10 Things to Do in Boston in January

January allows you to explore the nearly four centuries of history of the Massachusetts capital in a handful of activities. While there's plenty to see and do in Boston, by following this list you'll discover the signature dish of the oldest restaurant, make the most of your sightseeing passes and be amazed by the city's spooks and myths, plus join in the winter sports that characterise Boston. Plus, you'll be able to 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, as Susan Hill wrote in her multi-award-winning novel The Woman in Black. With that lady being one of New England's infamous ghosts... what better time to take a tour of the city? what better time to take a ghost and gravestone tour of Boston?

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

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

Practical information

• Address: in the vicinity of the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel on 200 Atlantic Avenue.
• Hours: The train will meet you from 6pm Monday to Sunday on the dates available with your operator.
• Price: from €41.
• Tour duration: 120 minutes.
• Please note: this tour is truly awe-inspiring, not your typical haunted house. The ghosts and spooks are thrilling, not to mention the cemetery. The tour is rated PG-13, 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 showrooms come together to welcome the handmade design-loving public, to those looking for a night of art, wine, cheese and fun.

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

If you love art, you should know that by purchasing the Go City All-Inclusive Pass you'll get free access and discounts at many of Boston's museums. So, getting this card is a must if you're travelling to the capital of Massachusetts.

Useful information

• Address: 450 Harrison Ave, Boston, 02118
• Opening hours: check the calendar on their website, book a night to take the tour of their exhibits.

Since 1975 Boston has been welcoming in 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 revelers are also joined by ice sculptures, light displays, street theatre performances, fireworks and dancers, performers, live bands and much more.

If you want to learn all about Boston's history, I recommend booking a guided tour of Boston: you'll 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. Visit the City Hall website for more details.
• Price: Free event.
• Tour duration: 11 - 14 hours.

Walking through the snow-covered streets can get annoying after a while. Take a break by taking a ride on the Old Town Trolley. These trolleys are part of Boston's best tourist transport and I can't think of a better plan than taking a tour of Old Town Boston aboard a Boston sightseeing trolley.

On the Old Town Trolley you enjoy a nearly two-hour ride through 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 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours.

Boston is synonymous with professional sports and hockey is one of the most beloved. The date is at the TD Garden and I highly recommend you book Boston Bruins tickets well in advance because they fly.

The Garden is the venue for Boston's biggest events, from games to massive concerts, so it's a rite of passage to step foot inside and in January the Garden often brings its version of NHL Fan Fair. A space where fans interact with their favourite team, 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 for a great time.

Boston's culture can still be enjoyed in cold weather, and indoor activities are great options this month. A tour of Boston 's best museums is a good alternative in this cradle of American history. Must-see museums include the following:

• Boston Museum of Fine Arts: houses an impressive collection of frescoes, textiles, sculptures and famous photographs. On display here are works such as John Singleton Copley's portrait of Paul Revere, Van Gogh's Houses of Auvers, Renoir's Dancing at Bougival and its colossal collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts.
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: this place exudes peace and harmony as soon as 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 in English as MOS, it is full of interesting and interactive exhibits that explain nothing less than the dynamics of living things 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 the opportunity!

The average temperature in January is between 3° and -4°, everyone needs to warm up and there's no better drink to warm the body than a sweet cup of hot chocolate. From the sweetest to the spiciest, vegan to the classic cocoa delights, this and more is offered by Taza Chocolate. Find your cup or bar chocolate and satisfy your taste buds with these delicacies.

Taza Chocolate is an ethically responsible family business. The cocoa used is sourced from Oaxaca, Mexico, where the farmers themselves send the raw material. The factory is also 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 will be 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.
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Price: from €12.
• Tour duration: 60 minutes.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is commemorated every January 17. City offices and public libraries across the city will be closed, but there are two spots in Boston where this tribute embraces visitors between 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 African American history museum in all of New England. It houses both the oldest black church building and the oldest black public school in the country.

The museum offers lectures and interpretive tours that tell the story of early advocates of justice and freedom, and Martin Luther King Jr. tops the list of honorees.

On January 17, the museum usually offers a variety of seminars and special activities with free admission by 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 old things. Like the MHA, this museum often stands out among Boston history tours for its impressive exhibits.

The*ICA houses cutting-edge pieces of everything from sculptures to installations made from electronics to found objects that really have to be seen to be appreciated, and on January 17 usually adds musical performances, guided tours or symposia to commemorate the date.

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

Carla's Tip

Get 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, although less publicised, folk music also has its great exponents and they all come together at BCM Fest.

During the Boston Celtic Music Festival you'll see an array of artists specialising in Celtic art. Each year, during the last weeks of January, the Scottish, Irish, Cape Breton and other communities with a deep Celtic tradition come together in song and dance that is infectious to the audience.

Around the city of Boston Celtics there are both traditional and contemporary performances. This is an event for the whole family on and off stage. It's sure to 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 the common recommendation is ice skating rinks. However, how often do you get the chance to go snowshoeing? Those are rare, and 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 m2 of land available for this adventure. Come winter, Gore Place allows visitors to strap on a pair of snowshoes and explore the grounds while getting a workout. By the way, you can bring your own snowshoes, so you only pay the entrance fee, and rent them once you're there.

It's a beautiful place, and there's a different feel to the place as the family enjoy themselves. The kids are the first to get adventurous and forget about video games for a couple of hours, isn't it great? Make a note of this activity on your itinerary of things to see and do in Boston with kids.

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 you to check the weather page, so you will be aware of any unforeseen events. In any case, I can tell you that during January, the second month of winter, the snowfall intensifies.

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

If you prefer to travel in the off-season, want to be part of the city's iconic activities and the best deals, make a note of Boston in January on your calendar.

Be prepared for constant rain and snowfall so your suitcase should include coats, thick gloves, snow hats, warmers, waterproofs, scarves and sturdy boots to insulate your feet from the cold temperatures.

On the other hand, don't forget to pack sportswear, remember that you will be in the winter sports season.