20 Reasons New England is Still Awesome in Winter

While many see the snow and cold as a complete hassle, others see it as a beautiful time of the year to cozy up to a fireplace, relax, watch the gorgeous falling snow, and take advantage of fewer crowds and plentiful winter recreation. I fall into the second category.

One of the things I love most about living in New England is the 4 season climate. After a snowstorm, the region becomes a winter wonderland, offering a more relaxing, laid-back setting, with gorgeous snow covered parks and endless opportunities for every winter recreational sport imaginable. I love dining at cozy restaurants, watching football, enjoying holiday events, snowshoeing and sledding, and enjoying the historical and tourist sites sans heavy crowds.

After living in the area for several years, I have come to appreciate the quiet, secluded, beautiful winters. This time of the year offers a wonderful opportunity to explore in a more personal setting. And now on to my top reasons on just why you should plan your vacation during the off season!

1. The beaches are so quiet and beautiful

During the quieter winter season, the scenery at any beach is so calm and peaceful. I enjoy feeling isolated in nature as I stroll the shores without a soul in sight. A cold, blustery walk on the beach takes on a completely different tone from the busy summer season.

While the obvious drawback is the cold temperatures (I recommend bundling up as it can get windy near the water), you will find the secluded natural landscapes perfect for photography. Also this is a great time of the year for collecting seashells/seaglass and enjoying a beautiful sunrise all to yourself. As an added benefit, parking is typically free where it can soar up to $30+ during the summer.

2. The wildlife refuges are strikingly beautiful, especially when blanketed with a layer of fresh snow

With not a single hiker in sight, taking a peaceful stroll at any one of the many woodsy wildlife refuges is a great way to reconnect with nature. I really love strolling around all the gorgeous preserves in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. There are so many to choose amongst and you can use them all year round.

After months of cold, dreary days, I love getting in some fresh healthy exercise and enjoying the serenity of the woods. Just because it is cold out doesn’t mean you can’t work up a sweat. I find it motivating to get out of the house and get in some fresh air.

If you get enough snow (I recommend at least 8 inches), you can enjoy a snowshoeing or cross country skiing adventure. I bought a pair and they easily paid for themselves after just a few adventures.

One of my favorite Cape Cod area parks is the Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary which is an excellent birdwatching destination.

3. Ice rinks open for the season!

You will find no shortage of seasonal ice rinks, which typically open up in late November- early December. I love that most rinks stay open until March so I can enjoy a bit of wintry fun after the excitement of the holidays wears down; it keeps things interesting.

Frog Pond in downtown Boston and Kennedy Plaza in Providence both offer a spectacular city backdrop. You can walk to many restaurants and attractions from either rink. Boston’s rink is walkable to the city Christmas tree and many fantastic Italian restaurants.

Nestlenook Farm in the White Mountains of New Hampshire offers one of the most picture perfect (think snow-globe) like settings in the country. I highly recommend a daytrip if a day of old-fashioned skating sounds attractive to you.

Whether you are looking for a big city skating experience, or a quaint skating session in a woodsy mountain setting, New England has you covered. No need for indoor skating here!

4. Snowshoeing is a blast!

When there is enough snow on the ground, it’s the perfect time to get out your snowshoes (or rent a pair) and set out on any of the gorgeous trails populating the area. Myles Standish, located near Plymouth in Southeastern Massachusetts, is one of the most gorgeous, laid-back parks in the state. With over 13 miles of trails and peaceful rustic views, it’s the perfect place to get in some fresh exercise any time of the year. I love hiking, running, leaf peeping, and snowshoeing here. It’s a wonderful 4 season recreation destination and I was lucky to live just minutes away.

Snowshoeing is a fun way to get in a great cardio workout (it happens to be one of the top calorie burners). Who says you need to hibernate all season just because it is cold? Snowshoeing is an easier (if you are new to the sport, you will find it is a pretty simple skill to learn) and cheaper alternative to a pricy day on the slopes.

Any park will do as long as there is at least 6-12 inches on the ground. Some parks offer rentals or you can rent a pair at a sporting goods store. I bought my own for 30 bucks off Amazon and they easily paid for themselves after just a few uses.

5. It’s Patriots season!

If you love football, this is the time of the year to get your tickets to a Patriots game at beautiful Gillette stadium. While I was so sad to see Tom Brady join the Buccaneers (and then retire), I am still a Brady & Patriots fan for life! In fact, I was a fan long before I moved to Massachusetts even though I grew up in Chicago. Mike is a die-hard Bears fan and he has a fun time rooting for the Patriots as his number 2 team.

There is nothing like freezing your butt off while watching the region’s most beloved sports team. Not a football fan/can’t handle the thought of sitting out in the cold for 3 hours? Don’t worry – Celtics games are great fun too!

6. A fantastic ski resort is always within easy reach

You will find plenty of options for both cross country and downhill skiing in both Upper and Lower New England. Bretton Woods, located in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire, is one of the country’s largest Nordic centers. I had an amazing cross country skiing experience here.

With 100km of snowshoeing and skiing trails through pine forests, streams, and ponds, you’ll never run out of new and exciting options. I really love the gorgeous setting and diverse terrain here. It’s a quick drive from Boston and other major cities in the Northeast. For extra luxury, considering staying at the beautiful on-site Omni Mt. Washington.

7. It’s the best time to explore Boston’s Freedom Trail

My top recommend attraction for first time visitors in Boston is enjoying a self-guided tour of the iconic Freedom Trail. This historical trail draws big crowds all summer. That being said, it’s deserted pretty much the entire winter season, thus enabling you to explore and photograph the wonderful historic landmarks without any crowds in the way.

As a local, I took full advantage of having the entire trail to myself during the slow tourist season. It was so nice taking pics with no crowds in the way and exploring each site in detail at my own pace. Not suffering in the hot, humid summer weather is another bonus, as the cooler, drier air is much more comfortable, especially with how many miles you will put in.

Keep in mind the entire trek is about 5 miles round-trip. If you are up for an extra challenge, I recommend a climb to the top of the Bunker Hill monument for amazing views of the city! It’s a tough 294 foot climb, but worth every step!

8. Strolling around Boston Common is so much more relaxing

Beautiful Boston Common, the country’s oldest park, is completely barren, yet still gorgeous during the icy, snowy months. The same goes for Boston Public Garden, located adjacent. No flowers, no leaves on the trees, no water…yet still somehow strikingly gorgeous. Take a quiet walk through the heart of the city surrounded by gorgeous architecture and be grateful you are not visiting during the overcrowded, humid summer months. I usually see a few hockey players here at most.

From the park, you can easily access some of the city’s best restaurants, coffeehouses, and attractions. The tourist Cheers bar is just steps away and the food is surprisingly great. I recommend stopping at the iconic Giacomo’s in the North End (I love the pumpkin tortellini here!). It’s one of the city’s best Italian restaurants. The setting, the food, the history – everything here is top notch in my experience.

9. It’s easier to find free city parking, especially downtown Boston

During the summer months, it can be very frustrating to find free street parking in the city. As soon as the tourists and college students are both gone, it’s a completely different story. With the insane cost of parking garages, I would say this makes an off season visit even more desirable.

The same goes for Providence. Due to the cold, snowy climate, you will see a declining number of tourists as soon as the temps begin to drop. This is great news for those of us who can brave the cold! I do most of my exploring during the cold months to beat both the crowds and expensive pricing.

10. Snow, snow, & more snow!

Both the cities and small towns in this region look even more magical following a big storm. And this area gets plenty of them. One of the most memorable blizzards I lived through was Winter Storm Nemo in February of 2013. Yes, we were trapped in our apartment for a few days with no power (which actually gave us some time to relax), but afterwards, we enjoy a lot of fun sledding and snowshoeing.

So, “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” When you combine quaint historical architecture with a snowy backdrop, the result is magical. What could be more perfect than a frosty date exploring a charming historic city as fluffy snow falls down around you?