Christmas day in the city (Boston, Lynn: hotels, home, neighborhoods)

[shihtzumom]

I have traveled to Boston many times in the winter but have never been in the city on Christmas Day. I'm thinking about spending Christmas up there this year. It would be my mother and I and we do not have any family or friends. We would just be tourists.

My question is what is there to do on Christmas Day for a tourist and would there be much open (mainly restaurants)? I wouldn't mind just strolling the city. Just curious what my food options might be and what is typical. Thanks for any info!

[Cantabridgienne]

There are restaurants that are open (many in hotels, lots in Chinatown as well as others--I ate at Eastern Standard in Kenmore square last Christmas). Opentable.com usually has a good list, but of course, it's too early for that. Some bars open later in the day/night. Some cafes are open (Starbucks is).It's a good day to stroll since it's so quiet...

[clevedark]

If you go to church, go to the mass at the big episcopal church on Copley Square. The Fairmont Hotel across the street has a gorgeous restaurant, the Oak Room that you might want to eat in.

We have spent christmas day in Boston for the past few years--we always see a movie and then have some kind of chinese food. Lately we've been having hot pot at Shabu Zen in Allston, which is awesome. They have a location in Chinatown.

This year we're thinking of traveling somewhere else for a change. We'll see.....

[shihtzumom]

Thanks for the responses! My mother and I are definintly planning on spending our Christmas in Boston. Looking forward to it

[Boston14]

Yea Christmas is awesome in Boston

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by shihtzumom

Thanks for the responses! My mother and I are definintly planning on spending our Christmas in Boston. Looking forward to it

Do you know which hotel you will be staying at? Also will
you be driving or flying to the city? You should have a great time there, Boston is fun.

[xS☺B☺s]

I remember walking down the middle of Boylston St - I mean literally walking down the middle of B-Street - a foot of snow - not a car in sight in either direction. Other than that - at Mom's house.

[shihtzumom]

Originally Posted by maggiekate

Do you know which hotel you will be staying at? Also will
you be driving or flying to the city? You should have a great time there, Boston is fun.

I will be flying in. I will either stay at the Doubletree Downtown or the Ritz Carlton. I like to be close to the Commons. I'll stay at the Ritz if I feel like living it up!

[readymade]

Originally Posted by shihtzumom

I will be flying in. I will either stay at the Doubletree Downtown or the Ritz Carlton. I like to be close to the Commons. I'll stay at the Ritz if I feel like living it up!

I used to love going to the Ritz for tea with my mom around Christmas time. It's beautiful!

[DreamworksSKG]

Why not stay for the week --and enjoy first night Boston for New Years eve? You'd probably want to make your hotel reservations quick though because New Years hotels book fast

First night is a great experience. YOu purchase a first night button and can go around to different venues in the city, there's alsoe fireworks on the common , ice sculptures, a parade, and the culmination of fireworks at midnight over the harbor.
its a pretty cool event with music , theatre, and cultural events through the city all day long
First night boston was the original first night
First Night Boston
It would make a cool trip if you got here say on the 23rd. stayed through X-mas...and left new years day or Jan 2nd or something
Could be a wickid pissah (wickid cool ) trip

If you have a car (Cahh) with you you might consider driving around the different downtowns around metro North and South--and west. They have a lot of holiday light displays in town centers and its fun to see people's decorations around the suburban neighborhoods

here's a list for "hot spots" to see in terms of christmas lights

The Commonwealth Avenue Mall in Boston is particularly pretty as is the Boston Common

Povo Boston: Tag "holiday light display" in Massachusetts from Boston


The Stone Zoo in Stoneham a small neighborhood zoo
has the annual ZOO Lights
as well
which is worth seeing
Stone Zoo's ZooLights Stoneham (781) 438-5100 - Reviews - Povo
(its closed on dec 25th though , open other days)

There's a number of holiday concerts and shows you can find by researching events online and such -and just checking out the tourist info centers or asking at the hotel you stay at.

Povo Boston: Tag "holiday show" in Massachusetts from Boston

You'll have to stop in at the Christmas Dove Store at Quincy Market - Faneuil Hall marketplace
Christmas Dove - Boston, MA

You could catch a show at the Wang theatre for the
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Christmas Spectacular - Boston, MA, 02116 - Citysearch

Here's a picture of faneuil hall at Christmas with snow
Faneuil Hall at Christmas with Snow, Boston, MA Photographic Print by James Lemass at AllPosters.com

There's a special from Mayor Menino on half price holiday events as well
The Mayor's Holiday Special - Boston's one stop, for the holidays

IF the Bruins or Celtics are in town I'd suggest getting a ticket for the Boston Garden. I'm an usher there and its a fun time! :-)

You can also do ice skating for free at the Frog Pond on the Boston Common
A quiet stroll through Public Garden in Winter and down COmmonwealth Avenue toward dusk would be fun though be it brisk. You might catch the lights turn on on the common or commonwealth avenue.

Spend some time in the many irish pubs in the evening or catch a movie at the Lowe's theater downtown

Visit the New England Aquarium and the
New England Aquarium Home


Science Museum
Museum of Science, Boston | Home


if you're into Art, check out the MFA- Museum of Fine Arts,
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Home

and the Mapparium --a walk through Globe in the Christian Science Center
Mapparium® | The Mary Baker Eddy Library

Maybe take a stroll through Harvard Yard in Winter in Harvard Square, check out the Garage Mall (at Harvard Square) and the Harvard Bookstore (Harvard Coop). Grab a bite at a Harvard Cafe or something and a warm cup of tea or coffee...

Check out the FOGG art Museum and the
Harvard Art Museum / Welcome

Harvard Museum of Natural History
Home*-*Harvard Museum of Natural History

If you have a car take a ride out to Lexington and Concord. and see the Old north Bridge in Concord and the Minuteman Statue in downtown lexington. Have lunch in lexington, check out the Minuteman Museum and have dinner in Concord and explore some of the Concord shops in the early afternoon

Drive along the coast from Winthrop (check out the view of Boston from Deer Island)
Deer Island - Winthrop, MA
The Boston Harborwalk: Places To Go...: Deer Island: Deer Island HarborWalk

then drive up along Revere Beach PKWY along Revere beach up to 1A --along the Lynnway to 129 along Swampscott, to Marblehead. Have lunch at
the Landing restaurant in Marblehead
The Landing Restaurant on Marblehead Harbor, MA
A waterfront restaurant

and walk down to the old civil war fort down the street (Ft. Sewell)
Also check out Marblehead Old Burial Ground, Crocker Park, Fountain Park, and Chandler Hovey Park out on Marblehead Neck. Stop at Devereaux Beach by the causeway to watch the waves and see the city skyline

SPend a day at Salem - and check out the sites. Most museums and such close early in the winter, but the good thing is the lines are shorter, and the stores and restaurants you have all to yourself.
Check out the Seafood at Capts or FINZ in Salem on Pickering wharf.

Check out the Peabody Essex Museum
PEM | Peabody Essex Museum
If you dont have a car you can get to Salem Via Commuter rail from N. Station

You can also get to Concord via commuter rail

Lastly get a ticket for the Holiday Pops
Holiday Pops Tickets, 2009 Holiday Pops Schedule - AceTicket.com
for Dec 20th! if you come a bit early :P

I'd also recommend on your drive through the towns to look at christmas lights you leave earlier in the day and stop in Winchester (my home town)
its a beautiful town especially when there's snow around . We have some nice shops most open till about 5-5:30pm and a beautiful mill pond with a waterfall ....(you can get to Winchester from commuter rail as well) from North Station

Anyway these would be my suggestions