The days are short and the nights are chilly, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some amazing experiences in Massachusetts in winter. Winter, in fact, is the perfect time to make some magical memories the entire family can enjoy. Check out the eight best things to do in Massachusetts in winter for a mix of outdoor and indoor activities to warm you up and get you in touch with the season.

Editor’s Note: Before you make plans to head to an event, confirm that it’s on for the current year. You’ll also want to check to make sure other destinations are open and to confirm their hours, too.

1. Winterfest, Lowell
Lowell, MA, USA
Lowell Winterfest/Facebook
Attend the Annual Winterfest in Lowell. The magical Winterfest typically features a full menu of fun, wintry activities, including ice skating and a winter carnival.

The winter carnival often boasts such fun attractions as a giant inflatable Snowzilla slide, rides, food trucks, and marshmallow roasting. Other events may include horse-drawn wagon rides, maple sugaring, an all-you-can-eat chocolate festival, and a screening of a favorite wintertime movie. It's one of the best events to attend during the winter in Massachusetts. Learn more on the official website of Lowell Winterfest.
2. Wachusett Mountain, Princeton
Mount Wachusett, Princeton, MA 01541, USA
Flickr/MOTT
Go ride the slopes at Wachusett Mountain. Skiing should be a winter fun no-brainer, but this place in particular has some of the most magical views you'll find anywhere. With a 1,000-foot vertical drop, 2,000-foot elevation, 22 trails, and 8 lifts, Wachusett is the closest big mountain skiing to Boston. Start planning your wintry adventure on the official website of Wachusett Mountain. It's one of the best places to spend time in Massachusetts in winter.

Take a look at the festivities on Wachusett Mountain:
3. Jiminy Peak, Hancock
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, 37 Corey Rd, Hancock, MA 01237, USA
Flickr/MOTT
Jiminy Peak in Hancock is another amazing choice for a mountain adventure. It's the largest ski and snowboard resort in southern New England, the summer home to Mountain Adventure Park, and the only mountain resort in North America to generate its own energy using alternative wind power. But that view is enough for anyone! For more information, stop by the official website of Jiminy Peak, one of the best resorts to spend some time during winter in Massachusetts.
4. Brattle Book Shop, Boston
Brattle Book Shop, 9 West St, Boston, MA 02111, USA
220 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116, USA
Flickr/MOTT
Go book-hunting in Boston. In order to curl up near the fire with a good book, you'll need to track one down first. The Brattle Book Shop in downtown Boston lets you browse the stacks in a super cool outdoor setting. When you've found the perfect reading material, head on over to L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates for one of their famously rich cups of hot chocolate and warm those chilly fingers. Check out the days and hours and browse the online catalog on the official website of The Brattle Book Shop. Then stop by the official website of L.A. Burdick.

Get a closer look at this magnificent book store:

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5. Boston Frog Pond, Boston
Frog Pond, Boston, MA 02108, USA
Facebook/The Boston Common Frog Pond
Nothing beats ice skating at the Boston Frog Pond. This is a classic activity that hasn't lost any of its charm over the years. Can you think of a better way to spend a leisurely winter day? We certainly can't! Skating generally runs from December to March. Confirm to ensure ice skating is open before heading over.
6. Deerfield
Deerfield, MA, USA
Flickr/MOTT
The town of Deerfield is gorgeous any time of year but it really sparkles in the snow. Take a day trip to one of Massachusetts' most historic small towns and use the town's historical resources to learn about winters long past. Make sure you visit Yankee Candle Village in Deerfield, too, where it's Christmas (with falling snow) all year around. Here's the official website of Yankee Candle Village to learn more. Visiting this town is one of the best things to do in winter in Massachusetts.
7. Massachusetts State Parks
Massachusetts, USA
Pixabay/nile
Take a magical hike through a state park. Great options include Mohawk Trail State Forest (Charlemont), Chapel Brook Reservation (Ashfield), and Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary (Easthampton). Each of these places are especially great places to take in a bit of nature in the colder months, as their beauty isn't just found in flowering plant life.

You can visit the Mohawk Trail State Forest web page, The Trustees website to learn more about Chapel Brook Reservation, and the Mass Audubon website to learn more about Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. These are some of the most beautiful places to experience Massachusetts in winter,
8. Cambridge Antique Market, Cambridge
201 Monsignor O'Brien Highway, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
Kat Hajduk/Google
Sift through treasures at the Cambridge Antique Market. If staying warm and nabbing some great deals on rare finds sounds like your idea of a good winter day, then this is a must-visit spot. Forget the mall: this place is HUGE and filled with unique and fascinating vintage wares. Stop by the official website of Cambridge Antique Market.

Take a look at some of the intriguing antiques you’ll find here:

Have you been to any of the places mentioned above? What are your favorite things to do in Massachusetts in winter? Let us know in the comments! If you haven’t been there yet, then it’s time to book a trip and get out there! Did you know there’s a law in Massachusetts that prevents you from starting your car to heat it up on those bitter-cold mornings? Read more about this anti-idling law in Massachusetts.

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More to Explore

Massachusetts In Winter

Beth Price-Williams | December 19, 2020

Where are the best places for snow tubing in Massachusetts?

One of the best places for snow tubing in Massachusetts is Nashoba Valley Ski Area.

There are plenty of fun winter activities here in New England. For non-stop thrills, try a day of snow tubing in Massachusetts. Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Littleton provides an idyllic backdrop for a day of winter fun. Grab a snow tube, and zoom down the hill as many times as you want. At the end of the tubing run, take the lift back to the top of the hill, and pick one of the 18 lanes to zip down again. Tickets must be purchased online beforehand.

Is Massachusetts a good place to visit in the winter?

Yes, Massachusetts is a good place to visit in the winter.

Winter in Massachusetts can be quite cold and snowy. However, there are plenty of places to visit in winter in Massachusetts, particularly its picturesque towns. Visit the town of Stockbridge that is like stepping into a winter scene by Norman Rockwell. The picturesque town was used by Rockwell once lived in the Berkshires and used Stockbridge as inspiration when he painted. The Berkshires, Wellfleet, and North Adams are all must-visit winter destinations as well.

Which hikes in Massachusetts are best in the winter?

Hikes in Massachusetts that are the best in the winter include:

  • Tyringham Cobble
  • Ponkapoag Pond Trail
  • Walden Pond Loop Trail

There is no shortage of winter destinations in Massachusetts, and some are best explored on a beautiful hiking trail. Head to Tyringham Cobble, for example, with two miles of trails that are dotted with natural beauty, including rock ledges. Trek along the 4.4-mile Ponkapoag Pond Trail at Blue Hills Reservation. The trail is open year-round, although it’s particularly pretty when sprinkled with snow. Head to the town of Concord and follow the easy 1.7-mile Walden Pond Loop Trail for a tranquil experience. (The trail does close sometimes if there is too much snow, so check before you go.)

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