Here in Massachusetts, we don’t let a bit of cold weather stop us from enjoying the season. What are some of your favorite things to do in Massachusetts during the winter? Let us know in the comments!

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More to Explore

Winter Day Trips in Massachusetts

Tori Jane | January 28, 2022

Where are some good places to go winter hiking in Massachusetts?  

Winters around here might be cold (see the next question), but that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to enjoy the outdoors during winter anyway! Did you know, for example, that winter hiking is a super-fun pastime in New England? It’s true – bundle up in your good, warm shoes, put on your favorite coat, and get outside! Some of our favorite trails and locales for winter hiking in Massachusetts – and there more than you think! - include amazing trails like the Mohawk Trail State Forest, near Charlemont. This forest is 6,000 acres of amazing hiking, great wildlife watching opportunities, and more. It takes on a certain magic when there’s snow on the ground! In Pembroke, there’s the Tucker Preserve. This preserve contains a 1.6-mile loop trail that’s scenic and wonderful during the coldest months of the year. The Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary is similarly lovely. If you’re willing to cross state lines into nearby New Hampshire, you’ll find even more delightful winter hiking trails, and in Maine, you’ll find many as well.  

What is winter in Massachusetts like?  

Massachusetts is a coastal state, which helps it avoid the more bitterly cold winters seen by more inland northeastern states. However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get cold – because it definitely does. The state is quite prone to major winter storms, like Nor’easters and blizzards. Overall, the state averages about 47.3 inches of snowfall each year; some years, of course, can vary wildly, depending on how many snow and severe cold events occur. None of this, however, means that one should avoid going outside during winter; make sure you’re dressed properly (for both your safety and comfort), go outside! There are all kinds of great places for winter hiking and camping. It’s also a really lovely time of year to go out for a nice, long scenic drive. The snow makes everything especially magical – or so we think! Massachusetts is one of those states that will teach you to appreciate the beauty of cold weather. Think you can handle it? Check out this article for some inspiration. 

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